K’ima:w Medical Center now has a permanent Eligibility Specialist

Tina Loy started April 15. County just issued a press release.

Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) has a new permanent Eligibility Specialist at its Hoopa location in the K’ima:w Medical Center after going nearly a year without one. Newly hired Tina Loyo’s first day on the job was April 15.

During the interim, the office had adopted limited hours to allow staff from Social Services’ main Koster location to commute from Eureka to cover the vacancy.

A lover of the outdoors, Loyo moved to Willow Creek last year. Outside of work, she serves as a board member for the Willow Creek Fire Safe Council and leads a monthly community drum circle, fostering community engagement and creativity. 

DHHS Eligibility Supervisor Sarah Ireland said having a permanent employee in the Hoopa office eliminates the need to have Eureka staff traveling hours each day which saves the county money and will ultimately make it possible for the office to maintain more regular hours. “A local and permanent employee helps our customers receive assistance, without having to travel, from the perspective of someone familiar with their community.”

As training and onboarding continue, the Hoopa office located at 535 Airport Road, will maintain limited hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. are expected to resume in the fall.

Services available at the Hoopa location include assistance with CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General Relief and Transportation Assistance programs.