The Commission

The Act requires each county in California to establish a Commission to oversee the implementation of the Act. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance creating the San Joaquin County Children and Families Commission. The Board then appointed the Commissioners to serve on the Commission. In August 2003, the Children and Families Commission officially adopted First 5 as the Overarching Program Identity.

A nine member volunteer commission oversees the work of First 5 San Joaquin, which supports the health, development and well-being of our youngest children through their first five years. Commissioners are selected and appointed by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and includes representatives from the Board of Supervisors, County departments, and individuals who have an expertise in serving children and families.

The Children and Families Commissioners:

Suzanne Daveluy, Commissioner

Suzanne Daveluy, Commissioner
Retired Director, Community Services – Libraries and Recreation, City of Stockton

Suzanne Daveluy retired as the City of Stockton’s Director of Community Services – Libraries and Recreation – in 2021. As Director, she oversaw the 16-branch Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library system, 5 community centers, sports and fields, special events and contracted facilities. She began her career with the City of Stockton in 1989 as a Library Assistant. She worked in many capacities within the Library, including children’s librarian, programming and outreach librarian, and Deputy Director / City Librarian prior to her appointment as Director. She holds a Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law and a Master’s in Library Sciences from San Jose State University.

Throughout her career, Suzanne found her work with children and the provision of relevant services for all community members most fulfilling, all with the goal of making the library a welcoming space for all. To support young students struggling with reading, she worked with community partners to develop a summer program to provide one-on-one and small group lessons and activities. The majority of students in this program improved their reading by at least one grade level. She represented the library with community organizations, parent groups, and students of all ages Suzanne created opportunities for all community members with her pursuit of access and equity to quality library services, including high-speed Internet access and the building of micro libraries in Stockton’s community centers. A lifelong Stocktonian, Suzanne will continue serving the community she has grown up in and loved through the years.

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Vena Ford, Commissioner

Vena Ford, Commissioner
Director, Community, Marketplace, and Member Engagement,
Health Plan of San Joaquin

Vena Ford serves as the Health Plan of San Joaquin’s Director-Community, Marketplace and Member Engagement since February 2021. She is responsible for the marketing and creative strategy, Medi-Cal membership and onboarding changes in Medi-Cal benefits for Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ). She also is charged with development and implementation of a community engagement strategy that is aligned with the upcoming California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative – an ongoing priority for Governor Gavin Newsom and currently in development by California’s Health and Human Services Agency.

Vena Ford holds a master’s degree in non-profit administration from the University of San Francisco, and an undergraduate degree in health education with an emphasis in health policy and chemistry from San Francisco State University. Previously, she was a professional in community health and a non-profit manager, including serving for several years as Director of Health Equity and African American Disparities Elimination Project for Solano County (California). The initial project implementation she led continues to address the poor health of Solano County’s African American community.

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Mario Gardea, Commissioner

Mario Gardea, Commissioner
Supervisor, First District, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors

San Joaquin County has been a blessing and my home for my entire life. I am a proud husband of more than 30 years, and a proud father to our four amazing daughters. As a twenty-year veteran of the Stockton Fire Department, and Former President of the Stockton Firefighters Association. I have given my all to protect and serve the place we call home. As your County Supervisor, I will continue that service. I’m proud to be and a regular, blue-collar son of Stockton, just like you. I look forward to bringing the County back to the basics of how we govern: to provide for safe communities that we can live, work and play in; to fix our roads and sidewalks; to ensure we have employers, both public and private, that provide the kind of union-friendly jobs you can support a family on.

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Maggie Park, MD, Commissioner

Maggie Park, MD, Commissioner
County Public Health Officer, San Joaquin County Public Health Services

Dr. Maggie Park is a pediatrician and serves as the County Public Health Officer for San Joaquin County. She previously served as the medical consultant to the California Children's Services (CCS) program and oversaw the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and the Foster Care Program for San Joaquin County Public Health Services. Dr. Park was appointed as the Public Health Officer in 2020.

Dr. Park was born and raised in Southern California and attended UCLA, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physiological Sciences. She earned her medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine, then did her pediatric residency at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Park worked as an attending physician for San Joaquin General Hospital, as well as Ventura County Medical Center. Most recently, she practiced pediatrics in Stockton for Community Medical Centers and served as their Pediatric Associate Medical Director.

Dr. Park is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She has a special interest in childhood obesity, literacy, and oral health. Dr. Park lives in Stockton with her husband and two children.

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Renee Sunseri, Commissioner

Renee Sunseri, Commissioner
Director, San Joaquin County Public Health Services

Renee Sunseri, a Registered Nurse for 17 years, is currently serving as the San Joaquin County Public Health Services Director and has an established history over the children’s medical services programs: California Children’s Services, Healthcare Program for Children in Foster Care, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, and Child Health and Disability Prevention. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from University of San Francisco and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership from UCSF. She will graduate with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from UCSF in June 2024.

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Carl Toliver, Commissioner

Carl Toliver, Commissioner
Retired Superintendent, Stockton Unified School District

Carl Toliver, was appointed Superintendent of SUSD on July 27, 2010. Mr. Toliver previously served in 2006 as Interim Superintendent of Stockton Unified School District. Prior to this position, he was Deputy Superintendent, Associate Superintendent and high school Principal. He has 34 years experience in all aspects of school operations, management, curriculum development, instructional leadership, district administration, and implementation of board of education goals.

Carl had a myriad of accomplishments while in the district, with student achievement centered goals at the apex. Under Carl’s leadership, numerous successful programs were implemented and are still in place. Some of his accomplishments include establishing the International Baccalaureate Program at Franklin High School; spearheading the Restructuring program, implementing a site-based management council and developing comprehensive plan resulting in Stagg High School receiving the California Distinguished School designation. He led the successful reconfiguration of K-8 schools. Carl provided the leadership that resulted in the passing of the $120,000,000 bond, Measure Q.

Carl received both his B.S in Social Science and M.A. – Educational Administration from UOP. He holds a California Administrative Clear Credential, California Standard Secondary Credential, and California Standard Teaching Credential. In addition, Carl has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2004 State of California Central Office Administrator by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

Carl has served as a United Way Board member; served on the Stockton Mid-Town Revitalization Strategy Advisory Group; and the 2005 Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Crime Task Force Committee. He is on the Retired Administrators Committee for the Association of California School Administrators.

Carl was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and is married to his wife, Marguerite, whom he has known since the first grade. He is an avid golfer but loves the freedom to travel and spend time with his wife and family, especially his grandson.

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Chris Woods, Commissioner

Chris Woods, Commissioner
Director, Human Services Agency, San Joaquin County

Chris Woods is the Director of the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency (HSA). As the Director, he is responsible for the administration of County social services programs including CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Children’s Services, Aging and Community Services, Mary Graham Children’s Shelter, and First 5 San Joaquin. HSA has 1,282 employees and an annual budget of over $411 million.

Chris began his career in social services with HSA as an Eligibility Worker in 1997 after earning his Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Linfield College. Upon completion of his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of the Pacific in 1999, Chris promoted within HSA to Management Analyst, Management Services Administrator, and Deputy Director of Administration. In 2015, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of HSA. In September 2019, Chris was appointed Director of HSA by the Board of Supervisors.

Chris is committed to HSA, its mission, and the community. He believes HSA has a tremendous group of dedicated staff and is thankful to be a part of the HSA team.

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Vacant, Commissioner