| Supervisor Mitchoff's Committee and Board Assignments |
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Phil Kader Leaves a Legacy in
Contra Costa County
Chief Probation Officer Phil Kader is retiring after six years of service. He has had an exemplary career in the field of Probation, spanning 34 years. He began his career as a Group Counselor in the Fresno County Probation Department and served there for many years before joining the Contra Costa Probation department in 2010.
Chief Kader joined our county during a time of transition, as the AB 109 Public Safety Realignment required County Probation Chiefs to take a lead role in shaping the future of California's public safety system. Chief Kader rose to the occasion and helped our county progress with a spirit of innovation and a foundation of sound justice principles.
The Board of Supervisors and the Contra Costa County Probation Office have been fortunate to have a person of his capabilities, talents and dedication. He will be missed!
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Environmental Health Restaurant
Placard Food Grading System
The Contra Costa County Environmental Health Division has been working on a new food grading system and on March 15, 2016, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors approved the new color-coded food grading system. Under this new system, food operators will be required to display the color-coded grade in a prominent location inside their establishment. The grade essentially rates food safety practices on a color-coded scale, as opposed to the letter system used in some locations. Ratings will be assigned to all of the County's roughly 4,000 food establishments, including restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias, and other food vendors.
The new grading system will consist of three colored fliers- Green, Yellow, and Red, issued after the regular food safety inspection by the health inspector.
- Green: indicates no or one major violation of food safety. The major violation has to be corrected while the inspector is there.
- Yellow: means two or more major violations of food safety. Major violations have to be corrected while inspector is there.
- Red: An imminent health hazard (a major violation that can not be corrected while the inspector is there) results in a closure. An imminent health hazard includes sewage back-up, rat or cockroach or vermin infestation, no hot water, no electricity.
Environmental Health has food-safety specialists that annually inspect everything from sit-down restaurants and delis to convenience stores and mobile food trucks, ensuring the preparation and handling of food is done in a safe and sanitary way. They are responsible for ensuring that all food establishments are operated in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. This new grading system will provide consumers increased confidence about the establishments they choose to patronize. It will also hold restaurateurs accountable for complying with food safety practices and hopefully in turn reduce the number of violations issued by health inspectors.
Implementation for this new color-coded food grading system will begin on April 15, 2016. We are excited to have this food safety system in Contra Costa. This new system provides a more efficient way to communicate to the public the food safety status of the facility. This will also assist in the prevention and reducing the risk and spread of food-borne illness.
If you have any questions about this new food grading system, please contact my staff, Dominic Aliano, at (925) 521-7100.
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Rx Drug Recap Presentation
March was Prescription Drug Awareness Month in Contra Costa County. The Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to April Rovero, Founder of the MEDS Coalition, Dan Peddycord, Director of Contra Costa County Public Health and Dr. Ken Saffier, Family Practice Physician at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, recognizing their work surrounding Prescription Drug Awareness.
During this discussion, we received an alarming presentation by the Medication Education Disposal (MEDS) Coalition.
Prescription drug abuse is considered a national epidemic, and only by increasing awareness and educating our community about the dangers can we begin to combat this issue.
This is the 5th year our County has recognized March as Prescription Drug Awareness month, which is one step towards promoting public awareness, but there is still much work to be done.
In 2014, the United States saw 47,055 drug induced deaths. Within Contra Costa County, there were a total of 624 accidental drug deaths from 2008 to 2014. There were also 1,562 non-fatal emergency department visits from opioids from 2009 to 2013 and 1,494 non-fatal hospitalizations from opioids between 2008 and 2013. We were also informed that the nation has seen drug overdoses become the leading cause of death for people that are between ages 25 and 64. Drug overdoses has surpassed motor vehicle affiliated deaths for this age range. In 2013, the County recorded 66 people had lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents and 113 lost their lives to drug overdose.
These startling statistics
are one reason why public outreach on this issue is central to helping people make better-informed decisions for their health. Too often, it is assumed prescription drugs are safe because a doctor prescribes them, but they can be just as dangerous as other drugs.
Another essential piece of this issue is the proper disposal of medications once you no longer need them. It is important to dispose of these properly so that they do not end up in the wrong hands, or contaminate our water. This is a critical component of preventing accidental overdose and prescription drug abuse. Taking these safety measures saves lives. To find your nearest proper medication disposal drop off site, please click here.
