Government Speak: A Contra Costa County Podcast

Episode 7: Head Start in Contra Costa County

Since 1965, Contra Costa County has been a Head Start provider, ensuring access to early childhood education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children and their families, as well as parent involvement. A local panel of parental and child development experts will discuss how the program is a lifeline, a stepping stone, and an opportunity for future success for vulnerable children and families in Contra Costa County.
 
Guests:
Sarah Reich, Community Services Bureau Interim Deputy Director at the Employment & Human Services Department.
Ruth Hunter, Site Supervisor George Miller III Center, Richmond
Juan De Dios Batiz, Parent and Head Start Policy CouncilmemberKristi Jourdan, Host

Episode 6: Confire Highlights How To Stay Safe During Wildfire Season

In this episode, Deputy Chief Chuck Stark discusses how residents can prepare for the ongoing wildfire season and shares more about Confire’s efforts to mitigate the impact of wildfires throughout Contra Costa County
 
Guests: Confire Deputy Chief Chuck Stark and Host Kristi Jourdan.

Episode 5: A Sit Down with John Kopchik, Director of Conservation & Development

For almost three decades, John Kopchik has worked on hundreds of projects related to planning for Contra Costa County’s future. In this episode, he shares more about the Department of Conservation & Development’s sustainability, land use, permitting, and code enforcement efforts.
Guests: DCD Director John Kopchik, and Host Kristi Jourdan

Episode 4: A Sit Down with District 1 Supervisor John Gioia

Supervisor John Gioia has spent 26 years serving on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, making him one of California’s and Contra Costa County’s longest serving Supervisors. In this episode, he shares more about the County’s efforts to achieve greater health and equity for residents and more about what’s going on in District 1, which includes the communities of Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Pinole, Bayview, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Kensington, Montalvin Manor, Tara Hills, North Richmond, and Rollingwood.
Guests: District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, and Host Kristi Jourdan

Episode 3: A Sit Down with District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson

As the newest member of the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Ken Carlson shares more about what’s going on in District 4, which includes the cities of Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, and Clayton, and what he’s prioritizing this year. Guests: Supervisor Ken Carlson, Kristi Jourdan

Episode 2: A Look at Probation

Probation Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause discusses how her team serves Contra Costa County residents, her department’s priorities and outreach efforts for the year, and how Probation has been shifting from a compliance to compassion service model.

Government Speak: Elections Preview

Host Kristi Jourdan speaks with Kristin Connelly, the Registrar of Voters, and Dawn Kruger, the Civic Outreach and Engagement Specialist for the Clerk Recorders Office about County Elections. Learn about the elections process and what happens behind the scenes before and after you submit your ballot.