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Dear Friend,
My team and I have a lot of information to share with you in this newsletter. Before we dive into our County news, I want to acknowledge the mounting challenges and contradictions that we are living in.
The federal administration is continuing a deadly war with Iran, without Congressional approval, and plans to seek $200 billion more to fund it. We hold dear the countless lives lost to war and hope for a more peaceful future. In addition, Congress and the White House have been in a stalemate over DHS funding and ICE accountability, leaving TSA airport workers without pay for over one month. The President’s solution was to send ICE agents to work at airports! Last week, many of us were horrified by the harsh images of a mother and child being dragged away from SFO airport by ICE agents. Make sure you know your rights, whether traveling or going about your daily life. Resources here: acilep.org and nilc.org.
 As we commemorate Farmworkers Day on March 31, we are standing with Dolores Huerta, Ana Murguia, and Debra Rojas who had the courage to speak out as survivors of sexual violence. We must support survivors in achieving healing and safety. As a survivor myself, reflecting on the barrage of information about Chavez and Epstein, I believe we must root out patriarchy and ensure accountability for abusers, no matter how much power and influence they have. If you need support, see the resources here: alamedahealthsystem.org/sarrt and acfjc.org
Despite daily challenges, we care for one another, practice resilience, build collective power in our neighborhoods and workplaces, and remember that hope for a better future gives us purpose to keep going.
My office and our partners have focused on advocating for housing our houseless neighbors, healthcare for all, food security, and dignity and safety for immigrants and refugees. Read below to learn more.
Women’s History Month
As we mark Women’s History Month, I want to appreciate the women mayors in the five cities I have the honor of representing. Their strong leadership centers our children, families, and the safety, security, and needs of those who have been historically left behind by our inequitable systems.
I met with each of our mayors recently and appreciate their collaborative partnership. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and I traveled to Sacramento to lobby state lawmakers to increase funding for homeless services. Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii and I meet often and we recently celebrated the allocation of County funding for two major affordable housing projects. Albany Mayor Peggy McQuaid and I hosted joint office hours at the library, connecting with constituents. Emeryville Mayor Sukdeep Kaur and I toured the new Tokyo Central Market and discussed city priorities. Piedmont Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen and I met at City Hall with Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy and City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore to discuss city and county priorities, and we look forward to the April 11 opening of the new (and electric) community pool.
 At our last Board meeting, I had the honor of celebrating Dr. Aisha Mays with a Women’s History Month Proclamation. Dr. Mays is a champion for young people who are too often pushed to the margins. Her work centers Black girls, young mothers, trafficking-impacted youth, and gender-expansive youth, ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported with dignity and care. Dr. Mays is a visionary leader who is transforming what youth healthcare can look like. Through the Dream Youth Clinic, she has created a model that is truly youth-centered, removing barriers, providing free and culturally responsive services, and empowering young people to take ownership of their health and their futures. Thank you Dr. Mays, Dream Youth Clinic, and our young people for building the world we dream of! And, congratulations to all the Board’s honorees.
 Congratulations to the 2026 inductees to the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame, which recognizes outstanding women for their achievements and contributions to Alameda County and its residents. This award is in recognition of a legacy of work - both in professional careers and/or volunteer service - that has made a positive impact in the lives of residents in Alameda County.
Save the Dates!
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Budget 101 Webinar – Join our virtual Budget town hall to learn how Alameda County’s $6.1 billion budget shapes the services our communities rely on - from healthcare and housing to public safety and more. The webinar is on Wednesday, April 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Register at bit.ly/ALCO2026budget.
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Emergency Preparedness Fair – My Office and Alameda County Fire Department will host an Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Emeryville Center of Community Life on Saturday, May 2 from 10am to 1pm. Stay tuned for details.
Job & Volunteer Openings!
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Office & Communications Manager – Our District 5 Office is hiring for an Office & Communications Manager. We are seeking someone who is well-organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-through and who is aligned with our Office’s values and priorities. Read more about the position and how to apply here.
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Boards and Commissions – Serving on a County Board or Commission is an important way for Alameda County residents to be civically engaged and impact our local decision making process. Our nearly 100 Boards, Commissions, and Committees span a wide range of topics and objectives. We welcome applications from District 5 residents representing diverse backgrounds and interests. See below for our current openings and apply.
