Welcome to Summer!

San Luis Obispo County has been busy with Board business, ribbon cuttings, and exciting new projects. But our first and most important responsibility is ensuring the County remains financially sound and able to provide the services residents depend on every day.

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a balanced budget of approximately $1.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2026-27, a 2% increase over the previous year. This budget reflects our commitment to maintaining essential services while planning responsibly for the future.

This year's budget process marked the second year of the County's Financial Rebalancing and Resilience Initiative, led by County Executive Officer Matt Pontes, his team, and leaders across all 26 County departments. The initiative is designed to strengthen the County's financial foundation and prepare for future uncertainties, including economic fluctuations, policy changes, natural disasters, and other unforeseen challenges.

What does that look like in practice?

It means taking a close look at the more than 700 programs delivered across County departments and evaluating their services, costs, outcomes, and community impact. The goal is straightforward: ensure we deliver the best possible government services in the most efficient and effective way.

The initiative also includes a comprehensive operational and financial review by KPMG, examining departmental operations, funding sources, reserves, assets, and long-term financial sustainability. In addition, the County is evaluating revenue trends and funding strategies to better understand how factors such as local industries, workforce conditions, and economic performance may affect future budgets. 

I often describe this as "a new day in San Luis Obispo County." Departments are being challenged to identify efficiencies, reduce unnecessary costs, and find innovative ways to deliver services while maintaining quality and accountability.

Equally important is the way the budget is developed. Rather than relying on across-the-board percentage cuts, County leadership now works collaboratively with departments over many months to understand what programs are essential, where efficiencies can be achieved, and how resources can be allocated strategically.

The result is a more disciplined, transparent, and thoughtful budgeting process. Every department contributed to this effort, helping to ensure we could balance the budget while continuing to meet the needs of our residents.

Had this initiative not begun last year, the County likely would have been forced to rely more heavily on reserves as costs continue to outpace economic growth. Instead, we are taking proactive steps today to build a stronger financial future.

The Countywide Accomplishments highlighted below demonstrate why this work matters. While financial reviews and operational assessments may not make headlines, they create the foundation that allows the County to continue delivering on its core priorities:

• Public Safety
• Fiscal Stability
• Meeting Legal Mandates
• Fulfilling Debt Service Obligations

Of course, external factors continue to pose challenges. Healthcare funding remains a significant concern both in California and across the nation. Changes in federal and/or state policies could have substantial impacts on local healthcare systems and County services, affecting not only vulnerable populations but the broader community as well.

As we move forward, the Board remains committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars while ensuring San Luis Obispo County remains resilient, responsive, and prepared for the future.

Item 52:  Update on Behavioral Health Residential Program for Youth in Crisis

Back on April 8, 2025, the County Board of Supervisors accepted a $3.65 million grant through California’s Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program (CCCPP). The grant was awarded to the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services (DSS), in partnership with the Behavioral Health Department (BHD), to develop an integrated continuum of care for foster youth experiencing behavioral health crises.

Local implementation of the CCCPP is a collaborative effort among DSS, BHD, and Santa Barbara County. A key component of the program is the development of a new 4-bed Enhanced Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (E-STRTP) in San Luis Obispo County. Notably, San Luis Obispo County was one of only eight counties statewide selected to receive CCCPP funding.

The CCCPP is designed to create a trauma-informed system of care that helps prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and interactions with law enforcement while improving coordination among service providers. The program focuses on delivering stabilization and treatment services in the least restrictive setting possible and ensuring smooth transitions between levels of care for youth with complex behavioral health needs.

As part of this effort, on June 16, 2026, the County is preparing to contract with Crestwood Behavioral Health to furnish and operate the new E-STRTP facility.

The E-STRTP will provide short-term, intensive therapeutic care and supervision for foster youth experiencing behavioral health crises whose needs cannot be safely met in a family home setting, but who do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

Services will include:

• Short-term, specialized therapeutix care and supervision
• Comprehensive assessments
• Individual and family counseling
• Case management
• Life skills development
• Pyschiatric care and medication support
• Family and natural support visits
• Outdoor and recreational activities
• Educational connections and school support whenever possible
• Individualized transition planning

The facility is currently being prepated and is expexted to begin operations in October 2025.

Below are a few photos showing the progress of the new facility.

One of the true highlights of May was attending my first Eagle Scout Court of Honor with Boy Scout Troop 322 on May 17 at Elks Lodge 322. The ceremony celebrated an extraordinary achievement: six Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout—the highest and most distinguished honor in Scouting

This was a milestone event and a remarkable accomplishment for a single troop. Family members, mentors, fellow Scouts, and community leaders gathered to honor newly recognized Eagle Scouts David Bellardo, Kyler Dillon, Noah Kragenbrink, Hunter McKiernan, AJ Schuberg, and Hudson Zurbach. Their achievement reflects years of commitment, leadership, service, character, and perseverance.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is no small feat. It requires the completion of extensive service projects, demonstrated leadership, and a sustained dedication to the principles and values of Scouting. To see six young men reach this pinnacle at the same time is truly exceptional and a testament to both their individual determination and the outstanding leadership of Scoutmaster David Forrest.

What impressed me most was watching these young men embody the values of the Scout Law—being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. In a time when strong leadership and civic engagement are more important than ever, these Eagle Scouts represent the very best of our community and provide great confidence in the next generation of leaders.

Scout Law

TRUSTWORTHY: Tell the truth and keep promises.

LOYAL: Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school and country.

HELPFUL: Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY: Be a friend to everyone, even people who are different from you.

COURTEOUS: Be polite to everyone and always use good manner.

