The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides drop-in benefits information and application assistance.

They help people in enrolling in or renewing benefits programs like:

• Cash Assistance | CalWORKs & more
• Food Assistance | CalFresh
• Healthcare | Medi-Cal
• Housing
• In-Home Supportive Services
• Veterans Services

Drop-In Days and Locations

• Grass Valley Library
  • 207 Mill St, Grass Valley, CA 95945
  • 530-273-4117
  • First Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm
• Madelyn Helling Library
  • 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959
  • 530-265-7050
• First Wednesdays, 10am-12pm

Additional notes:

These are drop-in services and no appointment is necessary.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/879/Social-Services
• Drop-in Services Information - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7270

EatWell is a virtual food pantry that addresses food waste and food insecurity. EatWell feeds people, not the landfill. It is a forward-thinking  mobile app that connects edible food generators—like restaurants, stores, and school and hospital cafeterias—to people in need.

Web pages

• Home - https://eat-well.org/

The Meadow Vista Friendly Neighbors provides emergency food to people in need throughout the year, with Christmas Baskets provided in December.

Residents of the following communities are eligible to receive food:

• Meadow Vista
• Clipper Gap
• Christian Valley
• Applegate
• Weimar

Web pages

• Home - https://meadowvistafriendlyneighbors.com/

The Salvation Army offers a small emergency food pantry at 10725 Alta St, Grass Valley, for people needing short-term food assistance.

Services include:

• Emergency pantry access for individuals and families who cannot make it to larger distributions
• Intended to bridge short-term food needs before connecting with larger partners like the Food Bank of Nevada County or Interfaith Food Ministry

Web pages

• Home - www.grassvalley.salvationarmy.org

The Emergency Relief Program provides short-term assistance to help non-residents who are stranded in Nevada County return to their place of residence. Assistance is offered as a loan and may include temporary lodging, food support, transportation funding, and travel fare.

Services include:

• Motel vouchers as short-term shelter
• Food vouchers for basic needs
• Gas funds for travel
• Bus fare assistance for transportation

People must apply in person at one of the three Nevada County Department of Social Services locations:

• Brighton Greens, 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Rood Center)
• Eric Rood Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, CA 95959, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Brighton Greens)
• Nevada County Joseph Center, 10075 Levon Ave, Truckee, CA 96161, 530-582-7803

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/879/Social-Services

Pacific Health Group's Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program provides eligible Medi-Cal recipients with a care coordinator to help make a health plan receive services they need.

Services include:

• Case management
• Counseling
• Financial, food, and legal assistance
• Housing support
• Medical transportation
• Emotional, practical, social, and behavioral support
• Care coordination and treatment planning
• Regular communication, follow-ups, and engagement

ECM may support:

• Homeless individuals and families
• People with serious mental illness or substance use problems
• Children with complex health issues
• People who frequently visit the ER or hospital
• Those at risk of entering nursing homes
• People leaving nursing homes or jail

Web pages

• Home - https://mypacifichealth.com/
• Enhanced Care Management - https://mypacifichealth.com/enhanced-care-management/

The Environmental Health Department manages programs focused on environmental protection and some aspects of public health in Nevada County.

These programs regulate food preparation in restaurants, installation of wells and septic systems, handling hazardous materials and other topics related to consumer protection.

Web pages

• ​Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1470/Environmental-Health
• Environmental Health Services (including how to report an Environmental Health issue) - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1572/Services
• West Nile Virus & Mosquito Prevention, including info about mosquito fish give away events - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/2291/West-Nile-Virus-Mosquito-Prevention

Placer County’s Environmental Health monitors and enforces public health and environmental safety standards throughout Placer County.

Services include:

• Inspections of restaurants, food vendors, grocery stores, and mobile food operations
• Oversight of public swimming pools, spas, and body art facilities
• Regulation of hazardous materials storage and waste disposal at commercial sites
• Permits and inspections for septic systems and water wells
• Supervision of small public water systems
• Response to complaints about sewage leaks, substandard housing, chemical spills, and food poisoning
• Environmental cleanup coordination after wildfires, including hazardous materials advisories and Right of Entry permits for debris or tree removal

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3105/Environmental-Health
• Permits, forms, & fees - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3245/Permits-Forms-Fees
• Complaints & complaint forms
  • Complaints - https://www.placer.ca.gov/3107/Complaints
  • Online complaint for…

Environmental Health provides health and safety oversight for food, water, hazardous materials, and wildfire-related recovery in eastern Placer County.

Services include:

• Inspection of restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, caterers, and community food vendors
• Monitoring of public swimming pools, spas, and body art facilities
• Oversight of landfills, transfer stations, and waste tire storage sites
• Regulation of hazardous materials at gas stations and vehicle repair shops
• Approval of water well and septic system installations
• Coordination of contaminated site cleanup
• Support for small public water systems
• Investigation of complaints involving foodborne illness, sewage exposure, garbage, chemical spills, and substandard housing
• Wildfire recovery support, including hazard advisories and debris removal declarations

Tahoe-area short-term rental nuisance complaints above 5,000 feet elevation are handled through the Host Compliance Hotline or online portal.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.placer.…

The City of Grass Valley Parks & Recreation Department manages the rental of indoor and outdoor facilities for public and private use.

These spaces accommodate events such as weddings, meetings, fundraisers, and community celebrations.

Rental facilities include:

• Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building (managed by Nevada County)
• Grass Valley Elks Lodge
• Memorial Park Clubhouse
• Memorial Park Picnic Areas
• Condon Park BBQ Areas and Pavilions
• Downtown City Hall Council Chambers
• Grass Valley Library Royce Branch Meeting Room

Each facility has specific capacity limits, amenities, and rental fees. Availability, requirements, and reservation procedures vary by location.

Facility-specific details and application forms are provided online. Applications may include requirements for deposits, insurance, or additional permits for food service, alcohol, or amplified sound.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.grassvalleyca.gov/
• Park Facility Rentals - https://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/facility-rentals
• Facility U…