Solano Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Advisory Committee

 

Advisory Committee

 

Purpose:

Guide the development of a culturally inclusive Solano Master Plan for Aging. The Solano Master Plan for Aging will result from inclusive engagement from older adults and people with disabilities, especially priority populations, such as Black Indigenous People of Color communities in Solano County.

The Solano Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Advisory Committee is full and is not currently accepting new members.

Solano Master Plan for Aging Advisory Committee Members

Jennifer Aguilar is a health worker for a federally qualified health center. Previously, Jennifer worked for the Monterey County Public Health Department. Jennifer is pursuing her master’s in public health, holding 10 years of experience in the social services field. Jennifer joined the Advisory Committee to provide insight and support for the committee's goals and objectives.

Robert Basa is a caregiver to his 95-year-old mother and advisor to the president of the Filipino American Community of Fairfield, Suisun, Vacaville, Inc. Previously, Robert served as President of Filipino American Community of Fairfield, Suisun, Vacaville, Inc., from 2022-2023. Robert had a career in Financial Services for 30 years, retiring in 2019. Robert joined the Advisory Committee to help in any programs within the county that have or will be developed to address the needs of the older adult population.

Monica Brown is the County Supervisor for District 2. Previously, Monica taught at Green Valley Middle School for 30 years and was formerly a Trustee at Solano Community College. Monica joined the Advisory Committee out of dedication to using her position to help solve problems posed within the community and aid in providing more services.

Coming soon.

Alisa Croner is a Program Manager and Social Worker Care Manager at Multipurpose Senior Center. Alisa joined the Advisory Committee because the aging community has long been under-served in Solano County and would like to assist in developing and coordinating meaningful responses to the needs identified within the older adult community.

Ashley Cruz is a licensed clinician on the Performance Improvement team for recovery-based care at Solano County Behavioral Health. Previously, she served as a licensed clinician on Solano County’s Behavioral Health Quality Assurance team and as a Clinical Supervisor for Fairfield’s Adult Outpatient program. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Ashley joined the Advisory Committee due to her personal and professional commitment to improving access and knowledge of resources for aging populations in Solano County and her deeply rooted connections to the community she calls home.

Olga Cutright is currently a Council Member for the Napa/Solano Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council on Aging. Previously, Olga worked at the California Attorney General’s office.

Jenalee Dawson is the Director of the Community Services Division for California Human Development, overseeing various programs and educational and outreach grants serving low-income and vulnerable communities. Previously, Jenalee worked as a Resident Services Coordinator, serving older adults. Jenalee is an Elected City Council member in the City of Suisun and volunteers on multiple Boards and Commissions throughout the community.

Wendy Fabian is a Field Representative for Assembly Member Lori Wilson. Previously, she was the Case Manager for Assembly Member Jim Frazier, collectively dedicating 5 years to serving the people of Solano, Contra Costa, and Sacramento County within Assembly District 11 (AD 11) in the California State Assembly. Wendy is also a caregiver for her 101-year-old relative. Wendy joined the Advisory Committee to leverage her experience and expertise to address the issues facing Solano County.

Angelica Gemo is a volunteer board member with North Bay Housing Coalition, helping provide access to affordable housing for people with disabilities. Currently, employed with United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay for over 15 years, providing services and support in employment, recreation, and education for adults and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Angelica joined the Advisory Committee to share and provide resources for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

 

Jennifer Hanley is the Executive Director of Carquinez Village, a nonprofit organization serving older adults in Benicia and Vallejo to support, connect, and inspire them to thrive while aging comfortably and safely in their homes. Jennifer serves as Chair of Communications and as a board member for the National Board of Directors for Village-to-Village Network. Jennifer joined the Advisory Committee to create and hold space for older adults, hoping to utilize her skill set to advocate and support Solano’s aging adult community.

Sheralyn Lime is the Coordinator for the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Solano County (ADRC). She developed the ADRC Program of Solano County and was honored officially by becoming designated by the State of California Department of Aging in December 2023. Previously, Sheralyn has worked in multiple social service sectors, including older adults and people with disabilities. Sheralyn joined the Advisory Committee out of devotion to bringing awareness and resources to older adults and people with disabilities.