KIND: Treat others as you would want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living think without good reason.

OBEDIENT: Follow the rules of your family, school and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL:   Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. 

THRIFTY: Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE: Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN: Keep your body and mind fit.  Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERANT:  Be reverent toward God. Be faithful to your religious duties. Respect the belief of others. 

Speaking of Boys and Men…

Men's Health Month: Supporting Mental Health

Men’s Health Month is all about encouraging men & boys to live a safe, healthy lifestyle. There is a silent crisis in men’s mental health. Men are nearly four 4x more likely to die by suicide than women, underscoring the urgent need to break this silence and seek support. Let’s build a culture where men feel safe speaking up and reaching out:

• Start a conversation: A simple conversation can spark transformation. Whether a father, brother, uncle, friend, or colleague, check in with the men in your life.
• Share resources: Help normalize seeking help by sharing information about mental health support services, hotlines, and local organizations. Let others know support is available — and that it works. 
• Create safe spaces: Encourage environments — at home, work, school, barbershop, gym, church, or in the community — where men feel comfortable opening up without judgment. Sometimes, just knowing it’s OK to talk makes all the difference.

Do you have questions about access to health care? Concerns about the cleanliness of a public facility? Wondering about water quality at a local beach?

Whatever your public health-related question may be, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is here to help.

Residents can call 805-781-5500 to connect with Public Health staff who can guide them to the appropriate programs, services, and resources available throughout the county.

Originally established during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health Assistance Center (PAC) assisted thousands of residents by providing timely information and support. While the PAC has now concluded its pandemic-related operations, the 805-781-5500 phone line remains available as a valuable resource navigation tool for Public Health programs and services.

Whether you are looking for information, assistance, or the right connection to County resources, help is just a phone call away.

For more ideas and information, sign up for the SLO County Health Newsletter!

As we head into summertime, let’s shift the lens to notice all that is going right and focus on the positive rather than the negative.

Like many people, you may have a long list of concerns or challenges weighing on you. These are undeniably difficult times. However, during a recent Pediatric Town Hall, one tool that was shared stood out clearly: the “Hope Framework” has a powerful impact on a child’s well-being and health during adverse times.

While this may sound like common sense, in our stressed and fast-paced lives we can easily overlook the importance of simple awareness and positive experiences.

Healthy relationships with children and adults, safe and stable environments, social and civic engagement, and regular interaction with friends are all essential building blocks for positive childhood experiences.

These simple but meaningful aspects of life — safety, love, support, and connection — are often taken for granted or assumed. Positive experiences do not necessarily come from spending large amounts of money on elaborate outings. Sometimes they are found right in your own backyard. Check out local family activities and resources through First 5 SLO County Community Happenings.

The Pediatric Town Hall, hosted by First 5 SLO County, was designed to inform and educate families about the many outstanding resources available throughout San Luis Obispo County. SLO County is fortunate to have an impressive network of professionals ready to support new parents and young children.

Organizations and services highlighted during the event included Cuesta College Children’s Center, Martha’s Place Children’s Assessment Center, Family Resource Centers, lactation and maternal mental health support services, home visiting nurses, bilingual specialists, and many others dedicated to helping families thrive.

The evening concluded with remarks from Dr. Rene Bravo, current President of the California Medical Association our local pediatric hero!  With wisdom, humor, and compassion, Dr. Bravo reminded attendees to always think of the children — because that is where the future of a healthy society begins.

Special thanks to CenCal Health, Adventist Health Central Coast,  Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, and Dignity Health for their support of this important event.

Our community made the Welcome Home Village a reality!

The County of San Luis Obispo presented the Welcome Home Village on June 8th.   After three years and lots of bumps along the way… this beautiful 54 housing unit community for formerly unhoused individuals has been completed.

In 2023, Supervisor Paulding and I took on this challenge to complete a promise to make this happen. And, SLO County homeless division staff, led by Linda Belch, truly made it happen.  It took many hands …including hundreds of community volunteers!  They assembled furniture, cleaned and polished the windows and doors and planted pots plus…completely furnished all cabins. Interestingly enough, the actual cabins purchased are Azure printed homes comes from recycled water bottles.  When we started three years ago, they were not available yet!  Therefore, the delays actually helped us get the most affordable and attractive cabins on the market!

Good Samaritans is the entity who will run and take the lead now. Their expertise in serving populations like those who have been living in encampments is what we needed.  We are honored to have them overseeing Welcome Home Village. Thank you Welcome Home Team, Partners and Community!  Now on to the real work of putting lives back together.

• June 20th - NAACP SLO Juneteenth Celebration - 11am-4:30pm, Mission Plaza, SLO
• June 25th - 27th - SLO Friends of the Library Summer Book Sale - 995 Palm St, SLO
• June 27th - Pride in the Plaza, SLO Mission Plaza
• June 27th - Veteran's Resource Fair and Pancake Breakfast - 8:30-12pm, 202 Addie St, Pismo Beach
• July 7th - Board of Supervisors Meeting - Contract for phase 1 of Bob Jones trail extension
• July 9th - Office Hours in Avila at the Avila Beach Community Center 1:30-3:30
• July 11th - Bob Jones Trail Activity - 9:30am - interested in promoting safe recreation on the Bob Jones trail reach out to our office to volunteer or for more information.
• July 13th AVAC in person at the Avila Beach Community Center - Potluck dinner bring a dish to share!

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletters. I always appreciate hearing from you, seeing you and being invited to your group or organization.

Please reach out anytime to my office.

Yours in Service and Community,

Dawn Ortiz-Legg

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor, District 3

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