Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Wednesday, Dec. 18, was a day of long-awaited celebration, as staff from the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Division of Human Services and the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) cut the ribbon on their new co-located space at 68 Orchard St. in Hoopa. 

Hoopa Valley Tribal Vice Chairman Jordan Hailey said it’s “exciting” that the county and tribe will be working more closely. “I believe better relationships, closer ties and collaboration will help to better serve the community as a whole as best as we can,” he said. “I am really excited to see what the future brings.” 

DHHS Director Connie Beck agreed and said the push to co-locate staff has been years in the making. “I first started working on this project with past Hoopa Human Services Director Millie Grant several years ago,” she said. “Seeing it come to fruition is absolutely amazing.
CWS Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Program Manager Pamela Miller said, “The county and Tribe already work together and have a strong relationship, and this closeness in proximity will serve to make it stronger.” 

Prior to moving into the newly renovated facility, DHHS staff maintained an office at the K’ima:w Medical Center in Hoopa with one local employee. This move makes is possible for DHHS to have an Eligibility Specialist, Behavioral Health Clinician and four Social Workers, including two assigned to ICWA ongoing cases.  

Over the years, it has been challenging for DHHS to hire individuals who could move to the Hoopa-area to work at these jobs, or find people who were already residents, and for years, staff from Eureka took turns commuting to and from Hoopa to cover the vacancies. The travel time reducing the amount of time staff could provide services. Today, all six staff currently housed in the Hoopa office also live in the surrounding areas.  

Humboldt County Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone thanked the Hoopa community members, the Hoopa Tribal Council and all the staff involved. “What a beautiful day this is,” he said. “So many people have worked so hard to help make this happen. We at the county are honored to be part of this. Thank you for inviting us to be your partners.”

CWS Social Worker IV Ella Kane, who works out of the new Hoopa office on social worker recruitment and retention, is a lifelong resident of eastern Humboldt and a longtime social worker. “I see this co-location as a way to increase access to essential resources that are not always available when living in our rural community,” she said. “Hiring social workers who live in the community helps ensure they have an understanding of the unique needs and challenges the children and families experience.” 

CWS Director Amanda Winstead echoed Kane’s sentiments. “A space like this lets Tribal and county staff work side-by-side in new ways to support children to stay safe in their family and community. This is another step in our collaboration and partnership with the Hoopa Tribe—I am so grateful and appreciative of all the work and persistence both Tribal and county staff have put in to make this happen.”

Kane agreed, saying, “This new co-location has been a long time coming. I am so thankful it is finally here.”  

DHHS services available at the new Hoopa location include Child Welfare Services, Behavioral Health and assistance with CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General Relief and Transportation Assistance programs.