Mental health is at the center of so many challenges confronting local families and society in general. In this issue of the SoCo Correspondent, we have hopeful news about some promising assistance funded through Measure O, the 2020 voter-approved tax measure that is helping people suffering from mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness. You’ll also find information on a new program to help low-income residents during emergencies. And if you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog – or seeing what it would be like by fostering a dog in your home – then you will want to keep reading.

Be sure to tell friends, colleagues and family members about this newsletter and urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on the first and third week of each month.

¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.

For every $10 you spend in Sonoma County, 2½ cents are set aside to fund local programs that help people struggling with mental illnesses, substance abuse and homelessness. These pennies add up to real dollars that are making a real difference in our community.

Known as Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020 generated more than $30 million in the fiscal year that ended last June, according to a report presented to the Board of Supervisors last week. The report details how the Sonoma County Department of Health Services spent the money last year and the impact it had on our community. It includes:

• 1,101 people received care in the county’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, which provides crisis intervention, assessment, medication support and up to 23 hours of care for individuals in an acute mental health crisis.
• 324 people were helped through residential treatment programs for substance use disorders.
• 319 people suffering from severe mental illness were housed in residential care facilities, for an average stay of 247 days. These facilities provide meals, medication and other services to help clients move to more independent care.
• 172 people were served in psychiatric health facilities.
• 74 people were placed in housing.

Measure O funding is also being used to expand the use of Mobile Crisis Teams, which utilize behavioral health specialists instead of law enforcement officers to respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis. These teams – currently used in the cities of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Cotati in partnership with the Department of Health Services – will be expanded county-wide this year, thanks to Measure O.

“It’s worth noting that Sonoma County experienced a 22 percent drop in homelessness last year,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “While there were many contributing factors, the Measure O funding and programs clearly played a key role — and will continue to do so.”

When disasters strike, the most vulnerable members of our community often suffer the most. It’s the reason why the Board of Supervisors created a new program last year to provide financial aid directly to low-income residents who were unable to work or suffered other economic losses during a series of storms that battered the region in January 2023.

More than 1,700 people received support last year ranging from $250 to $800, depending on need. In all, the county provided $812,853 in direct aid, helping recipients offset loss wages, purchase food, and pay for alternative housing during evacuations.

Last week, the Board of Supervisors put a structure in place to ensure this safety net can be quickly deployed in future disasters. The Board approved contracts with two local nonprofits, Community Organizations Active in Disasters and the Child Parent Institute, to distribute financial assistance during emergencies.

“Emergency events are unpredictable, so having a system in place can mitigate a lot of foreseeable situations,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “This proposal ensures that, when needed, we are prepared to assist those who are impacted in a timely and efficient manner. We want to be sure that we lay a solid foundation and prepare as best we can to provide the financial relief certain segments of our community need during an emergency.”

District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, left, and Sheriff Eddie Engram cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of the District 5 satellite office in Guerneville.

Light refreshments? Check! Giant scissors? Check! Large ribbon? Check! Bringing services closer to west Sonoma County? Check! Just a few items District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins and county officials were able to check off during a celebration Saturday to mark the opening of the new District 5 office in Guerneville.

“This is a long time coming,” said Supervisor Hopkins, who represents the area. “Ever since I joined the Board I have fought for regional services. I don’t want you all to have to drive to Santa Rosa to receive county services. We want to be sure that the county is present in the lower Russian River.”

The new District 5 satellite office is housed in the former Bank of America building, which also houses offices for the Department of Health Services and West County Community Services. The building will also be used to host meetings of the area’s Municipal Advisory Council and other groups. Later this year, the Human Services Department will move into the space, expanding the value of the regional hub that brings essential county services closer to lower Russian River communities.

Initially, District 5 staff will be available by appointment only. Appointments can be made by emailing District 5 at district5@sonoma-county.org. Bilingual services will be available.

Nearly 250 farmworkers and their families attended the county’s first-ever resource fair for agricultural laborers last Sunday in Windsor.

