Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of Objective Implementation Status

Since 2014, efforts have been made to identify appropriate locations for neighborhood-based services in County regions to the east (Sonoma, Sonoma Valley), north (Windsor/Healdsburg/Cloverdale), and west (Guerneville).

To the north (Cloverdale), County departments had indicated a preference to set up services in Cloverdale, but there have been no properties large enough to accommodate County departments.  Health Services currently leases a small office at 140 So. Cloverdale Boulevard providing behavioral health services.  In Sonoma, there has been more available property inventory, however, these properties are primarily retail or medical in nature.  In Sonoma, Health Services has largely relied on sharing space with Sonoma Valley Health Center, an existing non-profit partner agency, and providing services out of County-owned office space within the Sheriff’s substation location at 810 Grove Street.

In West County, staff is finalizing acquisition of the BofA building/property at 16390 Main Street in Guerneville, leased by the County since 2006.  Acquisition of this property will provide County with stability and opportunities from which to expand services in West County.

In 2018, a one-stop, neighborhood-based services center was established in Petaluma at 5350 Old Redwood Highway, where Human Services and Health Services are co-located, and partner with West County Community Services to provide services to South County residents.  In addition to the Old Redwood Highway location, Health Services utilizes office space within the Petaluma Health Center to provide WIC services.

With respect to mobile services:    Since the initial plan to implement neighborhood-based services, the focus has been to identify feasible locations for neighborhood-based services through existing stationary, brick-and-mortar-type facilities. General Services staff will pursue mobile services alternatives in North County (Windsor-Healdsburg-Cloverdale) and other areas, where necessary and as requested by County departments, as an alternative to stationary office satellite locations.

Key Milestone Update

Currently, General Services is finalizing the acquisition of the former BofA commercial office property, comprised of 7,784 Sq. ft. of office space in West Sonoma County, centrally located in downtown Guerneville. The acquisition will guarantee the continuity of services provided at this location by the County Health Services and Probation Departments, together with West County Community Services, to residents of the lower Russian River area.

In addition, the County Community Development Commission operates a warming shelter program through use of the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Guerneville, to provide a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) facility to address the County’s homeless service needs in West County, and to help prevent the spread of COVID.

General Services is also currently investigating leasing, with an option to purchase, a commercial office property, comprised of approximately 5,000 SF of office space, located on the Highway 12 corridor, approximately 1.5 miles from downtown Sonoma, to provide neighborhood-based services for residents in the Sonoma Valley area.

Coordination and Partnership Update

At the Petaluma satellite and Guerneville satellite service locations at 5350 Old Redwood Highway and 16390 Main Street, respectively, Health Services partners with West County Community Services.   West County Community Services currently operates the Petaluma Peer Recovery Center (PPRC), which serves behavioral health clients identified in the Mental Health Services Act Plan, including transition-age young adults, adults, older adults with serious mental illness, and consumer and family organizations.   In addition, Health Services is also embedded with Petaluma Health Center and Sonoma Valley Health Center, sharing space at those locations to provide WIC services to clients in those communities.

Community, Equity, and Climate Update

In addition to co-locating with West County Community Services at the Guerneville and Petaluma locations to augment County services and to make services more easily accessible to local residents, the County departments themselves provide outreach services and referrals, and partner with other service providers, strengthening the spectrum of services provided to clients through neighborhood-based service sites:

Health Services’ regionally-based Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) provide intensive community services and support, providing enhanced mental health services to clients at sites in Guerneville, Petaluma, Sonoma, and Cloverdale. The Guerneville site is part of the Behavioral Health Division’s CMHC system of care, which provides services to adults with serious mental illness who are homeless and/or have co-occurring alcohol and other drug problems.

Health Services’ Mobile Support Teams (MST) provide assistance and support to law enforcement in responding to mental health crisis calls in the community. The MST provides linkage and referral to treatment services, peer support, family support, and other community resources as needed. The MST team works closely with service providers, crisis stabilization, detox, and other community resources. MST staff conduct follow-up calls to all individuals seen in the field in an effort to ensure individuals are accessing needed support.

Funding Narrative

In February 2022, funding was approved by the Board for acquisition of an RV-type vehicle, which would be utilized by Human Services and Department of Child Support Services for delivery of County neighborhood-based services.

In June, 2022 the Board of Supervisors authorized the purchase of the Bank of America building in Guerneville for a total acquisition cost including critical improvements of $3,105,371. The cost was primarily funded with $2,981,834 from Deferred Maintenance. The Bank of America building will provide satellite services to the communities in west county.