The Santa Barbara County Health Department has been awarded a $2.9 million California Community Reinvestment Grant (CalCRG).

The grant is funded through the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to help communities that have been disproportionately impacted by past government drug policies, also known as the War on Drugs.

Specifically, areas in Lompoc, Santa Maria and Guadalupe have been identified by the state CalCRG Program as areas that have been inordinately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Santa Barbara County recently conducted two community health needs assessments (a regional assessment and a farmworker needs assessment) that revealed 31% of regional participants did not have health insurance, and 52% of farmworkers did not have health insurance.

The grant will be used to focus on connecting priority populations with the healthcare and resources they need. Identified priority populations include monolingual Latino communities, farmworkers, low-income families and individuals, and people experiencing homelessness in Lompoc, Santa Maria and Guadalupe.

Grant funds will be available throughout the funding period, which starts in fiscal year 2025 and ends May 31, 2028.

County Health will use the funds toward efforts to increase treatment for substance use disorder, system navigation services, and linkages to medical care for community members in need in the North and Central County regions.

Specific uses for the grant include:

  • Increasing the number of clients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who
    receive treatment for addiction through the Medication Assisted Treatment Program (MAT).
  • Connecting clients to services that advance their economic, social, physical and emotional well-being.
  • Assisting clients with health care enrollment and access to primary care and wellness services.

Additionally, County Health will open a new initiative called The Care Hub, a gateway to identifying clients, assessing their need for services, and ensuring the appropriate referrals are made for those services.

The Care Hub will focus on connecting Santa Barbara County residents with the care and resources they need, including assistance with health insurance, resources for children, finances, substance-use treatment, food, housing, mental health, and system navigation.

If you or someone you know needs help with any of the above, fill out the intake form through FindHelp: Care Hub Intake Form.

The Santa Barbara County Health Department (CHD), now celebrating 100 years of service, promotes the health and well-being of the community through education, prevention, and accessible healthcare services.

The department offers a range of programs and services including disease control, maternal and child health, emergency preparedness, and clinical care. For more, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/410/Public-Health.