Santa Cruz County nearly 98 percent of children below 18 years is covered with health insurance. The percentage is second highest in California. According to a survey nearly 93 percent of children were covered with health care insurance in 2001. Every year nearly 10,000 children are enrolled for health insurance coverage. New programs like healthy kids worked with Medi-Cal and healthy families to help families with limited incomes.


First 5 Santa Cruz County is in its final year of a three year strategic plan to improve children’s lives. Santa Cruz County is taking steps to improve children’s lives. They are trying to improve literacy and helping families at risk of abuse or neglect. First 5 Santa Cruz County and other advocates started a program in 2006 for families at risk. A lot of people like social workers, public health workers, counselors do home visits, parenting skills, medical care and referrals to drug and alcohol recovery programs.