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Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Will Continue

Modified Operations and Teleworking Remotely Due to COVID-19

As cases of COVID-19 surge, HHSA is further modifying operations, while maintaining essential public services

The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and the virus continues to spread at alarming rates throughout Tulare County. Due to these conditions of heightened community spread, the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is taking necessary precautions further modifying operations and increasing the number of staff teleworking remotely, to protect the health and safety of our employees, our clients, and the communities throughout Tulare County that we serve.  

“Unfortunately, we find ourselves in familiar territory with the rising cases of COVID-19, and we have the technology and tools in place to allow for increased teleworking,” stated Timothy Lutz, Agency Director for the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency. “HHSA continues to provide the essential services our community needs, including health and behavioral health services, public assistance programs, and other authorized services we must provide our clients and the community during this difficult and trying time. To protect the health and safety of our employees as well as our clients, we will continue to serve the people of Tulare County with the necessary modifications in place.”

Tulare County Health & Human Services Modified Operations and Services:

All public lobbies will continue to be closed to the public for all HHSA locations. There will be limited access for shared department lobbies, as needed, for necessary appointments and services. Normal hours of operation will remain while staff conduct services remotely or by appointment only. 

Human Services: Will continue to provide essential and authorized services by appointment only, with safety modifications in place. All non-essential services remain in place with modifications as staff conduct teleworking operations. This applies to TulareWORKs, Child Welfare Services, and Adult and Aging Services programs.

Mental Health: Will continue to provide essential, authorized, and client medication support services by appointment only, with safety modifications in place. Adult and Children County Clinics will remain open with limited access to provide essential mental health services, by appointment only, with safety modifications. Mental health crisis response remains in place, with in-person visits for urgent needs, with safety modifications.

Public Health: COVID-19 pandemic emergency response operations will remain in place, with safety modifications. Tulare County Health Clinics will remain open and operational as needed, by appointment, with safety modifications in place. All other public health services will continue through telehealth appointments and operations.

Fiscal Operations and Animal Services: In-person payments are still suspended for HHSA accounts receivable; however, clients can mail payment, pay over the phone, or pay online. Tulare County Animal Services and Shelter Operations remain open to the public by appointment only.

All HHSA offices and locations will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, with the exception of essential services and operations for the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporting for COVID-19 cases, death counts, demographics, and mapping updates will pause for the observed holiday November 26­­–27; however, lab testing, case investigations, and essential response operations will remain in place. 

For more information about COVID-19, visit www.tchhsa.org/ncov and www.covid19.tularecounty.ca.gov