April’s Board of Commissioners meeting started off with an emotional testimonial from “Jessy”, a victim of human trafficking and client of our Central Valley Against Human Trafficking (CVAHT).

Jessy expressed gratitude to CVAHT’s coordinator, Ronna Bright, and CVAHT supervisor Jody Ketcheside for their help in liberating her and her children from domestic servitude. She also thanked the Board for their vision in approving funding for the program.

Executive Director Brian Angus introduced Jerome Behrens , Esq., with Lozano Smith as the Agency’s new legal counsel. Angus, together with Board Chair Vongsavanh Mouanoutoua, presented former Commissioner Theresa Hernandez with a plaque for her commitment and dedication as a Board Commissioner. Ms Hernandez served on various committees and advisory boards including: Executive and Finance committees, SOUL Governing Council, and Head Start County Wide Policy Council activities.

The Board also took the following action:

• Approved the submission of a proposal requesting award of fund by the Department of Labor for the establishment of an Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration Project serving non-custodial parents in the amount of $5,840,000.00
• Ratified a grant proposal to the US Department of Labor in the amount of $1,500,000 for the Civic Justice Corps program
• Approved a contract with the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery in the amount of $1,447,399 to provide California Redemption Value (CRV) recycling services throughout Fresno and Madera Counties