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 with your friends and neighbors. | | Permit Sonoma to share community vision, guiding principles for the next General Plan | | |
After months of public workshops, surveys and listening sessions, Permit Sonoma is ready to share the community’s vision for the next generation of development and land use policies in Sonoma County.
On Aug. 12, the Board of Supervisors will review drafts of a vision statement and guiding principles for General Plan Sonoma, the County’s blueprint for housing, agriculture, transportation, conservation and climate resilience policies in unincorporated areas. The Board is scheduled to provide feedback and guidance on next steps.
The documents were shaped by input from nearly 4,000 residents who provided thousands of comments about the issues that matter most to them, from housing options to wildfire protection to preserving farmland. Permit Sonoma worked with other County departments and community-based organizations to ensure the plan captured the priorities of a broad cross-section of the public, including members of underserved and often-overlooked communities.
The proposed vision statement reflects the County’s rural character, commitment to equity and inclusion, and a future grounded in responsible growth and environmental stewardship. Seven guiding principles back that vision, addressing everything from sustainable land use and climate resilience to economic diversity and tribal partnership. In the next phase of the project, Permit Sonoma will develop policies and programs to implement the community’s shared vision.
The General Plan is a long-term policy framework guiding land use and development in Sonoma County’s unincorporated areas. Adopted in 2008, the current plan will be updated to align with state requirements and better reflect the county’s evolving priorities.
| | Getting ready to send your child back to school? Make sure they are immunized first | | |
As families prepare for the start of a new school year, Bay Area health officials are urging parents to put vaccinations at the top of their back-to-school checklist.
“Vaccines are one of our most powerful tools for ensuring every child – regardless of race, ZIP code or income – has the opportunity to grow up healthy and safe,” said Dr. Karen Smith, interim health officer for Sonoma County. “We cannot afford to let immunization coverage slip.”
Immunizations protect against serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough and polio. These illnesses can still pose real threats when vaccination rates decline. In California, children are required to be up to date on certain vaccines to attend schools and childcare facilities.
Check your child’s immunization records with your health provider or on the state’s digital vaccine portal. To avoid last-minute delays, families are encouraged to schedule well-child visits before school starts. Low- or no-cost vaccinations are available, if needed, at public health clinics.
| | Puppy training program inside Sonoma County jail ‘making a real difference’ | | |
Inside a bustling housing module at the Sonoma County Jail, a group of men are learning how to change lives, starting with their own, with the help of some playful young puppies.
Every Tuesday morning, the Main Adult Detention Facility hosts a training class for the Canine Companions prison puppy-raising program. The national program pairs future service dogs with carefully selected incarcerated people, known as handlers, who commit to raising and training the puppies full-time while they serve their jail sentences. In return, the program offers a powerful opportunity: to be responsible for another life, to practice patience and empathy, and to find purpose through service.
“This program teaches you how to give back to the community; being a part of it is bigger than yourself,” said B. Garcia, an incarcerated dog handler who helped raise a puppy named Chance.
The jail launched the program last September in partnership with Canine Companions, a Santa Rosa nonprofit that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to recipients. Since then, it has accepted eight handlers in the jail who were chosen based on their conduct, demonstrated self-improvement, and a willingness to work in a team. Each had to submit a written application and pass a formal interview with Canine Companions and jail program staff.
Training is immersive. While the dogs are in the jail, handlers care for them around the clock and participate in daily training sessions. Once a week, they meet with Canine Companions trainers in a classroom setting to learn new skills and assess progress. The process continues for 12 to 16 months, depending on the puppy's readiness.
In June, the jail held its first graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of both puppies and handlers. Four dogs – Serita, Chance, Aretha and Esmeralda – completed their in-facility training and advanced to the next stage in their journey to become service animals. When a dog or handler leaves the program, another takes their place.
Participants and jail staff say the experience has a profound impact.
“One participant in the program referred to it as a way to make up for prior wrongdoings,” said Sgt. Jennifer Aicega, who oversees programs in the Detention Division of the Sheriff’s Office. “Another said it helped him learn how to be selfless while ‘being responsible for another heartbeat.’ One of our former handlers is now out of custody and working as a community volunteer raising pups for Canine Companions. This program is making a real difference, not just for the handlers, but for our staff and for the whole unit.”
Research backs up those experiences. More than 20 correctional facilities across the United States now participate in the Canine Companions prison program, which was launched in 1995. Nationally, participants in the program have a recidivism rate of less than 5 percent. Meanwhile, the puppies trained in correctional settings graduate at a rate 10 percent higher than those raised in traditional homes.
