Committees

Community Advisory Committee

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) gives Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) information about important issues that affect Medi-Cal members in Ventura County to further enhance the quality of the experience between the members and the Plan. The 10 voting members represent various constituencies served by the Plan. They include:

Beneficiaries with chronic medical conditions.
County Health Care Agency.
County Human Services Agency.
Foster children.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Persons with disabilities.
Persons with special needs.
Seniors.

The Health Care Agency and the Human Services Agency are standing seats. With the exception of those positions, each of the appointed members serves a two-year term; however, committee members may reapply for additional terms as there are no term limits. The committee meets at least quarterly.

We are currently looking for members of our community to join the committee. If you are a beneficiary or a member of the community who is interested in joining the CAC, please submit an application (English and Spanish).

CAC Members

Ruben Juarez, Chairperson

Ventura County Health Care Agency, Whole Person Care

Ruben Juarez is the CAC chairperson. Mr. Juarez is a community services worker with Ventura County’s Whole Person Care (WPC) program. The program facilitates the coordination of health, behavioral health and social services. WPC helps all patients with their goals and improvement of their overall health and well-being through more efficient and effective use of resources. In his role with WPC, Mr. Juarez supports all Medi-Cal beneficiaries identified as high users of services who continue to be in poor health. He connects members with public and private entities, providing comprehensive care and follow-up to help those who are experiencing homelessness.

Pablo Velez, Vice Chairperson

Amigo Baby, Inc.

Pablo Velez is the CAC vice chairperson, and is the CEO / President / Founder of Amigo Baby, Inc. He has a medical doctoral degree from Colombia, where he developed several county-based services. Upon moving to the U.S., he began working with special needs children, lectured in several community organizations and, in 2004, created Amigo Baby, Inc. to serve the Ventura County community. Mr. Velez brings more than 20 years of medical and special needs experience to infants and children with developmental delays.

Frisa Herrera

Casa Pacifica

Frisa Herrera has been employed at Casa Pacifica since March 1999 as both the clinic manager and Medi-Cal biller. Casa Pacifica serves abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents from the tri-county region of Southern California. Ms. Herrera has a unique understanding and familiarity with the needs of foster children and is deeply committed to serving this population. Her goal is to "be the voice for the foster community in Ventura County."

Martha Johnson

Ventura County Health Care Agency

Martha Johnson is the Outreach Coordinator for Ventura County Health Care Agency (VCHCA). In her position, she plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the outreach activities for VCHCA, including serving as referral source for the various services offered by the agency and insuring health care access availability to residents in Ventura County. She completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology at California State University, Channel Island, where she focused on research and social justice. Johnson has worked with Ventura County’s most vulnerable population for more than 10 years, meeting their needs and breaking barriers. She is driven by her personal experiences and by the community she works with.

Paula Johnson

The Arc of Ventura County

Paula Johnson is the director of clinical services at The Arc of Ventura County. She has many years of experience working with individuals and families of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her educational background includes a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology. Ms. Johnson is a certified instructor for the Crisis Prevention Institute and American Heart Association.

Laurie Hall Jordan

Rainbow Connection Family Resource Center

Laurie Hall Jordan works for the Rainbow Connection Family Resource Center at Tri-Counties Regional Center. She has been with Rainbow Connection for nearly 30 years providing information, training and support for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Ms. Jordan serves as a community representative on the Improving State Systems subcommittee for the state Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention. She is currently chairwoman of the Community Advisory Committee for the Special Education Local Plan Area. She also serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Board Youth & Family Committee. Ms. Jordan’s son and granddaughter are Gold Coast Health Plan members.

Victoria Jump

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging

Elaine Martinez

Ventura County Human Services Agency

Elaine Martinez currently serves as the deputy director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency (HSA), where she oversees Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility determination. Prior to her selection as deputy director in 2021, she served in various management positions within HSA beginning in 1998. During that time, she oversaw services for vulnerable children and adult populations. Mrs. Martinez holds a bachelor's degree in sociology, a master's degree in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Rafael Stoneman

Gold Coast Veterans Foundation

Rafael Stoneman currently serves as the mobile veterans outreach director for Gold Coast Veterans Foundation. In his position, Stoneman locates and responds to unhoused veterans and places them in shelters and housing. He also assists with other essentials, such as helping veterans apply for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Social Security benefits, work, food stamps, providing transportation to medical appointments, etc. Stoneman earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of LaVerne on the G.I. Bill after serving in the Army on active duty from 2006 to 2009. He later earned a certificate in drug and alcohol counseling from Oxnard College in 2018. Stoneman’s service dog Leo, a 177-pound Alaskan Malamute, is by his side 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Community Advisory Committee Calendar

CAC meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend.

2023 Community Advisory Committee Calendar

2023

March 15, 2023 (special meeting)
February 15, 2023 (special meeting)
January 25, 2023 (English / Spanish)
January 18, 2023 (notice of cancellation)
January 4, 2023 (special meeting) (English / Spanish)

2022

2021

2017

2016

2015

December 16, 2015 (amended).
September 16, 2015 (canceled).
July 22, 2015 Meeting Agenda.
June 24, 2015 (rescheduled).
March 18, 2015 Meeting Agenda.

2014

2013

2012

2011

Quality Improvement Committee

The Quality Improvement Committee (QIC) is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the overall effectiveness of quality improvement activities at Gold Coast Health Plan. The committee oversees the annual review, analysis and evaluation for achievement of goals of the Quality Improvement Program and the Quality Improvement Work Plan. The committee makes recommendations for implementation of interventions or corrective actions based on results of quality improvement activities. The committee also provides updates to the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission on a quarterly basis.

2023 Quality Improvement Committee Calendar

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Provider Advisory Committee

The Provider Advisory Committee (PAC) reviews GCHP's policies and programs, explores relevant issues, discusses how the Plan may best fulfill its mission, and gives advice and makes recommendations to the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission.