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Dear Community Members,
Scroll down to view news and highlights from our agency, including client success stories; details on how to double your CalFresh dollars; an important Medicare open enrollment reminder; upcoming community events; and more!
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Celebrate Farmers Market Week
Ventura County farmers markets bring us the freshest foods and plants straight from California family farmers. For over 50 years, farmers markets have influenced the way we eat, shop, and connect with our food and each other. Help celebrate these markets' role in our nation's food system and our community by visiting a local farmers market near you.
If you participate in CalFresh, you can double your CalFresh dollars at a certified farmers market through the Market Match Program! Use the Farmers Market Finder tool to find local farmers markets participating in Market Match.
For more details, visit our website or call 888-472-4463.
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Aug. 6 is Farmworker Appreciation Day. This day highlights the hard work and dedication required to bring food from farms to our tables. We are grateful every day for farmworkers' contributions to our community.
DID YOU KNOW? We have a program dedicated to helping meet the needs of Ventura County farmworkers. Our Farmworker Resource Program (FRP) consists of a small but mighty team who have lived experienced and are culturally aware and connected to the clients they serve. FRP core services include:
- Community outreach;
- County services information and referrals; and
- Assistance with farm labor issues.
FRP team members are fluent in English, Spanish, Mixteco and Zapoteco. Watch this video to learn more about the program. For assistance, please call 805-385-1899 or email
HSA-AGFRP@VenturaCounty.gov.
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This event is FREE and open to everyone — whether you're exploring new career opportunities, connecting with County departments, or looking for inspiration on what’s next, the expo has something for you!
What to Expect:
- Connect with County departments and agencies.
- Explore careers in technology, public safety, healthcare, engineering, environmental services, and other fields.
- Speak with County recruiters, and have your questions answered at the Candidate Connect HR booth.
Parking is FREE! Bring your friends and anyone else you know who's interested in a career change.
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Client Spotlight
"John" became homeless in 2016 at the age of 54. He survived on the streets for years, occasionally staying with friends. In 2022, he entered an emergency shelter through the Project Roomkey program, where he remained through 2024.
After exiting the shelter, John returned to living on the streets while still remaining connected to services through Whole Person Care (WPC). He was ultimately matched with the Permanent Supportive Housing Choices program in 2026. Due to John’s transient lifestyle, lack of phone and his medical disability, contacting him was very difficult.
John's social worker partnered with WPC and Ventura County Behavioral Health to locate him and found him at a hospital. After John was discharged, his social worker helped him get a phone, apply for Social Security benefits, and navigate the housing search process.
Through collaboration, advocacy and John’s own perseverance, he successfully secured housing and moved into his new home.
If you or anyone you know are experiencing homelessness, please contact our Homeless Services team at 805-385-1800 for assistance.
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Bringing Isabella Home
After her mother was arrested on a misdemeanor charge here in Ventura County, 5-year-old Isabella was in need of a temporary caregiver. Unfortunately, no nearby relatives were available. Isabella’s father — while still in contact with her — had been living in France for close to a year, along with her older siblings. Isabella was placed with a local resource family while Children & Family Services (CFS) explored reunification options.
Because Isabella’s parents were Romanian citizens, and she was born in France, CFS had to navigate complex international legal requirements, travel documentation, and cross-border child welfare procedures to reunify Isabella with her father and siblings. As CFS prepared to obtain an emergency travel order (requiring Isabella’s mother’s signature), her mother suffered a serious car accident and was detained. CFS worked in close partnership with the Romanian Consulate and child protection services in France to obtain the documentation necessary to issue the emergency travel order. The team also ensured medical and other logistical needs were addressed, allowing the reunification process to continue without delay.
Through persistence, creative problem-solving, and exceptional collaboration across local and international partners, CFS successfully reunited Isabella with her father and siblings in France.
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As we get ready to celebrate Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21, we want to ensure older adults have the information and support they need to make confident, informed decisions about their Medicare coverage.
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7) is your opportunity to review your current health and prescription drug coverage to ensure it continues to meet your needs for 2027. Since plan costs, benefits, provider networks, and covered medications may change each year, be sure to carefully review the materials you receive from Medicare and your health or prescription drug plan.
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will begin scheduling free, one-on-one Medicare counseling appointments during the third week of September. Information on how to schedule an in-person, phone or virtual appointment with a HICAP counselor will be posted on our website.
If you have Medicare questions before the Open Enrollment Period, please contact HICAP at HICAP@VenturaCounty.gov or 805-477-7300.
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"Veterans Savings Program" Postcard Scam
Stay alert for a new scam using fraudulent postcards that claim you (or your spouse) are entitled to “extra VA benefits,” regardless of a VA disability rating.
The goal is to get you to call the number provided in order to obtain personal information like your Social Security number. Do NOT call unverified numbers, and hang up immediately if you are contacted by unsolicited numbers.
Sign up for free scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission.
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Help Shape Ventura County's Hazard Mitigation Priorities
Ventura County is seeking public input to help update the 2027 Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Residents are encouraged to complete a brief survey to identify the hazards that concern them most and the community assets they believe should be protected.
Survey responses will help guide future mitigation strategies and investments that reduce disaster risk and improve resilience throughout Ventura County.
| | Locations in and around Ventura County are offering free and low-cost family-friendly entertainment all summer long. From live concerts to movie nights and more, there's so much to see and do! See what's happening in your area. | | Our offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. You can visit BenefitsCal.com to manage and apply for benefits online. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 8. | | |
No Longer Eligible for Medi-Cal? Contact Covered California
If you’ve recently lost your Medi-Cal eligibility, you may be able to sign up for a Covered California plan now, without waiting for open enrollment. Many people who lose Medi-Cal qualify for low-cost or even $0/month coverage through Covered California.
Visit CoveredCA.com or call 1-800-300-1506 for more information.
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