July 2026

CIE Partner Connection

Celebrations and Observances

Click through and learn about this month's holidays and celebrations!

Lincoln High School Visits 211/CIE San Diego

211 San Diego had the great pleasure of partnering with United Way of San Diego County and the STEAM to Careers: Dream with STEAM Program this Summer 2026. The Dream with STEAM Program is a summer career exploration opportunity which empowers students with mentorship connections and site visits to future career opportunities. Through this valued partnership, Lincoln High School students came to visit the 211 Headquarters and connect with our teams at 211 San Diego & Community Information Exchange (CIE).   

During our time together, we learned more of the students’ passions, drive towards social change, and what excites them about STEAM related careers. We also learned of what is meaningful to them and the ripples of impact they hope to make in the communities of San Diego.  

One student (17) shared that he has started his own business and is leveraging Artificial Intelligence to build websites for his friends and community members. He is already building a portfolio and has aspirations to attend a 4-year university. These amazing students also expressed interest in learning more about our organizational growth and expansion. We highlighted the importance of establishing cross-sector partnerships, as time has taught us that this work is best done in the spirit of collaboration. 

In reflection, our teams shared moments of lived experiences which have propelled each, into the collective work, at 211 San Diego & CIE. Many of the incredible people in our organization, have similar experiences of navigating complex systems of care and how arduous it can be for many. Because if those experiences, we shared how we use our perspectives and sphere of influence, to make the systems of care more accessible. We use lessons learned to enhance our pathways and get creative in moments where we are challenged to grow. We are San Diegans Helping San Diegans and we are committed to supporting our clients to the best of our ability.  

The Dream with STEAM students concluded their visit with a tour of our 211 San Diego Call Center and witnessed our Community Connectors in action. Students even met some of our Call Center leaders like our Director of Client Services, Steve Montejano, who shared briefly about his role and how our teams support clients being connected to programs and services. Our visiting students asked questions and expressed curiosity around the volume of calls received especially, in moments of natural disasters or emergencies. Students were left impressed and astonished at our ability to remain responsive in moments of crisis. “Wow-you do a lot to help people!” 

We want to sincerely thank our 211 San Diego & Community Information Exchange teams for their support and participation; Meg Storer, Roderick Gabriel, Meisa Williams, Aidee Roman, Leticia Martinez, Ashley Johnston, and Payton Saksa. 

We are grateful to have had this experience and we look forward to more pivotal moments of shared learning. A very special Thank You to our partner, United Way of San Diego County for allowing us the honor of engaging such wonderful students. We know Lincoln High students will accomplish many great things, in San Diego and beyond!

Written by: Zenia E. Torres 

CIE Closed-Loop Referral Opportunities

SDHC Homelessness and Housing Stability Hotline

The SDHC Homelessness & Housing Stability Hotline is a centralized housing access and screening program that connects eligible individuals and families within the City of San Diego with homelessness prevention and housing stability resources.

The program screens callers to determine likely eligibility for several housing assistance programs, including:

• Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) Direct Referrals are reviewed within approximately 3 business days.

• Shelter Diversion Program Direct Referrals are reviewed within approximately 3 business days.

• Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) Direct Referrals are reviewed within approximately 20 business days.



• Stability Through Prevention (STP) Direct Referrals are reviewed within approximately 3 business days.

Depending on eligibility and available funding, participants may receive services such as temporary rental or utility assistance, housing stabilization planning, case management, resource navigation, and referrals to community partners.

These services are designed to help households remain safely housed, resolve immediate housing crises, or identify alternatives to entering the shelter system. Eligibility is based on factors such as residency, household income, housing status, program-specific requirements, and funding availability.

Individuals who do not qualify for one of these programs may be connected with other housing, shelter, or supportive service resources that better meet their needs.

Eligibility

Must reside in the City of San Diego, including the 92037 ZIP code. Must be currently at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness with an approved housing unit secured.

Unable to assist individuals who are currently receiving Section 8 or Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Area Served

City of San Diego, 92037

Considerations:

• Direct referral DOES NOT guarantee enrollment in the program, as additional screening will occur with a 2-1-1 Housing Specialist and an SDHC Housing Specialist, who may determine that the client is not a good fit for the program.

• When a direct referral is submitted, a Housing Specialist will call back the client to complete additional screening within 2 business days of the referral.

• Housing Specialists will attempt to reach the client up to 3 times for up to 1 week before closing out the referral

Community Supports, Housing Transition Navigation Services

Community Supports, previously known as In Lieu of Services or ILOS, are certain community-based services and supports that address health-related social needs, primarily focusing on navigating housing transitions or sustaining existing housing.

Housing Transition Navigation Community Supports services assist Medi-cal members enrolled with any of the Medi-cal managed care plans (CHG, BSP, Kaiser, Molina) with obtaining housing by providing support with items such as housing applications, benefits advocacy, securing available resources, and providing help with landlords upon move-in.

Eligibility

• Must have active Medi-cal and enrolled with Blue Shield Promise, Molina Healthcare, Kaiser, Community Health Group for their Medi-cal managed care.

