Contra Costa supervisors honor La Clinica CEO, spotlight invasive species detection dogs and mark Social Work Month

At its March 3 meeting, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors held a series of proclamations and recognitions.

The board honored Jane Garcia on the occasion of her retirement as chief executive officer of La Clinica de la Raza. Supervisors praised Garcia for growing the community clinic network and serving tens of thousands of patients across the Bay Area; Garcia responded, "I may be retiring, but I ain't going nowhere," and said her commitment to community health will continue.

Agricultural Commissioner Matt Slatengren delivered a proclamation for National Invasive Species Awareness Week, summarizing risks invasive plants, insects and animals pose to local agriculture and infrastructure. Slatengren said the county now rejects far more suspect parcels at shipping hubs than a decade ago — about 800 parcels annually with more than 120 packages containing significant pests — and introduced detector dog teams, including a new handler‑dog team with a dog named Mila. Supervisors thanked the animal handlers for protecting local agriculture and infrastructure.

The board also proclaimed March 2026 as Social Work Month. Dr. Marla Stewart, director of the Employment and Human Services Department, said the county is served by over 1,100 social workers who support child protective services, foster care, in‑home supportive services and other critical programs. Dr. Grant Colfax, director of Contra Costa Health, and representatives from John Muir Health and the public defender’s office described how social workers help connect residents to services and improve health outcomes.

These presentations preceded a lengthy discussion item (D1) on a proposed temporary sales tax; county presenters and visiting healthcare and public‑service leaders used several of these proclamations to underline the county’s broader public health and service roles.