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Director and Executive Staff
Mission
It is the Mission of San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency to promote personal responsibility, independence and self-sufficiency of individuals and families through a responsive and accessible system that acknowledges the dignity of all individuals we serve and will provide them services with respect and compassion.
Additionally, this agency may not discriminate against you on the basis of your actual or perceived age, ancestry, race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, genetic information, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or physical or mental disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
If you feel that you have been discriminated against, contact the county representative listed as the Civil Rights Coordinator below. If your problem is still not resolved, you can contact the California Department of Social Services.
CORE VALUES
CARING
Open minded, problem solving, consideration, listening without judgement, attentiveness, responsiveness compassion.
OPTIMISM
Flexibility, patience, encouragement, hop, perseverance, positive outlook, humor.
RESPECT
Dignity, fairness, courtesy, kindness, compassion, integrity, loyalty, trust, honor ones diversity, equality, appreciation, self- respect.
EFFICIENCY
Dependable, integrity, trust, conscientious, commitment, teamwork.
Director and Executive Staff
our promise
- To strive for excellence in meeting the changing needs of our community.
- To provide effective community collaboration for services that support, assist, educate, and protect individuals, families, and children.
- To continue to pursue professional growth and development which will best serve the people of San Benito County.
- To continue our commitment to treat all people with respect, dignity, and courtesy.
Executive Staff
TRACEY BELTON
DIRECTOR - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
Tracey Belton brings 23 years of Health and Human Services experience to the organization. In building her public service career, Ms. Belton has worked in several areas of discipline, including Public Assistance Administration, Child Welfare Services and Adult Protective Services. Ms. Belton has a strong devotion to helping members of the community, and has a sincere passion to serve the young and old.
Ms. Belton is also actively involved with additional County Committees, Boards and Professional Teams. She actively participates on the San Benito County Homeless Committee, the School Attendance Review Board (SARB), the Domestic Violence Committee, the Sexual Assault Review Team (SART), the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP), and is also a Forensic Interviewer for the Child Abuse Response Team (CART). Ms. Belton also strives to build upon her professional and career development by participating in continuing management and leadership courses.
Ms. Belton is committed to advancing the community’s knowledge and understanding of the available public assistance programs, as well as the impacts of poverty on children and families.
AMANDA GEIPE, DSW
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Dr. Amanda Geipe is an accomplished executive in Social Services, known for her expertise in facilitating coordination across governmental systems. With a strong background in policy navigation and data analytics, she specializes in multisystem integration for complex populations, including justice-involved individuals. Dr. Geipe has developed innovative service delivery models that improve outcomes and has extensive experience in direct services with Child Protective Services, Employment Services, and Administration. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California and has lectured at California State University East Bay in both the Criminal Justice and Social Work departments.
JILLIAN SHAW
STAFF SERVICES MANAGER
In her role, Ms. Shaw is responsible for managing the Staff Services department within the Health and Human Services Agency. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University Monterey Bay and went on to complete her master’s degree at Azusa Pacific University with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
LUPE RUBALCAVA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Mr. Rubalcava holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on organizational leadership, as well as a master's degree in leadership and organizational studies from Fresno Pacific University.
A distinguished veteran, Mr. Rubalcava's service in the Marine Corps is commendable. Beyond his military accomplishments, he plays an active role in his community by serving on the Le Grand High School Board of Trustees assuming the position of President of the local Tri-City Bulldogs Youth Football and Cheer Program. Utilizing his bilingual and biliterate skills to their fullest potential, he effectively assists the residents of San Benito County.
JOSH MERCIER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - CHILDREN AND ADULT SERVICES
Mr. Mercier has administrative oversight of the following divisions within the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency: Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Resource Family Approval, In-Home Support Services, and Public Authority.
Mr. Mercier accepted employment with the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency-Child Protective Services Division in June 2008. He has served the as an Emergency Response CPS Social Worker and Court CPS Social Worker from 2008-2013. He then transitioned into the role of CPS Supervisor overseeing the Emergency Response and Court Units. Mr. Mercier then accepted a position with the San Benito County Healthcare District overseeing social services for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Community Health Clinics, and San Benito Home Health Care from 2016-2020. In February of 2020, he accepted the role of Deputy Director of Children and Adult Services for the County of San Benito.
Joshua Mercier attended California State University, Chico and completed his undergraduate education receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2006. He continued his education and received his master’s degree in social work from CSU-Chico in 2008.
ENRIQUE ARREOLA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - COMMUNITY SERVICES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Enrique Arreola has been with the agency for over 15 years as the Deputy Director of Community Services & Workforce Development (CSWD) and is responsible for the administration and operations of the division. He manages the Community Action Agency, homeless and housing programs, the America's Job Center of California (AJCC) and the San Benito County Migrant Center.
Mr. Arreola has over 30 years’ experience managing social service programs to low-income families, children and youth, seniors and has extensive experience for the oversight, leadership, contract compliance, fiscal and administration. With a passion for the underprivileged, he has dedicated his professional career to helping the most vulnerable members of our community.
Mr. Arreola was born in Mexico, raised in Hollister by a migrant family of 9 children and worked in the fields until the age of 20. His greatest pride is his three lovely children. He is bilingual/biliterate in English and Spanish.
MALLORY SCHMIDT
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
As the Deputy Director of Public Health Services, Mallory Schmitt provides strategic leadership and oversight to initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of San Benito County. With over 7 years of experience in public health, Ms. Schmitt brings extensive expertise in communicable disease prevention, control, and epidemiology. In this role, Ms. Schmitt oversees key public health programs, including communicable disease, oral health, tobacco education, CalFresh Health Living, emergency preparedness, and communications. Ms. Schmitt holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree from Northern Arizona University. She is passionate about empowering communities and building resilient systems to achieve lasting, positive outcomes. Beyond professional achievements, Ms. Schmitt has a long-standing passion for serving her community through being a member of the San Benito County YMCA advisory board, volunteering as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for foster youth, coaching Hollister Heat Girls Fastpitch, and serving on the Community Food Bank Board of Directors.
CHERYL SCOTT, MD,MPH
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER
Dr. Scott focuses on strengthening programs, managing communicable and environmental threats, and utilizing science, social determinants, and community initiative to guide San Benito County towards achieving optimal health for all.
Dr. Scott has an impressive background in public health. She joined the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service and the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS) in the early 90s. Throughout her twenty-year tenure as a USPHS Medical Officer, she worked in different programs at CDC headquarters, state health departments, and took on international assignments. From 2000-2005 Dr. Scott was seconded to the US Department of State as inaugural CDC Director in the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar. During her career, Dr. Scott has shaped maternal and child health policies, played a role in establishing a global infrastructure for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care, and provided leadership in managing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, communicable diseases, and disaster management in multiple settings. She retired from the USPHS in 2010 at the rank of CAPT. Before her current position, Dr. Scott worked as a Medical Consultant at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for five years. In this role, she focused on areas such as Community Health Services, Maternal and Child Health, and HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Scott grew up in Oakland, CA, and graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She further pursued graduate studies at Boston University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Additionally, she completed clinical residencies in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Scott continues to provide guidance and support to initiatives that align with her passions for education, history, health equity, and human rights.
GAIL DEVAUL
DEPUTY DIRECTOR - FISCAL
Gail DeVaul is the Deputy Director of Fiscal Administration in the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and oversees the Fiscal staff for HHSA. The Fiscal Division supports the Agency by providing caring interactions with clients as well as accurate and timely administration of fiscal and budget processes. Gail is grateful for the opportunity to serve within an Agency that seeks to improve the lives of children and adults in our community. Gail brings 20 years of experience having served as a budget and fiscal analyst and as Fiscal Officer for the Department of Transportation for the City of San Jose prior to coming to San Benito County in 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University as well as a master’s in public administration also from SJSU.
