East County leaders step up to support the Family Justice Center

Contra Costa Family Justice Center Board Chair Dana Filkowski and Executive Director Susun Kim (Photo courtesy of Debbie Toth)

The Family Justice Center serves thousands of Contra Costa County families every year, primarily victims and survivors of domestic and interpersonal violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and child and elder abuse. I’m proud to serve on the nonprofit’s board and to have helped them open an East County location in Antioch in 2019.

Last Wednesday, hundreds of supporters attended the Family Justice Center’s 2023 fundraising gala to add to the federal, state, county and foundation money that funds these crucial services. Serving those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault requires coordination and cooperation from everyone at the local level, and I was happy to be joined at my table by Sheriff David Livingston, the mayors of Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley and the chiefs of police from each city. Also attending in person from East County was Assemblymember Tim Grayson, and Senator Steve Glazer addressed the crowd by video to announce that he was naming Executive Director Susun Kim the Woman of the Year for Senate District 7.

I encourage you to learn more about the Family Justice Center and its services by visiting the Center’s website.

Community Info

California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program Launched

The State of California recently launched the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) to help as many California children prepare financially for a postsecondary education. CalKIDS provides all newborns up to $100, and eligible low-income public school students enrolled in first through 12th grade up to $1,500, to start saving for college and career training. Families are encouraged to build on this investment by opening and contributing to their own account with ScholarShare 529, California's official 529 college savings plan.

To access their CalkIDS account, eligible newborns and low income students or their parents will need to register at www.calkids.org which requires key information, including the child's Local Registration Number (LRN) or Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) or a unique code included in a notification letter that the family has received or will be receiving soon. When ready, CalkIDS funds can be used for expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and certain room and board costs.

This statewide initiative is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California, and managed out of the State Treasurer's Office. ScholarShare 529 and CalKIDS can make college or career training a reality for millions of children and families throughout our state.

Everybody Loves a Free Ride!

In partnership with The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the Contra Costa Crisis Center, Tri Delta Transit is participating in the East County Ticket Program.

ADA paratransit riders using Tri Delta Transit Services may be eligible for FREE paratransit rides! Households eligible for assistance programs should call 211 in Contra Costa County to see if they qualify.

Contra Costa County Public Works to begin Construction of the Marsh Creek Road

Bridges Replacement Project 

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will begin construction of the Marsh Creek Road Bridges Replacement Project starting on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, through March 2025, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting. Work will take place on Marsh Creek Road at Bridges 143 and 145. Bridge 143 is located approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Deer Valley Road near the Clayton Palms Community. Bridge 145 is located approximately 3.0 miles east of Deer Valley Road near the road transition to Camino Diablo.

Traffic control will be used. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts during commuting hours. Message boards will alert drivers about the work. Drivers should expect delays through the construction zone and consider alternative routes during working hours.

The project will replace two (2) bridges on Marsh Creek Road with two (2) new concrete bridges. Work also includes reconstruction of the bridge approach roadways and construction of drainage facilities.



Funding for this project is provided by the federal Highway Bridge Program and local Gas Tax funds. 

County Services Spring Block Party on Tuesday, June 6

Avoid having to make multiple stops to government offices or wait in long lines to take care of important tasks. Instead, stop by the County Services Spring Block Party.

Contra Costa County, the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department and the City of Concord are collaborating to provide a fun, festive event that offers a wide variety of on-the-spot government services at one single location.

The County's annual Block Party will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the Concord Library, 2900 Salvio St., in Concord.

This is the fifth year that Contra Costa County has hosted the increasingly popular event. The “Block Party” rotates locations each year to provide opportunities to engage with different communities around the County.

Available services at the Block Party event will include, but are not limited to:

·        Apply for CalFresh & Medi-Cal,

·        Information about childcare and preschool options,

·        Record with Reach from Clerk-Recorder’s Office

·        COVID-19 Vaccines,

·        Library Card Signups,

·        Weatherization information,

·        Voter Registration,

·        Clean Slate Program information,

·        Contra Costa Television (CCTV) and many more programs.

Food Trucks will offer food for purchase, and parking is free.

For more information, please call the County’s Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department at 925-335-7805.