In Community & Solidarity,
Nikki Fortunato Bas 勵琪 (she/her)
Supervisor
Alameda County, District 5
In this newsletter:
- Investing in Homelessness Solutions
- Healthcare is a Human Right
- Protecting Medi-Cal Coverage
- Stabilizing our Public Hospitals
- Protecting our Mental Health Safety Net
- Immigration Update: Protecting Our Communities & Building Collective Power
- Six Months in: Alameda County Food Sovereignty Roundtable
- Protecting our Kids: Child Welfare update
- East Bay Wildfire Coalition Update
- We’re Hiring! Office & Communications Manager
- Board and Commissions Openings – Apply!
- Celebrating Black History and Black Futures
- Lunar New Year Welcomes the Fire Horse!
- Around the District
- Events & Announcements
- County Resources
I am proud to share that we are officially putting Measure W Home Together Fund dollars to work across our community. In just the last six months, we moved quickly to invest more than $146 million of Measure W in homelessness solutions, including $33 million for shelter expansion, $60 million for rental assistance, and $53 million for new homeless housing.
 On March 3, the Board approved $53 million in Measure W investment to provide the critical "gap financing" for ten (10) affordable housing developments throughout the County. This investment goes toward the creation of 946 new affordable housing units, with 310 specifically dedicated to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These projects were selected because they are "shovel-ready," meaning our local investment will help unlock millions more in state and federal funding.
I’m pleased to share that our District 5 cities received critical financial support.
- Five (5) Oakland projects received funding from this $53 million allocation, while a 6th Oakland project was funded earlier. Read more in The Oaklandside.
- Two (2) Berkeley projects received $15 million in funding. Read more in The Berkeleyside.
Throughout this year and next, we will continue to invest in our homeless response system - to improve shelter standards, launch a new homelessness prevention program, and expand essential resources like street medicine and safe parking. Alameda County Housing & Homelessness Services (H&H) has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to create a Vendor Pool of providers for housing and homelessness services, including prevention, supportive services, and housing operations. This will help the County move Measure W Home Together Fund resources more quickly and effectively to pre-approved organizations. Responses to the RFP are due April 14 at 2:00 PM and you can learn more and apply to be in the Vendor Pool here.
With ongoing threats from the federal government, the Home Together Fund is a timely local resource to ensure people don’t lose housing funded by federal funds.I want to emphasize that Alameda County cannot solve the homelessness crisis in a vacuum. In February, I joined Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and our City and County leaders for a day of advocacy in Sacramento. Our mission was to urge state leaders to maintain and increase the budget for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program. We must continue to partner with the state and our cities, and double down on the proven strategies that keep people in their homes.
For more information, see these resources:
Protecting Medi-Cal Coverage
In our most recent budget workgroup meeting on March 16, we received a sobering briefing from state experts regarding the devastating impacts of H.R. 1 on Alameda County’s healthcare safety net. This federal policy introduces mandatory work and community engagement requirements for many Medi-Cal enrollees, set to take effect in January 2027.
Let me be clear: these requirements are not designed to support employment. Most individuals impacted are already working or are physically unable to do so. Instead, these federal mandates act as administrative hurdles designed to reduce enrollment in essential social services.
In Alameda County, the Social Services Agency (SSA) estimates that 158,900 residents will be impacted by the Medi-Cal work and community engagement requirements. The County has records of 61,000 people who meet an exemption or are already meeting the requirements. The remaining 88,000 people are at highest risk of losing coverage. While many already work or qualify for exemptions, they are in danger of losing health care coverage simply due to the administrative burden and challenges to certify eligibility. Those most vulnerable to these changes include non-English speaking residents and neighbors experiencing homelessness - individuals who may lack the "data footprint" or a stable mailing address.
Losing Medi-Cal coverage is a threat to public health and financial stability. When people lose coverage, they delay care until a health issue becomes a crisis, leading to worse outcomes, and impacting our emergency departments. Our community clinics and public hospitals will face a surge in uncompensated care, further straining already tight budgets.
 Alameda County is actively preparing to address this crisis. SSA is tracking the federal and state guidelines closely. The County is investing in broad public awareness campaigns to ensure everyone knows their rights and enrollment status. We are working hand in hand with community based organizations, community clinics, and health partners to reach residents.
To learn more and to get help enrolling in Medi-Cal, or to find resources to stay covered, visit healthyac.org.
