Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Dave Pine, District 1
Subject: Reappointments to the Commission on Disabilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointments to the Commission on Disabilities, each for a term ending June 30, 2026:
A) Janet Borgens, for a first full term; and
B) Steven Anthony Van, for a first full term; and
C) Ryan Love, for a first full term; and
D) Florence Wong for a second term; and
E) Chelsea Bonini, for a second term; and
F) Matthew Cadigan Hearn, for a third term; and
G) Angela Piazza, for a third term.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission on Disabilities is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in, and influence the development of, public policy that promotes the full integration of people with disabilities in their communities. Members of the Commission are dedicated and committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities throughout San Mateo County.
DISCUSSION:
As per commission bylaws, the terms of members are 3 years, for a maximum of 12 years. Janet Borgens, Steven Anthony Van, and Ryan Love were initially appointed in May 2021, each for a partial term ending June 30, 2023. Approval of this reappointment would reflect a first full term for each member.
Florence Wong and Chelsea Bonini have each served on the commission since their initial partial terms began in January 2019 and were reappointed for their first full terms in 2020, and are now each being recommended to serve for a second full term. Matthew Cadigan Hearn and Angela Piazza have each served on the commission since March 2017 and are being recommended to serve a third term.
Janet Borgens has served on several CoD committees, including as chair for the Legislation, Advocacy, and Outreach Committee, and vice-chair for the ADA Compliance Committee. She believes in fairness for all, being grateful, and that good debate requires respect for other opinions and views, and that we must learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. Janet hopes to remain humble and continue to be the voice for others who need to be heard.
Steven Van is a board-certified Patient Advocate whose passion for supporting the disability community is multifaceted. He has worked in healthcare, has cared for family members with multiple health challenges, and has spent a lifetime overcoming his own personal healthcare challenges and disabilities. As a professional project manager, Steven has worked in facilities and property management, high technology, security services, and biotechnology. He is a Master Diver and spent several years working in maritime construction management above and below the waterline. Steven is a long-time resident of San Mateo, where he and his wife raised five sons.
Ryan Love is a lifelong resident of San Mateo County that has served on the Commission on Disabilities since 2021. He was inspired to serve others after overcoming his own health issues as a child and the experiences he had navigating the public school system. In his free time, he can be found writing, playing music, or traveling.
Florence Wong is continually inspired to advocate for the disabled community because of her adult daughter who has developmental disabilities. Florence was born and raised in the Bay Area and has been a resident of San Mateo County since 2003. She is a governing board member of the Burlingame School District, first elected in 2015. Prior to becoming a trustee, she chaired the district’s Special Education District Advisory Committee for 4 years. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist, member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Bay Area Regional Advisory Committee, and an active Red Cross volunteer.
Chelsea Bonini has served on the Commission on Disabilities as a “family member” since 2019. She also served as Chair of the Commission’s Youth and Family Committee from 2019-2022 and now chairs the Commission’s annual Transition to Independence Fair, which brings together countywide educational and community resources to ensure that students with disabilities throughout our County have a path to independence in work and life as they enter adulthood. She also serves as a liaison from the Commission to the County’s Behavioral Health Commission and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commissions to further the Commission’s goal of being connected and collaborative with the shared work of advocating for improved systems at the intersection of education, health, equity and justice. Chelsea was also elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education in 2020 and appointed to the serve on the County’s Behavioral Health Commission in 2021.
Matthew Cadigan Hearn is currently a part of the Commission on Disabilities. He is working towards a Psychology degree, with possibly a secondary degree in social anthropology. He is on the autism spectrum which provides him with idiosyncrasies to a certain extent. One such example, would be social encounters which can be tricky at times. In terms of interests, Matthew likes anime, hiking and has in the past participated in special Olympics sports. He looks forward to continuing to provide a voice and input for the people with disabilities which have been historically underserved.
Angela Piazza is honored to continue her work with the Commission on Disabilities for San Mateo County. She continues to advocate for the disabled community through the CoD and her work as State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair California Leadership Institute and as Secretary for Ms. Wheelchair America. She loves educating and empowering others to be an advocate. She especially likes educating San Mateo County residents about the needs of the disabled community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.