United Way's efforts offer a continuum of integrated services in each of three community-identified focus areas (Education, Financial Empowerment, and Health) to help local community members from the day they are born until the final days of their life, and everywhere in between. United Way's signature programs include:

• Fun in the Sun: 350 youth improve their academic, behavioral, and social skills, instead of falling behind, through this national award-winning summer learning program. 200 parents practice positive parenting practices and family strengthening activities through specialized parent engagement curriculum.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:  Monthly books help over 1,200 children up to age 5 start fostering a love of reading.
• Kindergarten Success Institutes: 4 weeks of early education help 250+ kindergarteners master basic academic and social/emotional skills for success in school.
• United for Literacy: 10,000 students at 30+ schools have access to individualized, online reading enhancement programs that improve their literacy skills and boost their motivation to pursue higher education and a career.
• United for Financial Empowerment: Over 3,000 low/moderate-income families and individuals build long-term financial stability through free tax preparation assistance; financial literacy education; and access to emergency savings accounts, college savings plans, and retirement accounts.
• Community Disaster Response: One of UWSBC's roles in times of disaster is to provide long-term financial relief efforts. For the Thomas Fire and resulting debris flow disasters, UWSBC partnered with United Way of Ventura County to establish and manage the United Way Thomas Fire & Flood Fund to provide relief to Santa Barbara County and Ventura County. In Santa Barbara County, UWSBC distributed $2,045,988 to 421 households representing 1,200 individuals affected by the disasters, and 20 community organizations providing short- and long-term relief efforts.