To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jennifer Solito, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board Appointments and Reappointments
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
A) Approve the Appointment of Lara Magnusdottir, Flora Henningsen, and Dr. Michael Perry to the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board for a term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2026. (Countywide)
B) Approve the Reappointment of Dr. Renee Alger, Dr. Elizabeth Vermilyea, Catherine Barrisford, and Melissa Apuya for a term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2026. (Countywide)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Program promotes the physical and mental health of childbearing and parenting people, children, and adolescents in Sonoma County by sharing resources, coordinating activities, and advocating with the Department of Health Services, and Board of Supervisors for the needs of this community. The Program’s Advisory Board, created in 1982, as required by state legislation, acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors through the Department of Health Services. The Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board bylaws specify that members will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
Discussion:
The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board Program interacts with community systems as a partner in providing direct safety net services to high-risk maternal, child, and adolescent populations, as a coordinator of community-wide services and programs, and as a convener of the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board and other collaborative groups to address emerging health needs in the community. The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board has been an important vehicle for implementing prevention strategies and coordinating services that benefit the entire community. Collaborating with local organizations and individuals is critical to reducing disparities and improving the overall health of women, children, and adolescents in Sonoma County.
New Appointments to the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board
The Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board bylaws specify that members be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. When vacancies on the Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board occur, the openings are posted on the County website in accordance with the Maddy Act, and replacements are recruited from the community. Following procedures outlined in the bylaws, all applications are reviewed by the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson, who then make recommendations to the Department of Health Services.
The Department of Health Services requests that the Board appoint the following individuals to the Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board for a new two-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2026 are as follows:
|
Candidate |
Representation |
|
Lara Magnusdottir |
Community Representatives; Childcare & Development |
|
Flora Henningsen |
Health Professionals: Health Specialist |
|
Dr. Michael Perry |
Health Professionals: Oral Health |
Lara Magnusdottir earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and went on to gain her Master's Degree of Physician Assistant Studies. She has 17 years of experience in the early care and education field and with non-profit agencies. She is currently employed with the Community Childcare Council (4Cs) of Sonoma County as the Assistant Director of Resource and Referral Provider Services, and she has lived in Sonoma County for over a decade. Upon joining the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board, her goal is to continue her mission of empowering mothers and families to improve their lives by enabling them to access quality childcare so that they can continue to work and/or attend school. She will also work to support the board's mission as the agency (4Cs) partners to support community actions and activities that benefit families and young children.
Flora Henningsen earned her Associate Degree in Nursing at the Santa Rosa Junior College and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Western Governors University. She served as a school nurse for Mark West School District and Rincon Valley Union School District and has volunteered for years with Equi-Ed working with children with disabilities. Currently, Flora works as an advocate for the mothers served by Bridges Pregnancy Clinic. Her goal in working with this board is to identify the needs of the community she serves and utilize resources to reduce barriers to accessing them.
Dr. Michael Perry earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UCLA and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from USC. He had a private dental practice in Orange, CA from 1979 to 1988 and in Santa Rosa from 1988-2014. He is a member of many organizations such as the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and the Redwood Empire Dental Society. Dr. Perry has written and published several articles concerning dentistry and was awarded “Editorial of the Year” by the California Dental Association for a 2001 article regarding Evidence Based Dentistry. He also founded the Momentum Dental Business Consulting, a private consulting company that coached dentists how to provide quality care while achieving professional fulfillment in fee for service dentistry. He has volunteered his time for community service in many different areas, such as, “Project Smile,” as a soccer coach, and through the Roseland School District serving as a mentor for youth.
Reappointments to the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board
The Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board bylaws specify that at the end of a member’s term, members in good standing will be invited to remain on the Advisory Board and, upon their consent, reappointment will be recommended to the Board of Supervisors. The Department requests that the Board reappoint the following member to the Sonoma County Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board for a term beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2026.
|
Candidate |
Representation |
|
Dr. Renée Alger |
Community Representatives; Parenting |
|
Dr. Elizabeth Vermilyea |
Consumer/Parent/Advocate |
|
Catherine Barrisford |
Consumer/Parent/Advocate |
|
Melissa Apuya |
Elected Officials and/or their Representatives |
A table listing the full Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board membership is provided as Attachment 1.
Prior Board Actions:
Dr. Renee Alger
• Agenda7/12/2022 (2022-0585) Reappointed
• Agenda 2/04/2020 (2020-0016) Reappointed
• Agenda 12/17/2019 (2019-1724) Appointed
Catherine Barrisford
• Agenda 7/12/2022 (2022-0585) Appointed
Melissa Apuya
• Agenda 3/14/2023 (2023-0179) Reappointed
• Agenda 12/15/2020 (2020-1187) Reappointed
• Agenda 08/20/2019 (2019-1189) Appointed
Dr. Elizabeth Vermilyea
• Agenda 7/12/2022 (2022-0585) Appointed
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Advisory Board Membership Composition - May 2024
Attachment 2 - Applications
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None