The event connected farmworkers with 44 government agencies, nonprofits and advocacy groups that can provide support with housing, food, health care, employment, immigration law, tax preparation and more. It was timed to help farmworkers and their families make it through one of the most difficult times of the year, when agricultural work slows between the end of harvest and the start of the new growing season.

“Our local farmworkers are the backbone of Sonoma County agriculture, and yet far too many remain disconnected from vital programs and services,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the Windsor area. “This resource fair provides a starting point to connect the dots and do better.”

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. Because their nose is at least 100,000 times more sensitive than a human nose, they can detect cancer and other diseases, sniff out bombs and drugs, and track down humans who are buried deep under rubble or lost in a vast forest.

They can also detect quagga and zebra mussels, invasive species that can infect local waterways by hitching a ride on boats that are not cleaned and dried adequately.

To keep these pests out of Lake Sonoma, the Sonoma Water Board of Directors last week approved a contract with Mussel Dogs, an Oakdale company, to continue operating a vessel inspection program at the popular reservoir for the next two years.

“We're grateful for the excellent work accomplished by Mussel Dogs, and our dedicated human staff, who maintain the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Inspection Program,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the Lake Sonoma area and serves on the Sonoma Water board. "This work is instrumental in preserving the health of our local ecosystem and we look forward to this vital program continuing into the future."

If you have a boat, do your part to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from spreading. Make sure to clean, drain and dry your boat before entering and leaving lakes, rivers and other waterways, and bring your boat by the mussel inspection location at Lake Sonoma.

• Remove all plants and animal material from your boat, trailer, and equipment
• Wash the hull of your boat or other watercraft thoroughly, preferably with high-pressure hot water
• Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation area
• Drain bilge, ballast, wells and buckets before you leave the area
• Inspect all exposed surfaces - small mussels feel like sandpaper to the touch
• Dry equipment before launching into another body of water
• Allow at least a seven to eight day dry-out period before entering another body of water

Want to support the work of keeping our waterways free of invasive mussels? Purchase a Mussel Fee sticker from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways today.

AT&T California is seeking to withdraw as the carrier of last resort from the areas shaded in blue. It wants to streamline the process for withdrawing from the areas shaded in violet in the future.

The California Public Utilities Commission will host two virtual forums on March 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to hear public feedback on AT&T’s request to end its obligation to provide landline telephone service to large segments of Sonoma County and other parts of California.

As the state’s largest “carrier of last resort,” AT&T is currently required to provide landline phone service to any customer within its service territory. AT&T is seeking to be relieved of that obligation, arguing that landlines have become antiquated as customers move to broadband and wireless service. Critics are concerned the proposal could cut off all communication services to some customers, particularly in remote regions that lack reliable wireless service and are subject to power outages and wildfires.

Name: Keri Rynearson

Title: Engineering Technician III

Years with County: 9

Personal side: I live in Rohnert Park. I have one son in his 20s and a red fox Labrador retriever grand-puppy that loves the beaches in San Diego. My favorite food is ice cream.

Education and/or certifications: I graduated from high school and have worked to expand my knowledge and skills ever since, obtaining multiple certifications in emergency operations and in leadership.

What do you do? I work for the Sonoma County Surveyor’s Office. We are part of Permit Sonoma, the county agency that oversees land-use planning and issues permits for different types of development. Virtually any land development or construction that takes place in the unincorporated area of Sonoma County is reviewed, permitted and inspected by Permit Sonoma. I review maps and other property records for technical correctness, per state and county code. A huge part of the job is helping the public with survey-related questions about their properties.

For over two years I’ve served as the chair of the Project Review and Advisory Committee, which evaluates land development projects in unincorporated areas. The details can get very technical, but our job is to make sure that new subdivisions and other land development projects comply with county and state codes and the California Environmental Quality Act.

