PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                  

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

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Watsonville, CA – The PVPSA Board of Directors was pleased to announce Jasmine Najera, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to serve as interim CEO beginning August 15, 2022.  Current CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez has taken the position of CEO at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Cruz County. 

 

From 2006 thru 2021, Jasmine worked with the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County where she served in many capacities. She brings experience in both Adult Behavioral Health and Children’s Behavioral health and has served as a Mental Health Client Specialist, Forensic Services Supervisor, Forensic Services Program Manager, and Children’s Behavioral Health Supervisor.  Since the beginning of 2022, Jasmine served as Clinical Intern Supervisor for PVPSA. She also serves on the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board, and as Chair of the Monarch Services Board.

 

"I am excited to work alongside the leadership team and staff of PVPSA as the Interim Executive Director while the search to hire a new CEO begins,” said Najera. “I hope to provide a sense of stability & support for the team during this transition and look forward to learning and growing professionally as well!”

 

At the direction of the Board, PVPSA will be conducting a national search for a permanent CEO. 

The Board is finalizing the selection of the firm to conduct this search.

 

“Jasmine will be a terrific addition to the PVPSA team and is a great choice for helping steer the ship in the interim while a search is being conducted for a permanent CEO,” stated outgoing CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez. “As bittersweet as it is to be leaving, I am comforted that PVPSA will be in incredibly capable hands.  I cannot thank the staff, board and community enough for making my time at PVPSA so rewarding and fulfilling.”

 

Since 1991 PVPSA has been providing comprehensive health education, mental health services, substance abuse and intervention and prevention services, and direct counseling to the students and families of the Pajaro Valley.  From its inception, PVPSA has maintained a leadership role in prevention and intervention. With a deep commitment to addressing the social determinants of health, the agency utilizes an upstream public health approach to achieving community health and wellness. This includes health related public policy advocacy efforts.

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