Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa Water District Board appoints a Concord Commissioner to fill vacancy

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Ernesto Avila, from his LinkedIn page.

Ernesto Avila, from his LinkedIn page.

CONCORD – On March 16, 2016, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors unanimously approved Ernesto Avila to fill the Board vacancy left by the retirement of Board President Joseph Campbell.  Avila will participate in his first Board meeting representing Division 3 on April 6, 2016.  The Division 3 seat along with two other board positions will be up for election in November 2016.

Avila lives in Concord and currently is Vice President of a private engineering firm. His LinkedIn page states he is Owner of Avila and Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. His background includes 32 years of engineering experience.  Over a decade ago he was an employee of the CCWD, then accepted a position running a water agency in the Monterey area and finally started his own engineering firm.  He has been a Planning Commissioner with the City of Concord for the past 10 years and is an active member of the Concord community.

CCWD received applications from ten highly qualified candidates, and from those, selected six individuals for interviews conducted at the March 16 meeting. Following interviews and deliberations, the Board appointed Avila to represent Division 3.

“Board members unanimously agreed that Mr. Avila will uphold the Board’s commitment to represent the needs of our customers and provide high-quality water service with enthusiasm,” said CCWD Board Vice President, Lisa Borba.

All applications and documents related to the selection process were made available for public review on the website and at the District offices.

Division 3 includes Clayton and portions of Concord and Walnut Creek. To see the map of all five divisions click here.  For more information about the district, visit www.ccwater.com.

Contra Costa Health Services holds ribbon cutting for new Assisted Outpatient Treatment program in Concord

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Contra Costa Action Team members cut the ribbon at the new health center in Concord, on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Contra Costa Action Team staff Contra Costa Action Team staff with Kim Bond, CEO (far left), Laura Miles, Vice President (left center) and Crystal Luna, Program Director (right center), cut the ribbon at the new treatment program in Concord, on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Mental Health Systems held a ribbon cutting and open house to officially open Contra Costa Health Services’ Assisted Outpatient Treatment program (AOT) located at 2280 Diamond Blvd. #500, Concord on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

MHS’ Contra Costa ACTiOn Team – delivered through an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model – provides AOT to individuals that qualify for AB1421 known as Laura’s Law. The California state law was named after Laura Wilcox, a mental health worker who was killed by a man who had refused psychiatric treatment. It allows for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment. To qualify for the program, the person must have a serious mental illness plus a recent history of psychiatric hospitalizations, jailings or acts, threats or attempts of serious violent behavior towards self or others.

The Contra Costa ACTiOn Team is designed to help consumers that face mental health challenges find the support they need to live safely and productively within the community. The program will offer treatment to individuals who meet all nine criteria described in Laura’s Law when requested from family members, cohabitants, law enforcement, or mental health providers. While AOT can be a court-ordered process for treatment, the overall goal of this program is to make treatment available on a voluntary basis, where court order will be brought in as a last resort.

Participants of the program will collaborate with ACTiOn Team members to develop individualized treatment plans and receive 24-hour access to services. Services for this program may include outreach, engagement and support, group therapy, individual therapy, case management, employment and housing assistance, medication management, wellness coaching, independent living skills and community engagement. The program will eventually have the capacity to deliver care to up to 75 eligible adults for the first year.

“This program provides the evidence-based, highly effective practice of Assertive Community Treatment with intensive supportive services provided by a multi-disciplinary team,” Mental Health Systems Vice President Dr. Laura Otis-Miles said. “It is a valuable resource in Contra Costa County to help our clients and their families break the cycle of repeated hospitalizations, incarcerations, and homelessness.”

The Contra Costa Action Team is designed to help consumers that face mental health challenges find the support they need to live safely and productively within the community. This is the first Mental Health System’s program to come to the Bay Area.

Mental Health Systems (www.mhsinc.org) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1978 to provide innovative and cost-effective behavioral health and drug and alcohol recovery services. Currently, MHS operates more than 80 community-based programs throughout California. Leading the field of nonprofit behavioral health services, our expertise and scope is unparalleled. MHS offers culturally appropriate, client-centered and strengths-based services in its programs for children, transition age youth, adults, older adults and families. While some services are available through private insurance or self-pay, most MHS programs are publicly funded and available to those who cannot afford privately paid services would be otherwise unable to receive them. All services are provided in a client-focused, compassionate manner that underscores MHS founding values of Integrity, Excellence, Hope, Action, Innovation and Dignity.

 

Contra Costa County Seeks Partners for Reentry Services

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County Issues Requests for Proposals Tied to Public Safety Realignment

Matching the formerly incarcerated with jobs, housing and other support services is seen as key in keeping them from going back to a life of crime. With that goal, Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors is soliciting proposals from qualified agencies to provide a range of services to bolster the transition for those released to County supervision following California’s Public Safety Realignment.

The Board is making available a total of $3,530,000 for services in specific program areas. Four Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were released Tuesday, March 1, to deliver services in the following amounts: $2,000,000 for Employment Support and Placement Services, $1,180,000 for Short and Long-Term Housing Access, $200,000 for Peer Mentoring and Family Reunification Services, and $150,000 for Civil Legal Services.

Supervisor Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board and of the County’s Public Safety Committee, notes Contra Costa has been a leader among counties in its approach to implementing Realignment.

“Partnering with experienced, innovative, effective agencies will ensure we’re tackling recidivism with the right tools,” Andersen added.

Private, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and public agencies that offer programs serving the needs of the target population, with demonstrated effectiveness in providing evidence-based and research-informed services aimed at reducing repeat offenses, are invited to submit proposals.

