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Adopt a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing Lisa Benitez, Health Assistant, upon her retirement from Solano County with more than 26 years of dedicated service in the Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Division
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing Lisa Benitez, Health Assistant, upon her retirement from Solano County with more than 26 years of dedicated service in the Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Division.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Ms. Benitez began her career with the Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) as an extra-help Health Assistant on July 21, 1997, in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program within Public Health where she provided nutrition services.
On October 19, 1998, she promoted into a full-time Health Assistant, assigned to the WIC program site located at the Melvin Thompson Center in North Vallejo where she worked for seven years. In 2006, Ms. Benitez was re-assigned to the Vallejo WIC program site. In 2018, Ms. Benitez transferred to the Dixon WIC program site where she served clients at the Dixon Migrant Center and used her bilingual skills to develop and sustain connections with Spanish speaking families. She successfully fostered collaborative partnerships with Dixon Family Services, Dixon Family Practice’s Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, and Dixon Migrant Center to meet the needs of WIC clients.
As a WIC Health Assistant, Ms. Benitez provided nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and critical linkages to community resources for thousands of vulnerable pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to the age of 5 years. Her counseling skills were excellent at helping families establish healthy habits. Ms. Benitez often shared with clients her experiences using community programs while raising three children. Sharing these stories helped families feel comfortable discussing their concerns and setting healthy goals. Ms. Benitez taught hundreds of WIC classes on nutrition, healthy habits, and infant and toddler feeding. She engaged with families and enjoyed the positive outcomes that resulted from the education she provided.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Benitez adapted to working remotely and provided services to WIC families through virtual education and counseling, ensuring that clients were informed about food benefits and local resources. She also assisted with the large number of mailings that were sent out to advise families of the protocols for isolation and quarantining during the pandemic.
Additionally, Ms. Benitez worked with the County’s COVID-19 response team, which included contact tracing and case investigations, responding to calls received on the Solano Public Health Coronavirus Warmline, and vaccination registration efforts at the Solano County Fairgrounds. She also completed a course in COVID-19 Contact Tracing developed by Johns Hopkins University that was offered through Solano County where she received a certificate. The online course was helpful in COVID-19 response efforts as it provided information on the virus, fundamentals of contact tracing, steps involved in investigating cases and tracing contacts, and skills for effective communication in the tracing process.
Ms. Benitez was nominated for the Edward G. Lopez Award in 2021 and again in 2022. Nominations are recommended for the award based on their outstanding contributions to improving the health and quality of life of people in Solano County.
In February 2024, Ms. Benitez joined the Help Me Grow Steering Committee Plus Get Connected, operated by Solano Families and Children Services and funded by First 5 Solano, where she represented the WIC program as an advocate for parents in Solano County. This participation fostered a connection between the programs to share updated information and resources.
Throughout her career, Ms. Benitez provided excellent services and support for Solano County families and children with compassion, respect and with a tremendous amount of commitment. Ms. Benitez retired on December 20, 2024 and the Department wishes her well in her retirement and future endeavors.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with the purchase and preparation of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt and present the resolution and plaque of appreciation for Ms. Benitez; however, this is not recommended as it is an opportunity to recognize Ms. Benitez for more than 26 years of dedicated service and outstanding contributions to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with Dixon Family Services, Dixon Family Practice’s Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, and Dixon Migrant Center to recognize and celebrate Ms. Benitez’s 26 years of service to WIC clients and Solano County.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION