May Update from Supervisor Sackett

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MAY 2024

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH CARRY NARCAN, SAVE LIVES $18M TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS TRANSPORTATION SURVEY E-BIKE SAFETY ADVOCACY UPDATE TICK TESTING HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING

 

Dear Neighbors,

One of my favorite sightings of late in our neighborhood are the goats carrying out their vegetation management duties. After two herds spent the past month in Terra Linda, along the open space preserve border and Mission Pass, one herd is continuing its work in Lucas Valley. They will then travel back through the preserve to our neighbors in San Anselmo.

While the goats are hard at work, it is time that we clear combustible materials within the first 5 feet around our homes. Then, if a wildfire blows burning embers your way, there is nothing next to your home to ignite. This is called Zone 0 and can be part of a beautiful, fire safe yard. Adapting to wildfire means being prepared and Fire Safe Marin has information about how we can adapt together as we enter the summer season with a heightened threat of wildfires.

 

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services is leading the charge to raise awareness and promote better mental health and well-being. Did you know that mental health challenges affect 1 out of 6 adults in California? In Marin County, although men and boys constitute 49% of the population, they tragically account for 75% of deaths resulting from suicide and overdose. Let's come together to create a stigma-free Marin around mental health.

If you or someone you know is in distress, hope and help are just a call, text, or chat away at 988. It's important to note that 988 is different from 911 and is specifically for those experiencing suicidality, substance use, or emotional distress. Since the launch of the 988 three-digit hotline, we've seen encouraging results. In the North Bay, 97% of calls have led to a decrease in suicide risk, with less than 1% requiring emergency response. Similarly, over 99% of Marin calls are resolved over the phone, eliminating the need for emergency intervention. Join us in sharing 988 as a resource with your friends and family.

 

CARRY NARCAN, SAVE LIVES

 

The Board of Supervisors recognized May 7 as Fentanyl Awareness Day with a resolution and report from Marin Public Health on overdose prevention strategies. Community members who shared their stories reinforced that overdoses are preventable with measures like Narcan (the nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose) and accessing treatment for substance use disorders. In 2023, 61 residents were confirmed to have died from drug overdoses, matching the number recorded in 2022. Overdose mortality was highest in 2021, with 65 deaths. Visit the Data Dashboard for an in-depth look at the data. This information helps us understand the evolving issues related to overdoses in our community and guides targeted response efforts to address our most pressing needs.

Check out OD Free Marin's 2024 Community Forum Digital Resource Guide here. This comprehensive guide features information about substance use and overdose prevention resources available in Marin County and beyond. It also provides helpful suggestions for preventing overdoses and promoting overall health and well-being. Find free Narcan in Marin here.

 

$18M TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

 

Marin was awarded over $18 million from the State of California’s Encampment Resolution Funds (ERF) in an April announcement from the state. The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Homelessness and Coordinated Care Division will jointly manage these grants with various partners, including the City of San Rafael and the Bolinas Community Land Trust.

The breakdown in new funding for Marin projects includes:

• $8,678,324 to serve 60 people, mostly Latinx farm workers and their families in a new RV interim housing site in Bolinas and support the construction of 27 new permanent housing units.
• $5,999,241 to serve 65 people and house 46 from the community’s largest encampment at the greater Mahon Creek Path area in San Rafael.
• $3,720,706 to serve 110 people and house 90 people by building off a previous ERF-funded project and adding additional staff and interim shelter options to resolve an encampment along a state right-of-way at Binford Road in unincorporated Novato.

Marin HHS will provide regular updates regarding the progress of the ERF projects. Efforts to eliminate homelessness in Marin County are making headway, according to new data released from the 2024 Point in Time Count. The preliminary figures show:
• An overall 2.8% decrease in homelessness.
• A 12% decrease in homeless families with children.
• A 24% decrease in individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
• A 32% decrease in homeless veterans.

Marin HHS Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care works to end homelessness in Marin by transforming the system of care, partnering with local jurisdictions and nonprofit agencies, and helping to provide housing for our most vulnerable community members.

 

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

 

The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) is developing a new Countywide Transportation Plan to reimagine how we travel around Marin by outlining strategies for advancing safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation improvements. As part of this effort, understanding community challenges and priorities will be vital to creating a Plan that truly reflects our community’s needs.

Share your perspective by taking part in a brief, five-minute survey. Feedback will be used to guide planning and decision-making processes, helping TAM to better serve you and the entire Marin community. The survey will remain open until May 31st, 2024. 

 

E-BIKE SAFETY ADVOCACY UPDATE

 

May is National Bike Month! I regularly ride my e-bike to the Civic Center, and on Bike to Work Day, I rode my e-bike to a Great Redwood Trail Agency meeting in Healdsburg (with a little help from the SMART Train). While we proudly celebrate Marin's biking culture for health and transportation, the County is advocating for stronger federal regulations of e-bikes to address safety concerns.

On May 8, I provided testimony to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), alongside our Public Health Officer Dr. Willis, about the prevalence of youth e-bike accidents we are seeing in Marin. I asked that the CPSC make new federal safety standards for e-bikes among their Agency’s priorities for 2025 and 2026. You can learn more about the testimony from Marin here. The Commissioners asked thoughtful questions and thanked Marin for our data collection and testimony. The County also submitted comment to a CPSC advanced notice of proposed rulemaking related to e-bikes which you can read here. 

 

TICK TESTING

 

The weather is getting nicer and many of us enjoy hiking in Marin’s open space and trails. Remember to check for ticks. About 400 ticks are sent annually by Marin residents for testing at the regional Public Health Laboratory. About 2 percent of these ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme Disease. Procedures for collecting, packaging, and mailing ticks is available here. The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District offers helpful tick bite prevention tips. Speaking of mosquitos, if you are facing a mosquito problem you can request a service from the District.

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?

 

WHAT I'M READING

My daughter brought home The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a recommendation from her middle school librarian, and could not put it down. “I think you’d like this book Mom.” It's a page-turner that brings up really complex issues like slang, how we talk to each other, how we listen to each other, and how we show up for each other. And, it shows disparate police interactions based on skin color, perceptions, and location. It's hard enough to be a teen, and then throw in fear and bravery, and historic racial tensions. Throw in adults acting like toddlers and teens as the adults. It’s a thought-provoking read, I will think twice about “splitting up” in the name of efficiency rather than staying together. I highly recommend the book.

With summer on the horizon, the Marin County Fair is set to return with the theme of “Make A Splash.” Prepare for five days of art, rides, concerts, fair food, and shopping experiences. As always, the fair promises an outstanding concert lineup and is chockful of activities.

Fair tickets are now on sale. If you plan to attend on July 3rd, 5th, 6th, or 7th, purchasing your tickets before May 31st will save you $10, making them just $15. Mark your calendars for July 3rd, a “Special Day,” where ages 12 and under, seniors 65 and older, and Veterans with ID can enjoy free admission.

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If you're interested in local government, want to talk about the issues, or chat about some of the work you or your organization are doing, I encourage you to reach out. I want to hear from you. 

 

Please stay in touch,