To: Board of Supervisors
From: Thomas Geiger, County Counsel
Report Title: Adopt Resolution in Honor of Jacqueline Y. Woods on the Occasion of Her Retirement
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a Resolution in honor of Jacqueline Y. Woods on the occasion of her retirement from Contra Costa County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Please see attached resolution.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing the Retirement of Jacqueline Yvette Woods from Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, Jacqueline Yvette Woods graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in December 1981, received her law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in May 1985, and was licensed to practice law by the State Bar of California in July 1988; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline began her career with Contra Costa County on December 13, 1995, in the County Counsel’s Office as a Deputy County Counsel, Small Claims Advisor, where she advised pro per litigants and other legal professionals regarding small claims civil litigation practice and procedures, including alternative dispute resolution options; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 1996, Jacqueline was appointed a Deputy County Counsel, Deep Class, where she began representing the then-Social Services Department on juvenile dependency matters and temporary conservatorships and the Health Services Department on permanent conservatorships and hospital writ of habeas corpus hearings; and
WHEREAS, over the years Jacqueline rose from Deputy County Counsel, Basic Level to Deputy County Counsel, Advanced Level; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline has been the trial attorney for numerous contested hearings under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline, in her tenure representing the Social Services Department and later the Children and Family Services Bureau of the Employment and Human Services Department, expertly handled the prosecution of thousands of juvenile dependency petitions brought to protect vulnerable children, reunify families, and seek permanency planning for children, and defended many of these petitions and Juvenile Court outcomes on appeal in front of the California First District Court of Appeal; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline is the in-house expert for County Counsel regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act and paternity and parentage determination of dependent children, and over the years has provided specific instruction and training to social workers of the Children and Family Services Bureau on these issues; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline is well respected by Children and Family Service Bureau social workers, supervisors, and division managers alike for her thoughtful, poignant, and thorough legal advice regarding juvenile dependency actions; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline is well versed in the history and traditions of the County Counsel’s Office and the County in general, is sensitive to other perspectives and viewpoints, and is highly-regarded by colleagues and clients; and
WHEREAS, Jacqueline’s presence in the County Counsel’s Office will be missed not only for her leadership and commitment to public service, to the office, and to Contra Costa County, but also as a role model, mentor, and friend to all who have worked with her; and
WHEREAS, we are proud to celebrate this professional milestone in Jacqueline’s career, and to honor her and thank her for her leadership and dedicated service to Contra Costa County and the County Counsel’s Office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors congratulates Jacqueline Yvette Woods on her retirement and extends its sincerest thanks to Jacqueline for her 28 years and 10 months of distinguished service to Contra Costa County.
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