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April is Donate Life Month
April is National Donate Life Month, a time when Donate Life organizations across the country strive to make LIFE possible by educating and motivating individuals to register their decision to be organ, eye and tissue donors. The 2016 symbol of National Donate Life Month is the sunflower. With its yellow and orange hues, the sunflower evokes feelings of optimism, warmth and cheerfulness.
If you look closely at a sunflower, the face contains as many as 2,000 seeds giving it the potential to create an entirely new field of flowers. As individuals, we each have a similar potential - to make LIFE possible when we register to become an organ, eye and tissue donor. One person can save the lives of up to eight people as an organ donor, restore sight to two people through cornea donation and heal countless others through tissue donation. Not only that, but a chance at new life gives beyond the recipient. Just as a new field of sunflowers brings comfort and happiness to those that come into contact with it, so does a loved one's gift of donation to his or her family and friends.
If you'd like to register to be a donor please
click here.
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Earth Day Opportunities
CITY OF CONCORD
When: Saturday, April 23, 8:00am-12:00pm
Where: Newhall Community Park
Join the City of Concord along with your friends, family and neighbors as we clean up our community and celebrate our planet! Bring your favorite garden equipment and least favorite pair of jeans, and help us beautify Newhall Community Park!
For more information, contact Shannon Griffin at (925) 671-3068 or shannon.griffin@cityofconcord.org. To RSVP, click here and search by Griffin's email address.
CITY OF CLAYTON
When: Saturday, April 23, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Clayton City Hall
Clayton is celebrating Earth Day with Clayton Cleans Up. Join Clayton residents, friends, and family as you work together to help clean up Clayton. You will be cleaning up Clayton's scenic trails along with its beautiful downtown and charming neighborhoods. BBQ will be served after the clean up. For more information, call the Pioneer at (925) 672-0500.
CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
Celebrate Earth Day at Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden
When: Sunday, April 17, from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Where: 1 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill
A free garden tour, informative talks, educational activities, exhibits, and games will be fun for everyone. Learn ways to provide for pollinators, to compost, and to use more responsible and sustainable water and waste management practices at home. Learn from Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm, Sustainable Contra Costa, Wild Birds Unlimited, Eco Studio, The Green Team, U.C. Master Gardeners of Contra Costa, California Native Plant Society, Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. For more information please click here or to sign-up via email click here. Tours fill up quickly!
4th Annual Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm Expo & Plant Sale
When: Saturday, April 9, 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: Rodgers Ranch, 315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill
Tomatoes, peppers, herbs and more - it's GARDEN time! Come take free classes to learn how to have your best garden ever. While you're letting great ideas sink in, the DVC Culinary Department will make your taste buds swoon, and all-local vendors will offer healthy, helpful products to make your inner and outer worlds happier. No need to leave our fair city for world class organic vegetables - keep your dollars local and join your neighbors in a beautiful setting! For class times and more information click here.
CITY OF WALNUT CREEK
The Gardens at Heather Farm and the City of Walnut Creek presents Creeks, Ponds, and Waterways
When:
Saturday, April 9, 10:00am-11:30am
Saturday, April 16, 10:00am-11:30am
Saturday, April 23, 10:00am-11:30am
Saturday, May 7, 10:00am-11:30am
Saturday, May 15, 10:00am-11:30am
Saturday, May 21, 10:00am-11:30am
Creeks, Ponds, and Waterways is a program focused on educating the community about issues facing our watershed. There are a series of fun topics for lectures, workshops, and field trips led by community speakers, as well as the staff at The Gardens during the months of April and May. Specific activities planned for children relate to each of the adult topics. It is a FREE program, but they do need a head count so they are asking for registrations. Please click here for registration.
If you have any further questions, please contact Jenn Mormon, Youth Education Manager, The Gardens at Heather Farm at (925) 947-6712 or jenn@gardenshf.org.
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Meals on Wheels - March for Meals
Each March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs across the country reach out to their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America's seniors all year long. By volunteering, donating or speaking out, you can ensure the seniors in your neighborhood can live more healthy, happy and independent lives at home, where they want to be. My staff recently joined in the kick-off event that Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services held along with KKDV Radio.
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services (MOWSOS) have identified 23 Community Champions that will participate in ride-a-longs delivering meals to seniors in Contra Costa. MOWSOS deliver nearly 800 meals every day Monday - Friday, and frozen meals on Friday for Saturday and Sunday. This wouldn't be possible without the help of their volunteer drivers.
