With Halloween around the corner, I want to know what you think about Candy Corn. Love or hate it?
Hello residents of District 4 and welcome to my monthly newsletter.
 
The fall season is upon us and there’s a lot going on at the County. Here’s a quick summary of my office's work over the last month, in case you missed it: 

  • The Board of Supervisors voted to study the feasibility of adopting "reach codes" which would encourage builders to plan for fully-electric powered buildings and homes. Natural gas used in ranges and dryers is not as clean as electricity. Every three years, cities and counties in the state adopt the new Building Standards Code or Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities and counties may adopt building codes more advanced than those required by the state known as “reach codes.” In this case, these codes would help reduce carbon emissions associated with new construction and increase the adoption of electric vehicles.

  • Also at the October 8 meeting, the Board took a critical step forward to increase transparency in law enforcement and support current jail reform efforts by approving the selection of OIR Group to serve as the Independent Civilian Monitor within the County’s New Office of Corrections and Law Enforcement Monitoring, or OCLEM. OIR Group will provide reports and policy recommendations to the Board regarding law enforcement operations and the use of force, conditions in the jail, response to public and inmate complaints, and access to medical and mental health services. Administration will finalize the contract with OIR Group by the end of this year, I look forward to providing you with updates once this critical work commences.

  • My referral for an 18-month pilot program to subsidize inmate phone calls was approved unanimously. Inmates will be offered seven free 15-minute phone calls a week. This will eliminate a barrier many inmates face to staying in contact with their families and legal services. You can read more here.

  • Our County will always put our residents first. Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors voted to formally oppose changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) proposed by the Trump administration. Symptoms of food insecurity extend beyond hunger and malnutrition and have substantial impacts on health outcomes and school performance. Food assistance programs like SNAP are critical to reducing food insecurity and extending the resources of families, including underpaid workers, to manage other household expenses. You can read more here.

  • A new benefits card for families in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, is available today from all three WIC agencies in the county: Gardner Health Services, the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, and the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. The new card, which looks like a debit card, is more convenient and easier to use. Moving away from paper checks allows more flexibility and destigmatizes the grocery shopping experience. This program is an investment in all our families and their futures. All families should have regular access to good, nutritious food and this new WIC card will make it easier for them to achieve this. All eligible families throughout Santa Clara County should take full advantage of this important benefit.
 
I highly encourage everyone to participate in the 2020 Census . You matter. An under-count could mean less funding to county programs and resources from the federal government. You can find more information about the 2020 Census here .
 
While we're on the topic of civic engagement, I encourage youths ages 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote. It's a great way to make sure you are registered by the time you turn 18 and a great way to have your voice heard. Your voice matters. You can pre-register and register to vote in California online .
 
I am on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor. There you can find resources, news and events.
 
And in case you missed it, you can watch my EdTalk here .
 
As always, if you have questions, comments, and/or concerns, email me to supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org
IN THE NEWS
You can keep track of D4-specific coverage and County news by visiting my newsroom on my website.
Santa Clara County has some of the best up and coming authors.

The Campbell Union School District featured nine students at the annual Rising Young Authors celebration last month.

Each year teachers submit students’ short stories, essays, research papers and poems to the school district’s Writing Faire, which highlights student writing from grades 3-7. Judges at the Writing Faire choose the two best entries for each school. A first place Accomplished Writer award is offered to participate in the Rising Young Authors celebration. If the first-place student declines or is ineligible to participate, the offer goes to the second-place student.

Students who participate in the Rising Young Authors celebration receive a professionally produced copy of their work for their home and one for their school library. A ceremonial event is held at Barnes & Noble where students talk about their writing pieces with their peers and mentors.

Congratulations to Darius Parish, Marina Schuler, Jessica Burkhart, Charlotte Reyes-Palo, Yehyun Hwang, Sofia Ramirez, Chloe Hahn, Jordan Pyle and Perri Jane Kaiser. 

You can read the work of Campbell Union School District’s 2019 Rising Young Authors here


Email my Communications Director Mayra Flores at mayra.flores@bos.sccgov.org to nominate next month's #WeAreD4 feature.
MONTHLY GALLERY
See where my staff and I have been in the community last month.

Throughout the month, my team and I go out to our communities to share updates and hear your concerns, feedback and priorities in areas in which we can assist.
WHERE IN D4 ...
See where the D4 team and I have been in the charts below and click on the "Community" button above to get the latest updates on D4 neighborhood associations and organizations.
From March to December, I will be visiting Farmers' Markets throughout District 4 on a rotating basis to hear directly from you.

Next month's informal conversations will take place at the Campbell Farmers Market on Nov. 10, 9AM-12PM . I hope you can join me!






You can find a variety of ways to participate as a volunteer or otherwise civically engaged by clicking the button below.
HAVE A QUESTION?
The D4 team is made up of dynamic individuals who can answer your questions and assist you with information you may be searching for.