Committee asks CSB to back hiring a person with developmental disabilities in County Board office; motion adopted

Sherry Takimoto, a committee member, moved that the Developmental Disabilities Committee ask the Community Services Board to support an initiative to hire at least one person with developmental disabilities to work in a County Board office. The motion was seconded (by Mara) and carried by the voting members present.

The committee conducted the vote during its regular meeting after a short discussion about operationalizing an employment initiative the County Board member has previously offered. Chair (S1) read the motion into the record and called for votes from the voting members; committee members present signaled “aye,” there were no recorded opposed votes, and the motion was adopted. Committee membership listed by the mover included Bertra, Mara, Sherry, Monique, Fabio and Barbara Jones; Monique Bryant and Barbara Jones were present and counted in the vote.

The motion text as proposed by Sherry Takimoto was: “I move that we ask the CSB to support an initiative to hire a person with, at least 1 person with developmental disabilities in the county board offices.” The committee did not adopt immediate implementation steps at the meeting; members said staff and the CSB would need to coordinate specifics such as role description and hiring pathways before the position could be filled.

After the vote, several parents and members praised the initiative as potentially life-changing. One parent, Steve (S11), thanked the committee for prioritizing education and supports that could reduce escalatory responses during crises for people with disabilities.