Resources & Finding a Case Worker
Whether you’re looking for help right now or trying to figure out where to start, this page is for you. It covers how to find a local case worker (which you’ll need if you’re applying for a JFS micro-grant) and a directory of community organizations that may be able to help with other needs.
JFS serves as a helping hand of last resort, which means we work best alongside other community support. The resources below are a great place to start, and many of them can connect you with a case worker directly.
JFS serves as a helping hand of last resort, which means we work best alongside other community support. The resources below are a great place to start, and many of them can connect you with a case worker directly.
HOW TO FIND A CASE WORKER
If you don’t have a case worker yet, here’s where to start:
|
1. Call or text 211. Dial 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211.org. This free service connects you with local health and human services — including organizations that provide case management. They don’t provide case management themselves, but they’ll point you to someone who does. Stay on the line — it may take a few minutes, but you will reach someone.
|
2. Reach out to local organizations in the directory below. Organizations marked in the JFS Partner ✓ column have worked with JFS before, and many of them (especially those under General Assistance & Case Management) can connect you with a case worker. The directory is not exhaustive; if nothing feels like the right fit, 211 can suggest others.
|
3. Once you have exhausted all other options, you can apply for assistance from JFS. We assist with support once a year at the most, whether that is gas assistance of up to $50 or a micro-grant of up to $200.
|
COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Grouped by type of service. You don’t need a case worker to access most of these.
Also see these countywide lists from our partners: City of SLO List of Helpful Agencies and VivaSLO.org.
✓ JFS Partner = an organization JFS has worked with before.
Also see these countywide lists from our partners: City of SLO List of Helpful Agencies and VivaSLO.org.
✓ JFS Partner = an organization JFS has worked with before.
| Organization | What they offer & how to reach them | JFS Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Start Here: Information & Referral | ||
| 211 Information & Referral via United Way | Free information & referral to local programs for housing, food, utilities & more — including organizations that provide case management. Dial 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211.org. Stay on the line — it may take a few minutes, but you will reach someone. SLO County: 211slo.org · Santa Barbara County: 211santabarbaracounty.org | |
| General Assistance & Case Management | ||
| CAPSLO — Community Action Partnership of SLO County | Broad range of services; runs the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center (referral form for CAPSLO services) and homeless street outreach (805-441-9475; 1344 Nipomo St, SLO). capslo.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| County Social Services / CDSS | SLO County or Santa Barbara County Departments of Social Services; CDSS statewide. Includes CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids). | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Dignity Health Social Workers | Hospital-based case management. dignityhealth.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Family Care Network Inc. | Serves children, youth, individuals & families with homelessness risk, mental health challenges, Child Welfare Services, Justice System involvement, and barriers to education & career opportunities. Takes referrals from DSS for families on CalWORKs. fcni.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Titanium Healthcare | Care management services. tihealthcare.com | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Womenade SLO | Assists residents of the City of SLO; requires a referral from a case worker. womenadeslo.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Food, Clothing & Basic Needs | ||
| SLO Food Bank | Find free food near you: Food Locator | |
| St. Vincent de Paul | General assistance. 805-544-7041 | |
| Salvation Army | Food & clothing assistance, PG&E bill assistance, homeless outreach & supplies — call for current days & hours. 805-544-2401 | |
| Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast | Children’s clothing, diapers, holiday toys, linens, school supplies & toiletries for infants, children, teens & families in need (SLO & Santa Barbara Counties). 805-709-8673 | |
| St. Patrick’s Church (Arroyo Grande) | Financial assistance (except rent), gas vouchers, homeless outreach & supplies. Serves the Five Cities & Nipomo. 805-489-2680 ext. 1 · stpatsag.org | |
| Disability & Senior Services | ||
