The end of a busy year always sneaks up on me! Just like any other year, 2023 had its ups and downs, but there were many highlights to reflect on in these final weeks. In the spring, our board approved an update to the Vacation Rental Ordinance, a long time coming for Sonoma Valley residents to provide better structure, exclusions, and enforcement of the program. During June budget hearings, I secured $4 million to support high priority projects in the First District, including for improvements to Larson Park and the Donald Gap, as well for bike path and bike lane projects in the Sonoma Valley. The late summer and fall saw a quiet fire season, thankfully, as well as continued investment in infrastructure improvements including road paving and two bridge replacements along the Highway 12 corridor. And as I continue to tease in my columns and newsletters, we are fast approaching – finally! – the opening of the East Sonoma County Services Center, which will be open to the public on January 8th, 2024! 

On a more somber note, an overarching theme for me this year, as I speak with community members, has been mental health. As we continue to emerge from and reflect on the pandemic, I consistently hear about the struggles our youth, older adults, and our unhoused population in particular face with regards to their mental health. And for many, the holiday season triggers many of our community into mental health crisis. And we are fortunate to have many care-giving service providers providing a patchwork of services for our schools and community.  

Many have not had the opportunity to know about the services provided by Buckelew Programs. I have asked them to provide information on the important services they program in our County. I hope that you will continue reading to learn more, and that you take care of your mental health, as well as that of your family and friends, this holiday season. I know it can be a trying time for many.

I hope to highlight the services of other providers in the coming month. The District 1 Team wishes all of you a warm and safe holiday season. 

Buckelew Programs - Since 1970, the North Bay’s Buckelew Programs have empowered individuals struggling with mental health and substance use challenges to shape healthy and purposeful lives. Buckelew offers a wide range of services to Sonoma County residents, regardless of their ability to pay, accepting private pay or Medical, and ensuring access to all, with several points of entry for care.

Housing - With housing a significant concern for many Sonoma County residents, Buckelew’s outreach-oriented and field-based programs provide supported and affordable housing options. The Sonoma County Independent Living (SCIL) Program provides support and mental health services to assist clients in securing and maintaining independent housing and improving their quality of life and self-sufficiency. Our Intensive Supportive Housing Program (SCIL-ISHP) is a case management program with more intensive wrap-around care while clients live in a group setting. This program assists those transitioning from a long-term 24-hour care setting to more independent living opportunities.

Recovery - The Helen Vine Recovery Center is a 24/7 facility in Marin currently serving Sonoma County residents needing detox, while Buckelew uplifts the Sonoma-based Orenda Center. Orenda Center does not have an opening date yet, but they are working closely with the state and county to begin services soon. Sonoma County Staff can facilitate calls or Helen Vine can be reached directly at 415.492.0818. Buckelew staff can help coordinate services, including transportation.

Athena House – formerly located at the Stone House – is a licensed and certified residential treatment program that provides welcoming, recovery-oriented services to women, often enabling children to live with their mothers during treatment. Annually, Athena House serves over 70 women. Athena House clients often transition to Hope Village’s more independent sober living environment on the same campus. Each client receives customized services to meet their needs and ultimately transitions back into the community. Athena House and Hope Village came under the Buckelew services umbrella in 2022, saving the programs from potential closure after nearly 40 years.

Family Service Coordination - For families who need support for a loved one with behavioral health or situational issues, Family Service Coordination offers education and serves as a liaison with Sonoma County Mental Health and other community-based organizations and services in accessing services. Anyone can call the family service line at 707.571.8452, and someone from Buckelew will call back and promptly triage urgent calls. To reach FSC via email: fsc@buckelew.org.

Buckelew’s Transition Age Youth (TAY) is a supportive housing, mental health and substance abuse service program for 18-25-year-olds who may have just been diagnosed with a mental illness for the first time in their lives, are transitioning out of foster care or a residential treatment program or have experienced homelessness.

Buckelew is a key partner and leads the Santa Rosa Police Department’s inRESPONSE: Mental Health Support Team, an unarmed mobile unit providing crisis intervention and support to all Santa Rosa incorporated residents and families experiencing a mental health crisis. The team, trained in de-escalation, comprises a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, and a homeless outreach specialist and is supported by coordinators who connect individuals with follow-up and wrap-around care. inRESPONSE operates 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, with plans to expand to 24/7 in 2024. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in Santa Rosa, call inRESPONSE at 707.575.HELP (4357). For more information about the program contact the inRESPONSE system navigator at 707.204.9756 or inRESPONSE@srcity.org.

Suicide Prevention - Buckelew also provides suicide prevention through its 24/7 hotline for Sonoma County, part of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to anyone experiencing any level of distress or their loved ones. The Suicide Prevention Program also offers education and outreach to middle and high schools and community events.



For more information and a complete listing of all our services, please visit Buckelew.org.

Mobile Crisis Units Expansion - On December 12th, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved plans to expand Mobile Crisis Units, teams of mental health professionals who respond to emergency calls that do not involve law enforcement, throughout the county by the end of the year.

The multidisciplinary teams will have at least one member able to deliver a crisis assessment, at least one member trained to administer naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, and at least one member who is a substance use disorder licensed practitioner or a licensed mental health professional. The teams will respond within 60 minutes to urban crisis calls and 120 minutes to rural crisis calls, anywhere in Sonoma County, 24 hours a day.

Continue reading the press release below to learn more.

First District Tourism Impact Fund Grant Awards - On December 12th, the Board of Supervisors approved a series of Tourism Impact Fund grant awards, including several award I put forward for projects and programs in the First District. I am grateful to have been able to support great local organizations like Food For All/Comida Para Todos, Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH), Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS), Homeless Action Sonoma, and several more!

For those who are not familiar, the Tourism Impact Fund was established to meet unique and urgent needs of areas within unincorporated Sonoma County that are most impacted by tourism. District Supervisors recommend how funding should be allocated in their district, for approval by the Board of Supervisors. 

Thank you to the Sonoma Index-Tribune for their great story on these most recent awards - I would recommend giving it a read to learn more about the great work organizations are doing in our community!

Charla Comunitaria - Please join us for the First District's Spanish-language community town hall, Charla Comunitaria on Thursday, January 11th from 6-7pm. Spread the word, and we hope to see you there! View past and future meetings on Facebook and YouTube. 

Next meeting: Thursday, January 11th at 6pm

Topic: Pedestrian and Driver safety and Accident Prevention

For our first Charla Comunitaria of 2024, we’d like to have a discussion on Driver Safety and Accident Prevention. With more and more accidents taking place in our community, we want to take the opportunity to remind drivers of the importance of regulated speed limits and the consequences of speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence and texting while driving. Also, what to do when involved in an accident versus being a bystander. Additionally, Supervisor Gorin would like to highlight what the County is doing to improve pedestrian and driver safety. We will have representatives from CHP, SV Fire, and SoCoPi. Cohost Juan Barragan

Springs MAC - Join the Springs Municipal Advisory Council on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30pm.

North Sonoma Valley MAC - Join the NSV MAC on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 16th at 5:30pm.

Sonoma Valley Citizen's Advisory Committee - The Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission advises on local planning projects in the Sonoma Valley, and hears informational items on other areas of interest. Join the SVCAC on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 24th at 6:30pm.