Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Team of the Month for January 2021
RECOMMENDATION:
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Honor the Service Connect Reentry Program as Team of the Month for January 2021 and authorize the President of the Board to sign the commendation.
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BACKGROUND:
The Team of the Month program was established in September 2018 to recognize and honor County teams who consistently demonstrate an outstanding level of performance.
Our Team of the Month for January 2021 are from County Health - Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Human Services Agency and Probation Department The team members are: Tennille Tucker, Daniel Lanzarin, Lear Blitzstein, Gino Inesi, Caroline Leon Williams, Jose Cabrera, David Bass, Delicia Pennix, Amanda Geipe, Roberto Gonzalez, Catherine LaCroix, Corina Enriquez, Ken Jones, Marco Romero, Juan Gutierrez, Amy Bayley, Margarita Villanueva, Christine Orrin, Ramona Gabriel and Moniay Wade.
DISCUSSION:
In an effort to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, the State prison system, released thousands of low-risk offenders back into the community with very little notice, causing a drastic influx of new clients within San Mateo County. The exceptional team efforts coordinated by Service Connect Reentry Program which includes staff from Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, and Adult Probation supported the mass state prison and local jail releases where over 200 clients returned to the County.
The Service Connect Reentry Program Team quickly adjusted to telework and rose to the occasion. They seamlessly executed one of the most challenging, yet necessary services our clients required. Moreover, the Service Connect team worked around the clock in collaboration with justice partners to ensure they connected with clients who were released from prison. The Team worked closely to ensure that the individuals returning to our county were provided vital resources to help them transition to the community successfully. Resources included shelter, psychiatric medication support, mental health therapy, linkage to specialty care, linking clients to employment and meeting clients in the parking lot of Service Connect to distribute food, hygiene kits, gift cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to adhere to the County’s COVID-19 safety protocols. Staff also delivered resources to COVID Positive clients released from prison. It is with great pride to recognize Service Connect Reentry Program's commitment, compassion, and diligence during the peak of the pandemic.
Our County is fortunate to have Service Connect Reentry Program as an outstanding Team.