| Access Central Coast (formerly Independent Living Resource Center) | Independent living skills training, advocacy, benefits planning, housing assistance & referrals for people with disabilities and seniors. 805-462-1162 · accesscentralcoast.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Housing & Homeless Services | ||
| 5 Cities Homeless Coalition | Homelessness prevention & support in South County. 5chc.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| ECHO Shelter | El Camino Homeless Organization — shelter & services in North County. echoshelter.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| HASLO | The Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo — affordable housing & vouchers. haslo.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| People's Self-Help Housing (PSHHC) | Affordable housing development & resident services. pshhc.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| HUD-VASH | Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing — you must be a veteran and referred through the VA. SLO County Veterans Services | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Good Samaritan Shelter | Shelter, outreach & housing support. 805-347-3338 · Family shelter: 805-260-6996 · goodsamaritanshelter.org | |
| Restorative Partners | Outreach, housing & resources for people involved in the criminal justice system. 3380 S. Higuera St, SLO. 805-242-1272 · restorativepartners.org | |
| CenCal Health (CalAIM) | Community Supports, including housing navigation. 877-814-1861 · Community Support (housing navigator): 805-685-9525 · cencalhealth.org | |
| Utilities & Bills | ||
| CAPSLO Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | Assistance with PG&E, propane & SoCalGas bills. The CAPSLO Energy Department also offers minor home repair and weatherization. capslo.org/utility-assistance | ✓ JFS Partner |
| SoCalGas Utility Assistance | Past-due bill forgiveness; one-time bill grants. 877-238-0092 · socalgas.com | |
| City of SLO Customer Assistance Programs | 20% discount on City water/sewer and trash & recycling bills for qualifying residents. Apply here | |
| First Presbyterian Church – Green Pastures | Assistance with utility bills, car repair & gasoline; meets twice monthly — call or see website for details. 805-543-5451 · fpcslo.org/greenpastures | |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | Discounted internet for qualifying low-income customers. spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist | |
| California LifeLine | Subsidized phone and internet service; may offer free or discounted devices. californialifeline.com | |
| Family, Children & Parenting | ||
| The Link Family Resource Center | Family advocacy & resource navigation; centers in Atascadero & Paso Robles. 805-466-5404 · linkslo.org | |
| Parents Helping Parents | Serves families of children with special needs throughout SLO County. 805-543-3277 (SLO), 805-461-7415 (Atascadero) · ucp-slo.org | |
| Pregnancy & Parenting Support of the Central Coast | Support from pregnancy through age 2. 805-541-3367 | |
| S.A.F.E. Family Resource Center | Family support services. North County: 805-503-9638 · South County: 805-474-2105 | |
| Health, Mental Health & Recovery | ||
| SLO County Behavioral Health | County mental health & substance use services. slocounty.ca.gov | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) | Mental health services, housing & supported employment. t-mha.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) | Support services for cancer patients & families. dignityhealth.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| New Beginnings | Trauma therapy — a private pay organization. slonewbeginnings.com | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Access Support Network | Hep C/HIV testing, medication for opioid use, PrEP, syringe services & overdose prevention; mobile services available. 805-781-3660 · accesssupportnetwork.org | |
| SLO County Recovery Support Network | Outreach for addiction. Men: 805-591-4715 · Women: 805-591-4719 · [email protected] · Facebook @slorsn | |
| Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault | ||
| Lumina Alliance | Domestic violence & sexual assault support. luminaalliance.org | ✓ JFS Partner |
| Legal & Immigration | ||
| SLO Legal Assistance Foundation | Free legal assistance. 805-543-5140 · slolaf.org | |
| California Rural Legal Assistance | Eviction-prevention legal assistance. 805-544-7994 · crla.org | |
| SLO County UndocuSupport | Resources, support & advocacy for and with undocumented and other immigrant families in SLO County. 805-543-2323 · sloundocusupport.org | |
| Catholic Charities | Immigration assistance. 805-541-9110 | |
| Transportation & Auto | ||
| Bureau of Automotive Repair – Consumer Assistance Program | Help with repairs after a failed smog test. bar.ca.gov/cap/repair | |
If you see anything needing correction above, please contact [email protected].
|
Jewish Family Services is a program of the JCC-Federation of SLO. We support people of all backgrounds and faiths with dignity, respect, & care.
→ Learn more about the program here. |