Supervisor Patrick Kennedy Updates: Flood Control, Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, NAMIWalks
Sacramento County, California sent this bulletin at 03/10/2023 02:14 PM PST
Dear Friend,
As the Chair of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) Board of Directors, I am keenly aware that 2023 is quickly becoming the year of the atmospheric river. After multiple-year drought conditions, recent storms illustrate the importance of flood preparedness and continued investment in Sacramento’s flood control system. Located at the confluence of two major rivers, Sacramento is deemed one of the highest at-risk urban areas in the country for flooding.
SAFCA is responsible for coordinating with federal and state agencies to address the area’s vulnerability to catastrophic flooding from Sacramento’s two major rivers. The agency works to support construction of major capital flood control improvements that reduce risk to properties and residents located behind levees.
Currently, there are six Federally-authorized flood control projects under construction that total $5.2 billion of improvements being invested in the system protecting the greater Sacramento region. To date, Congresswoman Doris Matsui has been able to secure $3.3 billion in Federal funding for these projects, with the State and SAFCA providing the rest of the funding.
The greatest risk to Sacramento’s levees is from seepage (under and through), stability, and erosion. To address this, dozens of miles of seepage cutoff walls have been installed in area levees and a new auxiliary dam and spillway were constructed at Folsom Reservoir. The new auxiliary spillway gives Folsom Dam operators greater flexibility in releasing water earlier from the reservoir when flood storage space is needed. In conjunction, levee improvements allow for the safe passage of higher river flows, lessening the threat to neighborhoods situated close to area rivers. I am happy to report that these system wide improvements are functioning as intended.
Over the next several months and years, many more miles of levee protection measures will be constructed along the American and Sacramento Rivers. The existing Folsom Dam and the reservoir’s surrounding dikes will be raised by 3.5 feet to provide even more flood control storage space and address dam safety concerns. In addition, the Sacramento Weir and Bypass are slated to be widened to lower flow elevations passing through Sacramento.
As we once again experience significant rainfall in the area, it is important to recognize that agencies, such as SAFCA, have been working for several decades to prepare our flood control system to protect the hundreds of thousands of people living behind our levees. While more work remains to be done, the Sacramento area is much safer today from a system-wide catastrophic event than in years past.
And now for today’s e-smile: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/a-geese-love-story/
Stay Safe!
Patrick
Sacramento County Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program Goes Live
Sacramento County is now open to referrals for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program (AOT). The AOT Program (also known as “Laura’s Law”) permits the use of civil courts and behavioral health systems to address the needs of persons who have been unable to or have not engaged with community mental health treatment programs.
The goal of the program is to connect individuals through strengths based, client centered, intensive engagement and connect to the full service partnership Telecare Oasis. The County AOT team of peers and clinicians will provide intensive engagement to identify and support those who meet criteria throughout the court process and provide a warm handoff to the intensive outpatient treatment provider Telecare Oasis for ongoing treatment tailored to the client’s needs.
To receive more information on the AOT program please visit our website at https://dhs.saccounty.gov/BHS/Pages/Laura's-Law-AOT-Community-Input.aspx
Information on the eligibility criteria and who can submit a referral is located on the website. If you have questions about this program please contact us at 916-875-6508.
(Supervisor Kennedy Speaking at NAMIWalks Kickoff Luncheon)
NAMI Sacramento Names Supervisor Kennedy Honorary Co-Chair for NAMIWalks 2023
NAMI Sacramento recently announced that they have named Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, Supervisor Rich Desmond, and SMUD Board of Director Heidi Sanborn as their NAMIWalks 2023 Co-Chairs.
Each co-chair has worked hard to elevate the importance of mental health in both their professional and personal lives. They have all been longtime supporters of NAMI and their mission to provide no-cost services to the community. “We are so very thankful these three local leaders are stepping up to raise awareness about the mental health issues here in Sacramento and our region,” said NAMI Executive Director David Bain.
NAMIWalks is an annual event with two goals: share mental health stories to reduce stigma and raise funds to support the work of NAMI Sacramento. The walk creates a spirit of inclusion that makes the event feel special. Participants are united in the knowledge that they are making a difference by coming together for mental health.
Click here to get more information and register for NAMIWalks 2023!