County of Santa Clara
Office of the County Executive
70 West Hedding Street, East Wing 11*^ Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
(408)299-5119
www.sccgov.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25,2006

Contact:

Gwendolyn Mitchell
Office ofPublic Affairs

(408)299-5119

Beall Calls for Collaboration in Building a Community for All
State ofthe County Address Highlights New Initiativesfor Youth,
Medically-Uninsured, Environmental Protection

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—This evening. Supervisor Jim Beall (District 4), who took the helm

as Chair ofthe County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors earlier this month, addressed
the packed Board Chambers with his message about the State ofSanta Clara County.
Beall cited a vibrant, strong community and signaled plans to introduce several new
initiatives that will address the needs of youth and those who do not have medical

insurance, and ensure the protection of Santa Clara County's parks, viewsheds and
hillsides.

In his message, Beall attributed the county's vibrancy to the efforts of many frontline
workers who are doing real work - getting things done that improve the lives of county

residents. He spoke about the County budget that reflects our values and priorities, cited
relief to see some signs of economic recovery and expressed hope that the trend
continues.

Beall spoke about the need for compassion in the efforts to address several critical needs
ofthose who suffer from poverty, food insecurity, addiction, and mental health issues.
He called for high ethical standards in govermnent and indicated that he would ask the
Board to establish an Ethics Task Force this year.
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Beall Calls for Collaboration in Building a Community for All
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Health Care for All Initiative

One of his top initiatives in 2006 will be work towards expanding health insurance to all uninsured adults
in Santa Clara County. Beall lauded the success ofthe Children's Health Initiative's enrollment of
children in health insurance and called for community leaders to initiate a similar effort for uninsured
county residents.

"We have made history by being the first in the nation to guarantee children have access to good health
care," said Beall who was instrumental in the start-up of the Children's Health Initiative five years ago.
"It is time to initiate the process offinding health insurance for the 200,000 uninsured adults in this
county."

Beall called on "all community leaders, health care experts and every stakeholder to form a public-private

partnership to help qualily the uninsured residents ofthe county with a health care plan. He indicated
that the loss of life and the growing costs oflate stage diagnoses are too great to wait until the federal
government takes action.
Foster Youth Employment Initiative

Beall also called for a comprehensive program to aid foster youth who reach 18 years and are no longer
supported by the foster care system.

"These kids are traumatized when young and society traumatizes them again when they turn 18 years,

Beall said. "Instead of finding a job,looking forward to college, or making future plans, many are forced
to search for the next couch to sleep on or for a mattress in a homeless shelter."

Beall would expand a county program to employ foster youth and called on community partners to
address the needs of emancipating foster youth. At his request, yesterday the County of Santa Clara

Board of Supervisors unanimously approved convening a task force to address the employment needs of
emancipating foster youth to prepare them for the workforce and to find employment opportunities for
them. Among the community partners that already have agreed to participate are the Silicon Valley
Leadership Group, Working Partnership USA,Silicon Valley Children's Fund, Volunteer Center of
Silicon Valley and Santa Clara County Foster Parent Association.
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Beall Calls for Collaboration in Bnilding a Commnnity for All
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Lon£-Terni Commitment to the Environment

Beall outlined two initiatives to ensure the protection ofthe environment on a long-term basis. The first

will be to develop a comprehensive Viewshed Protection Policy by this summer to protect beautiful
hillsides and ridge tops from development and maintaining scenic vistas. The second is the Parks Charter
Renewal, which was recently approved as a June Ballot Measure by the Board of Supervisors.
"We are so blessed to share these 840,000 acres ofland," said Beall. "We must protect nature and open
space."

In his call for collaboration on these new initiatives, Beall reminded the audience "the hands of human

need are close... They are the hands of people reaching out for help. We must reach back, grasp them
with our hands, and embrace them with our compassion to help them survive through hard times.
Fact Sheets on Initiatives Available
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