• Must be approved by the health to receive services for each individual Community Supports benefit.

AND Member must meet AT LEAST one of the following criteria to be eligible:

• Member is prioritized for permanent supportive housing unit or rental subsidy through CES.

• Member meets the HUD criteria of homelessness and meets at least one of the following criteria:
• One or more serious chronic conditions or severe mental illness
• At risk for institutionalization or require residential services due to SMI or SUD.
• Enrolled with ECM

Considerations

• Once referral is submitted with sufficient information to verify eligibility, Serene Health will submit an authorization request to health plan. It can take up to 5-10 business days for approval. Once approved will reach out to the client by the phone or email provided to begin our intake process.

• Upon approval by health plan, a Serene Health Intake Coordinator will reach out to you by phone to complete the intake process. Upon completion, individuals will be connected to a community support case management.

• Referral Outcome will be documented within 15 business days.

WorkReady Hub

Provides resource navigation for San Diego County residents who need guidance connecting to local work programs, job training, education programs, volunteer opportunities, and other resources that may support the new CalFresh and Medi-Cal work requirements.

Partners can refer individuals for follow-up assistance so staff can help identify available options and provide resource connections. This service does not determine benefit eligibility or update CalFresh or Medi-Cal cases.

For current updates on HR1, visit the county's website:

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ssp/calfresh-medical-work-requirements.html

Eligibility

San Diego residents seeking information about CalFresh or Medi-Cal changes, including current applicants, current recipients, and individuals who may be impacted by immigration status or work requirement changes.

Area Served

San Diego County



211/CIE San Diego Announcement

211 San Diego Launches Veteran & Military Support Services to Better Serve Those Who Served

211 San Diego is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in serving Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, National Guard members, Reservists, and their families throughout San Diego County.

As of July 1, the 15-year Courage to Call program—a County of San Diego Behavioral Health Prevention and Early Intervention peer program run in partnership with 211 San Diego and TURN—has officially concluded, and our formal partnership has ended.

While that specific joint initiative has come to an end, our unwavering commitment to local veterans, service members, and their families remains stronger than ever. The name of the program has changed, but our mission has not. 211 San Diego is proudly relaunching our military and veteran support services independently. Our dedicated team continues to stand ready to connect the community to the vital resources they need—simply dial 2-1-1.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce 211 Veteran & Military Support Services, a dedicated program designed to provide exceptional support, trusted guidance, and personalized care for those who have served our nation and the loved ones who support them.

Comprehensive Support from Veterans Who Understand

At the heart of this program is a team of Veteran Peer Specialists who understand the unique challenges and experiences of military life.

Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., our team provides:

• Personalized resource navigation
• Advocacy and support services
• Access to vital information and community resources
• Program enrollment assistance
• Compassionate follow-up care
• Life-changing peer support
• Connections to trusted providers and accredited representatives for VA claims and benefits assistance

Our services are available to anyone who served in any branch of the U.S. Military, including the National Guard and Reserves, regardless of discharge status. We also proudly support military family members, caregivers, and loved ones.



Individuals seeking support can: 

• Call 2-1-1 and choose Option 10 to speak directly with a Veteran Peer Specialist
• Or, contact the team directly at 1-877-698-7838

Community Events

Date: Saturday, August 8

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Location: TrueCare Vista Way Health Campus

3998 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA

Join the annual family-friendly health fair and breast milk drive with FREE backpacks* and goodies for attendees, DJ and fun activities for the kids! There will be giveaways and prizes for the entire family.

Fair activities include:

• Food distribution*
• Activities for kids
• Breast milk drive
• Dental screenings and fluoride varnish
• Health screenings
• Blood Drive benefiting the San Diego Blood Bank
• Tour our Dental and Primary Care Sites
• and more!
• *Food distribution and backpack giveaway available while supplies last.



Come on down to entertain the kids at the activity booth; talk with our compassionate providers and staff; or spin the wheel for prizes. Community partners will also join us with demonstrations, interactive experiences and information.

CIE Partner Network Gathering

The Partner Network Gathering has been paused for July 2026 to give everyone some well-deserved time to relax, recharge, and make the most of the summer season. In the meantime, please reach out if you need anything or have questions.

Wishing you a joyful and restful summer & we look forward to seeing you in August!

Next Gathering: August 25, 2026, 9:00 am

Angelica Esparza Bañuelos

CIE Training & Partner Communications Coordinator

Keila Gomez

CIE Program Coordinator

How can we help?

CIE Overview Training: An introductory training session covering the main uses of CIE and navigating the system. Sessions include the consent process, submitting referrals, navigating dashboards & more.

Refresher Training: A shorter session for smaller groups/teams that have experience navigating the CIE system who would like to review specific uses of CIE.

Technical Assistance: Step-by-step guidance with a Partner Engagement team member to help resolve password issues, updating referral outcomes, and general troubleshooting.

Questions? Email us at ciehelpdesk@211sandiego.org

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