Community Resources
Free Mental Health Referral Service
Pacific School has partnered with Care Solace to provide assistance connecting families and staff to mental health services and navigating the insurance system. More information in English or Spanish.
Wellness Portal and Suicide Prevention Hotlines
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education maintains this wellness portal, which has many useful resources for families looking for all kinds of support.
Pacific School has partnered with Care Solace to provide assistance connecting families and staff to mental health services and navigating the insurance system. More information in English or Spanish.
Wellness Portal and Suicide Prevention Hotlines
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education maintains this wellness portal, which has many useful resources for families looking for all kinds of support.
- Santa Cruz County 24-Hour Suicide Crisis Line: 1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)
- TrevorLifeLine: 1-866-488-7386
24/hour hotline for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk.
Need to Talk? The CA Youth Crisis Line Hears You
The California Youth Crisis Line is a free 24/7 confidential phone, text and chat counseling service, available statewide to youth ages 12-24 and/or adults supporting youth. Calls made to the line are safe, secure and supportive, and their team of volunteer crisis counselors are here to listen and help navigate crisis. With a growing resource bank of over 5,000 services, they can connect you to the resources and services in your immediate area for help. Click here to download an informational flyer or visit www.calyouth.org/cycl.
The California Youth Crisis Line is a free 24/7 confidential phone, text and chat counseling service, available statewide to youth ages 12-24 and/or adults supporting youth. Calls made to the line are safe, secure and supportive, and their team of volunteer crisis counselors are here to listen and help navigate crisis. With a growing resource bank of over 5,000 services, they can connect you to the resources and services in your immediate area for help. Click here to download an informational flyer or visit www.calyouth.org/cycl.
INTERNET: 211 can help you sign up for low-cost internet service. Eligibility is determined at the household level. If anyone in your home is currently enrolled in SNAP, WIC, Medi-Cal, CalFRESH, or any government assistance program - your household is eligible. If you're not currently enrolled, you can also qualify if your income is less than 138% the federal poverty line. Text the word “INTERNET” to 211-211 or visit http://broadband.unitedwaysca.org/resources for more information.
Affordable Connectivity: The government helps pay for internet access for low-income people. More information here: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/
TOBACCO CENSSATION Tobacco use can lead to tobacco dependence and serious health problems. Tobacco/nicotine dependence is a condition that often requires repeated treatments, but there are helpful treatments and resources for quitting. Dial 211 to learn more! Smokers can and do quit smoking for good.
LYFT United Way of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the expansion of our Ride United program! Our hope is to provide access to more free or discounted rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Santa Cruz County, in partnership with Lyft Text or Call 831-316-4310 for more information.
Affordable Connectivity: The government helps pay for internet access for low-income people. More information here: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/
TOBACCO CENSSATION Tobacco use can lead to tobacco dependence and serious health problems. Tobacco/nicotine dependence is a condition that often requires repeated treatments, but there are helpful treatments and resources for quitting. Dial 211 to learn more! Smokers can and do quit smoking for good.
LYFT United Way of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the expansion of our Ride United program! Our hope is to provide access to more free or discounted rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Santa Cruz County, in partnership with Lyft Text or Call 831-316-4310 for more information.
CalFresh (Food Stamps)
You or someone you know may now quality for CalFresh. Contact our friendly CalFresh Outreach Department for assistance.
www.thefoodbankd.org/calfresh
or call: 831-662-0991. They are busy but not backlogged and are proud to report that they are keeping up with applications.
You or someone you know may now quality for CalFresh. Contact our friendly CalFresh Outreach Department for assistance.
www.thefoodbankd.org/calfresh
or call: 831-662-0991. They are busy but not backlogged and are proud to report that they are keeping up with applications.
Resources for Families
If your student is eligible for Free and Reduced Price lunches, you may also be eligible for the following programs:
Studies suggest that household hunger negatively impacts the intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children and puts them at greater risks for obesity, diabetes, and other diseases. Research also indicates the affects of food insecurity follow children into the classroom, often resulting in poor academic performance.
Click, Call or Come In… www.GetCalFresh.org, 1-888-421-8080,
or 1020 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz and 18 W. Beach Street, Watsonville CA 95076
Who qualifies?
• Families with children, single adults, couples, and students, if they meet income and residence requirements.
Help you can count on:
• CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase food from participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
• Any money left on your EBT card at the end of the month rolls over for use the following month.
Be sure to visit Human Services Department website for a calendar of events
Cook together. Eat together. Talk together. Make mealtime a family time.
CPR For Parents
Financial Literacy for Parents
Get Free Money from the Government
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
If your student is eligible for Free and Reduced Price lunches, you may also be eligible for the following programs:
- Summer Meal Programs within the same city or school district and the CDE Summer Meal Programs Web page
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children with instructions on how to apply
- Call 211 for help finding all kinds of resources. See this flyer (second page is in Spanish) for more information.
- Tools and resources for renters in Santa Cruz County - 2022 PDF
- Student Support Services Resource Directory
Resource directory to help you identify and connect with available community resources that exist to meet the needs of all children from birth to college. This resource guide allows anyone - administrators, students, and families - to connect with the resources available in Santa Cruz County so that students can take full advantage of learning opportunities.
- Make sure you and your students have health insurance. If you don't have insurance through work, go to www.coveredca.com to explore all your options.
- If you qualify for Medi-Cal (health insurance for people with limited income), you can apply through Covered CA (above) or directly: Ways to Apply to Medi-Cal. You can apply in person, online, or by mail, and applications are available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
Studies suggest that household hunger negatively impacts the intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children and puts them at greater risks for obesity, diabetes, and other diseases. Research also indicates the affects of food insecurity follow children into the classroom, often resulting in poor academic performance.
Click, Call or Come In… www.GetCalFresh.org, 1-888-421-8080,
or 1020 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz and 18 W. Beach Street, Watsonville CA 95076
Who qualifies?
• Families with children, single adults, couples, and students, if they meet income and residence requirements.
Help you can count on:
• CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase food from participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
• Any money left on your EBT card at the end of the month rolls over for use the following month.
Be sure to visit Human Services Department website for a calendar of events
Cook together. Eat together. Talk together. Make mealtime a family time.
CPR For Parents
- Quick intro to CPR which could save your child's life
Financial Literacy for Parents
Get Free Money from the Government
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
Wireless Internet Options
These are two wireless ISP companies that may be able to provide coverage to your house if you live in some of the more remote areas of Santa Cruz County's north coast. Pacific Elementary does not endorse these or any other companies; rather we are just trying to make sure that all students can access their online schooling options.
Ridge Wireless: https://www.ridgewireless.net/
Coastside: https://www.coastside.net/
These are two wireless ISP companies that may be able to provide coverage to your house if you live in some of the more remote areas of Santa Cruz County's north coast. Pacific Elementary does not endorse these or any other companies; rather we are just trying to make sure that all students can access their online schooling options.
Ridge Wireless: https://www.ridgewireless.net/
Coastside: https://www.coastside.net/