What gives you fulfillment? A job/project well done. I do not have a “favorite” part of my job because I like my job in whole, whether I am helping the public with their concerns in the Surveyor’s Office or helping them survive a wildfire, flood or other emergency. During a disaster, I work in the county’s Emergency Operations Center as chief of the Plans Section. In the beginning of an event, we are responsible for orchestrating evacuation and transportation plans, as well as finding shelters for evacuees. It’s our job to gather and analyze data that helps us determine what actions to take over the next 42-78 hours to meet the public’s needs. Once the immediate threat has lessened, the Plans Section helps with safely assisting the public back into evacuation zones. The Emergency Operations Center is a collaboration of multiple agencies and an amazing group of people.



What is one of the biggest misconceptions about Permit Sonoma? Some people may think that we are a “typical” government agency that doesn’t care. As one of roughly 200 people working for Permit Sonoma, I’ve had the opportunity to observe the most caring and helpful people I have ever seen in my career. Every day, we strive to go over and beyond expectations to serve the public.

Passions outside of work? I like to hike and hunt with my family. Being in the outdoors is so refreshing. But I also like I reading and watching movies, too, and hanging out with my friends. 

Sonoma County Job Link and community partners will host a job and resource fair for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless on March 20 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Garrett Building at the northeast corner of the fairgrounds, located at 1450 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa.

Attendees will have opportunities to connect with 27 local employers and 37 government agencies and nonprofits offering assistance with employment, housing and other resources. There will also be a drop-in resume-making clinic, mock job interviews, haircuts and free lunch.

“Every person in our community deserves to reach their full potential and achieve stability and shelter,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “The resources offered at this event by local business and community partners will support individuals striving to reach their next step.”

The county’s 2023 annual point-in-time count identified 2,266 people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County last year, the lowest number recorded in eight years. Under the county’s five-year Strategic Plan, the Board of Supervisors is committed to reducing Sonoma County’s homeless population 10 percent annually by enhancing services through improved coordination and collaboration.

There’s never been a better time to adopt or foster a dog from the Sonoma County animal shelter.

The shelter, which has room for 118 dogs in its kennels, has been bursting at the seams. Two weeks ago, it housed 180 dogs, including 46 puppies. “In my 10 years here, I have never seen the kennels this full,” Brian Whipple, the county’s director of animal care and control, told The Press Democrat in a Feb. 24 story.

The shelter is grappling with an influx of young dogs that were adopted during the pandemic and are now being relinquished (a nationwide crisis). The increase in prices of dog food and veterinary care in recent years has also not helped. And the shelter recently took in a large number of animals from a suspected cruelty case. Whipple describes the situation as “a perfect storm.”

While the shelter has a little more room this week after transferring some dogs to other shelters, it still has around 120 dogs available, including 30 puppies. What can you do? Foster or adopt a dog from the shelter. For foster homes, the shelter provides food, dog beds, veterinary care and anything else that’s needed for a temporary stay in your home. If you adopt a dog or puppy, vaccines, spaying/neutering, and more are included.

Either option will make your life better in many ways. Among the science-backed benefits of owning a dog: They relieve stress, lower your blood pressure, encourage you to walk more frequently, and even make you more likable and attractive. What have you got to lose?

Marcos Suarez, program manager for business diversity services with the Economic Development Board, right, and Sonoma County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson record an episode of SoCo Chat.

Where can you go to hear directly from county leaders about matters of public importance? The answer is right at your fingertips. Subscribe to SoCo Chat, the county’s new podcast series on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube. Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:

• Jennifer Lake, 211 director for United Way of the Wine Country, on a comprehensive database where you can get information on emergencies, health care, social services and other resources.
• Marcos Suarez, program manager for business diversity services with the county’s Economic Development Board, on the county’s first-ever resource fair for farmworkers.
• Ethan Brown, executive director of the county’s Economic Development Board, on the economic outlook for local businesses and how EDB is changing to meet community needs.
• Marcie Woychik, chief deputy clerk for the Board of Supervisors, on the highs, lows and unpredictable moments behind running the public meetings of the Board.
• Johannes Hoevertsz, director of the county’s Public Infrastructure Department, on responding to winter storms.
• Tennis Wick, director of Permit Sonoma, on the upcoming revision of the county’s general plan and new ways to get the public involved.

