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| Register now for the Government and Disability Summit! |
| Join us at the 1st Annual Government & Disability Summit taking place September 24 – 27th here in Ventura!
We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Cokley, the first U.S. Program Officer for Disability Rights at the Ford Foundation and a three-time Presidential Appointee under the Obama Administration. Rebecca served at the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the White House where she oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts. Don’t miss her keynote speech at this groundbreaking event!
Event Location:
Crown Plaza Ventura Beach
450 East Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001
- Explore innovative solutions addressing access barriers across various aspects of life.
- Engage in collaborative dialogues with diverse stakeholders to co-create a more inclusive future for communities across California.
- Learn from leading experts in accessibility, policies, and programs to increase disability access.
- Be part of a historic event shaping the future of access in California and beyond.
Register and view the schedule here: www.govdisabilitysummit.org |
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| Arts & Culture Grant Recipients Announced! |
| Exciting News! The County of Ventura, Ventura County Community Foundation, and Ventura County Arts Council have announced the Arts and Culture Investment Fund grant recipients.
Selected through a highly competitive grant application process, these grants support 36 nonprofit arts and culture organizations and 62 independent artists based in Ventura County!
This funding helps our local arts community recover and thrive post-pandemic. Congratulations to all recipients!
For more info and a full list of grant recipients, visit www.ventura.org/arts. |
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| County of Ventura Career & Resource Expo |
| Join us at the County of Ventura Career & Resource Expo in the main courtyard of the Ventura County Government Center. Discover exciting career opportunities in administration, engineering, healthcare, law enforcement, public safety, technology, and more!
Date: August 7, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA
Don’t miss this chance to connect with representatives from County of Ventura, Human Resources and various County agencies and departments. Learn about career paths, benefits, and the advantages of joining the County workforce.
**Both the event and parking are FREE!**
Get more info on jobs and view a map here: hr.ventura.org |
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County of Ventura Names Gregg Strakaluse as new Director of the Public Works Agency
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| The County of Ventura has named Gregg Strakaluse as the new director for the Ventura County Public Works Agency. Strakaluse was selected following an extensive recruitment process, which included both internal and external candidates. He assumes the position following the retirement of former director Jeff Pratt in March.
“Gregg’s distinguished engineering background, complemented by his profound skillset across all facets of public works and specialized disaster response experience, ensures seamless service continuity,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to advancing from a robust foundation, poised for sustained growth and excellence across our Public Works Agency. Gregg’s wealth of expertise promises to continue to elevate the level of quality service to our residents throughout the county.”
Strakaluse, originally from Rhode Island, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He is a licensed civil engineer in the states of California and Florida. Having worked in the public sector since 1990, Strakaluse has extensive experience at the municipal level in various positions across several states. Most recently, Strakaluse served as the Public Works Director for the City of Bakersfield. |
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| Dr. Theresa Cho Appointed Director of the Health Care Agency |
| Dr. Theresa Cho has been selected as the new director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. The appointment follows a rigorous recruitment that included more than 39 applicants. Cho succeeds Barry Zimmerman who retired from the position in June.
“Dr. Cho brings a wealth of extensive experience and exceptional qualifications to her role as Director of the Health Care Agency,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “Her distinguished career as a family medicine physician, coupled with her leadership across our healthcare system uniquely positions Dr. Cho to adeptly advance the mission of the agency. We are confident in her ability to lead the Health Care Agency forward in continued innovation, operational excellence, and our ongoing commitment to patient-centered care for the residents of Ventura County.”
For over four years, Cho has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Health Care Agency’s Ambulatory Care System, overseeing 34 clinics across the county. Cho is board certified in Family Medicine, completed her residency training at the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), and has served as a family physician within the Ventura County Medical System for the last 28 years. |
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| Danielle Keys Appointed New Human Resources Director
The County of Ventura has appointed Danielle Keys as Human Resources Director for the County. Keys assumes the position following the retirement of prior Human Resources Director, Shawn Atin, who retired in March. Keys was selected following an extensive recruitment process, which included both internal and external candidates.
“Danielle’s extensive experience brings a wealth of strategic insight and leadership to our County government” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “With a proven track record in fostering organizational excellence, advancing workforce initiatives, focusing on relationship building and enhancement of leadership skills, Danielle’s skillset will invest in supporting and growing our County workforce.”
Keys joins the County of Ventura after serving as the Human Resources Director for the City of Ventura, and prior to that, as the Human Resources Director for the Ventura County Fire Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and has worked in public sector management for over 15 years. Her background includes experience in labor negotiations, recruitment and retention, and training and development. Keys has served in a variety of human resources positions with local municipalities, the County of Ventura, and in education. |
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| Featured Photo of the Month: #Ilovevcsummer
In celebration of summer and our beautiful county we are featuring photos submitted by you, our community! This month’s featured photo comes from local resident Chris Ryan.
Chris shares, “I captured this dreamy scene in Harmon Canyon at the Wagar Tree. The clouds added some really nice light diffusion.”
Thank you for reminding us how lucky we are lo live here, Chris!
Explore Ventura County and SHOW us your favorite summer spots! Whether you’re hiking through the trails or relaxing by the sea, show us where you unwind. Don’t forget to tag us using #ilovevcsummer!
Remember, each week we’ll choose a photo to feature in our monthly newsletter. |
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Ventura County Public Defender Hosting FREE Legal Clinics
The Ventura County Public Defender’s office invites you to their Fresh Start Legal Clinic on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
This clinic will offer support and guidance for those needing assistance with expungements, homeless court and child support services.
An expungement is when the court orders a conviction be set aside, a plea of not guilty be entered, and the complaint be dismissed. An expungement can assist with better employment, housing, and education opportunities.
Homeless Court is a special Superior Court session for the indigent. It offers an alternative option to perform community service and/or treatment hours (including AA/NA meetings) in lieu of paying fines/fees owed to the Court to resolve outstanding traffic and minor “quality of life” offenses received in Ventura County.
During the same event, the Department of Child Support Services will also be providing assistance with child support cases and debt reduction program screening. |
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| AGENCY SPOTLIGHT – Ventura County Public Defender
The Ventura County Public Defender’s Office is committed to providing high-quality legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private counsel. Their dedicated team of attorneys, investigators, and support staff work tirelessly to ensure that every client receives a fair trial and that their constitutional rights are protected.
The Ventura County Public Defender’s office handles a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, with the utmost professionalism and compassion. Their mission is to advocate for justice, uphold the rights of the accused, and promote a fair and equitable legal system for all members of our community. |
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