Yuba County HHS launches yubahelps.com, outlines 14 Forward shelter planning and workforce grant work
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Summary
Assistant Director John Cornel presented HHS projects including yubahelps.com (launched Feb. 1), renovation phases for 14 Forward (women's shelter 35–37 beds; men's units pending; target ~1 year), Care Connect telehealth rooms, a tobacco‑education forum and a CMSP workforce‑planning grant with partners.
YUBA COUNTY — Yuba County Health & Human Services (HHS) presented a quarterly update to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 14 that included a new county resource portal, shelter renovation planning and a workforce development planning grant.
John Cornel, assistant director at HHS, said the department is pursuing six priority projects aligned with the county strategic plan. Notable items:
• yubahelps.com: Cornel said HHS launched yubahelps.com on Feb. 1 as a curated online provider database intended to connect residents and county staff directly with vetted community providers. The site will be promoted by print materials, bus‑stop advertising, social media and county digital billboards.
• 14 Forward renovations: Cornel and Deputy Director Melissa Shaw described renovations coordinated with Twin Cities Rescue Mission and vendor KPA Group. Shaw told the board the planned women's shelter will offer between 35 and 37 beds; plans for men's and individual units are still being finalized. Shaw said the board would finalize phase goals at the next meeting and that a ballpark target for additional beds is roughly one year (the board estimated a potential ~80 beds countywide under full implementation).
• Care Connect: HHS is offering private telehealth rooms and concierge support so residents can complete telemedicine appointments using county facilities, devices and staff assistance.
• Tobacco forum and public engagement: Cornel said a tobacco education forum drew more than 100 attendees and included presentations by local students and researchers.
• CMSP workforce development planning grant: Cornel outlined a process of key informant interviews, focus groups and coalition building to identify workforce pipeline gaps and submit a strategy in April to the CMSP program; partners include Adventist Health/Rideout, Marysville Joint, Yuba College and local ambulance services.
Why it matters: the portal and renovation planning represent operational tools and near‑term investments in connecting residents to services and expanding shelter capacity. Supervisors requested more precise bed counts, project timelines and funding details for future updates.
Sources: presentation and question‑and‑answer session at the Feb. 14 board meeting.
