Candace DeCou

Candace brings both lived experience as a family member and consumer to the Behavioral Health Board. She is a single mother of two children, both of whom have experienced addiction. In addition, she had been living in Paradise, CA when the horrific Camp Fire burned through the town in November of 2018 destroying her home and all her possessions. She has suffered from severe depression and anxiety following that event, and is currently in therapy to help her deal with that terrible loss.

Candace brings over 30 years of experience managing and teaching a wide range of applications. Her background includes extensive hands-on management and staffing responsibilities for call centers, IT service desk, and other support centers for both large and small technology companies, including start-ups. She holds a Certificate in Training and HR Development from the University of Santa Cruz and is ITIL Certified. Candace has been honored with a nomination for Santa Clara County Woman of Achievement award for her motivational style and encouragement of women in business and for her community volunteer efforts with at-risk youth.

She is currently living in her home of 40+ years in Campbell where she manages a small flock of chickens and a large backyard garden with a few fruit trees. Her menagerie includes several cats, many of whom were rescued through TNR groups. She spends her spare time sculpting items using polymer clay and has some of her work for sale in a local craft boutique.