To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office, Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Christina Rivera 565-2431, Angela Struckmann 565-5800
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Board of Supervisors Countywide Appointments of Two Members to the First 5 Commission
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve the following Countywide Appointments:
A) Approve the Appointment of Vanessa Desousa to the First 5 Commission representing the Board of Supervisors for a term beginning October 1, 2023 and ending on September 30, 2025.
B) Approve the Appointment of Imelda Vera to the First 5 Commission representing the Board of Supervisors for a term beginning January 1, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2025.
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Executive Summary:
The Board of Supervisors are responsible for appointments to over 75 Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces. Vacancies and upcoming expiring appointments are posted on the County’s list of Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces website: <https://sonoma-county.granicus.com/boards/w/808bd6e42edf8e0f>.
Through the appointments process outlined in Rule 50 of the Board Rules of Procedures, Vanessa DeSousa and Imelda Vera are being moved forward for consideration to be appointed to the First 5 Commission. The Commission approved both recommendations at their July 24, 2023 meeting.
Discussion:
Appointment of Vanessa DeSousa, MD
Dr. DeSousa is a pediatrician with The Permanente Medical Group and is board-certified in pediatrics. She serves as the Chief of Professional Staff Quality and is the Assistant Chief of Pediatrics at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center. She moved to Santa Rosa after completing her medical residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She was an elementary school teacher prior to becoming a physician and holds a master’s degree in special education. Dr. DeSousa will be representing the pediatric healthcare sector.
Appointment of Imelda Vera
Imelda Vera is a Program Manager with Humanidad Therapy and Education Services. She has resided in Sonoma County for 10 years. Her family is originally from Guanajuato Mexico, where she and her siblings were born. When Ms. Vera was young, her parents brought the family to Calistoga and made the Napa Valley their home. Ms. Vera holds an associate’s degree from Santa Rosa Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. Ms. Vera will be representing the child/family serving nonprofit
organization sector.
The First 5 Sonoma County Commission approved both recommendations at their July 24, 2023 Commission meeting.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
03/21/2023 - Approved appointment of two members to First 5 Commission
04/20/2021 - Approved appointment of one member to First 5 Commission
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1) Vanessa DeSousa Application
2) Imelda Vera Application
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A