Madera County honors lifesaving deputy; First 5 launches Dolly Parton Imagination Library and recognizes child‑abuse awareness and public‑health champions

The Madera County Board of Supervisors used part of its April 8 meeting to present several proclamations and awards recognizing public‑safety action, early‑childhood literacy, child‑abuse prevention and public‑health workers.

Deputy Jessica Martinez recognized for lifesaving response

The board read and presented a proclamation honoring Deputy Jessica Martinez for her March 1 response to a medical emergency involving an unresponsive 18‑month‑old child. According to the sheriff’s office statement read at the meeting, the child’s father was performing CPR when Deputy Martinez arrived within three minutes, deployed a department‑issued automated external defibrillator and continued life‑saving measures. The sheriff’s office and the family were on hand for the recognition; Deputy Martinez credited the father’s immediate CPR and said, “I truly believe the true hero, this man, his father.” The board voted to present a proclamation of commendation. No formal action beyond the proclamation was required.

Week of the Young Child and Dolly Parton Imagination Library launch

The board proclaimed April 7–11 as Week of the Young Child and heard from Monica Ramirez, executive director of First 5 Madera County, and Stephanie Nathan of United Way Fresno Madera about a new local launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. First 5 and United Way will partner to enroll children ages 0–5 for monthly mailed books; First 5 reported a strong soft launch and an initial registration performance among the program’s top 10 rollouts. The county proclamation encouraged families to participate in local events tied to the week, and First 5 publicized a public launch event scheduled for 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation and events

Deputy Director Nikki Matusz of the Department of Social Services accepted a proclamation naming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Madera County Child Abuse Prevention Council staff described events planned for April, including a Colors of Resilience ceremony and art expo, a community resource fair, a flag‑raising ceremony with juvenile cadets and a child abuse prevention conference on April 30 featuring a speaker with lived experience. Staff encouraged community attendance and said flyers were available on county social media.

National Public Health Week and champion awards

Public Health Director Sarah Boss and Public Health Officer Dr. Simon Paul presented proclamations and five “Public Health Champion” awards recognizing county employees and partners for work spanning oral health, mobile health events, HIV/AIDS services, public‑health nursing and adolescent family services. Awardees included Renee Brown (oral health work), Jacinta Bento (school‑based outreach in Chowchilla and Fairmeade), Laura Barra (HIV/AIDS program), Elsa Estrada (supervising public‑health nurse) and Beverly Borges (maternal and adolescent casework). Recipients spoke briefly; the board presented plaques and the proclamation declaring April 7–13 as National Public Health Week in Madera County.

Nut graf: The proclamations highlighted both one‑time heroic action and ongoing community programs — literacy and early‑childhood supports, prevention and awareness campaigns for child abuse, and recognition for public‑health staff whose work is ongoing.

Ending: The board took photos with honorees and encouraged residents to attend upcoming events and to contact First 5 or the Department of Social Services for enrollment and event details.