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April 17th - Weekly Update
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Board of Supervisors Hosts Farmworkers Movement Celebration and Honors Community Humanitarians
The Board of Supervisors held a Farmworkers Movement Celebration on Tuesday, April 14th in Martinez.
This special recognition honored the enduring legacy and ongoing contributions of farmworkers who play a vital role in the region’s agricultural and economic strength. The event featured keynote speaker Jane Garcia, retired CEO of La Clinica, reflected on the history, resilience, and continued advocacy of the farmworkers movement, as well as the progress made toward equity and fair working conditions.
In addition, the Board recognized and honored this year’s Humanitarians of the Year, individuals whose dedication, service, and compassion have made a meaningful difference across Contra Costa County. Representing District 2, Adya Gupta, an 11th grade student at Dougherty Valley High School, was recognized for Innovation and Empowerment, exemplifying leadership and a strong commitment to community impact.
Honorees from each supervisorial district were celebrated for their unique contributions, reflecting the diverse ways residents are working to strengthen and uplift communities throughout the county.
The celebration provided an opportunity for the community to come together in appreciation of both historical milestones and present-day contributions that continue to enrich Contra Costa County.
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Supervisor Andersen and Adya Gupta, a junior at Dougherty Valley High School and founder of Impactt Kids, receives a resolution as Student Humanitarian for Innovation & Empowerment at Tuesday's celebration.
To see all High School 2026 Youth Hall of Fame Awardees
visit HERE.
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Blackhawk Community Town Hall Brings Together County and Public Safety Leaders for Updates
Supervisor Candace Andersen joined Blackhawk Police Chief Scott Dickerson and San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) Chief Jonas Aguiar at a community Town Hall to provide updates on Contra Costa County, efforts to maintain a safe and secure Blackhawk community, and the work of SRVFPD on fire prevention designed to support and protect Blackhawk and San Ramon Valley residents.
The Town Hall emphasized open communication and active resident engagement, bringing together community members and public safety leaders for a productive and informative discussion. A dedicated Q&A session allowed attendees to share concerns and engage directly with the community leaders in a meaningful dialogue.
Supervisor Andersen also gave an update on Blackhawk Plaza and encouraged residents to stay connected to her District 2 Blackhawk FAQ Page found HERE to receive updates.
| Supervisor Andersen at Blackhawk HOA's Town Hall with Blackhawk Police Services Lieutenant Scott Dickerson, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Chief Jonas Aquiar and Deputy Chief Chris Parsons. | |
Alamo Roundabout to get a Green Upgrade with New Tree Planting
On April 22nd from 8 AM to 4 PM, work will be performed to install a tree in the Alamo roundabout at Danville Boulevard and Orchard Court. Drivers should expect 5–10 minute delays.
This work will enhance the aesthetic of the roundabout, which is part of the Danville Boulevard/Orchard Court Complete Streets Improvement project. The project goal is to improve safety for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians along Danville Boulevard.
To read full Press Release visit HERE.
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Free Naloxone Now Available at Participating Libraries
Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, is available at some Contra Costa County Library locations. Naloxone is a medicine that quickly reverses an opioid overdose. The medication is free and available in self-service stands in the public areas at the Danville, Dougherty Station, Orinda, and San Ramon libraries. Doses are available during library open hours; no registration, identification, or proof of insurance is required.
Opioid-related deaths in Contra Costa and California have steadily climbed over the past decade, although rates dropped in 2024. Many of those overdoses, especially in recent years, have involved the use of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Drug overdoses were the leading cause of death for adults aged 25-54 in Contra Costa between 2020-22. The County launched an OD Free Contra Costa campaign to combat this tragic trend, raise awareness, and connect people to harm-reduction resources like naloxone.
The naloxone doses are available thanks to a partnership between Bay Area Community Resources, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, CCC MEDS Coalition, Leadership San Ramon Valley, Contra Costa County Health, and Contra Costa County Library.
To learn more about OD Free Contra Costa through
Contra Costa Health visit HERE.
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Training Opportunity: Supporting Older Adults in Our Community
The County Adult Protective Services Division of our Employment and Human Services Department is joining with the Family Justice Center, Senior Legal Services, and Narika for an important training focused on strengthening support for older adults across our community. The training is called "Abuse Later In Life" and is being offered on May 19th and June 24th, from 9 AM to 12 PM.