Alameda County is doing everything we can locally, but the structural inequities in our healthcare system demand systemic solutions to address how resources and wealth are distributed in our country, state, and communities - from advancing Medicare for All to guarantee universal coverage, to closing the loophole in Proposition 13 that limit our ability to invest in essential services.
I encourage you to stay engaged: join us at the upcoming Board budget work sessions, including the April 14 hearing on the County’s maintenance of effort budget and the forthcoming Measure W Essential Services Fund work session. You can also follow the Health Committee, which meets every other Monday and where County staff regularly share updates on these issues. Your voice is critical as we work to protect care and strengthen our healthcare safety net.
Stabilizing our Public Hospitals
Alameda Health System (AHS) is Alameda County’s public healthcare system and the safety net healthcare provider. AHS operates 4 hospitals and 9 clinics including the only level 1 trauma center in the East Bay at Wilma Chan Highland Hospital. AHS primarily serves low-income patients with over 90% of recipients on some form of subsidized care.
Due to anticipated federal revenue losses triggered by H.R. 1, AHS announced plans to lay off 211 staff – eliminating and reducing services, including outpatient behavioral health programs. On February 25, the Board heard extensive public comment during the “Beilenson” Hearing (mandated by state law). On March 3, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to defer the layoffs through this fiscal year (June 30, 2026) and for AHS to work with County staff to find alternate solutions.
 I am committed to ensuring that federal policy changes do not result in the dismantling of our local care. To address this crisis, Supervisor Nate Miley and I are convening an ad-hoc working group composed of AHS leadership, labor representatives, and County staff. Our primary mission is to build a sustainable framework that preserves patient-facing staffing, prevents the closure of vital programs, and keeps AHS and our health system stable over the next fiscal years.
Protecting Our Mental Health Safety Net
The implementation of Proposition 1, also known as the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), is creating a dire “service cliff” for mental health providers across Alameda County. BHSA introduces a systemic shift away from prevention and early intervention toward services for people with acute mental health needs and diagnoses. Counties are also required to spend 30% of their BHSA allocation on housing interventions for people with behavioral health needs. You can learn more about Alameda County’s BHSA transition here.
As a result of Prop 1/BHSA, the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD) is facing a $70 million funding shortfall from the State. While the department has worked tirelessly to backfill a portion of these cuts, the impact on our community providers is devastating.
The services that are most impacted are the prevention and early intervention (PEI) programs. These organizations help residents before they reach a point of crisis and are facing the brunt of the budget cuts. ACBHD recently announced over $50 million in cuts to these providers because many of their services are no longer eligible for funding under the new state BHSA guidelines. This abrupt termination of essential services means that more than 15,000 residents in Alameda County will lose access to vital mental health services this July if alternative funding is not secured.
I am deeply concerned about the loss of these services. We cannot wait for a mental health crisis to occur before providing care. To prevent this service cliff, I have urged County staff to explore all available options for bridge funding. This will allow our PEI providers the necessary time to transition by expanding their capacity to bill Medi-Cal for services, adapting their service models to meet new state requirements, and identifying new sustainable funding sources.
Our goal is to protect the infrastructure of our community-based providers. The transition to BHSA cannot come at the cost of the tens of thousands of children, youth, and adults who rely on culturally responsive, early intervention for their well being.
These are difficult and uncertain times for our communities in Alameda County and across the country. As federal immigration enforcement escalates, including ICE presence at local airports, further blurring the line between public safety and immigration enforcement, many families in our communities are already feeling the impact. We must remain committed to protecting our communities and building collective power, as well as staying informed and prepared. Find resources here: acilep.org.
 Our efforts must continue to grow in coordination and impact. We are grateful for the efforts of the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) who is providing Know Your Rights and other resources to help ensure schools remain safe and welcoming spaces. They are also providing schools with safety supply kits to ensure safe pathways to school, including reflective vests, Red Cards, whistles, air horns, and flyers. On February 10, the Alameda County Board of Education adopted a new board policy limiting
the use of ACOE property and prohibiting federal authorities from using ACOE facilities for staging
or as a base for federal civil immigration enforcement. This policy offers a strong framework that
other county offices of education and school districts may look to as a model.
