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A measure to the require the Office of Suicide Prevention to identify state bridges and roadways with a history of high numbers of suicide-related deaths and to work with the Department of Transportation to recommend strategies to reduce those deaths was approved Thursday on a unanimous vote of 11-0 in the Senate Committee on Health.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 440.
AB 440 builds on Ramos’s broader commitment to improving mental health care in California. In 2020, he authored AB 2112, which established the Office of Suicide Prevention, or OSP, as the state’s lead agency for coordinating and streamlining suicide prevention efforts and resources.
“California needs a comprehensive statewide policy to evaluate and prevent suicide on state bridges. Caltrans and OSP must work together to identify and implement effective strategies,” Ramos said.
"AB 440 is a strong example of how a community driven approach can lead to a meaningful impact in the fight to prevent suicide,” said Lyn Morris, LMFT and chief executive officer of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. “Thanks to Assemblymember Ramos’ leadership and the collaboration with state and local agencies, AB 440 demonstrates that there is a commitment and belief that collectively, we can prevent suicide."
Didi Hirsch is a sponsor for the legislation.
AB 440 would require Caltrans and OSP to identify cost-effective strategies to reduce suicides and suicide attempts on the state’s bridges and roadways.
This bill would also require OSP to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the strategies that it identifies on or before Dec. 31, 2027. Provisions in the bill would end Jan. 1, 2029.
The Assembly Committee on Health bill analysis stated that suicide is the leading cause of violent death and self-harm is the third leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits.
The analysis also cites a 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention that contained goals for integrating suicide prevention into the workplace and other community settings.
Ramos added, “We need to be proactive to ensure we provide at-risk individuals with the help they need. Creating strategies that build in time to reconsider fatal choices can save lives and prevent long lasting traumatic pain in families and communities.”
Supporters include the Bridge Rail Association, California Alliance of Child and Family Services, California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies, California Hospital Association, California Police Chiefs Association, County Behavioral Health Directors, California State Association of Psychiatrists, Children Now, National Alliance on Mental Illness/California, County of San Bernardino, United Domestic Workers/AFSCME Local 3930, Wayfinder Family Services, Hillsides Pasadena, Helpline Youth Counseling and Sycamores.
AB 440 will next head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Office of Education announced that its Teach Lake County, or TLC, program has received full program approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
This is a key step in establishing itself as a fully independent and locally operated teacher preparation program.
“This progress marks a significant moment for our community and for the future of education in rural California,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg. “Teach Lake County is not just about credentials, it’s about building capacity from within and giving our educators a high-quality, affordable path to earn their credential.”
With full program approval, TLC is preparing for the next phase of development. The team is focused on refining and enriching the curriculum to better reflect the needs of local schools, especially in areas like trauma-informed teaching and rural education.
Originally launched in 2017, TLC has continued to develop as a local solution to the teacher shortage. TLC was created to provide an accessible, community-based credentialing option for individuals with bachelor’s degrees.
TLC was granted provisional program approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, or CTC, in 2021, allowing the program to operate independently while demonstrating that it meets rigorous state standards.
Prior to that, candidates earned their credentials through partnerships with institutions such as the North Coast School of Education.
With this full approval, the program’s structure and outcomes have now been formally validated by the state based on years of documented success.
“We’ve come a long way since launching our first cohort,” said Jamie Buckner-Bridges, director of Teach Lake County. “Moving toward full CTC approval means we’ll be able to expand what we offer, both in terms of program options and the communities we serve.”
Since launching its first cohort in 2017, nearly 70 educators have graduated from the Teach Lake County program and earned their credentials, contributing directly to addressing the teacher shortage in Lake County and beyond.
Equally important is TLC’s commitment to reaching deeper into underserved and rural communities throughout California. This includes areas that have long struggled with limited access to affordable, high-quality credentialing programs.
By continuing to grow and adapt, Teach Lake County remains dedicated to its mission: to train teachers who are rooted in their communities and prepared to meet the needs of every student.
For more information about the Teach Lake County program, visit www.lakecoe.org/TLC.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Lakeshore Lion’s Club of Clearlake is sponsoring its 67th annual Redbud Parade and Festival.
The parade will start at Redbud Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, and will proceed down Lakeshore Drive to Austin Park.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Cruising the 50s.”
This year’s Grand Marshall is Darrell Jarett who has served 45 years with Lakeshore and Lake County Fire.
The event will feature local marchers, marching bands, decorated floats, vintage cars, parade and show horses, fire and police vehicles, and much more.
The Lakeshore Lion’s Club also will sponsor the firework display at dark, so please stay and enjoy the day.
The city of Clearlake will host a free concert showcasing Dylan Schneider at 7 p.m.
The Midway of Fun Carnival will be at Austin Park, pre-sale tickets are available at Clearlake Automotive, Bob’s Vacuum, Griffin’s Furniture, Kevin Ness Jewelers, Elegant Touch and A+B Collision. For ticket information call 707-350-7100.
At Austin Park, the Lakeshore Lions and Lakeshore Lioness will feature cold drinks and beer. Also, for your pleasure there will be food, arts and craft vendors, games and entertainment for all. The Clearlake Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the International Worm Races.
This is the largest fundraiser for the Lakeshore Lions Club, and attendees can show community spirit and support by helping them raise money for all the many causes Lakeshore Lions Club aids in the community.
The club supports vision care for the needy, high school sports, sober graduation, scholarships and many other school activities, as well as fire and police departments, the Clearlake Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, South Shore Little League, and many very notable causes.
Anyone who wishes to enter the parade can pick up an entry form at the Clearlake Chamber of Commerce office, Bob’s Vacuum, Clearlake Automotive, and Kevin Ness Jewelers. All Arts and Craft vendors interested in booths, please call Nan Shields at Bob’s Vacuum at 707-994-9752.
To gather all the information you need for the parade, please call Alvaro Valencia at 707-350-7100.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has a big group of new puppies and adult dogs needing homes.
The dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Chihuahua, German shepherd, husky, Labrador Retriever, pit bull terrier, Pomeranian, terrier and shepherd.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
Those animals shown on this page at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson