News & Announcements
News & Announcements
Sacramento County Kicks Off the Year by Expanding Two Key Mental Health Service Programs
Sacramento County is kicking off the year by expanding two key mental health service programs, combining Access, Substance Use Prevention, and Treatment (SUPT) services to streamline care and enhance the health and safety of the community.
The new BHS-SAC Call Center centralizes access to mental health and substance use treatment services through a single line: 916-875-1055. This enables more efficient coordination among providers, ensuring that individuals in need receive timely care and improve their health outcomes.
Additionally, the County will implement Senate Bill 43 (SB 43), which expands the definition of "gravely disabled" to include individuals with severe substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. This law enhances access to acute and long-term care for the most vulnerable members of the community. These efforts are part of a broader initiative in California to address homelessness, mental health crises, and substance abuse. For more information on these programs, visit the Behavioral Health website of the Sacramento County Department of Health Services.
Contact Information:
Elizabeth Zelidon, Public Information Officer
Winds and Cold Weather Advisory
Sacramento County
County Activates Weather Respite Due to Wind
Due to the wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service, the Department of Homeless Services and Housing, in collaboration with First Step Communities, is activating a weather respite at the North A Street location. Below are the details regarding the locations, days, and times of activation.
Guests should call 2-1-1 or visit 211sacramento.org before accessing the weather respite centers to get the most up-to-date information on locations, dates, and times, as these may change based on availability and weather conditions.
Regional Transit has provided free ride support for this activation.
North A Street: 1400 A Street
Open: Tuesday, January 7 starting at 8 a.m. until Wednesday, January 8 at 9 a.m.
Guests will receive a light breakfast, a bagged lunch, and a warm dinner.
Pets are welcome, with a maximum of three (must be crated indoors and leashed outside at all times); crates/leashes and dog and cat food are provided.
Limited capacity for personal items, including bikes and bike trailers.
Additional Weather Respite Centers Available:
Outreach and Engagement Center: 3615 Auburn Blvd.
Open: Monday, January 6 at 3 p.m. until Wednesday, January 8 at 8 a.m.
North 5th Street Navigation Center: 700 North Fifth St.
Open: Monday, January 6 to Wednesday, January 8.
Hours of Operation: 8 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Contact Information:
Call 2-1-1 or email info@211sacramento.org to contact a 211 representative.
Expanding TWO Behavioral Health Service Programs
Sacramento County Chair and Vice Chair Elected 2025
Elected Chair and Vice Chair 2025:
The annual vote to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 7. This year's elected Chair is Supervisor Phil Serna from District 1, and Supervisor Rosario Rodríguez from District 4 was elected Vice Chair.
"It is an honor to be sworn in as the Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for 2025," said Serna. "As we move forward, my priority will be to foster collaboration and unity in our community, ensuring that all voices are heard. I am ready to address the challenges our county faces and build a stronger, more inclusive future for all residents. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and continuing the important work ahead this year."
The responsibilities of the Board Chair include the following:
Preside over Board meetings; the Vice Chair assumes the role in the absence or incapacity of the Chair. If both the Chair and Vice Chair are absent or unable to preside, the members present will select a member to act as temporary Chair.
Address procedural matters or questions.
Recognize a Board member wishing to speak on an item.
Has the right to vote on all matters before the Board, participate in discussions related to any matter, make motions without relinquishing the Chair, and second any motion without relinquishing the Chair.
Serve on other boards/commissions as a representative of Sacramento County and be the point of contact for public inquiries regarding meetings (e.g., coordination of resolutions/presentations and general questions not specific to a district, etc.).
The Chair and Vice Chair serve annual terms.
The journey of Alma and Diego has not been easy, but through El ladrón de mis recuerdos (The Thief of My Memories), Alma has found a way to share their story with the world. The funds raised from the book sales have been crucial in covering the costly treatments and therapies that Diego needs. The hope that one day children suffering from Sanfilippo syndrome may find a cure remains alive in Alma’s heart. El ladrón de mis recuerdos is more than a personal account; it is a call to raise awareness about a rare disease that needs visibility and support. "Although it breaks my heart to see him like this, I am willing to do everything for him," Alma expresses with unwavering determination. Anyone can help by purchasing the book and contributing to the cause.
If you want to learn more about this story and support Alma and Diego’s fight, you can follow them on Instagram as El Camino de Diego and purchase the book through their platforms.
El Alma del Libro: The Story of Diego and His Mother Alma
Mi Gente, Mi Cultura | 06/01/2025 | 18:00 | Actualizada 06/01/2025 18:00
Sacramento, CA - Alzheimer’s is not an illness exclusive to the elderly; it can also affect young children. Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative disease, steals the memories and abilities of children, as it did to Diego, a boy who slowly lost his ability to communicate, laugh, and sing. His mother, Alma, has used love and bravery as her greatest weapons to fight against this monstrous enemy that, day by day, takes away the essence of her son. Her story has become a testament of struggle, sacrifice, and hope.
Through the pages of her book El ladrón de mis recuerdos (The Thief of My Memories), Alma tenderly and painfully recounts the process of watching Diego lose his personality and abilities. "It was very hard for me to remember my favorite songs, only a few words came out that almost no one understood, but my heart still sang with joy," Alma recalls, describing how her son began to lose skills he once enjoyed, such as running, jumping, and singing. Despite the pain, Alma has found in her love for Diego and in her own strength a reason to keep going. The book, which captures her experience, aims to raise awareness about this illness that is unknown to many.
Sanfilippo syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, is a rare disease that affects one in every 70,000 births, and its diagnosis is often incorrect. For years, Alma fought to get doctors to understand what was truly happening with her son. Despite closed doors and misdiagnoses, she did not give up. Thanks to her perseverance and social media, she was able to connect with professionals who finally provided answers. A mother's medical handbook contains love, smiles, patience, and, above all, many sleepless nights, and despite all of this, Alma never stopped searching for the best option for her son.