“It’s a program that changes lives on both ends of the leash,” Aicega said.
| | Prepare now for wildfire season | | |
It’s been a cool summer, but Sonoma County is entering the hottest and driest months of the year. While we’ve avoided a major wildfire in Sonoma County so far this year, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of fires in California. If you are unprepared for wildfire season, here are five simple things you can do right now:
1. Sign up for alerts - Register for SoCoAlert and Nixle to receive emergency alerts via text, phone or email. Consider buying a NOAA weather radio and tuning to the County frequency to receive wildfire alerts directly.
2. Know your evacuation zone - Don’t wait until it's an emergency. Look up your evacuation zone in advance and be ready to go when an evacuation warning is issued.
3. Make an emergency plan - Download this template to create an emergency plan for your family and pets. It has space to fill in important information like meeting places, emergency contacts, medical needs and more.
4. Build a Go Bag - Each member of your household – and your pets – should have a Go Bag packed with 72 hours of essentials: water, food, medication, important documents, hygiene items, masks, first aid kit, and emergency clothing. In case you need to shelter-in-place, create a home preparedness kit with at least 7 days of emergency supplies. Update these items at least once a year.
5. Identify official sources of information - Bookmark our handy list of trusted resources to ensure you have access to accurate information during an emergency.
| | Teaming up to prevent fires, improve evacuation routes | | |
This month, crews will be clearing overgrown vegetation along a critical evacuation corridor between Santa Rosa and Calistoga. The work on Mark West Springs and Porter Creek roads is part of a joint effort by Sonoma County Public Infrastructure, Cal Fire and the Sonoma County Fire District.
The project is funded by Measure H, the half-cent sales tax approved by Sonoma County voters last year to improve local fire protection, paramedic services and disaster response. Crews will create shaded fuel breaks and improve access for emergency responders along the two roads, which wind through high-risk wildfire zones. The work began last week and travelers should expect one-way traffic controls over the next three Fridays – Aug. 8, 15 and 22 – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Thanks to the support of Sonoma County voters, we are able to partner with fire professionals to go beyond standard maintenance and take meaningful action to protect lives and property,” said Johannes Hoevertsz, director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure. “This partnership is a powerful example of agencies aligning for the greater good of our community.”
By teaming up, fire crews and County staff can bypass traditional permitting delays and complete the work as quickly as possible. It is a crucial advantage during peak wildfire season, where every day counts.
“Clear and accessible roads save lives – not just for the public, but for firefighters, too,” said Mike Wink, assistant chief of Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. “These shaded fuel breaks give our crews the access they need to take action quickly during an emergency.”
| | New report sets bold goals for a healthier, fairer Sonoma County | | |
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has released a comprehensive new blueprint to improve public health and close persistent gaps in well-being that are ingrained in our community. Now available online in English and Spanish, the report identifies the most pressing health challenges facing local residents and outlines a roadmap for a healthier, more equitable Sonoma County.
The Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan combines data and input from Sonoma County residents, government agencies, local hospitals and community organizations to identify top health priorities and concrete strategies for action. The assessment, which highlights gaps in health, education and economic outcomes across our community, identifies five broad areas where Sonoma County faces serious health challenges:
- Our physical environment, including access to healthy food and the impacts of climate change
- Socioeconomic factors, which include economic security, housing, education, and the impacts of structural racism
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Access to health care
- The physical health of our community, including chronic and preventable diseases
- The mental health of our community, including the impact of substance use disorders
The improvement plan outlines four long-term goals to tackle those challenges:
- Dismantle structural racism
- Expand access to essential services
- Strengthen coordination among care providers
- Increase access to mental health and substance use services
Each priority is backed by a set of measurable objectives and aligned with Health Action Together’s Agenda for Action, reflecting shared goals between County leaders and the broader community.
“This report informs and aligns partners across the local health spectrum to address critical health gaps impacting Sonoma County,” said Nolan Sullivan, director of the Department of Health Services. “By working together, we can build a Sonoma County where everyone has a real opportunity to be healthy.”
| | Sonoma County leads California in cooperative child support agreements | | |
More than half of children in Sonoma County will live apart from one parent by age 18. Helping them get the financial support they need is the mission of the County’s Department of Child Support Services.
No county in California is better at helping parents come to a mutual agreement on child support. The State of California recently honored the Department of Child Support Services for its outstanding performance in securing “stipulated orders,” a type of cooperative agreement that establishes child support obligations without putting families through lengthy and stressful legal battles. Last year, 58 percent of cases handled by the department ended with a stipulated order, the highest in California and more than double the statewide average of 23 percent.
