Weekly roundup for September 27, 2024

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following: 

1. It’s still fire season – one less spark, one less wildfire
2. Sonoma County General Plan Update
3. Foster parent information session Oct. 15
4. Measure O funding opportunity announced
5. Podcasts this week
6. Other Sonoma County news of note 

Fire season is still here – one less spark, one less wildfire

Fire season is still here so please remember, one less spark means one less wildfire. Let’s all do our part to prevent them: 

• Mow your lawn BEFORE 10 a.m. – keep a fire extinguisher or hose nearby and NEVER mow if it’s windy or excessively dry.
• Avoid using power tools that create sparks near dry vegetation.
• Fully extinguish campfires – drown, stir, feel.
• Keep grills away from dry vegetation.
• Maintain vehicles to prevent sparks – secure all chains and remove dragging parts.
• Follow local burn regulations and bans – plan, verify, apply.
• Clear dry leaves and debris from your yard. 

One Less Spark – One Less Wildfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vIluhMMdJ4 

Learn more at: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/wildfire-prevention  

For additional preparedness tips, please visit: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/  

Sonoma County launches General Plan Update website

Sonoma County is kicking off the first phase of updating its General Plan, which shapes decisions on housing, transportation, jobs, parks, natural resources and more. 

The General Plan Update website is now live: https://www.sonomacountypermits.org/longrangeplans/proposedlong-rangeplans/generalplanupdate 

To participate, please visit the website, join our mailing list and mark your calendar for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A in Santa Rosa. 

There will be additional ways to get involved this winter and spring, from online activities to pop-up events.  

Learn more at: https://www.sonomacountypermits.org/longrangeplans/proposedlong-rangeplans/generalplanupdate 

Prospective Foster parent info session Oct. 15

Sonoma County’s Family, Youth and Children Division will host an informational session on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. Hear from experienced foster parents, former foster youth and local agencies about the positive impact of fostering.  

Plus, learn about the various ways you can get involved—whether as an emergency foster parent, a potential adoptive parent, or a mentor to older youth. Talks are held on Zoom and last about an hour. 

For more information and to register, please call (707) 565-4274 or email SonomaFosterCare@schsd.org 

Learn more: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/human-services/children-families/foster-care/become-a-foster-parent/foster-parent-info-sessions  

Notice of Measure O Behavioral Health funding 

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services invites responses to a Notice of Funding Availability for Measure O: Behavioral Health and Homelessness Community Solutions. Approximately $5.6 million in funding is available to support community-based solutions. 

A pre-bid conference will be held on Monday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.  All interested proposers must meet the requirements outlined in the NOFA and submit proposals by Monday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. 

Learn more at: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/behavioral-health-and-homelessness-community-solutions-notice-of-funding-availability-(nofa) 

Podcasts this week

What’s powering Sonoma County? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mKvkihkeQs&list=PLi1-rnF1nMqodvmHzLoj0T2j5YI80JfeO&index=73 

En conversación con Lideres Latinos del Condado de Sonoma. Parte IV- Mesa Redonda 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flpg6u5KkuE&list=PLi1-rnF1nMqodvmHzLoj0T2j5YI80JfeO&index=74 

Other Sonoma County news of note

County voter guides for November General Election begin going out in the mail tomorrow 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/county-voter-guides-for-november-general-election-begin-going-out-in-the-mail-tomorrow  

Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative secures funding, partnerships to strengthen local immigrant services 
https://sonomaedc.org/sonoma-county-economic-development-collaborative-secures-funding-partnerships-to-strengthen-local-immigrant-services 

Technical Advisory Board Announced for OWTS Manual Update 
https://permitsonoma.org/technicaladvisoryboardannouncedforowtsmanualupdate 

Wetland Habitat Restoration at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park 
https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/wetland-habitat-restoration-at-shiloh-ranch-regional-park-x130553 

Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership wins two 2024 WaterSense® Sustained Excellence awards 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-marin-saving-water-partnership-wins-two-2024-watersense%C2%AE-sustained-excellence-awards