Santa Clara County board adopts proclamations on dementia, breast cancer and Filipino American history; honors green fleet, community foundations and public‑saf

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors adopted a package of proclamations and commendations in open session, including a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Lewy body dementia awareness month, a proclamation recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a proclamation marking Filipino American History Month, a recognition for the County Fleet Management Divisionfor national green fleet honors, and a series of commendations for community foundations, Working Partnerships USA and county employees.

County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas presented the Lewy body dementia proclamation, citing national and local data on dementia and urging broader awareness and services. "Dementia is a growing public health challenge that undermines the quality of life for our residents and why it's so critical that we continue to raise awareness of our brain health over the life span of the entire family," Supervisor Arenas said. She noted that Lewy body dementia is the second most common progressive dementia after Alzheimer's and said the Susan and Charles Berghof Foundation, based in Morgan Hill, is a local partner that received a March 2025 grant from Santa Clara Family Health Plan to support education and caregiver programs.

Bonnie Broderick, a board member and community health advisor with the Susan and Charles Berghof Foundation, told the board the foundation focuses on "education, research, and caregiving support" and emphasized outreach to underserved residents. "Dementia needs to be destigmatized and talked about. People need to be connected with resources," Broderick said.

The board also issued a proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Supervisor Abe Koga, who introduced the proclamation, recounted her own 2015 diagnosis and treatment and said early detection, compassionate care and access to cancer education matter. Maria Gonzalez, vice president of the Cancer Destination Service Line at Stanford Health Care, thanked the board and said, "It takes all of us. It truly takes a village," in describing the role of clinical teams, research and community support in cancer care.

In a separate proclamation, the board recognized Filipino American History Month and highlighted the Filipino communitywhich supervisors said comprises more than 5 percent of the county's populationand invited residents to community events planned for the month.

The board commended the County of Santa Clara Facilities and Fleet Management Division for national recognition in the 2025 Green Fleet Awards. Jeff Draper and David Worthington of fleet services joined supervisors at the dais; fleet staff told the board the division maintains about 1,744 county vehicles and operates across three shifts. A fleet spokesperson noted the award evaluated criteria such as fuel usage, electrification, policy development and interagency collaboration and that the fleet placed second in North America in the Green Fleet Awards.

Supervisor Young presented a commendation to Working Partnerships USA on the group's 30th anniversary. Working Partnerships representatives accepted the recognition and marked the anniversary while memorializing a recently deceased staff member.

Supervisor Abe Koga presented a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 12Nov. 18, 2025 as Community Foundation Week in Santa Clara County and introduced leaders from several local community foundations, including the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Nicole Taylor, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, told the board that community foundations "bring together donors, the private sector, nonprofits, and public sector partners to address our community's most pressing needs." She urged continued public-private partnership amid federal funding uncertainty.

The board also honored a group of county employees from multiple departments for recent awards and service milestones; recipients named in the meeting included Chris Piscatelli (Assessorbusiness systems analyst), Richard Perris (Office of Supportive Housing program manager), Graciela/Grace Landeras (janitorial supervisor), Patricia Avila (social worker), and several others who were recognized on stage.

The board approved the package of commendations and proclamations under item 7. A motion to adopt the item was moved and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded votes in favor from Supervisor Abakova, Supervisor Young, Supervisor Ellenberg, Vice President Arenas and President Lee. The motion carried.