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The County Voice

A place where CSAC, county officials and stakeholders can voice their thoughts on governance and issues that impact California’s 58 counties.

The County Voice

Local Governments Must Lead the Way In Bridging the Digital Divide
A Conversation with Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo

Luis Alejo Sara Floor

Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo met recently with CSAC Communication Manager Sara Floor to share his thoughts about supporting AB 34, the Broadband Bond Bill, and his ongoing efforts to increase high speed internet access across the state. The following are edited comments from their discussion.

Millions of Californians are without internet access, a deficit we’ve known about for some two decades. Why so much attention right now?

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a bright spotlight on the digital divide here in California. Here in East Salinas, in Monterey County, an image of two little girls sitting on the sidewalk outside a fast food restaurant went viral. It put a human face to what we all knew what was occurring for so many children, all across the country. Sometimes it takes an image of our most vulnerable children having to sit outside to just do their classwork to serve as real examples for policy makers to see a crisis.

But as the months have gone on, we’ve also realized that access to internet and broadband has been an issue for all Californians including our seniors who now need to connect with their doctors and family. And now we’ve got parents who are working from home, and multiple children in a household trying to access internet service— it really shows how many households don’t have the service needed to have multiple family members connecting and doing the work that’s needed. 

Why has California been so slow to adopt broadband and how can we bridge the divide?

It’s been a national embarrassment that in the technology capitol of the world, which California is, that we haven’t addressed the digital divide long ago. We have some of the best minds and some of the best research institutions and universities, but it really takes a will to be able to put the resources forward.

The County Voice

A Year In Policy Preview       

By the CSAC Legislative Team

The Legislature has convened, the election is certified, and thoughts here in Sacramento turn to the legislative presents or lumps of coal that might await counties next year. While a hundred or so bills have already been introduced, they are just a taste of the few thousand that cross the desk in the Capitol before the end of February.

The County Voice

Getting to Know CSAC Second Vice President Chuck Washington

Sara Floor

I’ve often said that the best part of my job at CSAC is getting to know more about the amazing men and women in County Leadership positions and telling their stories to the world. Last month we featured a video and blog to introduce new CSAC President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. Today I’m delighted to share with you a slightly more lighthearted introduction to the newest member of the CSAC Officer Team: Second Vice President and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington.

The County Voice

Ground Truth

Ground Truth
James Gore

The following blog post is an edited transcript of remarks given by Supervisor Gore following the Induction of Officers during CSAC’s 126th Annual Meeting. 

 

Colleagues, peers, friends. We’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do.

I think about this a lot, and I can’t help but realize that the inactions of yesteryear have brought us to this crazy fulcrum point or inflection point in our society.

The County Voice

2020 Election: County Impacts

Sara Floor

While the dust of the 2020 Election is still settling, California County officials were treated to an insightful discussion on the County impacts during Monday’s general session of the 126th Annual Meeting.

The County Voice

Happy Veterans Day

True heroes aren’t measured by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their hearts. For your bravery, hard work, and dedication to our communities and country, we thank you.

The County Voice

Ten Great Reasons to Register for the CSAC Annual Meeting

Sara Floor

Only eight days remain to register for the 126th CSAC Annual Meeting, California Counties: Leading Through Adversity. In recognition of this looming deadline, here are the top 10 reasons why you should register today!

The County Voice

Top 10 Election Questions to Help California Counties Get Out the Vote!

Geoffrey Neill Sara Floor

Top 10 Election Questions to Help California Counties Get Out the Vote!

The November election is less than two weeks away. Because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns, this year’s election will likely look very different from previous elections in many counties. We send our deep appreciation to county election officials working hard to adjust to these new election protocols. With every county in California mailing ballots to every active registered voted in the state, you may have already voted yourself, either by mail or via a drop box. However, for new voters, or those unfamiliar with the new process and pandemic protocols, we’ve developed a list of Top 10 Election Questions that County Officials can share with your community to ensure a safe and secure election.

The County Voice

Santa Cruz County Investigates the Impacts of COVID-19 on Juvenile Justice

Ryan Souza

As COVID-19 continues to change the way counties do business, Santa Cruz County continues to emphasize the importance of being data driven in their decision making during this ever-changing situation. With help from the CSAC Support Hub for Criminal Justice Programming, Santa Cruz County is looking at how communities have responded where there have been clear declines in juvenile hall bookings.

