A Message from Supervisor Coursey | | |
As we move into spring (Where did winter go?), there’s a lot of important work happening across Sonoma County and here in District 3. From the long-awaited housing opening at Casa Roseland, to continued investments in mental health through Measure O Funds, to new efforts focused on making our parks more welcoming and accessible, we’re seeing real progress in areas that matter to our community.
We recently presented a gold resolution declaring March 25 - 31 as Farmworker Awareness Week, honoring the movement and significant contributions of farm workers across our country. It’s also an opportunity for thoughtful reflection on that legacy and how it continues to shape the values that guide our work here at the County.
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This month’s update also includes several ways to get involved, whether that’s serving on a local commission, participating in community planning efforts through the city’s South Santa Rosa Specific Plan, or providing input through Department of Emergency Management’s community survey. In this newsletter we also feature a variety of events that bring us together from multicultural community celebrations filled with family-friendly activities to Autism Awareness Month events and so much more.
As always, my office is here to keep you informed, connected and engaged with the work happening at the County and in your neighborhood. Thanks for your readership.
Sincerely,
| | What's New at the County of Sonoma? | | |
Casa Roseland will be opening this summer and the application period is now open for the long awaited 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes right in the heart of Roseland. This new neighborhood offers 75 units featuring a host of new appliances and resident amenities, including a children’s play area, a youth center and a community room. Monthly rent will range from $849 to $2,350 depending on household size and income. Interested members of the community must apply by 5 pm on April 9 to be considered in the lottery.
Supervisor Coursey, whose district includes Roseland, said reaching this stage of the project after decades of work is not only thrilling but a testament to the commitment by county officials and partners to bring transformational change to this area.
“It’s an exciting time in Roseland right now,” he said. “I’ve spoken to residents who see this not just as new housing for the community, but recognition. They feel that Roseland is seen. That Roseland is cared about. They see this as a sign of positive change.”
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How to apply:
Online: www.midpen-housing.org/casaroseland
In person (Mon –Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM):
Mahonia Glen (temporary leasing office)
153 Calistoga Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Phone: (707) 612-9799
Email: casaroseland@midpen-housing.org
View income limits and rent amounts at: www.midpen-housing.org/casaroseland
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The Board of Supervisors received the annual Measure O report this month. Now entering its fifth year, the quarter-cent sales tax measure is supporting a coordinated behavioral health system of care that reaches residents earlier, responds more effectively during times of crisis and connects more people to treatment and housing.
In Fiscal year 2024-2025, Measure O generated $33.1 million, allowing expanded services across all five voter-approved categories. Spending totaled $54.7 million with $22.1 million of those costs reimbursed through state and federal funds.
Measure O-funded programs across Sonoma County include:
- Mobile crisis teams that responded to more than 22,000 calls.
- The Sonoma County Healing Center provided short-term psychiatric care to more than 200 residents.
- The Crisis Stabilization Unit served more than 650 people experiencing mental health emergencies.
- School-based mental health services returned to 16 high school campuses, connecting 109 students to care and responding to 33 on-campus crises.
- Expanded outreach and care coordination helped move people from encampments into shelter and permanent housing, with ongoing support to maintain stability.
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Sonoma County Regional Parks created a “Belonging Framework,” which is a long-term roadmap to ensure parks are welcoming and accessible to all visitors regardless of their backgrounds or physical abilities.
Shaped by community voices, this framework will help guide Regional Parks in developing hands-on projects and services to improve how people experience parks in years to come. Priorities include improving the usability of trails, programs and facilities for people with disabilities; expanding culturally relevant information and programming; strengthening partnerships with community organizations; using community data to better target resources; investing in staff training; and creating regular opportunities for both the public and employees to provide feedback.
