Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Operations and Services During Stay-Home Order

In compliance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay at home order, Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency announces changes to agency operations and service hours.

“The past several weeks have been a compelling reminder that our community is turning to Health & Human Services with the need for health and mental health services, along with public assistance programs,” said Timothy Lutz, Agency Director. “Despite California’s shelter in place order, HHSA’s work is deemed essential, and in light of that, we are implementing a number of changes in an effort to protect our employees while continuing to provide the essential services our community members need.”

Closures and Suspended Services

Effective March 23, 2020 all lobby’s will be closed to the public for all HHSA locations.

Limited access for some shared department lobbies. Noted below are the exceptions.

Fiscal Operations

Hours of Operation: Monday -Thursday 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m.-noon

• Effective March 18, 2020, Animal Services Shelter Operations: no public access except by appointment
• Accounts Receivable discontinuing in person payments.
  • Clients can mail in, pay over phone or pay online

Human Services

Effective March 23, 2020, all offices closed to the public

Services conducted via phone, email, fax or interactive electronic resources Normal outstation locations are unavailable

• CWS: Hours of Operation ~ Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m.
  • Group Therapy and Monthly Support Group has been cancelled
  • Clinical Supervision discontinued
  • Immediate Response Referrals continuing
• TulareWorks: Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (District Offices/Call Center),
  • Face-to face interviews, orientations and hearings are suspended for all programs
  • Redeterminations for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKs suspended for 90 days
  • General Relief lien collection is suspended
  • Immediate needs triaged at the door

• Adult Services

• Aging Service (HICAP, MSSP, and Veterans)

Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Friday – 8:00 a.m. – noon

• Call in access during hours of operation

• IHSS Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. - noon
  • IHSS Provider Orientations suspended
  • All in home support suspended
  • Intake referrals continuing
• Adult Protective Services/Public Guardian

  Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m.-noon

  • Immediate Response Referrals continuing

Mental Health

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.

• Effective March 19, 2020, the Wellness Center no public access.
• Effective March 23, 2020, all clinic/facilities no public access.
• Medication support will provide up to two days per week injectables based on appointment only.

• County Group Therapy cancelled.
• Transitional Living Center has been instructed to have no outside visitors. Activities have been suspended.
• Payee checks available for pick up once a week on Mondays

Public Health

Hours of Operation: (All services closed to public unless otherwise noted)

• Health Clinic – Visalia M-F 8:00am-7:00pm, Sat 8:00am – 12:00pm

• Health Clinic will triage patients and treat face to face those with acute issues. Phone calls and telemedicine options will be pursued in treating patients or refilling medications
• Farmersville Clinic will field phone calls and direct patients as deemed appropriate.

• WIC - Monday –Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
• California Children Services - Monday –Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
• Public Health Nursing Program - Monday –Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
• Environmental Health - Monday –Thursday 8:00am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
• Environment Health will handle business by phone calls and website. Any required services will be handled by appointment. The department will respond to all outbreak investigations.
• Public Health Administration - Monday –Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 8:00am-12:00pm
• Vital Statistics – Monday –Friday 8:30am -3:30pm
• TB clinic by appointment only
• Medical Therapy Unit services suspended per State direction.
• Oral Health, Tobacco Control Plan, NEOP, and CA PREP suspended.

For more information: www.tchha.org.