We have learned that there is a great need for volunteer drivers in Antioch, Bay Point, and Pittsburg. We encourage Contra Costa residents to contact Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services if you are interested in volunteering. You don't need to live in East County to volunteer, but simply be willing to drive there at least one day a week to help with meal delivery. This would be a great opportunity for local businesses, churches or service groups to volunteer together and help to enhance the lives of older adults in Contra Costa County.
For more information on Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services, please contact my staff, Lia Bristol, at (925) 521-7100.
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Earn and Learn East Bay is an engagement and recruitment campaign coordinated by the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership and Diablo Gateways to Innovation (DGI). Last month, Earn and Learn East Bay hosted its 2016 Kick-Off Breakfast and this year's 2016 Champions of Change are:
Champions of Action
John Muir National Historic Site
John Muir Health
Phillips 66
Verizon
Champions of Youth Advocacy
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Rising Sun Energy Center
Champions on the Rise
Antioch Chamber of Commerce
Los Medanos College
Schneider Electric
Earn and Learn East Bay is focused on helping young adults become engaged in the workforce while also helping businesses recruit young talented employees. This initiative connects local youth, who are either in school or out of school, with the opportunity to gain experience in the workforce. The students and young adults are able to receive this work experience through summer jobs, internships and apprenticeships.
Click here to learn more about the opportunities that Earn and Learn East Bay offer.
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Center for Human Development
Mediation Training
The Center for Human Development (CHD) is a non-profit organization that is committed to improving the quality of lives of people in various communities. The organization works to battle poverty within communities so that they can create an environment where people get the opportunity to realize their full potential. Their programs address gang violence, mediation, youth leadership, people's physical health, and emotional wellness.
 Another service, that the Center for Human Development provides, is a safe neutral setting where disputing parties can explore solutions. Mediation is important to the CHD because through mediation, issues can be addressed peacefully and respectfully.
This spring, the Center for Human Development will be conducting mediation classes. If you are interested in becoming a mediator or wanting to learn more about mediation, then these classes are a perfect opportunity for you to receive training on how to resolve disputes. The course will focus on such cases as landlord/tenant, customer/merchant, neighbors, family, workplace, relationship, real estate, and other community disputes. This course is highly interactive; trainees will practice acquired skills throughout the process. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, and are eligible to apply to our volunteer mediator panels.
Classes begin on Thursday, April 21st and will be held at the Center for Human Development. Please click here, if you are interested in more information about the Center for Human Development, or would like to register for the mediation classes.
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Art and Wine (and Beer!) Walk
The Concord Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was started in 1949 by a group of young professional women. The Concord Branch is a member of the State Organization
and the National Association
, which have been empowering women since 1881. Today, AAUW-Concord members are a mix of early- and mid-career professionals from various fields, including math and science. In addition, retired teachers who are veteran AAUW members, have tirelessly helped girls and women in Concord by advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
On Saturday, May 7th the AAUW will be hosting their Fourth Annual Art & Wine (and Beer!) Walk. Participants will stroll around Todos Santos Plaza and Salvio Pacheco Square while enjoying fine wine, craft beer and appetizers, all while viewing beautiful art and meeting local artists.
Tickets cost $20 in advance, or $25 at the event. For more information and to purchase a ticket to the event, please click here.
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Join the Election Day Team
The County Elections Department is looking for community volunteers to serve on the Election Day Team.
Poll workers are the heart and soul of an election. Without hundreds of poll workers serving across the county, we could not have successful elections. It takes more than 1,500 poll workers to conduct a countywide election in Contra Costa County.
Poll Workers attend in-class training & learn what it takes to successfully administer an election that complies with both California & Federal Election Laws.
It's a chance to see neighbors and meet new friends. Poll Workers often say how much they enjoy seeing and assisting their neighbors and community members on Election Day.
To apply,
click here
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County Commission Vacancies
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has established many boards, committees, and commissions to which it appoints Contra Costa residents to serve, on a volunteer basis, to advise the Board on the myriad of programs and issues under the Board's jurisdiction. Contra Costa residents are encouraged to participate in their County government, and to put their expert knowledge and experience to work in their communities by applying to serve on a Board advisory body.
Supervisors appoint individuals to various boards within their district. Currently there are vacancies for District IV representatives on five different boards, as follows:
1. Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board
2. Contra Costa Centre Municipal Advisory Committee
3. Fire Protection District, Alternate Seat
4. Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
5. Local Planning Council
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for a seat on one of these commissions, please visit my website for further information or contact my office at (925) 521-7100.
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District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff
2
151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, California 94520
(925) 521-7100
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