Upcoming SoCo Chat episodes will feature discussions with District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin; Bert Whitaker, director of Sonoma County Regional Parks; Sharon Debenedetti and Ron Chestnut, members of the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury; and Jon Stout, manager of the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport.

Listen for a chance to win a SoCo Chat coffee mug by answering the trivia question of the week. 

“Addressing Homelessness 101” is the focus of a March 20 public webinar, the fourth in a series of forums to raise public awareness about the lives of unsheltered people in Sonoma County and the county’s efforts to reduce homelessness.

The 5:30 p.m. forum will begin with a brief overview on homelessness and the types of housing and shelter options that are available, followed by a Q&A session. This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and to learn more about homelessness in Sonoma County. Panelists from the Department of Health Services include Michael Gause, manager of the county’s Ending Homelessness program; Thai Hilton, a program analyst; and Chuck Mottern, homelessness funding coordinator.

The county currently has nearly 80 job openings posted on its website, but how can you improve your chances of landing one?

Sign up for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The two-hour virtual class will be held at 2 p.m. on March 14.

The free class is intended for the public, whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.

Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the March 14 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.

Get involved with local government

Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies: 

• Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County: Advocate for comprehensive child care planning and coordination in our county.

• Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County: Partner with low-income families to achieve economic and social stability.

• Emergency Medical Care Council: Improve emergency medical care, oversee and maintain the system, and coordinate long-term planning for public education and injury prevention.

• Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: Promote the health of families, children and adolescents in our community.

• Sonoma County Local Task Force on Integrated Waste Management: Develop policies and procedures for waste management, reduction and recycling.

• Workforce Investment Board: Lead an integrated workforce development system to ensure our county's vitality.

Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.

(stories may require subscriptions)

• Board of Supervisors honor work of Sonoma County Grand Jury (March 6)
• VIDEO: Sonoma County hosts first-ever Farmworkers Resource Fair (March 3)
• Free, bilingual water safety program hits two-decade milestone in Sonoma County (March 2)
• Sonoma County enhances early voting for presidential primary (March 1)
• Sonoma County to host first-ever farmworker resource fair in Windsor (Feb. 29)
• Housing secured for SAY residents (Feb. 28)
• Supervisors ponder impacts, reaction after three employers announce plans to shutter (Feb. 28)
• Proposition 1 spells trade offs for County services if passed (Feb. 28)
• Windsor, surrounding communities to participate in SoCoAlert test (Feb. 28)
• Janet Nicholas, former Sonoma County supervisor, dies at 78 (Feb. 27)
• Sonoma County Animal Shelter struggling with too many dogs (Feb. 24)

Upcoming events

March 12 - Board of Supervisors

March 12 - Area Agency on Aging Executive Committee

March 13 - Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council

March 13 - Springs Municipal Advisory Council

March 14 - Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council

March 14 - Commission on the Status of Women

March 19 - North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Committee

March 20 - Community Development Committee

March 20 - Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council

March 20 - Fire Memorial Task Force

March 21 - Planning Commission

March 21 - Coast Municipal Advisory Council

March 21 - Fish and Wildlife Commission

March 26 - Board of Supervisors

March 26 - Human Rights Commission

March 27 - Economic Development Board

March 27 - Sonoma Valley Community Advisory Commission

March 27 - Homeless Coalition Board

March 28 - Ag + Open Space Advisory Committee

April 1 - Cesar Chavez Day (most county offices closed)

April 3 - IOLERO Community Advisory Council

April 4 - Planning Commission

April 16 - Board of Supervisors

Getting outside and enjoying the county

March 9 - Saturday Walk in the Park - Gualala Point Regional Park

March 15 - Hikes With Hounds - Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach

March 16 - Asanas Outside Yoga - Spring Lake Regional Park

View and sign up for the county's SoCo Chat podcast

Interested in what's going on at the County of Sonoma?

Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent here.

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A publication of the County Administrator’s Office – Communications Staff