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One of the fundamental roles of the County is to help people in need. This week’s edition of SoCo Correspondent offers a number of encouraging examples. First, we present an update on a long-planned project to create housing for people experiencing homelessness along the Russian River. We tell you about a program that is making a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of local children. There’s a preview of a new initiative to help Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs start their own food business and an update on the Board of Supervisors’ efforts to support local immigrants. Plus, we’ve got some timely and easy ways that you can get ready for wildfire season.
If you have a friend or family member who lives in the area – or you know of a former Sonoma County resident who might be interested in receiving these updates – urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on the first and third week of each month.
¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.
| | Construction of affordable housing begins at former George’s Hideaway site in Guerneville | | Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, second from right, joins dignitaries at a May 8 groundbreaking for George’s Hideaway outside Guerneville. (Credit: Loren Hanson/Burbank Housing) | | George’s Hideaway will be transformed into permanent supportive housing, shown above in this artist’s rendering. (Credit: Burbank Housing) | | |
A long-planned project to create housing in the lower Russian River area for people experiencing homelessness got underway last week when Burbank Housing broke ground at the former George’s Hideaway property outside Guerneville.
When completed next March, the project will provide 21 units of permanent supportive housing. West County Community Services, a Guerneville nonprofit, will operate a navigation center on the site and help residents access health care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, employment resources and other services that help them thrive.
The transformation of George’s Hideaway marks a turning point for west Sonoma County, said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who represents the area.
“For years, we’ve heard the urgent call for real solutions to homelessness – especially in unincorporated communities like Guerneville – and today, we’re finally seeing a solution take shape,” Supervisor Hopkins said. “This space will provide not just shelter, but real pathways to stability, health and hope. George’s Hideaway represents what’s possible when local government, nonprofits and our community work together with perseverance and heart.”
The County purchased the former tavern and resort in 2022 through the state’s Project Homekey program. In December, the Community Development Commission transferred ownership to Burbank Housing, a Santa Rosa nonprofit affordable housing developer.
| | A program that changes lives, for generations to come | | |
From left, public health nurses Anacani Trujillo, Sarah Hinck and Adriana Lovegood join Cristina Ramirez Reyes, a client of the Nurse-Family Partnership program, and public health nurse Johanna Ruiz during the April 29 graduation ceremony at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. (Credit: Natalie Hernandez)
Early investments can pay huge dividends in the health and well-being of a child. That fact lies at the heart of the Nurse-Family Partnership, a program launched by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services in 2010.
First-time moms are paired with a public health nurse early in their pregnancies, receiving in-home education and guidance on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, child development, nutrition, and more. Nurses continue working with the families until the child’s second birthday, helping them access community resources that support long-term health, education and financial stability.
Research shows the Nurse-Family Partnership model leads to healthier pregnancies and births, reduced rates of child abuse and neglect, and higher rates of immunization, breastfeeding, and early childhood screenings.
“The first 30 months of a child’s life will shape their health, their ability to learn and their behavior for years to come,” said Nolan Sullivan, director of the County’s Department of Health Services. “Early and intensive support from a public health nurse during this narrow window can have huge impacts on the future of a child and their entire family.”
More than 1,100 families in Sonoma County have been served by the program since its inception. The latest class of 28 families graduated from the program last month, celebrating their achievements during a joyous ceremony at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County.
| | Time to begin preparing for wildfire season | | |
Sonoma County’s rolling green hillsides are starting to turn golden brown, a visual cue that the hot, dry days of summer are right around the corner. As temperatures rise and our landscape dries out, it’s time to start getting ready for wildfire season.
The Board of Supervisors declared the month of May as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month, urging people who live in fire-prone areas to complete projects that can make their homes and communities safer.
Here are some handy suggestions and links to get more information:
Permit Sonoma’s Fire Prevention Division provides free chipper services to residents in unincorporated areas who are creating defensible space around their homes. Learn more here.
| | County launches new program to support Spanish-speaking food entrepreneurs | | |
It’s a lot easier to reach your destination if you have a roadmap. Now, one exists for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs seeking to start their own food business, ranging from a home-based kitchen or food cart to a full-fledged restaurant.
Pasos, a first-ever initiative created by four County departments in collaboration with local community groups, provides step-by-step instructions in Spanish to simplify the complex permitting process for food service businesses. Resources include bilingual videos, easy-to-use websites, and in-person workshops and community connections.
“Pasos demonstrates our commitment to help turn local recipes and big dreams into thriving businesses,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By connecting entrepreneurs with clear guidance and community support, we’re removing barriers and fostering a vibrant food scene in Sonoma County.”
