March 2025

Dear Community Members,

Scroll down to view news and highlights from around the agency, including free tax preparation assistance for eligible households, tips to avoid scams, details on VCAAA's new office location, food and housing assistance programs, job training opportunities, and more!

March is Women's History Month

In celebration of Women's History Month, we'll be sharing personal quotes from various women leaders right here at HSA on our social media channels throughout the month. Not only does HSA have an all-women leadership team, but women at all levels of the organization who lead with purpose, contributing their skills and talents every day to help us best meet the needs of our clients as well as our team members.

This year's Women's History Month theme is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations"—a theme that resonates with Director Melissa Livingston as she concludes her nearly 45 years of service with HSA.

"It has been an honor to serve in my last five years as the director, working alongside a committed, talented and mission-driven workforce," Livingston says. "Although my personal path to leadership has encountered many challenges, each challenge opened the door to opportunity, learning, and personal and professional transformation of leadership skillsets and mindsets. While there are many things we can’t change, it is important to reside in a space where we can inspire and influence others to reach their highest potential, to have purpose in life, to dream big, and make one's dreams come to life. Throughout my career, being transparent, courageous, confident, accountable, ethical and fair have been the gifts I hoped to model for others. How we show up matters, being true to one's self matters, sharing our voice matters, and being clear on what we stand for matters. I have been most fortunate to serve alongside a leadership team and workforce that is 'Moving Forward Together,' learning and leading together to educate and inspire many generations to come." 

Remember to follow us on social media for more insightful and inspirational messages from women leaders throughout the agency. Happy Women's History Month!

Free Tax Preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

If you earned less than $67,000 in 2024, you may be eligible for FREE tax preparation & filing assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Visit our website or call 2-1-1 to learn more.

VCAAA Office Has Moved to 4651 Telephone Road in Ventura

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), a division of HSA, has relocated to 4651 Telephone Road on Wednesday, March 5. This new location is less than two miles from the previous County Square Drive address.

The move provides clients better access to the full range of VCAAA and HSA services in one location. In addition to VCAAA programs, clients will also be able to apply for benefits, including CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Covered CA, CalWORKs and General Relief. There is also a resource room at the Telephone Road location for clients to receive employment-related support. Another benefit is having In-Home Supportive Services and Public Authority located right next door at 4245 Market St.

If you have questions, please call VCAAA’s Information & Assistance team at 805-477-7300.

March is National Social Work Month. We celebrate all of our incredible social workers who are making a positive impact in our community. Social workers dedicate their time to helping improve the lives of others. Although this work is immensely rewarding, it's also demanding. We are forever grateful for their steadfast service and support of youth, families and individuals in need.

Data Proves Wraparound Services Make a Difference

Wraparound services are a team-based process that help youth and their families achieve positive outcomes. Ventura County's wraparound provider, Seneca Family of Agencies, may collaborate with a variety of people, including a Children & Family Services (CFS) social worker, Ventura County Behavioral Health clinician, and parent partners, to build on individual and family strengths and develop tailored services and supports that will help youth and families achieve their goals.

From July 2022 to July 2023, only one out of the 20 youth who completed wraparound services the previous year had a substantiated referral to child welfare. That comes out to a 95% success rate for families no longer needing child welfare involvement after completing wraparound services.

There are many factors that influence the outcome of a family's involvement with child welfare, and this data proves that it's a combination of services that truly makes a difference.

Learn more about the programs and services provided by our CFS team.

Are You in Need of Housing Support?

Our Homeless Services Program offers individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness information and referrals to available resources in the county. The program also offers rental assistance to community members who meet certain eligibility criteria.



Call 805-385-1800 or visit our website for details.

FREE Produce, Canned Goods and More at Oxnard Community Market

Community Action of Ventura County (CAVC) offers a drive-thru community market the second and last Thursday of every month from 8:30 a.m. until noon (or until food runs out) at their facility in Oxnard, 621 Richmond Ave. Stop by and pick up FREE fresh produce, canned goods, and more!

Visit the CAVC website for more information.

