Press Room
Public Information Office
The Public Information Office is located within the Office of the Director and is the office responsible for the coordination of department communications. The goals of the Public Information Office are to present clear information to the public regarding the department's policies, programs, and services; to promote understanding and advocacy for the department's initiatives, vision, and mission; and to actively reach out to the community and media representatives, by promoting information that highlights and illustrates the work of the department.
Media Inquires Contact: (831) 755-8439 or mcdss.pio@co.monterey.ca.us
News Articles:
Monterey Herald
November 15, 2023
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s governing board is set to approve the district’s inaugural safe parking program for families experiencing homelessness. more
Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05/04/2023
Public Hearing
Service Needs for The Low-Income Population
Public Comments on the Draft 2024-2025 Community Action Plan
[Salinas, CA – 05/04/2023] The Monterey County Community Action Partnership (MCCAP) will present the 2024-2025 Monterey County Community Action Plan (CAP Plan) at two public hearing events in Monterey County for public comments and input on service need priorities for low-income residents, one in the city of Salinas and one in the city of Seaside.
The CAP Plan is a two-year strategic guide that describes how the MCCAP complies with federal and state mandates, details specific goals, outcome objectives, service delivery strategies, and evaluation procedures. It emphasizes close coordination with public assistance programs within the Department of Social Services (DSS) as well as other evidence-based community programs to assist in delivery of supportive services to help low-income families attain and maintain self-sufficiency. The process to develop the 2024-2025 plan included a comprehensive community needs assessment and data review. To identify top service priorities for low-income residents, the needs assessment combined targeted input from county residents and service providers with local, state, and federal data relating to a wide variety of issues contributing the causes and conditions of poverty.
The CAP Plan details service priorities, goals, outcome objectives, and strategies to address the needs of the low-income population in Monterey County for calendar years (CY) 2024 through 2025. The CAP Plan is required by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) to receive the annual Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) federal funding allocation. CSBG funds are used to provide services to low-income people in Monterey County living below the federal poverty level.
Public participation and comment are encouraged to gather feedback and additional qualitative data regarding the unique needs of people experiencing poverty in Monterey County. Understanding the experience of poverty in our community will have a direct impact on how CSBG funds will be distributed and influence upcoming formal request for proposal and possible sole source subcontracts serving the four major regions of the County (Salinas, South County, North County, and Monterey Peninsula) tentatively scheduled to be released in Fall 2023.
To view the Community Action Plan and submit written comments, please visit the MCCAP website at https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/cap
Event Details:
These meetings will be conducted in English with simultaneous Spanish translation available. For special accommodations, please contact the MCCAP office prior to the event at (831) 796-1553 or mccap@co.monterey.ca.us. Both events will entail the same information and are provided in multiple locations and dates for community convenience.
Event: Public Hearing for Low-Income Services, Salinas Event
Date: Thursday May 18, 2023
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Monterey County Office of Education, Room A & B
901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901
Event: Public Hearing for Low-Income Services, Seaside Event
Date: Monday May 22, 2023
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Seaside High School, Cafeteria
2200 Noche Buena Ave, Seaside, CA 93933
About MCCAP: The mission of the Monterey Community Action Partnership is to assess the needs of the low-income people in Monterey County and develop, maintain, and evaluate community services that empower low-income individuals and families to improve their quality of life.