Stipulated orders have been the norm in Sonoma County for more than a decade. It’s part of a long-standing strategy by the Department of Child Support Services to reduce conflict and prioritize children’s well-being. The department acts as a neutral third party to help families establish parentage, locate noncustodial parents, and set up or enforce support orders. In 2024 alone, it managed over 9,000 cases and distributed more than $30 million to support 13,100 children.
“Our County’s commitment to putting families first is making a real difference,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We’re helping parents find common ground and are giving children the stability they deserve. These are quiet but powerful successes that shape lives for the better.”
The Board of Supervisors will consider a Gold Resolution on Aug. 26 proclaiming August as Child Support Awareness Month. In recognition, the department is hosting outreach events and sharing educational resources throughout the month, while honoring the many parents, caregivers and employers who help ensure kids receive the financial and medical support they need.
The department offers its services at no cost to Sonoma County families. To learn more or open a case, visit sonomacounty.gov/child-support-services or call (866) 901-3212.
| | Last chance to attend Sonoma County Fair | | |
The Sonoma County Fair wraps up its nine-day run on Sunday (Aug. 10), giving you one final chance this weekend to experience the annual celebration of community spirit, local agriculture and wholesome fun.
Highlights of the final weekend include the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at 6 p.m. Friday; the Monster Truck show at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and the World Championship Grape Stomp at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Plants used to create the largest flower show on the West Coast go on sale from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday (Aug. 11). Arrive early at the Hall of Flowers for the best selection of shrubs, grasses, trees and flowers.
The County’s podcast, SoCo Chat, visited the fair on opening day for an inside look at what it takes to stage this annual tradition. Click here to listen to the conversation with Fairgrounds manager Matt Daly.
| | Sonoma County WIC honored with national breastfeeding award | | |
Sonoma County is home to one of the nation’s most successful programs that helps new parents learn about the many benefits of breastfeeding, an initiative that is improving the health and well-being of local infants and their mothers.
The Women, Infants and Children program, operated by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, was one of three agencies across the United States last month to receive the 2025 WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence at the Elite level. The award, issued by the U.S. Agriculture Department, recognizes local WIC agencies with outstanding peer counseling programs and support services for breastfeeding.
WIC supports more than 6,500 women and children under age 5 in Sonoma County every month, providing free healthy foods, nutrition education and referrals to other services. To help mothers breastfeed their children, it created a peer counseling program and launched a breast pump exchange program with local hospitals.
Breastfeeding is widely recognized as a powerful tool to improve infant health. It delivers vital nutrients and antibodies that guard against illness, promote healthy development and reduce the risk of chronic conditions later in life. It also fosters a deep bond between parent and child, benefiting both emotionally and physically.
“We are so honored to have received this national recognition of the breastfeeding support services that we provide here at WIC,” says Susie McCulloch, senior lactation consultant and breastfeeding peer counseling program coordinator. “While breastfeeding is a natural process, it is also a learned art that requires expert guidance and support.”
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | |
Nolan Sullivan, right, director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, speaks with Matt Brown, supervising communications specialist, during a recording of SoCo Chat.
What do homeless shelters, animal services and public health vending machines have in common? They’re all part of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. Its new director, Nolan Sullivan, joins us on SoCo Chat to talk about his vision for one of the County’s most critical departments. Learn how federal budget cuts could affect local services and what’s next for homeless programs, mental health services and the animal shelter.
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:
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Most people know the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office enforces the law. Fewer are aware there’s a County watchdog agency to ensure it’s done right. John Alden, director of the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, describes the role of his team and how it is working to increase transparency while strengthening trust between deputies and the communities they serve.
- People who have actually experienced homelessness have valuable insights on how to shape programs to help others. That concept is at the heart of LEAP, short for the Lived Experience Advisory and Planning Board, which advises the County on how to spend money targeted for homeless services. Rebekah Sammet, chair of the LEAP board, explains the work of this little-known but important panel.
- When the weather heats up, even a short walk or parked car can become dangerous for pets. Emma Diemert from Sonoma County Animal Services shares some helpful tips to keep pets safe, cool and comfortable during the hottest months of the year.
- HIV remains a serious public health issue in Sonoma County. Preventing it from spreading is far preferable than treating people after they become infected. Miranda Patrick, a public health nurse who specializes in sexually transmitted infections, breaks down the latest trends and outlines the County’s response.
- You’ve probably seen public defenders portrayed in courtroom dramas on TV. But what do they really do? Brian Morris, director of Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office, takes you inside.
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County currently has more than 40 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 Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. 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 Aug. 12 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Murphy. I’m a 5-month-old male domestic shorthair cat who was brought to the shelter in April. I may be small – I weigh about 3 pounds – but I have a big heart. Will you bring me into your family?
Murphy is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
| | Support your community by getting involved | |
Get involved with local government
Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies:
Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
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