This training opportunity will explore the diverse lived experiences and needs of older adults, examine key dynamics of abuse and its impacts later in life, and highlight ways to enhance collaboration across agencies to improve community response.
This is a valuable opportunity to build knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and better serve our aging population.
To register for a session, use one of the two QR codes below.
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Central Contra Costa Sanitary District 80 Years of Service Celebration! 🎉
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) is marking a major milestone, 80 years of service, with a free, fun-filled community Open House on Saturday, June 13th, and you’re invited to join the celebration!
This event has something for everyone: behind-the-scenes plant tours, free food and ice cream, big trucks, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits. It is a fun and engaging way to see how things work behind the scenes. Serving nearly 500,000 residents and 15,000 businesses across 146 square miles, Central San plays a key role in protecting public health and the environment through wastewater treatment, recycled water, and hazardous waste services. Come learn how it all works while enjoying a great day with the community.
To learn more about Central San and all the educational opportunities available visit HERE.
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Explore Accessible Transportation in
Contra Costa County
Community members are invited to join free weekly virtual office hours hosted by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to learn about accessible transportation options, ask questions, and share feedback.
Sessions started April 15th are held every Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:30 PM, with a focus on supporting older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Join via Zoom:
CCTA.ca.gov - Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 824 3352 8144
Passcode: 123456
To learn more and get involved, join the conversation and help shape a more accessible transportation system for our community.
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Impacts of Federal and State Budget to
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County has created a dedicated HR 1 and State Budget Impacts webpage to support clear and consistent communication around HR 1 (Federal) and State budget impacts to our county residents and budget. These resources are intended to make information easier to access.
This webpage was created through collaboration across all County Departments, including the County Administrators Office, Contra Costa Health, and Employment and Human Services. The content on the webpage will continue to be refined as additional Federal and State information and guidance becomes available.
To learn more about what this means for Contra Costa County visit HERE.
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Celebrate the Earth with Community
Events Across District 2
Contra Costa County is celebrating Earth Month in April, culminating in Earth Day on April 22, with events focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
District 2 residents are encouraged to join local cleanups, planting projects, and educational activities. These efforts, supported by the Board of Supervisors and community partners, promote clean air, open space, wildfire resilience, and waste reduction.
To view District 2 Earth Day events, see the Community Events section at the bottom of this newsletter.
To learn more about Contra Costa's Habitat Conservation plans visit HERE.
To read through Contra Costa's Cimate Action Plan visit HERE.
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CalFire Rolls Out Statewide Campaign to Promote Home Hardening
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) encourages residents to act now to protect their homes and property from the growing year-round wildfire threat. Simple actions, such as mowing grass, trimming trees, removing dead vegetation, and using noncombustible hardscape materials near structures, can make a significant difference in reducing wildfire risk.
Home hardening can include upgrading roofs, vents, windows, and siding, as well as enclosing eaves and removing potential ember entry points. Many effective home hardening measures can be completed at low cost, such as sealing gaps, installing ember-resistant vents, and maintaining gutters free of debris.
In addition to hardening structures, creating defensible space around a home will help slow or stop the spread of wildfire and reduces the chance of ignition from embers or flames.
Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, by taking proactive steps, residents can significantly improve their home’s chance of surviving a wildfire while also helping protect their communities and first responders.
To learn more about how to harden your home and create defensible space, visit ReadyforWildfire.org.
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🎙️ Find Your Voice This Summer with Teen Podcasting!
Calling all Bay Area high school students. Your story matters, and this summer is your chance to tell it!
KALW Public Media is now accepting applications for its Teen Podcasting Institute, a fun and hands-on program where students learn the art of audio storytelling.
Participants will:
✨ Learn audio production and writing skills
🎧 Work with professional radio journalists and podcast producers
📝 Create compelling, real-world stories from start to finish
🎤 Produce a polished podcast episode to share with the world
No experience? No problem! Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and yes, there’s a paid stipend. Even better, alumni have gone on to write for Teen Vogue, strengthen college applications, and earn scholarships.
📅 Application Deadline: May 1
🔗 Apply now via the program page
📩 Questions? Reach out to: tbh@kalw.org
Don’t miss this chance to build skills, boost your confidence, and have a blast doing it!
To read more about the opportunity and to submit an application
visit KALW.org.
