News
Supervisors look to expand mental health access for older adults
Following a request from Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg and County Supervisor Joe Simitian to improve access to mental health services for older adults, the Board unanimously supported a series of recommendations from the County’s Behavioral Health Department. The recommendations include enhancing existing safety net programs, expanding suicide prevention efforts, and improving wait times for cognitive assessments.
County bolsters support for residents experiencing homelessness
Santa Clara County provided grants to the City of Cupertino, Town of Los Gatos, and nonprofit Reach SV in the North County to help supplement services and support for residents experiencing homelessness. Recipients will use County funding to address immediate needs of unhoused residents in those areas.
County Supervisors recognize Mountain View Fire Department as it celebrates 150 years
One of the oldest officially formed fire departments west of the Mississippi River, MVFD is celebrating 150 years of service this year. The department was formed in 1874, when 50 civic-minded residents came together in a “Rogers & Rogers” department store and organized the city’s first brigade, called “Mountain View Station Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1.”
Simitian and County Supervisors support NAMI’S community mental health efforts
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors supports National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Clara County’s Community Peer Program, a peer mentorship program for people living with a mental health condition, with a grant.
Making camp – and our community – more inclusive
Camp Via West, one of the few remaining residential camps serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the region. County support for Camp Via West, an affiliate of the non-profit AbilityPath, paved the way, and was more than matched by private philanthropy and additional grant funding from Helpers Community.
County partners with YMCA to keep teens active, engaged, and safe during summer
This summer, Santa Clara County and the YMCA of Silicon Valley are keeping teens active, engaged, and safe while school is out for summer with the “Get Summer” teen initiative. With County funding, the YMCA is offering free memberships to teens of low-income families who live in West Valley and North County communities.
MedAssist milestone: relief from the high cost of life-saving drugs
Santa Clara County’s MedAssist Program is the first-in-the-nation program to help cover the cost of life-saving medications for diabetes, asthma, and severe allergies.
May/June 2024, Newsletter
Read about results and next steps from the County's caregiver study, Joe's continued support for mental health care access and services in his district, affordable housing, and ICYMI: an interview on Santa Clara Valley Health Care's “The Beat;” Joe receiving a Partners in Education Award; and a little 2017 Joe History.
County funding helps Los Altos affordable housing move forward
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allocate an additional $10 million in affordable housing funds to the 330 Distel Circle affordable housing development in Los Altos. The development will provide 90 units of affordable housing and will be Los Altos’ first all affordable housing development. The additional funding will allow the project to apply to the state for tax credits, bringing the development closer to construction.
County supervisors push support for caregivers
As a result of the Adult Caregiver Study, Santa Clara County will establish resources to address the shortage of resources and support in adult caregiving. Resources include establishing a caregiver information and referral workgroup, a direct care registry, and an Adult Day Program and Adult Day Health Care program subsidy.