New EBT Chip/Tap Cards on the Way

Chip-enabled EBT cards are arriving to the mailboxes of CalFresh and CalWORKs clients. You do not need to call to activate your new card. All existing benefits will transfer automatically to your new card, and your PIN will stay the same.

These cards allow you to make contactless payments using tap-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals at retailers, making transactions more secure. This chip upgrade is a major milestone in the fight against EBT fraud.

View more information on this upgrade from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

The Ventura County Library offers FREE one-on-one reading instruction and drop-in conversational groups for adults age 16+. Adult learners practice basic reading, writing and English skills, giving them the opportunity to achieve lifelong learning goals, build confidence to obtain a job, and share their love of literacy with friends and family.

For more information about enrolling an adult learner or volunteering as a tutor, please visit the library website or call (805) 677-7160.

SCAM ALERT: Fake Publisher’s Clearinghouse Letters

A new mail scam is targeting Ventura County residents, especially older adults. Fake letters claim recipients won money and instruct them to call a number.

Red flags:

• Publisher’s Clearinghouse never notifies winners by mail this way.
• The envelope is postmarked from Canada.
• Scammers may request personal info or payment.

What to do:

• Do NOT call or share personal info.
• Report it to local law enforcement or the FTC at: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Warn others, especially older adults!

Slam the Scam

Criminals continue to impersonate the Social Security Administration and other government agencies in an attempt to obtain personal information or money. Designated by the Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General, National Slam the Scam Day raises awareness of government imposter scams.

This year's Slam the Scam Day takes place on Thursday, March 6, during National Consumer Protection Week. Visit ssa.gov/scam now to learn how to spot scams and report suspicious activity.

GetSetUp: Live Classes for Older Adults

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) has teamed up with GetSetUp to provide hundreds of live online classes to keep older adults mentally, physically and socially active. Classes are interactive and offered day and night.

Sign up for FREE now!

Swap Meet Justice Citizenship Fair

Visit the Citizenship & Social Justice Fair at the Oxnard College Swap Meet to speak with volunteer immigration lawyers and community members who will answer your immigration questions.

They will also help you with:

• Paperwork for U.S. citizenship
• DACA and green card renewals
• Selective Service applications
• Voter registration
• And more!

When: Last Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Oxnard College Marketplace & Swap Meet (in front of the gym)

View directions and map.

Appointments are not necessary, and there is NO CHARGE for assistance.

Get more information.

Veteran Services Orientation Tuesday, March 11

The Employment Development Department and America's Job Center of California (AJCC) invite veterans and their family members to attend an orientation of services available to veterans. This event will take place Tuesday, March 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. at America's Job Center of California, 2901 N. Ventura Rd. in Oxnard.

Attendees will learn about:

• AJCC employment and training programs.
• Counseling and rehabilitation to get back to work and civilian life.
• VA education and medical benefits as well as federal and local benefits.

Call 805-288-8400 for more information and to register for this event.

Empowering Women to Build the Future

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. One industry where women are increasingly making their mark is in the building and construction trades.

Did you know?



• Women now represent over 10% of the construction workforce in the U.S., and that number is growing!
• Careers in the trades offer competitive wages, benefits, and opportunities to earn while you learn.
• Skilled tradeswomen have helped build iconic structures and critical infrastructure across the country.

Now it's your turn to step up and build a future you're proud of. The next Tri-Counties Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program starts this April and is designed to equip women with the skills and confidence to thrive in the trades. You'll gain hands-on experience, industry insights, and the foundation needed to launch a rewarding career. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, earn, and lead in the trades!

Sign up today!

This is also a good time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors,

and change out the batteries if needed.

The BenefitsCal website is an easy way to get the help you need with food, employment, health care, and more! Visit the site to:

• Apply for benefits.
• Upload documents.
• Report changes.
• Connect with a caseworker.
• Request a replacement benefit card.



BenefitsCal will even send you reminders when it's time to renew your benefits, which you can also do online! Visit BenefitsCal.com to create your account today.

For more updates, visit the Ventura County Human Services Agency website: VCHSA.org