The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new embedded social worker pilot program in West Marin, beginning Monday, March 21.
During the summer of 2021, HHS held town hall events for the West Marin community and stakeholders. In response to requests, HHS will have a social worker stationed in Bolinas and Stinson Beach two days a week.
This new program aims to increase community contact across the broad landscape of West Marin. Community feedback revealed that not everyone is able to access services at the HHS West Marin Multi-Services Center in Point Reyes Station because of a lack of public transportation options. By embedding a social worker in Bolinas and Stinson Beach, HHS hopes to eliminate at least one barrier residents experience to obtaining services and support available and increase awareness of available programs.
Stepping into this new role is a social worker and West Marin resident Caren Gately, who for the past five years has been an HHS resource navigation specialist for older adults in Marin. Her passion for service and deep knowledge of available resources ensures clients are aware of and can access, the array of support and services necessary for them to enjoy health, well-being, safety, and self-sufficiency.
Over the next six months, HHS will assess usage of the program and adjust to what works best for the community. The hope is to use the lessons learned from this pilot to implement similar programs in other historically underserved areas of Marin in the future.
For the latest on service days and hours at the two locations, visit the West Marin Multi-Services Center website. A meet-and-greet event will take place Friday, April 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bolinas Fire Department Community Room (100 Mesa Road, Bolinas). Learn more about the West Marin Multi-Services Center or call (415) 473-3800 to speak with West Marin HHS staff.