We also appreciate our collaboration with Mayors and Cities. In Berkeley – the nation’s first Sanctuary City, our team joins the ongoing meetings of Mayor Ishii’s Berkeley Sanctuary City Task Force. This Task Force is a critical space for municipal, county, and federal government as well as ACILEP, ACUDIR, and other community-based organizational partners to exchange real-time updates, resources, and calls to action. Members mobilize together for community-rooted policies and funding allocations - continuing to uplift how we can best defend immigrant neighbors in and around Berkeley.
 In Oakland, we recently joined Mayor Lee’s Protect the Town task force meeting to share updates from the County, hear about Oakland’s plans, and connect with community partners. The task force coordinates citywide response efforts and supports education and engagement with Oakland communities and businesses, and helps implement the Mayor’s two executive orders that explicitly prohibit federal officials from using Oakland city property as staging areas for immigration enforcement and ensure the Oakland Police Department maintains operational independence from any deployed federal forces. For more information, see Oakland’s Protect the Town web page.
 ACT for All Updates
Through our Alameda County Together for All (ACT for All) Committee , we are coordinating with community partners to respond to federal threats to healthcare, food access, immigration, and civil rights while building long-term systems of care and resilience.
On January 27, our Board unanimously adopted two policies to ensure residents can access County services without fear – a policy for ICE Free Zones and an Immigration Enforcement Response Plan.
At our March 5 ACT for All meeting, the County Administrator’s Office provided an update on the implementation of ICE Free Zones and our County Response Plan. You can view the meeting here. We also shared that in February 2026, Alameda County Superior Court implemented a new policy prohibiting armed peace officers, including ICE agents, from entering courthouses without official business. Learn more from KTVU2.
At our April 30 ACT for All meeting, we will receive an update on the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, including the feasibility study, community engagement and recommendations.
Board Updates
Last month, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors postponed a vote on extending a contract with Flock Safety after strong community opposition and inadequate time to address questions and concerns. Residents raised concerns about expanding surveillance, especially in communities of color and immigrant communities that are already disproportionately targeted. We must be thoughtful in our decisions and ensure policies do not create unintended harm, particularly as surveillance data could be used for federal immigration enforcement. The Board will take up the Flock Safety contract at our April 21 Board meeting.
In addition, at our April 7 Board meeting, President Haubert and Supervisor Marquez will bring forward a resolution opposing the use of the former FCI Dublin Prison as a detention center. The City of Dublin already passed such a resolution. Read background in Truthout.
Alameda County must continue to lead with clarity and compassion, working toward a future rooted in justice, dignity, and collective care.
For more information on our Board meetings, click here. For information about the Alameda County Together for All (ACT for All) Committee , click here.
Thank you to our many partners here in Alameda County. At home and across the county, community members continue to lead with courage by organizing, supporting families, and caring for one another. We are proud to work together with and for our communities.
Six Months in: Alameda County Food Sovereignty Roundtable
Over the past six months, our office has been convening a countywide Roundtable to build food access and interdependence across public organizations and agencies. We recently held our second and third in-person meetings. There were at least 50 agencies represented across nonprofit partners and from Board of Supervisors, County administrative, State legislative and Congressional staff. Our group strives to clarify how we want to do things differently to expand food sovereignty, including: leveraging cultural capital, education and outreach; building awareness of food justice as intersectional with immigrant rights and housing access; and establishing a clear, early and accurate emergency plan in case of a major unexpected surge in food need.
 Partners are especially focused on how to make food more accessible and culturally relevant to more people, amidst heightened attacks by the federal government on food access for community members like children, immigrants, unhoused people, seniors and un/derinsured people. Working groups will address this unprecedented need through partner-capacity-building around: food production and logistics leading up to food distribution; distribution diversification; multilingual education and outreach including nutrition education; workforce development and economic justice; and food emergency planning. Underlying these efforts are principles of health and environmental justice, including self determination and mutual care.
Interested in getting involved? Email my staff at aliza.kazmi@acgov.org. Also, to share widely: resources for people who are not citizens, many of whom will be impacted by different changes to CalFresh eligibility.
Protecting our Kids: Child Welfare update
As I have said before, Alameda County must protect our children, support families, and maintain public trust. A recent state audit of the County's Department of Children and Family Services revealed systemic problems. We are taking responsibility and implementing the recommendations in the audit, as well as addressing concerns from the broader community. As a member of the Social Services Committee, I am very engaged and fully committed to ensuring improvement and quality services so that our children are safe. That means that all cases of abuse and neglect are investigated in a timely fashion, that we have adequate staff - and reasonable caseloads - to do this important work, and that we have safe homes to place children, with family members as well as foster families.
