Title
a. Receive an oral presentation from the County of Monterey Health Department’s Office of Equity regarding the Action Plan for Building Safe and Thriving Communities, Update 2026; and
b. Provide direction, as appropriate, regarding the Action Plan for Building Safe and Thriving Communities, Update 2026.
Presenter: Rosemary Soto, Program Manager I
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, Homelessness and Human Services (HHHHS)
Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an oral presentation from the County of Monterey Health Department’s Office of Equity regarding the Action Plan for Building Safe and Thriving Communities, Update 2026; and
b. Provide direction, as appropriate, regarding the Action Plan for Building Safe and Thriving Communities, Update 2026.
SUMMARY:
The Office of Equity will provide an overview of the update to the Building Safe and Thriving Communities Action Plan, including the initiative’s background, public health purpose, and recommendations for enhancing collective efforts to address the root causes of violence throughout Monterey County, with a public health approach and health equity lens.
The presentation will discuss the history of strategic efforts to coordinate multi-sector collaborative partnerships to establish a system of support to build resilience for youth and young adults, current contributing factors to the sustainability of prevention and intervention efforts, the outcomes of community engagement efforts that inform the priority areas for recommended investments to support prevention interventions to improve community health and safety outcomes.
DISCUSSION:
In 2013 the Board of Supervisors approved the launch of a community initiative to address gang violence throughout Monterey County and established the Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Advocacy as the backbone organization, within the County of Administrative Office. The initial Action Plan for Building Safe & Thriving Communities was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 9, 2015. The Action Plan for Building Safe & Thriving Communities is a framework for addressing the underlying root causes of youth violence throughout Monterey County using a multi-pronged public health approach rooted in health and racial equity and in collaboration with cross sector community partners. The Action Plan informed and supported the process for developing several community engagement strategies, youth-focused prevention programs and the formation of city-led collaboratives. In 2024, stewardship of the plan moved to the Health Department.
After 10 plus years, an update to the Action Plan for Building Safe & Thriving Communities is imperative to ensure the impact of the framework continues to support the desired health outcomes. With a focus on primary prevention and intervention, the update provides recommendations for applying a multi-pronged approach: 1) Invest in early childhood development programs that support our youngest children and their families before they enter the school system, laying a strong foundation for resiliency; 2) Better coordinate services for young people and their families in and out of school; and 3) Build capacity of service providers to be healing centered, trauma-informed, and culturally attuned.
The update to the Action Plan identifies immediate next steps in redefining and reestablishing a coordinated, countywide strategy, including the organizational structure and youth engagement needed to inform program and policy direction and to guide the alignment and allocation of public and private resources to best serve young people and build a safe and thriving community.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-28 Strategic Plan Goal: 1.
Build Community Power and Partners’ Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of Equity has coordinated internally within the Health Department and with an external partner, Bright Beginnings, to develop the process to update the Action Plan. The item is presented to the Health, Housing, Homelessness and Human Services Committee for informational purposes and discussion.
FINANCING:
There is no fiscal impact associated with receipt of this presentation and discussion item. Future
program development and implementation activities may require additional program
development resources, grants, or other funding considerations. Pursuit of grants or funding recommendations will be brought before the Board for future consideration as appropriate.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Investing in our Building Safe & Thriving Communities Initiative aligns with the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan by advancing Strategic Goal A: Well-Being and Quality of Life through increasing our effectiveness in outreaching and supporting residents in accessing critical health coverage and services.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Rosemary Soto, Public Health Program Manager I, 755-4586
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
DRAFT Building Safe & Thriving Communities Update 2026