A mandatory Bidders Conference for interested responders is scheduled at the following locations and times: March 7, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Pittsburg City Council Chambers; March 8 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Zoning Administrator’s Room at 30 Muir Road in Martinez; or March 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Richmond City Council Chambers. Potential bidders need only attend one conference.

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016. Additional information and RFP copies are available at website: www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/2366/Services-Programs or by calling (925) 335-1097.

Contra Costa County Home Care Workers Ratify New Contract

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Months of Action Result in Wage Increase That Will Eventually Reach $12.25/hour

Martinez, CA – Home care workers in Contra Costa County, represented by SEIU Local 2015, have ratified a new contract that raises their wage to $12.00 per hour as soon as the State can make the change, and to $12.25 per hour on January 1, 2017. The contract is on the agenda for a vote of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday, March 15th meeting.

Home care workers currently make just $11.50 an hour and have not had a raise in more than seven years. The contract maintains their health care benefit, which the County had pushed to limit.

SEIU Local 2015 Provisional Officer Arnulfo De La Cruz was glad to reach a contract, but believes it should not have taken so long to achieve. “Home care providers, their clients and allies rallied for months at Board of Supervisors meetings,” he said. “This contract impacts those who care for our county’s most vulnerable population and should have been resolved sooner, but we are certainly glad that it is finally done.”

Union members voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the agreement.

“We won our contract because we got organized and got members involved,” said home care worker John Roe, who was part of bargaining team. “Now we’re going to organize for $15.”

Home care worker Melody Lacy, also a member of the bargaining team, said “We got this victory because we have a union that is 100% focused on us as long-term care providers winning better wages and benefits.”

IHSS workers care for our low-income seniors and disabled neighbors, a tough but critical job that allows their clients to live at home with independence and dignity while being more cost effective than institutionalization. This work should be recognized and paid a livable wage.

Follow the conversation: @SEIU2015

Sen. Glazer Named Chairman of State Senate Banking & Finance Committee

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Contra Costa lawmaker also joins Budget panel

Sacramento – In an expansion of his role in the California State Senate, Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, (9th District), was named on Wednesday as Chairman of the Banking & Financial Institutions Committee and to serve on the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.

Glazer, who was elected in May 2015, will serve on the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration and General Government. He also serves on the Public Safety, Insurance and Governmental Organization committees.

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon made the nominations, which were approved by the Senate Rules Committee.

“I’m pleased to have someone with Steve’s knowledge shepherd the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and join the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee,” de Leon said. “His experience will be critical to the committees as it takes on issues of great importance to all Californians that create economic opportunity and financial security.”

Glazer said he is “appreciative of the confidence that the President pro Tem is showing in me by tapping me as chairman of the important Banking and Finance Committee.

“One of the most important tasks of a legislator is to be a good steward of the state’s finances, so I’m pleased to have a seat at the budget table.”

Glazer represents most of Contra Costa County in California’s 9th State Senate District.

 

County Clerk Joe Canciamilla announces new website covering CORE

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By Joe Canciamilla

Our new web address – www.contracostacore.us – reflects what we believe is our CORE mission (Clerk, Outreach, Recorder, Elections) which is customer service. The goal of our entire team is to ensure that your experience with our office is unlike any you might have had or expected when dealing with a government agency: fast, friendly, efficient and helpful whether you are in need of a vital record, recording a document or registering to vote.

Please let us know what you think about our new site and our services. You can follow us on Facebook at Engage Contra Costa. Keep up to date with elections on Facebook at Contra Costa Elections and on Twitter @cocoelections. Follow what’s happening in the Clerk-Recorder Division on Facebook at Contra Costa Clerk Recorder and on Twitter @CCClerkRecorder. We even have YELP reviews for you to check out.

Reps. DeSaulnier and McNerney to hold joint Town Hall in Antioch, Wednesday, March 9th

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Congressmen Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-11) and Jerry McNerney (D, CA-09) will host a joint town hall meeting in Antioch on Wednesday, March 9th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

This unique forum will be an opportunity for residents to receive a Congressional update on key issues of importance to their community and learn more about the broad range of constituent services the Representatives’ offices can provide.

  • What:Representatives DeSaulnier and McNerney’s Joint Town Hall Meeting in Antioch
  • When: Wednesday, March 9, 2016, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Check-in begins at 6:00 pm
  • Where: Antioch Middle School, 1500 D Street, Antioch

For more information or to request ADA accommodations, please email CA11.RSVP@mail.house.gov or call (925) 933-2660.

Congressman DeSaulnier to meet one-on-one with constituents in Martinez, Saturday

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will continue his longtime practice of meeting on-on-one with constituents during Mobile District Office Hours in Martinez on Saturday, March 5th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Since elected as a new Member of Congress, DeSaulnier has held eleven town halls throughout Contra Costa County and continues to hold listening tours across the district.

“We strive to be accessible to the people we serve, and invite Contra Costa County residents to join us in Martinez or at one of our future stops. This is an opportunity for constituents to talk with me about issues of importance or concern and learn about the constituent services my office can provide,” said DeSaulnier.

The congressman will be on hand to share thoughts and to answer questions on federal legislation, and to assist with issues related to Social Security, the Veteran’s Administration, passports, or other federal agencies.

  • What: Congressman DeSaulnier’s Mobile District Office Hours
  • When: Saturday, March 5th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Where: Contra Costa County, Department of Conservation and Development, 30 Muir Road, Martinez

First-come, first-served. No appointment necessary. Event is open to all residents of California’s 11th congressional district

For more information or to confirm you are a resident of the 11th district, please email CA11.RSVP@mail.house.gov or call (925) 933-2660.