This audit was made by a request from State Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab who continues to convene a task force to monitor and support progress toward the 15 recommendations of the audit.
The full Board is focused on meeting the audit recommendations and making improvements as quickly as possible. We continue to discuss progress and challenges monthly at Social Services Committee meetings and Board work sessions. Our last reports were on February 23, 2026 and March 23, 2026. More information is available on the Department web page and Audit dashboard to ensure transparency.
East Bay Wildfire Coalition Update
I represent our County on the East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments, which was featured in a recent report on Bay Area Fire Mitigation Strategies by SPUR titled Shared Risk, Shared Resilience. The Coalition continues to strategize ways to resource home firescaping - including seeking state and federal budget and policy supports and developing our local education and outreach joint efforts.
Save the Date! My Office and Alameda County Fire Department will host an Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Emeryville Center of Community Life on Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 1pm. Details coming soon. Interested in getting involved? Email my staff at aliza.kazmi@acgov.org.
Also visit the exhibit Good Fire: Tending Native Lands at the Oakland Museum of California through May 31, 2026.
We’re Hiring!
Our office is hiring for an Office & Communications Manager. We are looking to hire someone who is well-organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-through and who is aligned with our Office’s values of equity, inclusion, transparency and accountability to advance our platform which includes community safety, housing security, accessible healthcare & mental healthcare, and a thriving community.
Read more about the position and how to apply here. We will accept applications on a rolling basis, with applications submitted by April 10 receiving priority.
Boards and Commissions Openings - Apply!
 Serving on a County Board or Commission is an important way for Alameda County residents to be civically engaged and impact our local decision making process. Our nearly 100 Boards, Commissions, and Committees span a wide range of topics and objectives. We welcome applications from District 5 residents representing diverse backgrounds and interests. And, we thank our current Board and Commission members for their time and dedication!
 Our district has the following vacancies:
Oakland Police Commission
In addition, the City of Oakland is looking for community members to serve on its Police Commission and be a part of shaping constitutional policing and accountability.
Celebrating Black History and Black Futures
Last February, the Board of Supervisors honored the 100th year of Black History Month with a centennial proclamation. Our office proudly paid tribute to Robert Phillips, President and CEO of Baywell Health, a community health clinic and trusted partner in enhancing the health and dignity of the Bay Area’s Black community where he and the Baywell team offer trauma-informed medical care, behavioral health, and social services to survivors of violence and serious harm, and improve Black maternal and infant health by reducing low-birth-weight births and enhancing postpartum well-being.
 It’s always fun and inspiring to join the annual Chief is my Belief program hosted by Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) Chief of Community Engagement & Recruitment Randall West. Each year, we gather in Emeryville with elementary students to learn about the history of Black firefighters and to honor present day leaders. Chief West recognized several leaders dedicated to the fire service like Oakland Chief Damon Covington, and women leaders including Undersheriff April Luckett Fahimi, Assemblymember Liz Ortega, and me – Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas. We were surprised and excited to receive portraits by Oakland artist Shomari Smith.
 We visited the Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California. The exhibit navigates the braided histories of displacement, resistance, and resilience within Black American communities in Oakland and the East Bay, including West Oakland and Russell City, and features the powerful and historic Moms for Housing.
 It was a pleasure to join Evergreen Baptist Church’s Seniors Group to share our work at the County and celebrate Black History Month. Their monthly Senior ministry meets every third Wednesday at 11:30 am. Seniors 65 and older are invited to attend.
 We enjoyed the Oakland Councilmembers’ community celebration honoring 100 years of Black history at Black History in Motion: Culture, Community & the Future We Build. It was a memorable evening with Black filmmakers, live performances, Bay Area authors, African American vintners, and Bay Area chefs.
Lunar New Year Welcomes the Fire Horse!
In February, we welcomed the year of the Fire Horse! This year will be a period of high energy and transformation, encouraging bold action and new projects. May we collectively stay optimistic, be bold and creative, and continue our work to transform our communities for positive change.
Alameda County celebrated Lunar New Year with local elementary school students at Lincoln Rec Center in Oakland Chinatown with numerous music and dance performances. Thank you to Supervisor Lena Tam and her team for organizing another wonderful annual event. See highlights in this video.
