The Public Health Department has medical social workers available in three locations to serve the needs of indigent patients requiring health care and related needs. A Medical Social Services Practitioner is located at the main Santa Barbara clinic and Medical Social Workers are located at the Santa Maria and Lompoc clinics. Social workers are available for psychosocial assessment, assistance in identifying and accessing community resources, and limited supportive counseling services. The Public Health Department social workers are recognized in the community as the professionals with the expertise to assist indigent patients in accessing medical care through referrals to community and charitable agencies. The social workers also assist patients in understanding and utilizing various health and welfare systems more effectively.

Following is a list of referral sources which are most used by the Medical Social Workers when referring clinic patients and community members:

• Health Insurance information such as Medi-Cal, Medi-Care, Medi-Gap, and MIASP
• Community Charity for medical costs for the uninsured
• Medication Needs that can be met through the public health department Medication on Credit arrangement or through Pharmacy Indigent Care programs
• Counseling services
• Alcohol and Drug services
• Mental Health services
• Public benefit services such as General Relief and Food Stamps
• Services for the homeless
• Disability benefits information such as State Disability, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income
• In-Home Supportive Services referrals
• Older Adults Program referrals such as Multipurpose Senior Services Program, Geriatric Assessment Program, Preventive Health Care for the Aging
• California Children's Services and Child Health Disability Prevention Program
• Birth certificate procurement
• Referral for transportation of Medi-Cal beneficiaries
• Completion of forms that are required for Medi-Cal, Social Security and MIASP

Medical Social Workers are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 - 5:00 and can be accessed at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Public Health Department Clinic
345 Camino del Remedio
Santa Barbara, California 93110
Phone: 681-5397

Santa Maria Public Health Department Clinic
2115 South Centerpointe Parkway
Santa Maria, California 93455
Phone: 346-7245

Lompoc Public Health Department Clinic
301 North "R" Street
Lompoc, California 93436
Phone: 737-6487