Community Resources
Legal and Community Resources
In addition to the Law Library, there are a variety of community resources available. On this page you will find information about agencies within Santa Cruz County that offer legal and non-legal help and a few places to start if you aren’t sure what type of assistance you need. Please contact the individual agency for more information about their services and how they are currently operating due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you are unsure of where or how to start, the Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Cruz offers 1/2 hour consultations with attorneys for $50.
Disclaimer: The Santa Cruz County Law Library does not endorse any of the service providers. We do not evaluate the services listed; therefore we are not responsible for the quality of the services provided. This list provides information for non-profits, and public departments and agencies.
Community Resources
Community Information Database: Maintained by the Santa Cruz Public Libraries the database provides listings for agencies throughout Santa Cruz for both legal and non-legal needs. This is a great place to start if you need assistance.
2.1.1: Connects people to local health and human services and provides information before, during and after a diaster. You can use the link above, call 2.1.1 or text 2.1.1 for assistance.
Community Bridges: Operates 10 programs providing assistance to families, children and seniors. Their programs include transportation services, and family community centers (with services).
Encompass Community Services: Programs for early education, health & housing, and adult, youth, and family behavioral health. Visit their site to learn about available programs.
Adult Protective Services: If you suspect an Elder or Dependent Adult is being abused contact Adult Protective Services. You will find their contact information and information about what abuse is and what happens after you make a report by following the link above.
Child Protective Services: If you suspect a child is suffering from or at risk of neglect, phsyical, sexual, or emotional abuse contact Child Protective Services. You will find their contact information and information about how to recognize abuse by following the link above.
Conflict Resolution Center: Provides mediation services, conflict consultation, and restorative justice services. Visit the link to find out more about how they can help you resolve conflict.
Smart Path to Housing and Health: Santa Cruz County Coordinated Assessment and Referral System. Visit the site for information on accessing services.
Housing Matters: Offers residential, case management, and day services to the unhoused. Visit their site to get connected with services.
Santa Cruz Free Guide: The Free Guide provides information about resources available in Santa Cruz County. These services include shelters, meals, showers, restrooms, and other free resources available. Updated resource PDF’s for services available during COVID-19.
Behavioral Health Services: The Behavioral Health Division of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency provides information about current services and programs.
MHCAN of Santa Cruz: The Mental Health Client Action Network is a peer-run organization providing group and individual services. Visit the link to find out how to get in contact.
Local Legal Resources
Santa Cruz Superior Court Self Help Center: Provides free assistance with a variety of legal subjects to individuals who are self represented. Information about subject matter and services can be found on their site.
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA): Assistance for low-income individuals with employment, housing, public benefits and K-12 education. Contact the Watsonville office for assistance.
Senior Legal Services: Provides services to residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties who are at least 60 years old. Information about the types of cases eligible for assistance is on their site.
Watsonville Law Center: Assistance for low-income individuals with consumer issues, identity theft, wage claims, and workers’ compensation.
Santa Cruz County Immigration Project: Provides services to the immigrant community in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. One of the many programs that are part of Community Action Board.
Catholic Charities Legal Immigation & Citizenship: Assistance for those trying to chieve lawful permanent residency or citizenship. Call 831.422.0602
Smart Legal Solutions: Non-profit providing sliding scale family law mediation, and consultations. Call for more information 831.459.6019.
Clean Slate Program (Santa Cruz County Public Defender): Focuses on assisting people who have had contact with the criminal justice system remove barriers and successfully reestablish themselves in their communities.
District Attorney’s Consumer Fraud/Protection Unit: This unit investigates and prosecutes consumer fraud, environmental violations, and “white collar” and criminal fraud complaints. Visit the link for contact information.
District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program: Offers services to victims of violent crimes and other eligible family members. Visit their site for information about they type of services they provide. Contact the office by calling 831.454.2010
Monarch Services: Offers immediate crisis response to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, assistance with restraining orders, support groups, and programs for youth and children. 24 hour crisis hotline 1-888-900-4232
Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center: Offers a variety of programs for individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence. Provides peer counseling, support groups, and assistance with restraining orders, as well as other services. 24 hour crisis hotline 1.866.269.2559
Statewide Legal Resources
Bay Area Legal Aid: Offers assistance with consumer debt issues to low-income residents living in the Bay Area. Contact them to see if you qualify for assistance.
San Jose Pro Bono Project: Debtor’s Rights Clinic for those thinking about bankrupcty. Call 408.998.5298 for more information.
Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center: Provides consumer and debtor’s clinics that provide information about common consumer issues and bankruptcy. Contact the center to see if you qualify for assistance.
Legal Aid at Work: A San Franciso based non-profit providing assistance to Californians. Their programs include a Workers’ Rights Clinic, Workers’ Disablility Law Clinic, and a Wage Claim Clinic. They provide lots of free fact sheets on their site covering many aspects of employment law.
National Center for Lesbian Rights: Advances the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy and public education.
Disabilty Rights California: Provides information, referrals, and self-advoccay materials to help individuals with disabilities, their families, or advocates understand the legal rights related to an individual’s disablility. Contact them to see how they may be able to assist.
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates: Provides free legal services to low and moderate income residents to help tenants, homeowners, and homeless residents with housing, reentry, predatory lending, debt collection, estate planning, and other household debt and credit issues.