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Adopt a resolution and plaque of appreciation honoring Melanie Cook, Mental Health Services Manager, upon her retirement from the Health and Social Services Department, Behavioral Health Division with 30 years of dedicated public service to Solano County
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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 honoring Melanie Cook, Mental Health Services Manager, upon her retirement from the Health and Social Services Department, Behavioral Health Division with 30 years of dedicated public service to Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Melanie Cook, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who started her career with Solano County as a registered clinician in 1990 for the Vallejo Adult Mental Health Outpatient Clinic where she worked as a case manager while earning her license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). During that time, she was promoted to the first (and only) “Consumer Movement and Integration Coordinator” position overseeing the process of hiring Consumer Providers of professional mental health services. She collaborated with vocational services and Solano Junior College to hire and support peers and coined the program the “Co Pro.”
Ms. Cook’s professional career spanned 30 years in a variety of roles from Wellness Recovery Project Coordinator, Acting Manager at a local day treatment center, and Clinical Supervisor of the Institutional Care Services and Hospital Liaison units. She was then promoted to Mental Health Services Manager over the Vallejo Adult Outpatient Clinic and assigned to support the Mobile Crisis/Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET), Hospital Liaison and Institutional Care Services (ICS) Units, managing over 26 ICS contracts.
As Mental Health Services Manager, Ms. Cook was integral in developing the Wellness Recovery Unit that oversaw the expansion of peer support services, consumer empowerment and family support services for the community. In the last four years she has been the manager over the Fairfield Adult Mental Health Clinic in addition to continuing the Wellness Recovery Unit services. Ms. Cook has served Solano County with integrity, honesty and compassion for mental health consumers/clients while remaining flexible, adaptable and supportive across multiple programs throughout her tenure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2020/21 Preliminary Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2020/21 Preliminary Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not adopt the plaque of appreciation and resolution. This is not recommended as this is an opportunity to recognize Ms. Cook’s contributions to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There is no other agency involvement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION