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SoCo Correspondent delivers the latest news from the County of Sonoma, twice a month, to your email inbox. Subscribe in English or Spanish and share
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| | Measure O dollars strengthen mental health and homelessness services | | |
Sonoma County residents wanted to help people struggling with mental illness and homelessness when they approved Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2020. That investment in our neighbors is now helping to sustain critical programs.
On Feb. 10, the Board of Supervisors awarded $12.4 million to support behavioral health care and services for people experiencing homelessness. The grants were funded with $10 million from Measure O and $2.4 million from the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program.
The 26 grants will help stabilize programs facing funding uncertainty while preserving the County’s investments in mental health care, crisis response, housing and care coordination. Contracts will run from one to three years, depending on the project and funding source.
“Measure O is making a real difference for our community by helping keep critical services in place for people who need them most,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Even with this funding, the need is far greater than what we can meet, and the budget challenges ahead are significant. Without this voter-approved measure, Sonoma County would be in a far more precarious position.”
Last August, the Department of Health Services invited organizations to apply for funding. The County received 52 requests totaling more than $35.6 million, nearly three times the amount available. A community review panel evaluated the proposals and helped identify projects that best respond to local needs.
| | Larson Park reopens with new fields, courts and family-friendly upgrades | | |
Larson Park is once again echoing with the sounds of children’s laughter, punctuated by the crisp pop of pickleball paddles on the newest courts in the county.
After a major renovation that closed the park for nearly a year, the 7.6-acre park in Boyes Hot Springs has reopened with upgraded facilities and more inclusive spaces designed for families, sports leagues and tennis and pickleball players. The improvements reflect years of planning and community input to ensure the park continues to serve as a gathering place for the Springs community.
The refreshed park now features new baseball and soccer fields, new pickleball courts, renovated tennis courts, expanded picnic spaces including a shaded group picnic area, a new playground with separate areas for toddlers and older children, an ADA-accessible restroom and improved parking.
“Investing in smaller community parks like Larson Park are essential infrastructure. They create access to health, connection and opportunity – especially in neighborhoods that have historically been underrepresented in unincorporated communities like the Springs, where access to well-maintained recreation spaces really matters,” said District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, who represents the neighborhood.
The upgrades were identified in the updated Larson Park Master Plan, approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2021. Construction began last spring and cost $4.03 million, funded through a mix of local and regional sources, including voter-approved Parks for All – Measure M.
While the park is open for daily use, the baseball and soccer fields will remain closed through winter to allow new turf to establish. A community celebration is planned for this coming spring.
| | Registration opens for Regional Parks summer camps | | |
Registration is now open for Sonoma County Regional Parks’ summer camps, packed with an array of hands-on adventures to help children explore nature, build confidence and connect with the outdoors.
The 2026 lineup includes four types of camps. Discovery camps blend games, arts and crafts, journaling and outdoor recreation. Junior Lifeguard camps focus on aquatic activities, teamwork and an introduction to basic lifeguarding skills. Nature Explorers and Junior Rangers are two- and three-day camps held along the Russian River, where campers practice outdoor skills such as survival basics, animal tracking and connecting with the natural world.
Children may register for one camp within each series; registrations for multiple camps within the same series are not permitted. Refunds, minus the $50 registration fee, are available only if a reservation is canceled at least two weeks before camp begins.
Partial scholarships are available to help make camps accessible to families in need. The scholarships, funded by the Sonoma County Parks Foundation, cover 75 percent of the cost of camp registration for families who meet eligibility guidelines.
| | Help shape the Fire Memorial at Nagasawa Community Park | | | A permanent memorial honoring those who lost their lives in the 2017 wildfires will be created at Nagasawa Community Park in Santa Rosa. Help us shape this into a space for remembrance, reflection and healing.
Creative Sonoma and the Fire Memorial Task Force are inviting community members to take part in an engagement process that will inform the artist’s design. The memorial is envisioned as a place that reflects our shared loss and resilience, grounded in the lived experiences of those most affected.
If you would like to get involved in upcoming community meetings and surveys, please fill out a brief interest form available here in English and Spanish.
| | New report highlights rising stress among women and girls in Sonoma County | | |
Women and girls across Sonoma County are carrying invisible weight – stress and trauma left by wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability and social upheaval. For many, those experiences have not faded with time. Instead, they have layered one on top of another, making recovery harder and compounding the strain many women already face.
This month, the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women issued a new report that documents the toll this is taking and outlines potential solutions. The report found that Sonoma County has made meaningful progress strengthening behavioral health services and crisis response in recent years. Even so, demand for care continues to rise, and gaps remain.
The numbers show how significant that strain has become. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the share of Sonoma County women who reported feeling “stressed” or “very stressed” rose from about one-third to nearly nine in ten. Between 2019 and 2021, women were more than twice as likely as men to show signs consistent with a serious psychological episode. After the 2017 and 2019 fires, about one in four households reported fire-related depression or hopelessness affecting at least one member. Youth report that feeling depressed, stressed or anxious is a major obstacle to learning, and only about one-third of high school students say they feel like a real part of their school community.
The report outlines five recommendations to strengthen mental wellness support for women and girls. Among them: making it easier to find and access care, offering help earlier before problems escalate, strengthening support in schools, expanding crisis response led by trained clinicians and ensuring services remain stable and reliable over time.
Are you or someone you know experiencing emotional distress? Call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or dial 211 to connect with local resources.
| | Spring Economic Perspective to examine immigrants' impact on Sonoma County economy | | | Understanding where Sonoma County’s economy is headed – and who is helping drive it – is critical information for businesses, workers and community leaders alike.
The 2026 Spring Economic Perspective on March 5 will offer insight into the role immigrant communities play in Sonoma County’s economic vitality. This year’s theme, Economies in Motion, highlights the impact of the immigrant workforce, local purchasing power and broader economic trends shaping the region.
“Our economy is strongest when everyone has a chance to contribute and succeed,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Immigrants are essential to Sonoma County’s vitality and long-term success. Their impact is woven into our local economy in ways we can see and measure. This year’s Economic Perspective is about recognizing those contributions and making sure our policies advance an economy that truly works for everyone.”
The half-day event, held at the Flamingo Resort & Hotel in Santa Rosa, brings together business leaders, policymakers and community advocates for a timely discussion about economic opportunity and growth. Hermosillo, who helped shape the focus of the conference, will offer opening remarks. Marlene Orozco, CEO and founder of Stratified Insights, will present a data-driven analysis of the immigrant workforce and its economic contributions. Jerry Nickelsburg, senior economist at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, will share an economic outlook for Sonoma County. A panel of regional leaders will further explore the immigrant community’s local economic contributions.
Doors open at 9 a.m. for networking and breakfast. Tickets are $60 plus Eventbrite fees. Live Spanish interpretation will be available.
The annual event is hosted by the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative, a County agency that works to grow a healthy economy. The agency provides confidential, no-cost consulting services to businesses seeking to start, relocate, and grow in Sonoma County.
| | County honors employees for decades of public service | | |
A group of 194 dedicated County employees were honored Feb. 6 for reaching a remarkable milestone: a combined 4,500 years of public service to the people of Sonoma County.
The County’s annual Service Recognition Dinner celebrated 104 employees with 20 years of service, 64 with 25 years, 20 with 30 years, five with 35 years and one who has dedicated 45 years to serving the public. Together, their careers represent decades of commitment to supporting residents, strengthening communities and delivering essential services.
Three members of the Board of Supervisors – Rebecca Hermosillo, Chris Coursey and David Rabbitt – joined 15 department heads in thanking employees for their dedication and lasting impact on Sonoma County.
“Our County employees show up every day to serve our community with integrity, compassion and dedication,” said Hermosillo, who serves as chair of the Board of Supervisors. “When we celebrate 4,500 years of combined service, we are really celebrating thousands of instances when someone chose to help someone else. I am deeply grateful for the people who make public service not just a job, but a lifelong commitment to our community.”
| | Applications open for Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury | | |
Want a front-row seat to how local government works – and a voice in improving it?
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury, the independent watchdog that investigates cities, special districts and County departments to ensure they operate efficiently, honestly and fairly.
Serving on the Civil Grand Jury offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how local government functions in Sonoma County. It’s also a chance to meet engaged residents and dedicated public servants, discuss issues that affect the community and help shape meaningful improvements.
Jurors typically spend about 10 hours a week on one investigation, and more if they choose to take on additional projects. They conduct research and interviews, collaborate with fellow jurors and help prepare public reports with findings and recommendations.
This important civic role is not just for retirees. Court leaders and current jurors are working to broaden participation across age groups, professions and life experiences, recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen government oversight and accountability.
Residents interested in serving are encouraged to apply now.
| | Celebrate the return of endangered steelhead trout on March 7 at Lake Sonoma | | |
Looking for a free, family-friendly way to connect with nature and see conservation in action? Head to Warm Springs Dam on Saturday, March 7 for the 17th annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, a full day of hands-on fun, live music and up-close encounters with one of Sonoma County’s most iconic fish.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Milt Brandt Visitor Center and adjacent fish hatchery will come alive with fish spawning demonstrations, guided tours and interactive exhibits focused on environmental stewardship and habitat protection. Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, archery and a large-scale bubble show, while adults explore booths hosted by community organizations and public agencies. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Hosted by Sonoma Water, Friends of Lake Sonoma, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the festival celebrates the seasonal return of steelhead trout, which are making their annual journey back to the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery to spawn the next generation of the endangered fish.
Shuttle service will be available from designated overflow parking areas.
| | Sonoma County Transit expands electric fleet, strengthening regional connections | | |
One electric bus at a time, Sonoma County is shifting to a cleaner, more reliable transit system.
Sonoma County Transit has added its 11th electric bus to its fixed-route fleet, marking another step in its long-term transition to a zero-emission fleet. By 2028, electric vehicles are expected to make up more than half of the agency’s heavy-duty buses, supporting County climate goals while improving reliability for riders.
The growing zero-emission fleet will also strengthen regional connections as part of the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service Plan, a partnership among nine North Bay transit agencies. As service patterns evolve, including upcoming changes to Golden Gate Transit north of Novato, Sonoma County Transit’s electric buses will help maintain strong links with Santa Rosa CityBus, Petaluma Transit and the SMART rail system.
“By pairing fare-free local service with a growing zero-emission fleet, we’re making it easier for riders to choose a sustainable way to travel around Sonoma County,” said Emily Betts, Sonoma County Transit manager. “Investing in electric buses reduces emissions while strengthening regional resiliency, ensuring our transit network can continue serving the community during everyday travel and during emergencies.”
SCT operates 19 local and intercity routes and provides door-to-door paratransit service for riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. All local SCT routes are fare-free. Youth 18 and under, college students with valid identification, and veterans also ride free on intercity services.
For routes and real-time arrival information, visit sctransit.com or download the Transit App.
| | New survey seeks moms' voices to guide Measure I funding | | |
The first years of parenthood can be joyful, overwhelming and everything in between. First 5 Sonoma County wants to hear directly from local moms about what that experience has been like – and what support made a difference.
Parents who have given birth within the last three years are invited to take a short, anonymous survey to help guide future maternal health programs in Sonoma County. The five-minute survey asks about physical and mental health, access to health insurance and care, support during pregnancy and after birth, and what it’s like to raise a young child in Sonoma County today.
“We want to hear directly from moms about what they’ve experienced and what support has made a difference,” said Angie Dillon-Shore, executive director of First 5 Sonoma County. “Their voices will help shape how we better support parents and families in our community.”
Responses will help First 5 Sonoma County make decisions about how Measure I tax funding is used to support parents and families. Measure I, the Sonoma County Child Care & Children’s Health Initiative, is a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2024 to provide ongoing local funding for child and family wellbeing across Sonoma County.
The survey is available in English and Spanish. Share your experience at first5sonomacounty.org/maternalhealthsurvey.
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | Matt Brown, left, supervising communications specialist in the County Executive's Office, speaks with Rob Izzo, CEO of Circuit Rider Community Services, during a new episode of SoCo Chat. | | |
When a young person enters the juvenile justice system, what happens next can shape their future. Vista Academy, a partnership between Circuit Rider Community Services and Sonoma County Probation, provides a structured alternative to juvenile hall. In a new episode of the County’s podcast, SoCo Chat, Circuit Rider CEO Rob Izzo explains how the program works to reduce re-arrest rates, prevent gang involvement, and help young people build skills, confidence, and stronger decision-making habits.
Subscribe to SoCo Chat on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube, and check out our growing library of episodes in both English and Spanish (Descubre nuestra creciente selección de episodios en inglés y español). Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:
- Respiratory virus season is here in Sonoma County, and experts warn cases could rise in the weeks ahead. Dr. Michael Stacey, the county’s new interim health officer, breaks down the latest trends with COVID-19, flu and RSV and shares some practical tips to stay healthy this winter. We clear up confusion around new federal vaccine guidance for children, share where to find reliable health information, and dig into a concerning spike in toxic mushroom poisonings.
- Need a puppy? The Sonoma County Animal Shelter has lots of them – and would love to send one home with you. Shelter Supervisor Emma Diemert shares some practical tips for adopting and offers guidance on how you can keep your animals safe over winter. Plus, learn how fostering a pet can make a big difference without a full-time commitment.
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Thousands of Sonoma County families rely on CalFresh to put food on the table, but the recent federal government shutdown temporarily eliminated that safety net. When federal funding stops, hunger doesn’t. Allison Goodwin, CEO of Redwood Empire Food Bank, shares how her team is stepping up to meet the surge in need – and what each of us can do to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry.
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County currently has more than 30 job openings posted on its website. How can you improve your chances of landing one?
Sign up for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The next two-hour class will be held March 5 at noon on Zoom.
The free class is intended for the public, whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.
Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the March 5 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | | My name is Tyrese. I’m a 23-month-old pit bull terrier who was brought to the shelter in September. I’ve been busy learning potty training and polishing up my leash skills while living in a foster home. I’m growing more confident every day and I’m now ready for a forever family of my own.
Tyrese is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
Animal Services helps match pets and families through an adoption process designed to support your lifestyle and the animal’s needs. Shelter staff are ready to assist with applications, answer questions and share details about each animal’s health, temperament and care. All animals adopted through the shelter go home spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations, giving your new companion the healthiest start possible in your forever home.
| | Get involved with County government | | |
Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve. There are many opportunities available now to support the community by serving on County boards, commissions and committees. Here are just three examples:
Check out the full list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
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