June - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month | |
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Behavioral Health & Recovery Services honors June as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. While PTSD is often associated with military veterans; PTSD is a mental health condition that can impact anyone of any age after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While it is normal and expected to experience stress reactions following traumatic incidents, PTSD is categorized by several months of symptoms such as unwanted memories, nightmares, heightened reactions, anxiety, and or depressed mood impairing one’s ability to perform in social, work, or other key life activities. PTSD presents differently in individuals and is treatable through a number of evidence-based treatments, however many individuals do not seek treatment. PTSD Awareness Day was recognized in 2010 with the United States designating the month of June as PTSD Awareness Month in 2014. Additional information and resources available HERE.
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Employee Highlight - Success Story | |
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During the month of June, we would like to draw the spotlight on a County Employee, Sarah Downey, who took an entry-level position with the County, applied herself diligently to professional growth, and is now on track for further advancement and certification within the Environmental Health department.
Sarah came to Environmental Health as a Staff Assistant with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. Her degree allowed her to move into the Environmental Health Technician role as an inspector, but to promote in the inspector career path she needed 30+ additional Science and Math units. She spent the last 4 years taking 11 classes (including prerequisites), 5-14 units per semester, at Mendocino College earning a 3.47gpa while working full time. The classes she took are part of the Environmental Health Specialist education requirement and include courses in Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, and Calculus. This higher education and certification will allow Sarah to move into the next higher class specification and allow her to sit for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam at the state level. This exam is a lot like the Bar exam for lawyers. It's really hard, and it's what gives Health Inspectors their highest level of certification.
It is very difficult to recruit high-quality advanced inspectors. The process that Sarah has taken effectively "grows our own" talent from within our department. This different approach to recruitment takes employees that already live here, that are well established in the community, that we trust to look after the people and the environment and help them achieve their goals so that they can continue to serve the public in more advanced positions for many more years. Congratulations Sarah!
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Mendocino County Strategic Plan | |
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In May 2022, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved the first five-year strategic plan that will help guide the critical decisions the Board of Supervisors will face over the next five years with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for County residents. The CEO report will align with the 4 priority areas that include; An Effective County Government, A Safe and Healthy County, A Thriving Economy, and A Prepared and Resilient County.
Click HERE to download the Strategic Plan.
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An Effective County Government Organization | |
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During May 2023, 28 dogs & 10 cats were adopted, 16 dogs & cats were returned to their owners and 22 animals were transferred to other rescue organizations.
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The Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Crisis Residential Treatment facility has served 83 unduplicated clients (7 duplicated clients). In May, the facility served 13 clients for a total of 201 bed days. Clients are referred through Redwood Community Crisis Services. Click HERE to read more!
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Time to plan an excursion! Learn about our local state parks with state park Steve. Click HERE to read more!
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General Services Agency’s primary focus is ensuring cost-effective measures are utilized within the County of Mendocino. Click HERE for detailed information on activities through out Mendocino County.
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Mendocino County Department of Social Services is pleased to share information on the new Dual Jurisdiction Protocol in partnership with Juvenile Probation and Mendocino County Superior Court Juvenile Division. Click HERE to read more!
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A Safe and Healthy County | |
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The Animal Protection Unit worked 257 calls for service in May 2023, with 108 of the calls for service being categorized as a priority "biting animals, cruelty complaints, animals in distress, aggressive loose animals, injured animals and Law Enforcement assist."
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Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Prevention and Wellness has organized and conducted a total of 5 Narcan trainings, comprised of four small training sessions and one large training session that was specifically intended for our city maintenance workers. These trainings have been conducted with the purpose of ensuring that Narcan is available on city vehicles. Click HERE to read more!
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From June 20 through August 18, the Coast Branch will offer free, healthy lunches to all children aged 18 and under as part of the Lunch at the Library program, which offers youth meals and enriching programs to help their minds and bodies grow strong while schools are closed throughout the summer. Every Saturday in July at the Willits Branch Library, Craft programs for all ages will range from rock painting to chalk art, poetry, and a sing-along. Each program is aligned to the Summer Reading Program theme “Finding Your Voice.” Click HERE to read more!
Attachments:
Paranormal Discussions: Bigfoot: Fact of Fiction
Lunch at the Library
Willits Summer Reading Program
Round Valley Summer Reading Program
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The General Services Agency, Facilities Division is charged with routine and emergency maintenance, utility payments, custodial services, and grounds-keeping responsibilities for all County owned and several leased facilities. Other responsibilities include project management for larger-scale deferred maintenance projects and maintenance of all County owned parks and recreational areas. Click HERE for activities related to critical projects throughout the county.
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The Code Enforcement Division received a total of 109 complaints in the month of May 2023. This number incorporates complaints concerning regular code violations, abandoned vehicles, and violations within the Town of Mendocino. Code Enforcement Officers were able to close 28 of these new cases following compliance from property owners.
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In 2019, Public Health conducted a county-wide community health needs assessment. Priority issues: mental health, alcohol, and drug abuse, homelessness, access to healthy foods, housing, and hunger. Public Health recently conducted a health and safety partners survey to learn about the challenges faced and what haschanged in their operations since the pandemic started. Click HERE to read more!
Attachments:
2019 Public Health Community Health Needs Assessment
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Medi-Cal renewals have resumed and MCDSS encourages beneficiaries to make sure their contact information is up to date and any changes are reported in order to avoid discontinuance of benefits. In 2022, Mendocino County Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services (APS), received 1289 reports of suspected elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect through various methods including our toll-free number 1-877-327-1799. Of the 1289 reports received, 878 individuals required a full investigation and short-term case management to set up services and a safety net to prevent further harm. These reports were from all sectors and areas of the county. APS social workers respond to reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Educating the public about elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect means that more people will become aware of the issue in its many forms and provides a wider safety net for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Click HERE to read more!
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During the month of May 2023, 735 dog licenses were sold resulting in $22,695 in revenue.
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Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Substance Use Disorders Treatment has been awarded the Health Management Association grant for $85,000.00 for the year 2023/2025 and the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program’s grant for $600,000.00 for the years 2021/2024.
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The Library’s Department Applications Specialist has developed a staff training workshop to instruct staff on how to better assist patrons with technology. The first class covers Android vs. iOS devices, Smartphones, Tablets, Kindles, Wi-Fi, and email basics. The second class covers social media, password help, internet basics including information literacy, and eBooks & streaming media such as Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy. A tech-savvy populace leads to a thriving economy. Click HERE to read more!
Attachments:
World Chocolate Day
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General Services Agency conducts its procurement process in a competitive, open, fair manner, and environment. In order to safeguard this principle, all parties involved in the procurement process are required to abide by the policies and procedures adopted by the County. Requests for Proposal, Request for Bid, and Request for Quote information is available on the Mendocino County website by clicking HERE.
For the month of May, General Services Agency has completed 105 contracts for Quality Control Review. Click HERE to read more!
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Planning and Building Services staff attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Acorn Valley Plaza on May 19, 2023. The Acorn Valley Plaza project was awarded nearly $6.6 million from the Disaster Recovery Multi-Housing Community Development Block Grant program. The project, as designed, includes seventy-one (71) residential units with a manager’s unit, Common Area amenities, and a small mixed-use component facing to the north, onto the commercial pathway that is Gobbi Street. Additional information regarding the project can be found on the Danco Group website by clicking HERE.
Photos:
Ceremony for Acorn Valley Plaza
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A Prepared and Resilient County | |
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On May 21, 2023, at the Covelo Fairgrounds the "CART" - (Community Animal Response Team) conducted a Disaster Response Exercise and impounded & processed the following animals - 4 goats, 7 horses, 8 cats and 55 dogs. While impounding & processing the animals 54 of them received microchips, 57 animals received a rabies vaccination, 45 animals received additional medical vaccinations and 68 received a health exam by our contracted veterinarian.
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June 26 – July 24, with registration from June 1 – 12, Coast Community Branch Library in Point Arena is participating with libraries nationwide in a pen pal program that pairs patrons of similar ages from libraries across the country to exchange regular postcards that will all be mailed by the library. This introduces our community to people with other ways of thinking, broadening their minds and increasing individual resiliency with friendships. Click HERE to read more!
Attachments:
History Makers at the County Museum
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The General Services Agency maintains vital infrastructure and related services that enable county employees to serve the citizens of Mendocino County. Click HERE for more information.
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The Mendocino County Department of Transportation’s Road Maintenance, Engineering, and Land Improvement divisions are currently working on nearly 50 projects on County roads, bridges, and airports in order to improve and maintain the County’s road and transportation system. Click HERE for a detailed list of current project activities.
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Additional Department Information | |
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As of Friday – June 9, 2023, the Fort Bragg Animal Shelter is permanently closed. County residents can call 707-463-4427 for assistance with Animal Shelter & Animal Protection Services. Please know that all animals that were at the Fort Bragg Animal Shelter have been either transferred to a rescue organization, adopted out or transported to the Ukiah Animal Shelter. We greatly appreciate all the adopters, volunteers and the Coast Humane Society that assisted us over the last four years. Thank you.
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COME & VISIT
Main Ukiah Campus:
501 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
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