Future Leaders of America (FLA) East Bay Area is a non profit organization that runs a free week long youth leadership conference in the summer for students from all over the East Bay. The dates for this summer are July 24th - July 29th at Camp Concord located in South Lake Tahoe.

At the conference we teach youth leadership skills such as public speaking, writing essays, how to run a meeting (parliamentary procedure), A-G requirements, etc. The staff that run the programming are either college students or professionals working in the Bay Area with over 90% of them this summer being alumni of FLA. We are all volunteers and are all fingerprinted. This is a program geared towards Latina/o/x students though it is open to all. Some of the day's programming includes cultural activities including, folklorico, modern latin dance, chorus, poetry, murals and teatro (theater).

Caltrans Seeks Input on its

Bay Area Bicycle Plan

In honor of Bike Month, Caltrans would like to solicit your opinion on bicycle travel in the Bay Area. The 14-question survey queries bike riders about their cycling habits and most heavily traveled routes. Participants may also opine on how to best upgrade local trails and facilities. Caltrans uses the survey data to inform decisions on the Caltrans Bike Plan, available here: Caltrans District 4 Bike Plan Update | Caltrans

Looking for free summertime activities, fun for the whole family? Check out 511 Contra Costa’s Summer Bike Challenge. June-August, riders of all ages will explore their hometowns on two wheels. Simply bike to each destination and cross off the squares as you go. Pick up free prizes on select dates, take weekly Bonus Challenges, and enter the iPad Grand Prize Drawing just by signing up. Ready to roll? Visit 511cc.org/sbc to get started.



Pick up your free SBC gamecard at the library, City Hall, and Community Centers.

The Summer Youth Pass is a three-month bus pass that gives kids a great way to get around town, all summer long. For just $30, passholders ages 6-18 can take unlimited bus rides on County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT from June through August. On sale now at 511cc.org/youthpass

Family Justice Center Learning Opportunities

Register today for the June 21

Children’s Leadership Council Convening

Come join this in-person event that will help service providers, professionals, elected officials, and others working to support children and their families to:

• Connect with others working to end the inequities facing children, youth and families
• Learn about collective work currently underway
• Be empowered to take action for change

The Contra Costa Children’s Leadership Council aims to intentionally develop and strengthen the ecosystem that recognizes and supports child, youth, family, and community resilience and wellbeing. The Council is led by First 5 Contra Costa, the Employment and Human Services Department, the Contra Costa Health Department, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

The in-person event will be on June 21 from 1:30-5 pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about several county-wide collaborative projects aiming to improve systems and outcomes for children and families focusing on topics such as:

• Trauma-informed practices and approaches
• Families’ economic security
• Oral health
• Guaranteed income for childcare workers
• Quality early learning programs 
• Black infant health 
• Perinatal health 
• Workforce programs for youth
• Resource Parents for foster youth 

Children’s Leadership Council Convening

Wednesday, June 21 from 1:30-5 pm

Pleasant Hill Community Center

Come connect, learn and be empowered!

Museum Greeters Needed!

The East Contra Costa Historical Museum is becoming a more and more popular as a place to visit. Last year, they welcomed 284 week-end visitors, which is a 500% increase over previous years!

Do you have a Saturday or Sunday afternoon or two between now and the end of October that you could be a friendly face that welcomes visitors to the museum?  

Greeters do not lead tours, but help guide visitors around the grounds.

Background information is provided and new Greeters are always paired

with someone who is experienced.

The museum is open every Saturday and third Sunday 2:00-4:00pm.

April through October

If you can help fill the schedule, email here or call 925-206-5087.

Your ECCHS Museum needs you! Let's keep the doors open and visitors coming!

Contra Costa County Seeks Applicants for Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on its 20-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC). The following positions will be held for a two-year term residing or working within the County of Contra Costa:

• Two At-Large representatives residing or working within Contra Costa County
• Two At-Large youth, 14 to 25 years old and residing or working within Contra Costa County

The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council is a multiagency advisory body that informs the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan composed of several critical parts, including,but not limited to an assessment of existing law enforcement, probation, education, mental health,

health, social services, drug and alcohol and youth services resources, which specifically target both at-promise as well as system-involved youth, and their families.