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Home Match - Home Owners Connecting to Home Seekers
Home Match connects community members seeking housing with people with extra rooms in their homes, ADU's, or in law units on their property. Each match is personalized with the process overseen by program staff at no cost to participants.
Home Match benefits everyone. It decreases isolation, provides housing security, and above all, builds community.
To learn more visit HERE.
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Mosquito Awareness Week is
April 19th - 25th
It's A Week Dedicated to Learning More About Mosquitoes and How to Prevent Them!
Contra Costa County has 23 established species of mosquitoes, and have one thing in common, they want blood to reproduce! So, do your part to stop them before they get the chance.
Some mosquitoes will lay eggs that are stuck together in water, while others will lay individual eggs just above the water line. There are mosquitoes that prefer saltwater and others that prefer freshwater. Some are attracted to backyard sources, and some prefer agricultural sources or shorelines
Regardless of their preferences, one thing is true for mosquitoes in general, they are the world's deadliest animal. Mosquitoes kill more people and make more people sick than any other animal. Mosquitoes cause 700,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization.
Contra Costa County is home to mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus, animal heartworm, Zika virus, Dengue fever, Yellow fever, and Chikungunya. Take the steps to protect yourself and your family by dumping out any amount of standing water today.
For more information on the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
visit HERE.
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Your Library Card Unlocks Digital News, Podcasts, and Videos
Contra Costa County Library patrons now have convenient access to a wide range of premium digital content through the library’s online resources.
Library users can explore the digital edition of the Wall Street Journal, along with a variety of newsletters, videos, and podcasts available anytime and from anywhere. Whether staying informed on global business news, catching up on current events, or exploring new topics of interest, these resources are designed to support learning and engagement at your convenience.
Access is simple and free with a library card. To get started, visit the Contra Costa County Library’s Digital Resources page on ccclib.org and follow the instructions to activate your access.
With just a few clicks, your library card opens the door to trusted journalism, educational content, and multimedia learning tools available whenever you are.
To view featured digital resources at Contra Costa Library visit HERE.
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunity
Behavioral Health Board
One District 2 Family Member Seat Available
Proposition 1, passed in April 2024, included legislation mandating transformation of the public behavioral health system. Provisions of SB 326 included implementation of an integrated Behavioral Health Board. This integrated advisory body is to include designated members of the community prepared to address community mental health and substance use treatment services.
The mandated functions of the Behavioral Health Board include to:
- Review and evaluate the local public mental health system, the local public substance use disorder treatment system, the community’s public behavioral health needs, services, facilities, and special problems where services are being provided
- Advise the Board of Supervisors and the Behavioral Health Director on community mental health and substance use disorder services.
- Review county agreements, adopted Behavioral Health Services Act plan and make recommendations to the local behavioral health agency.
- Ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages
- Submit an annual report.
- Review and recommend appointment of the local director of behavioral health services.
- Review and comment on county’s performance outcome date
- Assess the impact of the realignment of services.
- Conduct a public hearing on the draft three-year program and expenditure plan and annual updates at the close of the 30-day comment period required by subdivision.
- Provide an annual report of written explanations to the local governing body and Department of Health Care Service.
Submit an Application.
Click here for information on volunteering for an advisory board
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County Wide Volunteer Opportunities
Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association
Individuals with a sound business background, experience in pension fund investment or administration, or in equity investments or banking, are being invited to serve on the Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association (CCCERA) Board of Trustees. Candidates must be Contra Costa County residents and cannot be members or retirees of CCCERA. Applicants also may not market investment or consulting services to any 1937 Act Retirement Board.
The Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 9 AM, with meetings sometimes continuing into the afternoon. Application deadline is Friday, May 8th at 5 PM. Public Interview, in person or via zoom, will be Tuesday, May 26th.
Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC) is a multi-agency advisory body that contributes to the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan. It is composed of several critical parts: an assessment of existing law enforcement, probation, education, mental health, health, social services, drugs, alcohol, and youth resources, which specifically target both at-promise, as well as system involved youth, and their families.
The JJCC will also coordinate the work of governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in activities designed to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime and delinquency in the greater community. Further, the JJCC will develop information and intelligence sharing systems to ensure county actions are fully coordinated and equipped to provide data and appropriate outcome measures.
The seat available currently is an At Large Seat. Applicants must either live or work in Contra Costa County. Interviews will be either in person, or via zoom, at the May 19th Public Protection Committee.
Click here to submit an Application.
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