Resources for Residents

California Public Utility Consumer Programs

Here are some examples of CPUC consumer programs/initiatives:
·         CARE/FERA Programs – Discounts on energy bills for income-qualified households (up to 35% bill discount with CARE and up to 18% bill discount with FERA)
·         Medical Baseline – Extra allowances of energy billed at the lowest rate for customers who rely on life-support equipment 
·         California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) – Grants for digital literacy training, broadband access in public housing developments, and more
·         California LifeLine Program – Discounted home phone and cell phone services to qualified households
·         California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) – Provides discounted communications services to schools, community colleges, libraries, government-owned hospitals and other non-profit organizations
·         Energy Saving Assistance Program (ESA) – provides no-cost weatherization services to low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines
·         Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) “Equity” and “Equity Resiliency” – Both categories aim to ensure lower-income, medically vulnerable, and at-risk for fire communities are at the front of the line to receive competitive incentives for battery storage 
·         Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Programs – Investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with specific set-asides for disadvantaged communities
·         Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) – Solar incentives on qualifying single-family affordable housing
·         Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) – Solar incentives on qualifying multifamily affordable housing
·         Green Tariff Shared Renewables – Small solar projects built in disadvantaged communities
·         Environmental and Social Justice Action Plan – Details and updates on our commitment to furthering principles of equity, inclusion, and justice across our entire portfolio of work
·         Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group – Consisting of representatives from disadvantaged communities who provide advice on state programs proposed to achieve clean energy and pollution reduction
·         Low Income Oversight Board – Advises the Commission on low-income electric and gas customer issues and serves as a liaison for the Commission to low-income ratepayers and representatives

Access and Functional Needs

The City of Rohnert Park uses the term Access and Functional Needs to define individuals who may have additional needs before, during and post incident including but not limited to the following:

Visually Impaired
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Mobility Impaired
Single Working Parent
Non-English speaking persons
People without access to transportation
People with special dietary needs
People with intellectual disabilities
People with dementia

A variety of resources for all Access and Functional Needs groups can be found at www.SoCoEmergency.org

Wellness Checks

Rohnert Park Senior Center Offering wellness phone checks to any senior who would like to be called during the shelter-in-place order. Contact Cindy Bagley, (707) 588-3452  or cbagley@rpcity.org

Institute on Aging Friendship Line, (800) 971-0016

  • https://www.ioaging.org/services 24-hour toll-free hotline for ages 60+ and adults living with disabilities.
    Can arrange on-going outreach calls to lonely older adults.

Council on Aging, (707) 525-0143 
https://www.councilonaging.com/in-the news Services available by phone:

  • Case Management: phone for new clients; check-ins for existing clients
  • Mental Health Services
  • Elder Advocacy at the Family Justice Center
  • Adult Day Programs are closed
  • Senior Care Coordination – Home visits limited to emergencies only

Petaluma People Services Center, (707) 765-8488 You Are Not Alone, weekly check-in calls for those age 60 and older or with a compromised immune system. Offered countywide. Call (707) 765-8488 or submit a referral to notalone@petalumapeople.org.

  • Adult Day Program (Currently Closed)
  • Case Management (Accepting Referrals)
  • Family Caregiver Support Program (Exploring Online Resource)

Legal Services

Council on Aging, (707) 525-0143 Legal, Estate Planning – Available through telephone appointments
Money Management – Not taking new clients
Trust Management – Serving existing clients
Conservatorship- Serving existing clients

Disability Services and Legal Center, (707) 528-2745, http://mydslc.org/ Contact only by phone.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County, Hotline: (707) 542-1290, info@legalaidsc.com

Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Elder Abuse restraining order applications are being written and filed remotely. Full services available to victims by phone during business hours.

Elder Hotline: (707) 340-5610, www.legalaidsc.org/

Domestic Violence Hotline: (707) 595-6295

Housing Hotline: (707) 843-4432, Rental housing and eviction issues.