The framework supports the County of Sonoma’s broader Strategic Plan goals around equity and community engagement and will guide Regional Parks as it puts those values into practice across the department’s day-to-day work.
| | This month, the Board of Supervisors recognized March 25-31 as Farmworker Awareness Week. Members from Latinos Unidos, Centro Laboral de Graton and community members came forward to speak about the significance of this recognition. Farmworkers are fundamental to our agricultural industry and represent individuals whose cultures, languages and lived experiences enrich the County’s social and economic fabric. Farmworkers have worked frontlines during disasters and pandemics and this recognition is a step in the right direction toward identifying solutions to support farmworkers in our community. | | |
Beginning April 12, transit operators across Marin and Sonoma will implement coordinated service changes through the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service (MASCOTS) Plan, a collaboration among nine transit and funding agencies to grow ridership and improve public transportation along the Highway 101 corridor. This level of regional coordination marks a significant step forward for transit in the North Bay. For riders, the benefits are clear: more service, better-timed connections, and a simpler network designed around how people travel, with stronger transfers and more options throughout the day.
Key improvements include a 19% increase in SMART service, expanding to 48 weekday trips and 24 weekend trips, with trains running earlier and later to close midday gaps and strengthen first- and last-mile connections.
Golden Gate Transit Route 101 will run more frequently between the San Rafael Transit Center and San Francisco, operating every 30 minutes all day and every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods. Local bus schedules will also be better aligned with SMART stations to make transfers easier.
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North Bay Giants fans can skip the traffic and parking headaches this season by taking SMART to Larkspur and connecting to the Giants Ferry for a seamless, car-free trip to Oracle Park. The Giants Ferry drops passengers just steps from the stadium entrance, making game-day travel easy and stress-free.
Golden Gate’s Giants Ferry runs for all home games, and fans can also take SMART and connect to the regular Larkspur Ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building, just a short walk or Muni ride from Oracle Park.
View the schedule of Giants games with both train and ferry connections at https://sonomamarintrain.org/giantsgames
| | Public Service Announcements | | |
The Civil Grand Jury is a historic institution that serves as the community’s independent watchdog. Operating under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court, it functions as part of the judicial branch to review local government operations and promote accountability.
To qualify as a grand juror, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a Sonoma County resident for at least one year. Additional legal requirements apply, including not currently serving as a trial juror or elected official and having no felony convictions. Grand Jurors should also be prepared to commit the necessary time, work collaboratively, take an interest in community issues and have strong investigative and writing skills.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury are now open and available. To apply, please complete this online application form.
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Supervisor Coursey is seeking a community member to serve on the Aviation Commission. The Aviation Commission serves as an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, providing guidance on airport-related matters. In this role, the Commission:
- Conducts public meetings to gather community input on airport-related issues
- Serves as a liaison between airport tenants, stakeholders, and airport staff
- Reviews matters related to airport operations
- Provides recommendations, advice, and support to airport staff on aviation issues
This is a great opportunity to serve on a county commission, share your perspective and learn more about county operations. Interested community members should live within the boundaries of District 3.
For questions, please contact our District 3 Office at (707) 565-2241.
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Supervisor Coursey is seeking an interested community member to serve on the Flood Control Zone 1A Advisory Committee. In this role, members meet to discuss stormwater management and flood control issues and provide recommendations on annual budgets related to flood protection, stream maintenance, and stormwater management.
The appointed member will serve as a citizen representative of agricultural, residential, municipal, and commercial interests within the zone, advising on flood control matters. Interested community members should live within the boundaries of District 3.
For questions, please contact our District 3 Office at (707) 565-2241.
| | The cities of Cotati and Rohnert Park invite you to the free Eco-Wise Workshop Series happening monthly from 10 am – 12 pm at different locations. Attend the next meeting happening April 11 to discuss methods to grow your garden. Free snacks and swag provided. Kids are welcome. | | |
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management is conducting an Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Community Survey and your voice matters.
This survey will help to better understand the barriers, challenges and needs our community members and community organizations face when receiving and responding to emergency information. Your feedback will directly support more inclusive, accessible and effective emergency planning for everyone.