The program was created by Sonoma County Environmental Health, Permit Sonoma, the Economic Development Collaborative, and the County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor's Office. Trusted local partners – including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the RedLatinx Hub and Los Cien – collaborated with the County to develop the program.
| | County steps up support for immigrants | | |
In January, the Board of Supervisors made a commitment to uphold the civil rights of every person in Sonoma County, regardless of their immigration status. The following month, County supervisors allocated $500,000 to educate local immigrants about their legal rights.
How is that money being put to work? The County is partnering with Secure Families Collaborative, a Santa Rosa nonprofit launched in 2018 to support local immigrants, to put the funds into community-based organizations that work closely with immigrants. Five grants totaling $425,000 will be distributed to the following programs:
- Family Resource Center Collaborative, led by La Luz Center ($180,000): This initiative will expand immigrant legal education, family preparedness planning, wraparound services for separated families, and access to immigration legal support.
- Immigrant Legal Health Collaborative, led by Sonoma Immigrant Services ($145,000): This initiative will utilize community health workers, promotores, mental health professionals, and community-based organizations to provide training, outreach, and legal education designed to reach immigrants where they already seek support.
- African Advocacy Network ($50,000): This initiative will utilize the group’s legal expertise, language capability, and cultural competency to address the dearth in legal services for African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants in Sonoma County.
- Bienestar Collective ($25,000): This initiative will provide legal services navigation, Know Your Rights outreach, caregiver preparedness plans, and health equity outreach.
- KBBF ($25,000): This initiative will produce special programming on the bilingual radio station that brings together immigrants, attorneys, nonprofits, and activists to share information about immigration law, policy, and civil rights, as well as personal stories from those most affected.
To access any of these services, contact the Secure Families Collaborative.
“Every person in Sonoma County deserves to feel safe, seen and supported – regardless of where they were born,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By investing directly in trusted, community-rooted organizations, we’re expanding access to legal education and support services that local immigrants need to navigate a complex system with dignity.”
| | County invests $1 million in community hubs in Healdsburg and Cloverdale | | |
The Board of Supervisors on May 6 authorized $1 million to upgrade the Abel De Luna Community Center in Healdsburg and build a family resource and resiliency center in Cloverdale operated by La Familia Sana.
“This is an investment in partnership and co-creation to transform these spaces into full-scale family resource and resiliency centers,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents north Sonoma County. “By investing in these community hubs, we raise up the good work that’s being done and ensure ongoing access to resources, while strengthening the County’s year-round disaster resiliency.”
The Abel De Luna Community Center has served as a Local Assistance Center in Healdsburg during emergency response and recovery efforts. It houses Corazón Healdsburg, the YMCA, Alliance Medical Center and Santa Rosa Junior College, as well as the Building Blocks Preschool Program, and weekly food distribution by Redwood Empire Food Bank. The $500,000 investment will fund critical infrastructure upgrades, including completion of Americans with Disabilities Act site improvements.
La Familia Sana, a Cloverdale nonprofit, helps people access housing, health care, education and other services. The new facility is intended to be a lifeline for residents during emergencies and a trusted source of information and essential services for the community.
| | Supervisor Rabbitt reappointed by governor to state Seismic Safety Commission | | |
Sonoma County will continue to have a voice on the state’s influential Seismic Safety Commission, which advises the governor and the Legislature on earthquake preparedness and recovery policies.
District 2 Supervisor David Rabbitt was reappointed to his fourth term on the Seismic Safety Commission last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has been a member of the 15-member commission since 2013 and currently serves as its chair.
“We know there will be another big earthquake in California. The only question is when it will happen,” Supervisor Rabbitt said. “The Seismic Safety Commission is working to make sure California is ready for that day by advocating for practical policies that save lives and strengthen communities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work.”
Supervisor Rabbitt, an architect with four decades of experience, has represented south Sonoma County on the Board of Supervisors since 2011. Before that, he served four years on the Petaluma City Council.
| | Honoring our public servants | | |
Some people think government work is all about red tape and paperwork, but the truth is, it’s about people helping people. County staff respond to wildfires, make sure restaurants are safe to eat in, care for stray animals, and help families through tough times. They fix our roads, patrol our streets, and ensure clean drinking water flows from our taps. From maintaining our parks to upholding our legal rights, County employees work diligently every day to keep things safe, clean and fair for everyone.
On May 7, the County thanked its 4,200 employees for their service at a special event. The County’s top leaders personally served lunch to nearly 2,000 County employees at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building to mark Public Service Recognition Week.
“Every day, public employees are the quiet heroes who strengthen, safeguard and enhance our communities,” County Executive Maria Christina Rivera said. “In today’s climate, our shared commitment to objectivity, integrity and thoughtful service is more essential than ever. I am proud every day to be part of the County of Sonoma team and deeply grateful for each of you who help make our county a steadfast and trusted partner for all.”
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | |
District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, right, speaks with Paul Gullixson, the County’s communications manager, during a new episode of SoCo Chat.
Rebecca Hermosillo is the first Latina elected to the Board of Supervisors in the County’s 175-year history. Meet this groundbreaking pioneer in a new episode of SoCo Chat, where Supervisor Hermosillo discusses the significance of her swearing-in, her push for language access, and her vision for community-driven change.
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:
- The County is seeking to modernize its campus for the health and well-being of residents and employees. This is a once-in-a-generation project that will consolidate and streamline public services for better access and convenience, and reduce the County government’s carbon footprint, all while saving taxpayer money. Johannes Hoevertsz, director of the County’s Public Infrastructure Department, discusses the initiative.
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You can’t get a Snickers bar or a bag of Doritos from the newest vending machines that are popping up across Sonoma County. Instead, they contain free health and wellness supplies – things like fentanyl test strips, the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan, condoms, pregnancy tests and gun locks. Ryan DeHart, the County’s public health preparedness section manager, and Alyssa Hamilton, public health analyst, explain how the Health To Go machines work and what the County hopes to accomplish with the program.
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The Potter Valley Project is not even located in Sonoma County. But the plans by PG&E to dismantle two aging hydroelectric dams in Mendocino and Lake counties have major ramifications for Sonoma County and the water we rely on. District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents communities along the upper Russian River in northern Sonoma County, visited SoCo Chat with an update on efforts to find a win-win solution that will benefit residents, farmers, Native American tribes and the environment.
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“Change you can see.” It encapsulates Sheriff Eddie Engram’s vision for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, which is celebrating 175 years of service. Sheriff Engram explains some of the changes he is making, including initiatives to reduce vacancies, stem the flow of narcotics and improve safety in County parks.
| | Working to expand access and participation on County boards and commissions | | |
The Board of Supervisors wants to make it easier for the public to serve on the County’s 75 boards and commissions. As a first step, it is assessing ways to expand public access and participation, including compensating people who agree to serve.
On May 7, the Board of Supervisors approved a $179,623 contract with The Justice Collective, an Oakland consulting firm, to study the County’s current meeting policies. The assessment will include recommendations to implement a 2024 plan approved by the Board to diversify the makeup of County boards and commissions by removing barriers that inhibit participation.
“This work is essential to building a local government that truly reflects and serves the full diversity of our community,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By evaluating and reimagining how our boards and commissions function, we are taking a critical step toward ensuring all residents — especially those from historically underserved communities — have a voice in shaping the policies that impact their lives.”
The Sonoma County Office of Equity will assist in the assessment, which will include all County boards and commissions as well as committees, Municipal Advisory Councils, Community Advisory Committees, and task forces.
| | Out and About: Cinco de Mayo | | |
If you’ve been, you know: Roseland’s Cinco de Mayo festival is one of the best street parties of the year. Thank you to everyone who stopped by on May 5 to chat with members of the County’s Central Communications Team, who love talking about ways you can connect with the County. We had tons of fun hanging out at the County’s booths with our colleagues in Supervisor Chris Coursey’s office, the Department of Health Services, the Human Services Department, Permit Sonoma, the Probation Department, the Public Defender’s Office, the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, and the Economic Development Collaborative (whew, that’s quite a list).
Congratulations to Karina Gonzalez of Santa Rosa, who signed up to get SoCo Correspondent and won a raffle drawing for a free Sonoma County Regional Parks pass along with a gift basket filled with cool Sonoma County swag.
Click here to view a photo gallery from Cinco de Mayo and look for us at the Sonoma County Fair the first week of August. We’d love to meet you!
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County has nearly 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 May 29 at 10 a.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 May 29 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Pinky. I’m a 2-year-old Siberian husky who was brought to the shelter in December. You may remember me from an appearance on SoCo Chat last month. I weigh 38 pounds and have lots of energy and love to give. I tend to stay close to my people, seeking attention and security, but settle in once I get the attention I crave. Will you bring me into your family?
Pinky 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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| | Upcoming meetings and events | | Upcoming meetings and events | | Getting outside and enjoying the county | | CORRECTION: A person convicted of possessing a pipe used for drugs could be sentenced up to six months in county jail under California Health and Safety Code Section 11364. But the consequences for a noncitizen are significantly harsher. Someone with Legal Permanent Residence who has been living in the U.S. for several years could be deported and torn from their family, on top of serving the jail sentence. A story in the May 1 edition of SoCo Correspondent did not accurately describe the potential consequences for the crime. | | Follow us online or contact us via email | | | | |
