UPDATE: Includes the delay of the reopening of the 120 North Redwood Drive campus of Marin HHS.
San Rafael, CA – The second phase of the County of Marin’s return to in-person customer service is slated for June 8-9. The County is still recommending appointments for in-person services to mitigate congregations of people. Like many businesses, telework and electronic services will remain core service delivery models for some time to adhere to public health orders.
The Department of Health and Human Services has several locations around Marin, including its Wellness Center on Kerner Boulevard in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael.
With
new orders from
Marin County Public Health related to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the County started to reopen its offices on June 1. Although pre-pandemic levels of foot traffic at the Marin County Civic Center and other offices is not expected to return for some time, departments such as Health and Human Services (HHS), Community Development, Child Support Services, and Agriculture/Weights & Measures are preparing for more visitors as they reopen next week.
Residents with in-person appointments are required to wear face coverings and follow posted social distancing protocols in compliance with orders from Marin County Public Health. County staff will do the same.
HHS is the County’s largest department with more than 700 employees who work at many sites throughout Marin. Many HHS offices are reopening to the public on Tuesday, June 9, following an in-service training day on June 8. The campus at 120 North Redwood Drive in San Rafael will open soon on a date to be determined. HHS staff will continue to provide services remotely when possible for safety reasons, and residents in need of HHS services should consider conducting conversations over the phone or email when possible. Residents are advised to review www.marinHHS.org for updated information on hours and services available.
Due to the high number of unemployment claims the County is currently experiencing, HHS’ CareerPoint Marin office at 120 North Redwood in San Rafael is expecting a steady flow of visitors once it reopens with limited services. Appointments for all in-person services are advised. CareerPoint is a network of workforce development experts which provides employment and training solutions for career seekers. Limited services available starting June 10 include:
- Registration in the State of California’s CalJOBS program
- Job search services
- Information on virtual services, including employment workshops
- Support with filing an unemployment insurance claim (Note: Representatives from the state’s Employment Development Department will not be onsite)
- Phone and virtual appointments with an employment counselor (call 415-473-3300).
The HHS workforce has been heavily impacted by the County’s pandemic emergency response, and many employees remain on the front lines of the public health emergency. Many HHS employees will continue to serve as disaster service workers (DSWs) at various locations, including at COVID-19 testing locations and temporary shelters for homeless individuals.
Other scheduled reopenings:
- Agriculture/Weights & Measures, located at 1682 Novato Boulevard in Novato, will allow walk-in visits to its office as of June 8.
- Child Support Services, at 88 Rowland Way, Suite 200, in Novato, will be reopened June 8. Visitors may conduct business there weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. but staff is encouraging phone appointments whenever possible. With some exceptions, Marin County Superior Court hearings will be held via videoconferencing or by telephone appearance.
- The Community Development Agency’s lobbies in Suites 236 and 308 of the Civic Center will reopen June 8 with service by appointment only. Contact the Building & Safety (415-473-6550), Planning (415-473-6269), and Environmental Health (415-473-6907) divisions to schedule appointments. In lieu of appointments, CDA’s services are available online, by phone, videoconferencing, and/or email, and customers are encouraged to make arrangements for contactless drop-off and pick-up of permits and licenses.
Departments requiring more time for reopening include the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and branches of the Marin County Free Library, which requires clearance from the public health officer.
The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk has scheduled a June 15 reopening date for its division offices at the Civic Center. All three of its public counters are serving residents via phone or e-mail from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. In-person visits will be by appointment only starting June 15.
The 10 library branches remain closed pending revised public health orders. Curbside service has begun in phases. Programs and events have been cancelled, including visits by the Bookmobile and Learning Bus. Check the library’s webpage for the latest updates on services.
The County provides many online services and encourages appointments for in-person service options to help assure resident and staff safety. This is a great time to check out the online Payment Center, where many services can be conducted electronically.
Visitors to County offices will notice some changes in signage and equipment. County staff is installing countertop plexiglass shields (“sneeze guards”) at service counter areas to protect residents who need in-person appointments, and signs and stickers will notify visitors about precautionary public health measures, including paths of travel and 6 feet social distance in any queue areas (English and Spanish).
See the County’s department service adjustments webpage for details.