The JJCC will also coordinate on a countywide basis the work of those governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in activities designed to reduce the incidence of juvenile crime and delinquency in the greater community, develop information and intelligence-sharing systems to ensure that county actions are fully coordinated, and provide data and appropriate outcome measures.

The JJCC meets monthly March and April, and bi-monthly the remainder of the year. Members have the option to serve on two subcommittees.

Applications are due by 5 p.m., Monday, July 17, and all timely applicants will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee: Supervisors John Gioia, District I, and Federal Glover, District V. This committee will then recommend a selection of applicants for the Board of Supervisors to appoint.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by visiting the County webpage at http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418/.

Public Advisory Committee Members Needed for the

East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy

The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy is seeking four (4) individuals or organization representatives to serve on the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) to provide input on the implementation of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP or Plan). The PAC is composed of members representing a variety of interest groups, including three members from the development community, three representatives from the conservation community, three private landowners and/or agriculturalists, three representatives of suburban and/or rural residents within the Plan area, as well as staff members from interested public agencies. PAC members are appointed for a four-year term and are expected to attend all PAC meetings. The PAC meets (remotely) on the 2nd Thursdays at 1 pm of February, May, August, and November. The May meeting is typically an in-person field trip.

The current vacancies are for:

• 1 private permit seeker from the development community

• 1 representative from the conservation community

• 1 private landowner and/or agriculturalist (or their representatives) • 1 suburban or rural resident from the Plan Area

The PAC currently meets quarterly (remotely three times a year and once for an in-person field trip) and is responsible for reviewing and commenting on the general implementation processes of the HCP/NCCP including providing input on implementation policies, budgeting, workplan, restoration projects, a small research grant program, the operation of preserves, and the adherence to plan commitments. For more information on the HCP/NCCP and the role of the PAC visit cocohcp.org .

To be considered, applications must be received no later than August 1, 2023 at 5 p.m. either by mail or email at the following address (hard copy or electronic):

Maureen Parkes

East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy

30 Muir Road

Martinez, CA 94553

Email: Maureen.Parkes@dcd.cccounty.us

Background information on the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy: The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy is a joint exercise of powers authority formed by the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley and Pittsburg and Contra Costa County to implement the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP or Plan). The HCP/NCCP provides a framework to protect natural resources in eastern Contra Costa County, while improving and streamlining the environmental permitting process for impacts on endangered species. The Plan will allow Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the East Bay Regional Park District and the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg (collectively, the Permittees) to control endangered species permitting for activities and projects in the region that they perform or approve. The Plan also provides for comprehensive species, wetlands, and ecosystem conservation and contributes to the recovery of endangered species in northern California. The Plan avoids project-by-project permitting that is generally costly and time consuming for applicants and often results in uncoordinated and biologically ineffective mitigation. 

The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly regularly.

Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. 

District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley, and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, and Discovery Bay.

Find out more by visiting the Board of Supervisors 

Appointed Bodies, Committees & Commissions 

webpage.

Download application here:

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6408/Boards-and-Commissions-Database

Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office located at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553

or by email to clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us 



For more information, including on how to apply, contact District 3 Representative Alicia Nuchols at Alicia.Nuchols@bos.cccounty.us.

Board of Supervisors' meetings are held in person at the County Administration Building 1025 Escobar Street, 1st floor, Martinez. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings.

The Board meetings are also accessible via television, and via live-streaming to all members of the public. Board meetings are televised live on Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99, Astound Channels 32 & 1027, and can be seen live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov or www.contracostatv.org.

Persons who wish to address the board during public comment or with respect to an item on the agenda may comment in person or may call in during the meeting by dialing 888-278-0254 followed by the access code 843298#. A caller should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item, by pushing "#2" on their phone. Access via Zoom is also available using the following link: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/87344719204. Those participating via Zoom should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item by using the “raise your hand” feature in the Zoom app. To provide contact information, please contact Clerk of the Board at clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us or call 925-655-2000.

Meetings of the Board are closed-captioned in real time. Public comment generally will be limited to two minutes. Your patience is appreciated. A Spanish language interpreter is available to assist Spanish-speaking callers.

See information about parking and access to the County Administration Building at 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553.

“Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.”

-Harvey Milk