Veteran’s Issues: (707) 542-1291

Disaster Relief COVID19 Response Hotline: (559) 429-6974 or (707) 308-2513 Assist disaster survivors with unemployment insurance, price gouging, FEMA benefits other legal issues resulting from a disaster or declared emergency, including COVID19.

Housing and Rental Support

For information on housing and rental support, please visit the link below.

https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/support-assistance-during-covid-19/finance-housing/housing-and-renter-support/

SHARE Sonoma County offers a Home Sharing Program to provide affordable housing and to help seniors “age in place”. SHARE (Shared Housing And Resource Exchange) facilitates secure home shares for homeowners and renters who are currently stressed financially, experiencing life transitions, looking for companionship, or needing basic assistance (service exchange) to help them thrive and remain safely at home.

For more information about SHARE Sonoma County please visit www.sharesonomacounty.org

Unemployment Resources

For unemployment resources, please visit the following website.

https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/

Grocery & Meal Services

Redwood Empire Food Bank  www.getfood.refb.org

Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District
CRPUSD provides lunch meals at no cost to children 18 years of age or younger. Meal distribution takes place at Lawrence Jones Middle, Technology Middle, and Rancho Cotate High from 11am-1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. www.crpusd.org
**Please note, December 16th will be the last day of service for 2020. Meal distribution will resume on January 4, 2021.** 

Council on Aging, (707) 525-0143 All Dining Sites are closed. Clients have the option of 5-day meal pick-ups at locations on dates below. The senior must call by 10 a.m. the day before pick up in order to receive a meal pack. Clients must be age 60+. Those who are NOT a current lunch program clients must complete an intake form. Anyone 60 and older can pick up a 5-day frozen meal pack on the following dates:

  • Rohnert Park Senior Center Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m

NOAH - Neighbors Organized Against Hunger

 

NOAH (Neighbors Organized Against Hunger)  food distribution is performed on Wednesdays between the hours of 4:00p.m and 6:00p.m. For the most up-to-date information, contact NOAH at 707-548-NOAH. or visit their website at https://www.noahfoodpantry.org/  


Those receiving food are requested to bring their own shopping bags, boxes or containers capable of holding 20 - 25 pounds of food.


Noah is located at 5443 Snyder Lane, across from Rancho Cotati High School. All those receiving food are requested to park in the Cross and Crown Lutheran Church parking lot and follow the signs to the NOAH facilities. No child recreation facilities are available.

 


Mental Support

Are you in need of some emotional and mental health support?
Do you know someone who needs to talk to a professional about going through these tough times?
The County of Sonoma has launched a free and private warm line.
The line is available to any County resident needing support.
(707) 565-2652
Visit https://socoemergency.org for additional information.

The following like offers a wide variety of mental health and emotional support information. https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/stay-healthy/mental-health/

Sonoma County Human Services operates a separate assistance line for Senior Citizens.
707-565-INFO This is a free information and assistance line for adults 60+ where they can talk to a social worker. https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services/Adult-and-Aging/Area-Agency-on-Aging/707-565-INFO/

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance Information 

Internet Access

Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.

Sonic Internet provider in Sonoma County During the COVID-19 outbreak, Sonic is offering three months of free internet access and unlimited nationwide home telephone service to households with K-12 students, college students, senior citizens 60 or older, educators, Healthcare providers, delivery persons, food and safety workers.

Spectrum FREE Internet Access to qualifying homes w/ students. 

Internet For All Now is a nonprofit that has resources available to low income, seniors, and students to access either internet services or computers for a low cost.

Service Referrals

Area Agency on Aging Information and Assistance Line, (707) 565-INFO (4636) or email: 565INFO@schsd.org For adults age 60+ who need assistance to find community resources. Leave a voicemail or email with contact information, and social worker will respond within 48 hours, Monday – Friday. In English and Spanish.


Information & Referral service for Sonoma County, Dial 2-1-1 or type your zip code to 898-211 to talk/text with a call taker 24/7. You can also text “COVID19” to 211211 for pre-recorded information and resources.