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 Trena Patton to the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission, for an initial partial term ending December 31, 2026.
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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 Trena Patton 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.
Trena Patton would succeed Tiffany Uhila who resigned from the JJDPC mid-term in April 2025. This appointment is for an existing partial term effective upon approval of this memorandum, and ending on December 31, 2026.
Trena Patton brings extensive experience, commitment, and insight that align closely with the mission of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission. With decades in public service and social work, Trena has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable populations-especially youth and underserved communities. She has served as a Social Worker for foster youth in Alameda County, Executive Director of the Iris Center, an outpatient substance abuse treatment program for women focused on HIV/AIDS education, and as a Deputy Public Guardian for at-risk individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across these roles, she has consistently demonstrated compassion, leadership, and the ability to navigate complex systems to advocate for those in need.
Trena holds a BA in General Psychology from CSU Long Beach and an MA in Clinical Psychology, which enhance her understanding of mental health, trauma, and behavior-key factors in both juvenile justice and foster care. Her long-standing civic engagement, including tutoring incarcerated youth at the Southern Reception Center and Clinic, underscores her lifelong commitment to youth development and social equity. Her insight into the needs of system-involved youth, combined with her professional integrity and lived experience, will make Trena a valuable asset to the Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.