Other Resources
Provides services to Alameda County residents, including: food assistance, cash assistance, child and family services, employment training and other services. See Alameda County Social Services for more information.
The CalWORKS program provides temporary financial assistance and employment focused services to families with children who have a certain income. For more information see Alameda County Social Services or call 1-888-999-4772.
Alameda County has three Resource and Referral agencies that can help you find a program that fits your family’s needs. These programs help all parents, including parents of children with special needs, navigate the public and private early childhood and school age care system.
BANANAS
Serving Albany, Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and Piedmont
5232 Claremont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 658-0381
4C’s of Alameda County
Serving Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo
22353 City Center Drive, Suite 200
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 582-2182
4C’s of Alameda County
Serving Fremont, Newark, and Union City
22353 City Center Drive, Suite 200
Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 790-0655
Child Care Links
Serving Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol
1020 Serpentine Lane, Suite 102
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 417-8733
Head Start – Alameda Family Services
2325 Clement Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 629-6350
Head Start – YMCA Early Childhood Services
2009 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 848-9092
Head Start – CAPE, Inc
3095 Independence Dr.
Building B Suite A
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 443-9380
Head Start – Child Family & Community Services, Inc.
32940 Alvarado-Niles Road, Suite 450
Union City, CA 94587
Phone: (510) 796-9512
Head Start – City of Oakland
17 locations:
Oakland, CA
(510)-238-3165
Head Start – Unity Council
1900 Fruitvale Ave, Suite 2A
Oakland, CA 94601
For further information on child care in Alameda County, click here.
Highland Hospital Sexual Assault Center
(510) 534-9290 or (510) 534-9291 24 hours a day
Alameda County Family Justice Center
470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 267-8800
For further information see the: Domestic Violence Resource Guide – Alameda County Public Health Department
Alameda County Public Health Department’s website for Nutrition Information
- nutrition information
- physical activity information
- events on nutrition services
- nutrition education workshops.
Alameda County Public Health Department’s Health E-Resource
Search by zipcode to find:
- Places that provide physical activities (i.e. sports, dance, exercise, martial arts, parks and recreations).
- A list of Farmers Markets
- A list of low-cost produce markets
- Specialized medical providers (i.e. nutritionists, dietitians, psychologists, psychotherapists) that specialize in weight management
Alameda County Food Helpline
Call 1-800-870-3663 (FOOD) Monday – Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm.
The Food Helpline is Alameda County Food Bank’s countywide referral program that connects people with emergency food programs in their neighborhood.
During the summer months the line can be used to connect children with free summer lunch, and during November and December the line can be use for referrals to holiday food programs.
In addition callers receive information about other programs, such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Food Stamps.
The Food Helpline staff and volunteers can assist callers in 140 languages.
If you need a list of open shelter beds, call 211 for the most up-to-date information.
Alameda County Public Health Department’s Health E-Resource
Search by zip code to find:
- Places that provide physical activities (i.e. sports, dance, exercise, martial arts, parks and recreations).
- A list of Farmers Markets
- A list of low-cost produce markets
- Specialized medical providers (i.e. nutritionists, dietitians, psychologists, psychotherapists) that specialize in weight management
Playworks
Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that supports learning by providing safe, healthy and inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day. Playworks operates nationwide, including Oakland and the East Bay.
Call the Alameda County Food Helpline for information on emergency food or applying food stamps. 1-800-870-3663 (FOOD)
See Alameda County Department of Social Services for information on food assistance and applying for SNAP/food stamps.
Shelter list for Alameda County
If you need a list of open shelter beds, call 211 for the most up-to-date information.
Homeless Action Center
Legal services to homeless and mentally ill
Health Care for the Homeless
Health care and support services to homeless clients throughout Alameda County.
Alameda Social Services
Housing and Homeless Services
EveryOne Home
Working to end homelessness in Alameda County
Housing and Community Development
Alameda County Housing and Homelessness resources
California law limits the amount an uninsured or under-insured person can be charged for high medical costs. For information, see HospitalBillHelp.org and the state’s website of Fair Hospital Pricing to get information on hospital’s discount policies.
Shelter list for Alameda County
If you need a list of open shelter beds, call 211 for the most up-to-date information.
Homeless Action Center
Legal services to homeless and mentally ill
Health Care for the Homeless
Health care and support services to homeless clients throughout Alameda County.
Alameda Social Services
Housing and Homeless Services
EveryOne Home
Working to end homelessness in Alameda County
Housing and Community Development
Alameda County Housing and Homelessness resources
If you are having a dispute with your insurance company, please see here for more information.
Job Star
A list of career centers in Alameda County
East Bay Works
A joint venture of public entities, non-profit agencies, and private organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties helping businesses and job seekers meet their employment needs. Find One-Stop Career Centers Here (Oakland)
Legal services for low-income residents of Alameda County
Legal Aid Society — Worker’s Rights Clinic
Homeless Action Center
Legal services to homeless and mentally ill
If you are in need to prescription drug assistance, see this section of the website.
A database of searchable services for those who were formerly incarcerated. Includes: Housing, legal issues, finances, employment, health, education, case management, social services.
Network of Care
Network of Care provides resources to better coordinate long-term care services locally. This internet resource is for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and service providers
Area Agency on Aging
This helpline is a resource for senior health services
510-577-3530 (Alameda County)
800-510-2020 (Other Counties)
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
This program helps assist seniors in health care services and questions.
HICAP E-clearinghouse- Online HICAP resources
Alameda County Adult Day Services Network
Adult day programs offer day-time care for frail seniors in a comfortable group setting.
Tri-City Senior Helpline
This helpline is a resource for senior health services in Fremont, Union City, and Newark.
(510) 574-2041
Alameda County Tobacco Cessation Resource Guide
510-267-8000
California Smokers’ Helpline
A telephone program that can help you quit smoking.
English
1-800-NO-BUTTS (1-800-662-8887)
Cantonese
1-800-838-8917
Korean
1-800-556-5564
Mandarin
1-800-838-8917
Spanish
1-800-45-NO-FUME (1-800-456-6386)
Vietnamese
1-800-778-8440
- Alameda County: 1-800-309-2131
- Nationwide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Trained crisis intervention counselors are available to receive crisis calls and give supportive counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Translation is available in more than 140 languages and TDD services are available.
See below for discounts on your electricity, water, and phone bills.
Electric and Gas
- PG&E – CARE Program
Monthly discount on energy bills for income-qualified households and housing facilities.
http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/customerservice/financialassistance/care/index.page
- Alameda Municipal Power (Alameda city only) – Emergency Assistance Program
Discount programs for customers who are having trouble paying their utility bills.
http://www.alamedamp.com/customer-service/financial-assistance
Water
- EBMUD –Customer Assistance Program
Helps to pay a portion of the water bill for qualified low-income customers.
Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo
https://www.ebmud.com/for-customers/account-management/customer-assistance-program-cap
- CalWater – Low-Income Rate Assistance Program
Monthly discount to low-income customers.
Livermore
https://www.calwater.com/your_account/lira.php
- City of Pleasanton – Financial Assistance (Pleasanton)
Fee-assistance to low-income residents
http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/senior/financial-assistance.html
Phone
- LifeLine
Provides discounted basic home phone service to qualified households for less than $7 a month. Call 1-866-742-8587 or visit – http://www.californialifeline.com
The WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program is a national nutrition education program that promotes healthy eating. WIC clients receive nutrition advice, help with breastfeeding, referrals to other community services, and special checks to buy healthy food items such as milk, cheese, cereal, juice, and eggs.