All-inclusive playgrounds
Inclusive playgrounds can be enjoyed by all children and adults, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. Yet, only two existed in Santa Clara County in 2015: Magical Bridge Playground at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto (for which Supervisor Simitian secured County funding) and the Rotary PlayGarden in San Jose. The overwhelming success of these playgrounds led Supervisor Simitian to propose a matching grant program to inspire the creation of additional all-inclusive playgrounds throughout the entire county. Since 2017, the Board of Supervisors has awarded $20 million in County funds to build 24 new all-inclusive playgrounds at parks and schools, including ones at Jollyman Park in Cupertino, Landels Elementary School and Rengstorff Park in Mountain View, Addison Elementary School and El Carmelo Elementary School in Palo Alto, and Almaden Lake Park in San Jose.
Affordable housing for people with disabilities
In 2018 and at Supervisor Simitian's urging, the County committed $40 million to support the development of affordable housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). People with I/DD often have fixed incomes that can make it difficult to access and maintain housing, and are especially vulnerable if they become homeless. As of November 2022, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has awarded funding for seven housing projects across the County in Milpitas, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale, enabling the creation of more than 800 new affordable housing units, including 140 set aside for individuals with I/DD. Included in these is a project in Palo Alto Supervisor Simitian championed in 2020 located at a County-owned site Simitian identified. Known as Mitchell Park Place, the project is a partnership between the County, nonprofit housing developer Eden Housing, and AbilityPath (a nonprofit that provides services to residents with I/DD). It will include 25 units for residents in this population, as well as space for AbilityPath to provide services.
Ada’s Cafe job training
Supervisor Simitian recommended County funding for Ada’s Café, which creates unique employment opportunities for adults with disabilities who face obstacles to full employment. Employees are trained in food preparation, customer service, and other professional skills, interacting with the larger community while also earning a paycheck.
Providing an inclusive experience through Via Services
Camp Via West is a 13-acre residential camp in the Cupertino foothills serving children and adults with disabilities. It provides recreation and social experiences to individuals whose disabilities and medical needs potentially exclude them from other camps, as well as vital respite for caregivers. The County and the City of San Jose provide scholarships to families of Camp Via West attendees who lack the ability to pay. In 2023, Supervisor Simitian championed funding for critical renovations at Camp Via West.
Fostering Understanding of our friends, neighbors, colleagues and community
In 2021, at a time when anti-Asian hate and sentiment elevated at a national level, and even Silicon Valley was not immune, Supervisor Simitian brought back his “Understanding” panel series, this time in a virtual format due to COVID, to support deeper understanding of the Bay Area’s diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. His first “Understanding” discussions launched in 2017 with a focus on understanding our Islamic communities. Due to strong community interest, those panel discussions returned in 2018 and 2019.
And in 2016, as someone who worked across the aisle in the State Senate and Legislature, Supervisor Simitian sought to understand the political divide between the Bay Area and other places across the country after President Trump was elected. He traveled to counties in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan that had previously voted to elect Barak Obama, but later supported President Trump. This “listening tour” evolved into a series of speaking events where Supervisor Simitian reflected on what he learned during his travels.
AbilityPath
Supervisor Joe Simitian championed a collaboration between and among the County, AbilityPath, Ada’s Café, and private donors to renovate AbilityPath’s outdoor courtyard at their Middlefield Road location in Palo Alto. The upgraded area will provide adults with developmental disabilities who are participating in the AbilityPath employment and careers program, or working at Ada’s Café, practical onsite employment experience in the food services and hospitality industries.
College of Adaptive Arts
Teaching out of West Valley College, the nonprofit College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) focuses on providing adults (22 years and older) with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) access to a college education. CAA has expanded their program to include an Apprenticeship Program to teach their student the skills necessary to work in “non-routine” jobs. Supervisor Simitian championed a County grant to help establish this program.
Hope Services
Founded in 1952 by a group of parents of children with special needs, the nonprofit Hope Services aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. In 2022, Supervisor Simitian spearheaded a $250,000 grant for Hope Services, which funded four Ford Explorers and 60 laptops for clients who require remote access to services provided by Hope Services.
Parents Helping Parents
Parenting is marked by numerous responsibilities and pressures. Add to it the additional cares and concerns that come with having a child with intellectual/developmental disabilities and the task can feel overwhelming. Parents Helping Parents offers weekly Support for Caregivers sessions led by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who provides a safe space for parents/caregivers of children with disabilities to share their struggles and their joys, receive professional guidance, and benefit from the support of fellow parents. Supervisor Simitian proposed a matching grant from the County so Parents Helping Parents could provide group mental health support in English and Spanish.
Hakone Estate and Gardens
From time to time the Board of Supervisors is able to make funds available for historic and cultural preservation. For Hakone Estate and Garden in Saratoga, County support has meant restoration to Hakone’s pathways, Lower House, Wisteria Pavilion, Tea Garden Gate, Moon Bridge, Mon Roof, Wishing Well, pond system, and Azumaya Foundation and Roof. Supervisor Simitian has been a supporter of preserving this regional treasure for the public good, improving accessibility and safe access for all.
Avenidas Rainbow Collective
In 2019 Supervisor Simitian began a partnership with Avenidas to develop the Avenidas Rainbow Collective, a program designed to engage LGBTQ+ seniors with socialization opportunities while providing access to case management, caregiver support, and transportation. Today, the program serves 120 participants at three locations: Milpitas, San Jose, and Palo Alto.
“Making Homes Work” better for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Building on his work to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Supervisor Simitian championed a County matching grant for Bay Area Housing Corporation’s Making Homes Work program that provides home modifications for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities, enabling them to stay in their homes as family support systems or their health care needs change.