Health and Social Services Department

About the Organization

Solano County Health and Social Services Department was created by the Board of Supervisors in 1992. The Department program areas include behavioral health services, social services, public health, medical services, and administrative services. HSS has a $515 million-dollar annual operating budget with more than 1,400 employees working throughout Solano County.

The mission of Solano County Health and Social Services Department is to promote healthy, safe and stable lives. The Department's vision is for a healthy, safe and stable community. The values of Health & Social Services are:

  • Diversity
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Fairness
  • Transparency
  • Equity
  • Responsiveness



    About the Director

    Emery Cowan is the Director of Solano County Health and Social Services (H&SS), who brings over 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, including mental health, substance use, and community-based services. As H&SS Director, Ms. Cowan oversees a $515 million annual budget and 1,400 employees across behavioral health, social services, public health, medical, and administrative services. She previously served as Chief Deputy Behavioral Health Director, overseeing the County Mental Health Plan, Drug Medi-Cal waiver, employment and housing/homelessness initiatives, CalAIM, Prop 1, and service contracts. Throughout her career across 3 states (FL, NC, CA), she has served in leadership and direct service roles, including supporting the expansion of evidence-based practices, quality and performance improvement. Ms. Cowan is the first Latina to hold the HSS Director role in Solano County and is committed to improving access to treatment while advancing equity, social justice, inclusion, resilience, and cultural competence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and is a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. She also serves as President-Elect of the California Association of LPCCs, advocating for the profession and supporting newly licensed professionals.

    HSS Leadership Team

    Emery Cowan, Director
    Roger Robinson, Assistant Director
    Amanda Powell, Office Supervisor
    Terry McManus, Chief Welfare Fraud Investigator
    Girlie Jarumay, Chief Deputy of Administration, Fiscal Operations

    • Employment and Eligibility (E&E)- Kelley Curtis, Deputy Director
    • Child Welfare Services (CWS)- Neely McElroy, Deputy Director
    • Older Disabled Adult Services (ODAS)- Gwendolyn Gill, Administrator
    • Behavioral Health (BH)- Jen Mullane, Chief Deputy Director
    • Public Health (PH)- Bela Matyas, Chief Deputy Health- Health Officer
    • Family Health Services (FHS)- Dona Weissenfels, Clinic Operations Officer

    Land Acknowledgment

    HSS acknowledges the land on which we are gathered. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of the Native American tribes of the Suisune, the Patwin of the Wintun tribes, Miwuk, Karkin Ohlone, Yoche Dehe, and the countless other California tribes that are the original stewards of this land. We honor Solano County’s ancestral grounds. We recognize the history of genocide and continued inequities experienced by the Native American People in Solano County. The forced cessation of Native Americans on this land is an open wound. We would like to acknowledge the displacement and lost lives due to colonization and ongoing disparities. We honor those who have passed and those who continue to maintain the traditions of this vibrant culture that benefit us today.

    Pronunciation Guide:
    • Suisune - Sis-SOON-ee
    • Patwin - PUT-win
    • Wintun - Win-TUN
    • Miwuk - ME-wuk
    • Karkin Ohlone - Kar-KEEN Oh-lone-EE
    • Yoche Dehe - Yo-CHA De-HEE