October Newsletter 2024
As we enjoy the cooler Fall days, it's amazing to think of all that’s unfolded and all that’s still to come in this year. Halloween and Día de los Muertos are just behind us and more holidays will quickly follow – but first, remember to VOTE on or before November 5!
In anticipation of the election, this month’s blog post focuses on the privilege of voting and how the state of California and Santa Clara County have facilitated voting and combated voter suppression. If you haven’t submitted your ballot yet, you can find your closest ballot drop off location here or find your closest voting center here.
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, you can do so on election day. You can find a full list of voting centers with information on which offer vote same day voter registration here.
For additional information, please check out the Registrar of Voters website here.
Whatever this time of year holds for you, I hope it brings you moments of warmth, connection, and renewal. Remember to take time for yourself and for those around you, and let’s look ahead with hope and care.
Public Safety and Justice Legislative Briefing
On October 25, I held my final Legislative Issue Briefing of the year for local elected officials. This briefing focused on efforts being made in our County and at the state level to increase public safety in a way that addresses root causes of harm, tries to ensure justice for victims and rehabilitates offenders to minimize recidivism. A special thank you to this session’s special guest, State Senator Aisha Wahab. Senator Wahab chairs the Public Safety committee and is a strong advocate for system reforms that will create and sustain safer communities. County senior staff shared information about alternatives to incarceration, including expansion of treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders, plans to replace some of our crumbling jail infrastructure, and how the County will address many of the new mandates and propositions that will impact our public safety and justice system.
CalAIM/Medi-Cal Press Conference
On October 29, the County held a press conference to announce the implementation of an exciting new initiative to support individuals’ health needs as they transition from custody back to their community.
The CalAIM/Medi-Cal Justice Initiative ensures that individuals who received care while in custody can seamlessly continue to receive those services upon re-entering their communities. The goal is to ensure that gains made in mental health, addiction treatment, and chronic health condition management won’t be lost after release. I am proud we are among the first three counties (with Yuba and Inyo) approved for this program and the first in California to enroll people in the benefit portal.
While all counties must implement this initiative by October 2025, our team’s hard work has allowed us to go live a year early, delivering essential Medi-Cal services to those who need them most.
It’s vital that formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities have the resources they need to thrive. This initiative enhances individuals’ access to the primary and preventive care that is essential to good health, something to which they may not have been connected prior to being incarcerated. In this way, the initiative also addresses equity gaps, improving health outcomes for those impacted by incarceration, a disproportionate number of whom are people of color.
New pre-release benefits include comprehensive care management, physical and behavioral health consultations, lab services, mental health and substance use treatments, community health worker support, and necessary medications and equipment at release.
I appreciate our county team’s dedication and look forward to seeing lives improved through this program as well as a reduction in recidivism.
Guaranteed Income FREE Movie Screening
Wondering what guaranteed income is? Do you have an inkling but wonder how it could possibly work? Thinking this is a radical idea (spoiler: it’s not)? Here is your opportunity to learn more and ask all your questions!
On Thursday November 7 I am hosting an exclusive screening of It’s Basic, a compelling documentary that highlights the transformative impact of guaranteed income programs on communities.
Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A session featuring the filmmakers and local leaders who are advancing guaranteed income initiatives in our community. This is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the difference these programs are making and to engage directly with the advocates championing this cause.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Location: Pruneyard Cinema, 1875 S. Bascom Ave, Campbell, CA 95008S
- Seating is limited and advance registration is required: Eventbrite Registration.
- If you want a jump start on what guaranteed income is all about, check out my podcast episode on the subject here.
Grail Family Services Family Resource Center
For decades, Grail Family Services (GFS) has been a bedrock of the East Side community, providing critical services that have helped countless families and children access childcare and other essential resources.
On October 25, GFS celebrated the addition of a Family Resource Center (FRC) at its East San Antonio St site. FRCs are the heart of neighborhoods for young families, creating a sense of community and belonging. They not only provide direct programming but connect families to other resources and benefits for which they may be eligible, including food or housing assistance and developmental services for their children.
A big thank you to Veronica Goei, the entire Grail Family Services staff, and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County for continuing to support these important initiatives.
October Podcast and Blog
As mentioned above, this month’s blog post expands on California and Santa Clara County’s efforts to combat voter suppression. Over the past 2 decades, Santa Clara County has been a model of what it means to facilitate voter registration, access and ballot return. You can read the full blog here.
As for the podcasts, the most recent episodes include:
- My conversation with Jessica Paz-Cedillos, Executive Director of the School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in which we discuss the importance of the La Avenida Project which focuses on creating cultural districts in East San Jose and uplifting the surrounding community through art and culture.
- A sit down with Dr Holly Child, Restorative Services Director at the Office of the County Sheriff. The Sheriff’s office and the County’s Office of Re-Entry Services are taking significant steps to support successful reentry for individuals after they leave the County jail. Dr. Child’s specialized role in the Sheriff’s Office includes a focus on restorative programs, creating a clear pathway for reintegration into the community. This approach is essential to ensuring that people have the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives, thus reducing recidivism and creating safer communities.
- A super informative discussion about guaranteed income Melanie Jimenez-Perez, a program manager in the Office of the County Executive, who runs the County’s guaranteed income programs. A listen here will get you ready for the film screening on November 7!
As always, I and my team are here to help you in any way we can.
Warmly,
Susan Ellenberg
Board President
Santa Clara County Supervisor, District 4