Take the survey today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9RPHJL
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The Commission on the Status of Women invites you to attend Women, Longevity & Equity: A Community Conversation on April 9, from 6 pm – 8 pm, at 575 Administration Drive, Suite 117C, Santa Rosa.
As women age, they face unique challenges related to income security, caregiving, access to healthcare, and stable housing. This important conversation will explore these issues and highlight pathways toward greater equity and support for aging women in our community.
Join in-person or on Zoom at this link: https://tinyurl.com/4za4n48r
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SHARE's Home Share Program matches home seekers with home providers who either own their home or have the ability to sublet and offer a spare bedroom(s). A room can be secured in exchange for an agreed upon monthly rent or with an agreement to provide designated household and/or personal assistance to the homeowner or a combination of both. This home sharing program is for those aged 60 and over and creates affordable and attainable housing for those with extremely-low income (collecting Social Security, SSI or SSDI due to disability) and those with no income (those without a disability who are too young to collect Social Security and are unable to achieve work stability). HUD voucher recipients are eligible to use their voucher for a room rental.
The primary goal of this program is to keep seniors in their homes, allowing them to age in place and thrive when matched with a compatible individual who is in need of housing stability. SHARE is committed to solving the problem of housing instability in Sonoma County by empowering those who are being frozen out of an extremely high cost of living area to find safe and affordable housing, one home share at a time.
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The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) invites you to a fun and engaging family literacy event called The Great Literacy Adventure on Saturday, April 11 in Rohnert Park, in partnership with NorCal Public Media and Literacy Promise Partners. This free event brings storytelling, literacy activities and reading to life for children across our community.
Saturday, April 11 | 11 am – 3 pm
NorCal Public Media, 311 Professional Center Drive, Rohnert Park
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Hosted by the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) in partnership with Los Cien Sonoma County, this Volunteer Fair will bring more than 60 nonprofits, public agencies and community organizations ready to share meaningful ways you can make an impact. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, explore board service, share your skills, or simply learn more about what’s happening in our community, this free event offers a welcoming space to connect with organizations doing meaningful work across Sonoma County.
Tues. March 31 | 4 pm – 7 pm
The Backdrop: 1455 Corporate Center Pkwy, Santa Rosa
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Join us for an unforgettable day designed to uplift, empower, and unite the Black community. More joy, more community, more reasons to celebrate together. All families welcomed to attend this free event in downtown Santa Rosa. Music, food and activities will be available for all.
Saturday Apr 11 | Noon - 5 pm
Old Courthouse Square, 69 Old Courthouse Square Santa Rosa
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Join the neighbors of Moorland as they celebrate a Spring Dia de Nino’s Event. Bring the entire family and enjoy music, art, games and fun for all.
April 25 | Noon - 4 pm
Andy Unity Park, 3399 Moorland Avenue, Santa Rosa
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Join the Elsie Allen High School community for an unforgettable evening of culture, connection and celebration of community pride in their first ever Multicultural night. This event is free and open to the community. Expect special performances, music, food and a wealth of community resources.
Friday April 3 | 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Elsie Allen High School, 599 Bellevue Ave Santa Rosa
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Attend the Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa.
This free, family-friendly, zero-waste festival brings the community together through fun activities, live performing arts, great food, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our vibrant city and get involved by learning about solutions to address drought, climate change, and environmental concerns in our community.
Saturday April 25 | Noon - 4 pm
Old Courthouse Square, 69 Old Courthouse Square Santa Rosa
| | Autism Awareness Month Celebration | | |
The Mujeres Unidas Latinas group invites you to celebrate World Autism Awareness Month with a free event celebrating families and children with autism. Join them for an event filled with food, games, raffles and community resources.
April 4 | 10 am – 2 pm
Boys and Girls Club Multipurpose Room
929 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa
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