211 Ventura County launches needs assessment, offers 24/7 navigation; Swap Meet Justice clinic runs monthly at Oxnard College

Kelly Brown, community information officer for 211 Ventura County, described a new community needs assessment and the organizations 24/7 navigation services at a Ventura County public meeting.

"Our information navigators are available 24/7 to deliver health and social service support to individuals in over 150 languages," Brown said, describing 211's role connecting residents with shelter, health care, food, utilities, mental health, legal and transportation services. Brown said 211 also gathers information during disasters and community distress events to inform community-based organizations that provide support.

As part of that effort, 211 launched a community needs assessment intended to identify emerging needs tied to increased federal immigration enforcement and to help direct local resources, Brown said. She urged impacted community members to search 211now.com, text their ZIP code to 898211, or call 211 to reach an information navigator.

Vanessa Frank, an immigration attorney serving the Central Coast region, reminded residents of a recurring legal clinic she described as "Swap Meet Justice," held on the last Sunday of every month at Oxnard College from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., except in December. Frank said multiple types of attorneys attend, including immigration and criminal-defense lawyers, and that services are free and require no documentation.

Frank also offered direct help for families preparing for emergencies: keep medical and legal records together in a secure place, give copies to trusted contacts who can access them, and teach dependents who those contacts are. She provided a contact number for a local organization that helps people assemble documents: Youth Right to Rise, (805) 616-2715.

Discussion versus action: speakers promoted existing services and outreach; no new funding or formal program adoption was proposed during the remarks.