Agustin Espino worked as a janitor for a manufacturing company about 15 years ago when his fascination with...
Op-ed: Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable children deserve better
On Dec. 19, 2023, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors held an unprecedented hearing in response to the tragic death of Baby Phoenix from a fentanyl overdose. The tragedy became headline news as details emerged suggesting it could have been prevented had the county’s Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) removed Baby Phoenix from a dangerous situation before she died. That day, the board of supervisors adopted a referral intended to prompt DFCS to take a deep look at its practices and procedures and bring forth recommendations to address issues, including appropriate caseload levels for social workers and...