 The 4th annual Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade was a fun and entertaining time for all. Oakland Chinatown came alive with culture, music, and community. We also had a special treat riding a float with Alysa Liu’s father and siblings after her amazing Olympic win!
District 5 Alameda County Budget Forum - April 22
 Join us for a virtual Budget 101 Webinar to learn how Alameda County’s $6.1 billion budget shapes the services our communities rely on - from healthcare and housing to public safety and more.
🗓️ Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00–7:30 PM
🔗 Register: bit.ly/ALCO2026budget
Important Information Regarding Board of Supervisors Meetings
Please be advised that dates and times are subject to change based on quorum requirements. Time and location to be determined when the agendas are released. For the most up-to-date schedule, please click here.
Agenda Notification: If you would like to receive email notifications for upcoming agenda postings, please send an email to cbs@acgov.org to request specific agenda notices.
Public Comment Procedures for Board of Supervisors Meetings: Information on how to participate in public comment is available on the LIVE Broadcasts page on the Board of Supervisors' website.
In-Person Public Comment Procedures for Board of Supervisors Meetings: Members of the public may speak during the meeting by submitting a speaker slip to the Clerk. Items scheduled for a specific time on the agenda will not be heard before the listed time and may not be called exactly at that time, depending on the Board’s proceedings.
NOTE: Only matters within the Board’s jurisdiction may be addressed. Written public comments will not be read during the public comment period.
Written Public Comment Procedures for Board of Supervisors Meetings: Comments submitted by 3:00 p.m. the day before the meeting will be shared with all Board Members and included in the official record. Comments submitted after the deadline will still be added to the official meeting record but will not be shared with Board Members before the meeting. Comments will not be read aloud during the meeting.
By Email: You may email your written public comment to cbs@acgov.org. Please include your name and either the agenda item number or indicate that your comment is for Public Input (items not on the agenda).
By Online Form: You may submit your written public comment using the online form here.
ADA Accessibility: If you need a reasonable modification or accommodation for a disability, please email the Clerk of the Board at cbs@acgov.org or call (510) 208-4949 or (510) 834-6754 (TDD) at least 72 hours before the meeting start time to request a sign language interpreter.
Language Interpretation Services: If you require language interpretation services, please email the Clerk of the Board at cbs@acgov.org or call (510) 208-4949 at least three business days before the meeting start time to request a language interpreter.
Servicios de interpretación de idiomas: Si necesita servicios de interpretación de idiomas, envíe un correo electrónico a la Secretaría de la Junta a cbs@acgov.org o llame al (510) 208-4949 al menos tres días hábiles antes de la hora de inicio de la reunión para solicitar un intérprete de idiomas.
語言口譯服務：如果您需要語言口譯服務，請在會議開始前至少三個工作日向理事會秘書發送電子郵件至 cbs@acgov.org 或致電 (510) 208-4949 請求語言口譯員。
Automated Translated Transcript (Available for Select Meetings Only): To view an automated translated transcript or listen to translated audio of the meeting from English into multiple languages, please visit the website provided in the teleconference guidelines. Then, select your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
Click here for more info.
African American Wellness Hub Call for Artists - Until April 30
 The African American Wellness Hub (AAWH) is a project of the County of Alameda and the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department. This new facility will contribute uniquely to African American health and wellness, and it will be centered on education, training, and treatment. Join my office at one of the listening informational sessions to learn more about how to apply. Online Info Session: Wednesday, April 1, from 5:30-6:30 pm on Zoom. In-Person Info Session: Thursday, April 9, from 6:00-8:00 pm (Drop-In Hours) at the Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th Street, Oakland, or contact the Alameda County Arts Commission Office, call (510) 208-9646 or emailartscommission@acgov.org
Become a Youth Poet Laureate! Applications Open April 1
 Belonging in America Community Art Project - Submit by April 15
 MARU invites youth and young artists to join “Belonging in America”, a community art project about identity, home, connection, and belonging.
Works on Paper
For this inaugural exhibition, Maru has chosen to focus on works on paper. Paper is versatile. It bends. It folds. It can be marked, erased, layered, or transformed. Paper carries names, histories, documents, letters, and drawings.Paper preserves memory. And when brought together, paper becomes resilient and structural — like community. In many ways, paper reflects the experience of becoming American — adapting while holding identity, transforming while preserving memory, standing stronger together than alone. Through this material, we invite young artists to explore belonging as something shaped, marked, and continuously formed.
