"The first wealth is health." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
On Friday, November 1st, 2024, Leadership Santa Cruz County's Class 38 embarked on a comprehensive Health & Human Services Day exploring critical health and social issues in Santa Cruz County. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the day opened with an overview of the program by LSCC’s Executive Director, Ryan Coonerty. "We spent a day exploring the health of Santa Cruz County where the class delved deeply into issues of homelessness, youth and senior wellbeing, and the state of our health systems."
Mary Casey, the Chief People & Culture Officer at Second Harvest, extended a warm welcome to the food bank, where attendees took part in a food sorting activity to assist families in need, offering a hands-on experience of community support.
After the morning session, participants moved to Watsonville Community Hospital, navigating new health protocols as mask mandates took effect countywide for acute care facilities.
Panel on Homelessness in Santa Cruz County
The program’s first major session tackled the pressing issue of homelessness, featuring a panel discussion with local leaders deeply involved in homelessness services: Ashley Bridges from Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, Larry Imwalle from the City of Santa Cruz, Mike Johnson from Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, and Evan Morrison from People First of Santa Cruz County. These experts shared insights into the county’s homelessness challenges, fostering a discussion on strategies for addressing this persistent crisis.
During the lunch break, participants continued conversations around thought-provoking questions, such as health data from the County Health Rankings and personal perspectives on local efforts to address homelessness.
Exploring Health Services in Santa Cruz County
The afternoon began with a welcome from Stephen Gray, Watsonville Community Hospital's CEO, followed by a talk on the role of safety net clinics by Anita Aguirre, CEO of Santa Cruz Community Health Centers. This segment underscored the importance of accessible healthcare options and highlighted services that many residents rely on for their well-being.
Human Services ‘Shark Tank’: Innovating for Community Impact
One of the day’s highlights was a “Shark Tank” style session where Class 38 members who happen to be leaders in various health and human services fields presented their innovative approaches to pressing community needs. Topics included early childhood services by Crystal Gonzalez, youth programs by Andy Cunningham, addiction services by Stacey Palau, senior services by Tara Ireland, and dental care initiatives by Sepi Taghvaei. Each presenter proposed solutions to better serve Santa Cruz County’s diverse populations, sparking ideas for future collaborations and creative problem-solving.
The day wrapped up with breakout group discussions, during which attendees could further explore the ideas presented, followed by group presentations where observations and insights were shared with the whole class. To conclude, participants reflected on the day’s experiences and completed a program survey before an optional happy hour gathering for further discussion at Beer Mule Bottle Shop & Pour House.
This fascinating Health & Human Services Day equipped Class 38 with deeper insights into the interconnected systems that support community health in Santa Cruz County, encouraging them to think critically about how they might contribute to meaningful improvements in the community.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners!
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