Board issues proclamations recognizing Financial Literacy Month and National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors presented two proclamations during Monday’s meeting: one recognizing April 2025 as Financial Literacy Month and another designating April 13–19, 2025 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Tulare County.

Kathleen (representing Valley Strong Credit Union) accepted the Financial Literacy Month proclamation and described the credit union’s local activities. She said Valley Strong has provided financial-education programming this quarter to more than 630 students across 38 classrooms in eight ZIP codes, led five adult presentations and offers free credit counseling in branch locations to nonmembers and members alike. The proclamation notes the credit union will award $20,000 in scholarships across participating youth markets and will offer youth-facing programs such as the “Bite of Reality” budgeting simulation.

Later the board presented a proclamation recognizing telecommunicators and dispatch staff. Fire Chief and other officials commended dispatchers for handling large call volumes — the county runs roughly 16,000 calls per year, with an additional about 8,000 calls for partner agencies — and for staffing 24/7 shifts and mutual-aid incidents. The board singled out Alexis Jones as dispatcher of the year and recognized both long-tenured lead dispatchers and newer staff present at the dais. The proclamation cited the telecommunicators’ role as “the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services” and thanked them for their professionalism and calm under pressure.

Board members and presenters took photos with proclamation recipients and offered brief remarks of thanks and appreciation.