Eligibility
Anybody ages 13–18 (7th grade to 12th grade) residing in the East Bay.
Accepted Medium
Works on paper only, including but not limited to: Pencil, Charcoal, Pastel, Watercolor, Ink and Acrylic.
Maximum physical size: 36” × 36” (including mounting or framing) All works must be original.
Learn more and submit here by April 15!
New Community Pool in Piedmont! Opening April 11
Piedmont's new community pool will open on Saturday, April 11.
- Preview pricing in April: $5 drop-in visits for everyone through April 30.
- Plan your pool pass: Our build-a-pass system flexes to meet the unique needs of your household.
- Annual passes for Piedmont residents are now available!: Get the best deal, most perks, and early access to summer swim lesson registration. Visit rec.us/Piedmont to get yours.
- Set up your account now on our Aquatics registration portal.
Learn more here.
Solidarity with workers! Picketing and rallying with UNAC/UHCP healthcare workers (1/29), SEIU 2015 nursing home workers (2/6), SEIU 1021 healthcare workers (2/11 & 2/25), SEIU CIR medical interns and residents (2/24), and NUHW mental healthcare workers (3/18).
 Celebrating the retirements of amazing leaders! Congrats and best wishes to County Counsel Donna Ziegler, IT Director and Registrar of Voters Tim DuPuis, La Clinica de la Raza CEO Jane Garcia, and IAFF Local 55 President Sean Burrows!
 Fighting for our Social Safety Net! We are grateful to partner with our amazing community organizations and city leaders to shore up our residents’ basic needs. We delivered meals to seniors in West Oakland with SOS Meals on Wheels (3/18). We toured the recently renovated El Chante Recovery Home of La Familia in Oakland (2/20). We joined St. Mary’s Center senior leaders to announce $53 million in Measure W investment in affordable housing (3/4). We even went to Sacramento with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee to lobby for additional funding for homelessness solutions (3/26).
 Public Safety is a Priority. We all deserve safety and justice. Our team is committed to advancing holistic community safety – long-term investments like good jobs and schools, and affordable housing and healthcare, along with community violence intervention, accountable policing, and a justice system that works for all. We joined a public safety forum with the D.A. Accountability Table (2/24). We participated in Sen. Jesse Arreguin’s Public Safety Partnership Meeting (2/27). We also attended the LiUNA Vocational Program Graduation at Santa Rita Jail (3/20).
 Oakland on the Move! We are so proud of our Town Gold winners – Alysa Liu, Kehlani and Ryan Coogler! Huge congrats to Alysa Liu – from 2019 National Champion to 2026 Olympic Gold! What a celebration for Alysa (3/12). We also enjoyed sports in the Town – from the official Superbowl watch party (2/8) to the Oakland Roots home opener victory (3/14). We are so fortunate that our Oakland Symphony is rooted in our diverse and talented community, and enjoyed hearing organizations like the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI) participate in a recent concert (2/20). And don’t forget that Oakland was voted the #1 Food City in the U.S. for two consecutive years by Condé Nast Traveler readers. We savored Oakland Restaurant Week, celebrating my husband Brad’s birthday at Bombera, and having a neighborhood dinner at Almond & Oak.
 Office hours with Albany Mayor Peggy McQuaid (2/22) at the Albany Library which hosted the Paths to Belonging event
 UC Berkeley's Annual Chancellor’s Breakfast (3/13)
 Celebrating SupplyBank.org’s “Diaper Time is Talk Time” (2/23)
 Congrats to our beloved Grand Lake Theater on 100 years! (3/6)
 Rest in peace and power, Jesse Jackson (3/6)
 Yemeni community Iftar at Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (2/28)
 African American Wellness Hub Committee’s final meeting (3/18)
 Asian Pacific Environmental Network annual membership meeting (2/8)
 East Bay Toishan Benevolent Association’s 25th Anniversary and Toishan-Oakland Chinatown Patrol Team 5th Anniversary (3/8)
 Assemblymember Liz Ortega’s 2026 Women of the Year Awards (3/21)
Find Alameda County resources here: ACGOV - Services | Alameda County.
Find Information on Board of Supervisors meetings here: bos.acgov.org/broadcast/.
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