The County Voice

Finding Opportunity in Adversity

Chastity Benson

“Out of adversity comes opportunity” — Benjamin Franklin

2020 has been a year filled with adversity. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are felt across CSAC and its related organizations. Certainly, the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government has faced its share of recent adversity — and through partnership and perseverance, it has successfully transformed.

The County Voice

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You

Sara Floor

One of the favorite parts of my job at CSAC is meeting the incredible men and women who serve our local communities. At every level of county service- from a records clerk to a supervisor, everyone has a story to share. It’s my honor to tell those stories both to the County Family and also to the world.

The County Voice

Census Counting Ends on September 30…For Now

Ada Waelder

There is just one week left to respond to the Census! That is, unless current lawsuits force the Census Bureau to extend counting. As the countdown clock ticks, there is a lot on the line for California counties. The results of the census affect how billions of dollars are appropriated to state and local governments each year, and provide the population information counties will use when they redraw their supervisorial districts ahead of the 2022 elections. Never more has the importance of accurate counting been demonstrated than this year.

The County Voice

California Counties: Leading Through Adversity
Online Registration Now Available for 2020 Annual Meeting

Lisa Bartlett

As California County Supervisors, we’ve become accustomed to expecting the unexpected and preparing for the next calamity to threaten our communities.

The County Voice

Stay Listos – Four Ways to Take Action During National Preparedness Month

This guest blog post was written by Karen Baker and Justin Knighten, Co-Chairs of the Listos California Emergency Preparedness Campaign.

September is National Preparedness Month. To recognize the month, Listos California is teaming up with the California State Association of Counties to encourage all California Supervisors and county staff, especially those serving diverse and vulnerable communities, to take and promote the five free and easy steps to get ready for wildfire and other disasters like earthquakes.

The County Voice

Our Second Chance With COVID-19

This guest blog post was written by Melissa Jones, MPA, Executive Director of The Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII), the coalition of the 11 Bay Area governmental public health departments.

The County Voice

In San Luis Obispo County, There’s a New – and Effective — Way of Working with High-Risk Youth

David Liebler

CSAC is spotlighting this 2019 Challenge Award program, which was in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to view a video about this program

There was a time when Shea never thought he would see his 20th birthday due to his addiction. Now 18, he is looking forward to getting a college degree and living a drug-free life. That transformation did not come easy. It took a comprehensive criminal-justice program in San Luis Obispo County that provides structured treatment services to juvenile offenders.

The County Voice

Funding Opportunity: California Grants Portal

The following guest blog post was provided by the California State Library. 

With COVID-19 related impacts to local government budgets, identifying new funding sources is top of mind for many County Supervisors. As of today, local governments in California can find over 90 grants available to public agencies on the California Grants Portal – a new website created by the California State Library that will publish all state grant and loan opportunities offered on a competitive or first come basis.

The County Voice

El Dorado County Collaboration Brings Services to Where Residents Gather

David Liebler

CSAC is spotlighting this 2019 Challenge Award program which was in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In rural counties, accessing services can often be a challenge due to distance or transportation issues. Take El Dorado County, for instance.  It’s an 80-mile stretch from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe, with numerous small, isolated communities well off the beaten path of Interstate 50, which traverses the County.

The County Voice

Time to Get Out the Count: Census 2020

Ed Valenzuela

Tomorrow, August 6, is California’s statewide Get Out the Count Day for the 2020 Census. Throughout the state, outreach partners including counties, cities, legislative offices, local community-based organizations, and civic groups join to celebrate and activate Californians to take the 2020 Census. What better time than now to help your county meet their goals and help our state secure funding and representation for the next 10 years? This is a culmination of the Census Weeks of Action that began on July 27.

The County Voice

Food is Medicine Thanks to Solano County’s Mobile Food Pharmacy

Food is Medicine Thanks to Solano County’s Mobile Food Pharmacy
Sara Floor

CSAC is spotlighting this 2019 Challenge Award program, which was in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly half of all Solano County residents live in “food deserts,” areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food. About 15 percent of County resident experience food insecurity, defined as being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Acknowledging the established link between health outcomes and good nutrition, Solano County instituted a fresh produce prescription program and the We’re All Family! Mobile Food Pharmacy.

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