Will McGarvey is the Executive Director of the Solano Pride Center. Previously, he served on the Board of the Rainbow Community Center in Concord for 6 years and was instrumental in helping change the policy around ordination and marriage equality in the PCUSA and protecting marriage equality in California. Will joined the Advisory Committee to share the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults in the community.

Deborah McQuilkin is the Senior Transit Mobility Coordinator with disabilities at Solano Transportation Authority. She manages programs tailored to the mobility needs of older adults and people with disabilities in Solano County. Deborah volunteers on the Solano County Meals on Wheels board. Previously, McQuilkin was an appointed member of the Solano County Senior Coalition. Deborah joined the Advisory Committee to contribute meaningfully to the plan and ensure the community's needs are met with care and compassion.

Susannah Meyer is the Executive Director at Empowered Aging, a nonprofit that protects the rights, safety, and quality of life of older adults and adults with disabilities in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County. Previously, Susannah worked with children with non-verbal autism and later with older adults, becoming her area of focus. Susannah is the appointed Vice Mayor of the City of Brentwood in Contra Costa.

Kim Ocampo is a retired Case Worker from the California Tribal TANF Partnership in Fairfield. Previously, Kim worked administratively in the Emergency Department of the Doctor’s Medical Center in San Pablo. Kim joined the Advisory Committee to learn more about services offered to older adults in Solano County.

Ana Petero is a Communication Studies teacher at Solano Community College. She also serves as a trustee on the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Governing Board and is part of Fairfield’s adopt-a-street program. Ana joined the Advisory Committee as an opportunity to tap into the gold mine of wisdom and experience in Solano County to better serve students within the community.

Misael Rivera is a Case Manager at Communicare+OLE, overseeing the care of at-risk populations, and providing support and resources for their needs. Misael joined the Advisory Committee to participate in resource expansion and further advocate for the needs of older adult populations seen firsthand in his work. 

Teri Ruggiero served as Executive Director of the IHSS Public Authority at Solano County Older and Disabled Adult Services, providing services to homebound older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. Teri recently retired after serving 30 years. Teri joined the Advisory Committee to improve the lives of older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, and the caregivers who help them.

Terry Scott currently serves as Benicia’s Vice Mayor and has been appointed Chair of Solano Transit. He is a City’s CURE Commission member and serves on the Solano Transit Authority’s 2030 visioning team and WETA Ferry 2050 visioning team. Previously, Terry served as Executive Director of the Benicia Community Foundation. Terry joined the Advisory Committee to make a difference in the aging community and ensure older adults are being heard and treated with respect.

Tracee Stacy is an Education and Outreach Specialist at Choice in Aging, Prevention and Early Access for Seniors Program, where she provides mental health education and suicide prevention training in the community. She also serves on the Boards of Solano County Community Health Clinics and Parkway Plaza, California Human Development. Tracee joined the Advisory Committee because she passionately advocates for seniors and their families.

Jillian Stevens is a Program Manager for Meals on Wheels in Solano County. Jillian has a background in older adult care, education, and accounting. Jillian joined the Advisory Committee to be a part of the change within her community and advocate for a demographic often forgotten. She is passionate about helping older adults on their aging journey.

Cathy Von Der Porten has lived at Trilogy, a retirement community in Rio Vista, for 5 years. Previously installed Accounting Systems for Arthur Anderson Consulting and Margin Intraday Square for a San Francisco brokerage firm. Cathy served on the San Carlos Education Foundation and the Carlmont Academic Foundation board, raising money for public schools in San Mateo County. Cathy joined the Advisory Committee to ensure the needs of older adults in Rio Vista are heard and included in the Master Plan for Aging.

Meredith is the Regional Community Relations Director at Welcome Home Care. She has lived in Solano County for over 45 years and feels a deep connection to the older adults in her community. Previously, Meredith held various roles within assisted living facilities in Vacaville. Meredith joined the Advisory Committee to make a true difference in the lives of older adults within Solano County by listening to their needs and helping solve everyday challenges.