$800,000 Grant Targets Domestic Violence, Suicide

from Scotts Valley Times: November 2021

SOS to FDA: Cut Baby Food Toxins

Afederal grant of $800,000 has been awarded to launch the “Building Hope & Safety-Santa Cruz” project to address suicide prevention in Santa Cruz County.

The project is funded through the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, which awarded grants for COVID-19 suicide prevention.

The 16-month grant will provide services to those experiencing domestic violence and are at-risk of suicide, especially due to increased strains related to COVID-19.

The project will be supported by Behavioral Health Division in conjunction with Monarch Services.

“Our county has mourned 4 tragic femicides related to domestic violence in just the past 10 months,” reported Delphine Burns of Monarch Services, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz and Watsonville focused on preventing domestic violence and assisting survivors of domestic violence. “We, at Monarch Services, have also seen our service numbers nearly double and our number of crisis line calls triple from 2019 to 2020, as the need for domestic violence-related services has escalated significantly.

The project provides direct services including emergency housing assistance, training in suicide prevention and safety planning, crisis services, counseling, outreach, newly created behavioral health resource pocket guides, and a public education campaign all intended to support those at risk of suicide and domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call either the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800273-8255, the County of Santa Cruz -Behavioral Health 24-hour Access Line at 1-800-952-2335, or 911 if it is a life threatening emergency. •••

Meaningful Gifts

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County helps people carry on traditions, preserve what’s important in their families and communities, and take care of what we love.

You can help take care of what you love through your Required Minimum Distribution.

Using your RMD to make qualified charitable distributions is a tax-free way for people age 70 ½ or older to turn their retirement savings into a meaningful gift. Although qualified charitable contributions cannot be made to a donor-advised fund, they can be used to support important community causes.

The Community Foundation has many funds that qualify for a qualified charitable distribution including the Greatest Needs Fund , COVID Continued Response Fund , Equal Access Santa Cruz County Fund , Friends of the Foundation Fund , or Rise Together Fund .

Give yourself plenty of time, in order for a qualified charitable distribution to count toward your current year’s required minimum distribution, the funds must come out of your Individual Retirement Account by your RMD deadline, generally Dec. 31.

If you have questions, call Sam Leask, 831- 662-2060. •••

Kimberly Petersen Promoted to Deputy Director

Kimberly Petersen has been named deputy director of the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department, succeeding Emily Balli, who is retiring at the end of 2021.

Petersen began her career with the county in 2005 as a benefit representative and is currently a division director overseeing employment and benefit services.

She has been a staff development trainer, associate human services analyst, and program manager. “I’m very excited to have Kimberly move into this new role,” Human Services Department Director Randy Morris said. “Because of her experience, she understands all aspects of a department that impacts the lives of one out of every three Santa Cruz County residents, and is committed to their health, safety and well-being.”

Petersen said, “I’m honored … Human Services has a great team of dedicated professionals and partners working to help families and individuals of all ages who struggle with food, housing, and financial stability, and to keep at risk children and seniors safe in their homes.”

Petersen has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Spanish, and a master’s in international policy studies with a specialization in human rights.

She taught English oversees in both Germany and Ecuador, and served as aide to former Congressman Sam Farr. She also spent four years on the Watsonville City Council, including one year as mayor.

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New SC Symphony Executive Director

Santa Cruz resident Gary Reece, who was interim executive director at the Santa Cruz Symphony for two months and berfore that a board member, is the new executive director.

His career was in banking, business development and finance, an asset for the Symphony, which will be seeking additional funding from donors and foundations. He has been successful in receiving Symphony grants from the federal government and private foundations.

“Gary really stood out as a candidate because of his background in business management,” said board president Linda Burroughs. “This is critical for arts organizations because they must know how to operate with budgets, staffing, legal requirements, contracts, financial management, and best business practices.”

Reece was a financial management consultant and a partner in a commercial development business. He served on the boards of Santa Cruz County Bank, Cabrillo College, McPherson Center for Art & History, and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. A longtime Santa Cruz Rotary member, he is a past club president and assistant district governor.

Burroughs also cited Reece’s ability to lead a team, motivate staff, create a positive working environment, and collaborate with the board, staff, maestro and musicians.

Maestro Daniel Stewart said of Reece, “He is a proven and accomplished leader, and he brings a wealth of experience to us, including his understanding of our community, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.” n Gary Reece