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 reappointments to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission (JJDPC), each for a first full 4-year term ending December 31, 2029:
A) Shakeel Ali; and
B) Jennifer Blanco; and
C) Niklas Klemmer; and
D) Jiya Venkatesh.
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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 reappointments of Shakeel Ali, Jennifer Blanco, Niklas Klemmer, and Jiya Venkatesh to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission for the term prescribed by law.
Shakeel Ali was initially appointed to the JJDPC in August 2024 to a partial term. Jennifer Blanco was initially appointed in April 2024. Niklas Klemmer served an initial partial 1-year term in 2025, and Jiya Venkatesh’s existing partial term expired on December 31, 2025 from his initial April 2025 appointment. Upon approval, these reappointments are for their first full 4-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029.
This is a request that the Board of Supervisors reappoint the above-recommended commissioners to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission.
Shakeel Ali is a lifelong resident of San Mateo County. He grew up in Midway Village and has lived in Daly City for over 45 years. He currently serves as the Governing Board President of the Jefferson Elementary School District and has been a Trustee for more than 15 years. Shakeel holds a master’s degree in special education from San Francisco State University. With a career spanning over 30 years, he is currently teaching at El Camino High School in South San Francisco. Shakeel is a founding advisor for YEEE (Youth Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Employment), a trainer for Ripple Effects, and a Community Health Advisor at the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council. Additionally, he serves on the Community Fund Review Panel for the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation in Redwood City. As a survivor of gun violence, Shakeel is committed to addressing the root causes of violence in underserved communities. He has worked in the San Francisco Bayview neighborhood, as well as the Youth Guidance Center and Log Cabin Ranch juvenile detention facilities. Shakeel has also worked extensively with transitional age youth aging out of the Foster Care system.
Jennifer Blanco, a first-generation individual of Cuban and Salvadorian descent, has dedicated nearly three decades to serving the San Bruno community. As a Trustee of the San Bruno Park Elementary School District for 17 years, Jennifer has had a lasting impact on children and families. Jennifer was instrumental in bringing the national Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros annual celebration to San Bruno back in 2009, emphasizing the importance of literacy for children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Jennifer’s unwavering dedication to providing essential support to all students has earned her the title of an equity warrior.
Niklas Klemmer, a Menlo Park resident and student at Menlo-Atherton High School, is deeply committed to law, political advocacy, and public service. He currently interns with Senator Josh Becker and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab, where he contributes to research on policymaking and deliberative processes. An active member of the National Honor Society, Niklas also participates in debate and Model United Nations. He has attended Yale’s prestigious Young Global Scholars program, further honing his understanding of global issues and leadership. Beyond academics, Niklas dedicates his time to community service. He volunteers with the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto and serves as Director of Outreach for Justice Bound, a youth-led nonprofit in San Mateo County focused on public policy and criminal justice reform. Niklas is excited to bring his passion for criminal justice reform and public service to the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Commission. He aims to promote meaningful change and contribute to a more equitable society.
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.