By Todd R. Hansen in Daily Republic

FAIRFIELD — The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday recognized July 17-23 as Probation and Community Supervision Week.

The theme this year is “Solano Probation: Making a Difference, One Client at a Time.”

“This week has been set aside to recognize and celebrate the dedicated and caring individuals whose genuine desire to protect and serve their community is apparent in their dedication, compassion, and hard work to make Solano County a safer place to live, learn, work and play,” the staff report to the board states.

The Solano County Probation Department employs 78 probation officers, two mental health clinicians, three social workers and five social service workers to supervise and support more than 3,000 adults and 250 youth annually, and 52 juvenile correctional counselors to supervise up to 28 youth detained at the Juvenile Detention Facility, Challenge Academy and the newly opened Reaching Into Successful Endeavors Program.

Among the department’s accomplishments are:

• Providing short-term housing options to youth and adults.
• Delivering food and other basic needs to clients’ homes.
• Sending five youth to the United Kingdom through collaboration with the Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation and XL Mentoring.
• Assisting the Solano County Office of Education with the Evergreen Academy high school graduation ceremony for 11 youth at JDF.
• Expansion of the Construction Trades Program at JDF.
• Continuing to provide services (group and individual) to adults at the Centers for Positive Change and youth at the Youth Achievement Center.
• Forming a Wellness Committee, which encompasses peer support.

In other action, the board:

• Recognized Col. Corey A. Simmons, commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, for his service and contributions to Solano County.
• Recognized Jo Ann Iwasaki Parker, deputy county counsel, upon her retirement after more than 33 years with Solano County. She also was acknowledged for her work on the behalf of children by Presiding Superior Court Judge Donna L. Stashyn and received a Congressional Proclamation from Rep. John Garamendi’s office.
• Recognized Kelley D. Baulwin-Johnson, Probation Services manager, upon her retirement after 24 years with Solano County.
• Recognized Lawrence Patterson, facilities supervisor with General Services, upon his retirement after 15 years with Solano County.
• Recognized Terri M. Palmer, accounting technician with Department of Child Support Services, upon her retirement with more than 28 years with Solano County.
• Recognized Valerie Williams, Solano County 4-H Program representative, upon her retirement after 28 years with the UC Cooperative Extension.
• Recognized Sheila Bakke, administrative assistant and 4-H Program representative, upon her retirement after 12 years with the UC Cooperative Extension.
• Recognized Desiree Carr, with the Public Defender’s Office, as “Employee of the Month” for July.
• Recognized the Rev. Cathy Morris, minister of Dixon United Methodist Church, upon her retirement after 35 years.
• Approved a $1,250 contribution from the District 5 General Fund account to benefit Meals on Wheels Solano County.
• Approved a $4,750 contribution from the District 4 General Fund account to benefit Saving Gracie ($750), Napa Solano Habitat for Humanity ($750), Dixon Family Services ($500), Center for Land-Based Learning ($500), the Vacaville Museum ($1,000), Chabad of Solano ($500), Sudie M. Smith Scholarship ($500) and Pena Abode Historical Society ($250).
• Approved a $9,000 contribution from the District 3 General Fund account to benefit Meals on Wheels ($2,000), Suisun American Little League ($2,000), Suisun Veterans Memorial Building Association ($3,000), Child Haven ($1,000) and Solano Alpha Crisis Pregnancy Center ($1,000).
• Recognized July 2022 as Parks and Recreation Month, and July 15 as Park and Recreation Professionals Day in Solano County.