Public Health Division

With over 160 staff, the Public Health Division promotes optimal health and quality of life for the people of Sonoma County through service, science, leadership, and community action. We monitor the health of the population, provide health care, educate about disease and injury prevention, and advance personal and population-based health programs and policies. We protect public health and the environment and promote safety by eliminating or minimizing environmental health hazards through education, regulation and a cooperative working relationship with our community and partner agencies.

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Animal Shelter

Animal Care and Control

The Sonoma County Animal Shelter is committed to serving the public in the care and well being of animals, both domestic and livestock, throughout the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, the city of Santa Rosa and the town of Windsor.

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Disease Control Surveillance and Response

Disease Control Unit

The Disease Control unit is responsible for the investigation of outbreaks of communicable diseases, surveillance of reportable diseases, and provision of educational materials and services to assist communities in reducing the incidence of communicable diseases.

Public Health Regional Laboratory

Provides specimen testing services to the counties of Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Humboldt in Northern California, training and reference testing to clinical laboratories, and laboratory support for diagnosis and control of communicable diseases to private medical providers.

Office of Vital Statistics

Provides birth and death certificates, medical marijuana identification cards, permits for disposition of human remains, and data for communicable disease reporting.

Public Health Preparedness

Planning and putting in place programs to respond quickly and effectively to threats endangering the health of the public.

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Emergency Medical Services Oversight

Coastal Valleys EMS Agency

Provides oversight to the emergency medical care delivery system in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

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Environmental Health and Safety

Environmental Health and Safety Programs

Our programs promote health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work and play. Our programs employ several strategies to prevent health hazards including education, surveillance, routine inspections, response to citizen tips, sampling and posting and enforcement where necessary.

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Family Health

California Children Services

If your child has a catastrophic or serious medical condition, this program may be able to provide financial assistance and coordinate health care services.

Child Health and Disability Prevention

Provides complete health assessments for the early detection and prevention of disease and disability in children and youth, offered at no cost to families that meet eligibility criteria.

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program

The mission of the Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health program is to promote the physical, social and emotional health of childbearing women, children, adolescents and their families in Sonoma County.

Women, Infants, Children (WIC)

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that helps mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.

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First 5 Sonoma County

First 5 Sonoma County

First 5 Sonoma County invests in Sonoma County's youngest children by funding programs and services that promote, support, and improve the early development of children from the prenatal stage through age five.

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Healthy Communities

The mission of Healthy Communities is to provide comprehensive, coordinated services in partnership with the community that support healthy societal and behavioral choices for the people of Sonoma County.

Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program

The Alcohol and Other Drug Program works in concert with local community based organizations, community partners, and government agencies to promote a healthy Sonoma County. The program uses a continuum of prevention strategies to support overall community well-being through the prevention of alcohol and drug use.

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Prevention Program

The program coordinates planning and evaluation for HIV prevention activities, and coordinates planning, development and evaluation for the local HIV prevention programs.

Injury Prevention Program

Conducts countywide projects aimed at reducing unintentional injuries among children.

Nutrition and Physical Activity Program

Program staff members are involved in several collaborative projects aimed at increasing the activity level and encouraging healthy eating among Sonoma County residents.

Tobacco Use Prevention Program

Public Health uses Proposition 99 tobacco tax funds to conduct tobacco control activities, including the Tobacco Education Program, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Sonoma County, and the Sonoma County Peer Leaders Advocating for Teens (SPLAT).