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Approve and present a plaque of appreciation honoring Rachel E. Ford, Consumer Affairs Liaison, upon her retirement from Health & Social Services, Behavioral Health Division with over 11 years of dedicated service to Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health & Social Services recommends that the Board approve and present a plaque of appreciation honoring Rachel E. Ford, Consumer Affairs Liaison, upon her retirement from the Behavioral Health Division with over 11 years of dedicated service to Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Rachel Ford began her career in Solano County as a volunteer member of the Mental Health Advisory Board in 2005. In 2006, she continued in that role and began facilitating the Fairfield Bipolar Disorder Peer Support Group. On May 7, 2007, Ms. Ford was hired by Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division as a Consumer Affairs Liaison, bringing her personally lived experience in mental health into a full-time position. The position aligned with the implementation of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) programs and with the goal to promote system transformation by increasing the strength of the consumer voice in mental health systems. As a Consumer Affairs Liaison, Ms. Ford has worked with the County's seriously mentally ill residents and led change to ensure that they were well-served. When a peer was in need of urgent support, Ms. Ford would devote many hours to advocate for or assist this individual toward stability and mental health wellness and recovery.
Initially, the Consumer Affairs Liaison position was assigned to work under the Quality Improvement Unit where Ms. Ford facilitated the Bipolar Support Group and provided Peer Counseling with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. In 2009, Ms. Ford took on a second role as the Family Liaison due to that...
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