Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Chad Peace, Court Executive Officer
Subject: Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the appointment of Jiya Venkatesh to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission, for an initial partial term ending December 31, 2025.
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BACKGROUND:
For the efficient and effective statutory compliance of the review of juvenile operations in this county, the Court and the Board have agreed that the appointees by the Court to the Juvenile Justice Commission are appointed concurrently by the Board of Supervisors to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission. Historically, the County’s practice has been to have candidates for Commission membership identified by the County or by the Commission membership. The Court then reviews, appoints, and recommends concurrent appointment by the Board of Supervisors.
DISCUSSION:
With the recommendation of the Juvenile Presiding Judge, Susan Irene Etezadi, Presiding Judge Stephanie G. Garratt does not object to and recommends to the County of San Mateo the appointment of Jiya Venkatesh to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission for the term prescribed by law.
This is a request that the Board of Supervisors appoint the above-recommended commissioner to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission.
Jiya Venkatesh would succeed Sathvik Nori who resigned from the JJDPC mid-term in December 2024.This appointment is for an existing partial term effective upon approval of this memorandum and ending on December 31, 2025.
Jiya Venkatesh is a Belmont resident and a sophomore at Carlmont High School. Before moving to California in 2024, she lived in South Africa for 12 years, an experience that shaped her worldview and fueled her passion for law and policy. She hopes to pursue a career in law and policy to work on legislative reforms that impact marginalized communities.
As a student journalist of the Scot Scoop publication, Jiya reports on some of the pressing community issues in San Mateo, including affordable housing, homelessness, and criminal justice. Her investigative work earned her an award for an article on a local juvenile manslaughter case. She is dedicated to making a difference in her community for underserved populations. Additionally, she is a member of the Belmont Youth Advisory Committee and a Youth Commissioner in the Belmont Parks & Recreation Commission, where she advocates for inclusive and accessible events, and works on fostering community outreach.
Jiya is committed to improving conditions for incarcerated youth and expanding outreach programs to support affected young people in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.