Header Image of Supervisor Janet Nguyen
September 4, 2009

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Welcome to this issue of Janet’s Journal, a First District Report designed to keep you updated on issues and events concerning our communities in Orange County especially in the First District.

I am proud and honored to represent over 600,000 people within the First District covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City.

I hope you will find this journal informative. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,
Supervisor Janet Nguyen

Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. Board of Supervisors

2. Janet Around the First District

3. Local Issues

4. Requests for Proposals

5. Community Events

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Volume 3 Issue 13
 
Janet's Journal

Labor Day- September 7th, is a great day to recognize the working men and women everywhere who have contributed heroically to our great country.

Labor Day is our nation's annual tribute to the American workers who have built this country through their strength, love for freedom and leadership. Labor Day is also a celebration of family values, hard work and personal contributions to country and community.

I salute all of you and thank you for your dedicated service to your country.

 Board of Supervisors

September Designated as National Preparedness Month

The Board of Supervisors has approved a Resolution to designate the month of September as "National Preparedness Month" to create an important opportunity for every resident of the United States to prepare their homes, businesses and communities in the event of a major emergency.

Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every citizen. Make preparedness a priority by taking the following four simple steps:

  1. Assemble or purchase an Emergency Supply Kit.
  2. Establish a comprehensive Family Emergency Action Plan.
  3. Become educated in the types of disasters that can occur in the County.
  4. Get involved with local preparedness organizations and efforts.
In the County, the ReadyOC campaign has re-launched www.ReadyOC.org to provide a centralized regional website portal for emergency preparedness resources for the benefit and personal safety of all citizens. The Board strongly encourages all citizens and businesses to develop comprehensive emergency preparedness action plans.

Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Annual Report

For the economic protection of Orange County residents, the Board of Supervisors authorized the funding for a specialized unit that will prosecute, investigate and deter real estate fraud crimes. Accordingly, the Real Estate Prosecution Trust Fund, Fund 12G, was established for deposit of the fee beginning April 13, 2009.

Under Government Code section 27388, the District Attorney is required to submit the annual report to the Board and to the Legislative Analyst's Office on or before September 1, 2009 of each year. The Board has received and filed the report that covers the period from April 13, 2009 to June 30, 2009, which represents the start up period of the program. To view the report, click here.

Victim/Witness Advocate Assistance Services

The Board has approved an increase to the Community Services Programs, Inc. contract monetary limit by $17,793 for the period from July 1, 2009 through and including June 30, 2010. The limit increase is to add victim/witness advocate assistance services as required by the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program (VV) funded from the federal Violence Against Women Act.

Grant funds for VV will be utilized to support a domestic violence vertical prosecution team comprised of a full-time Deputy District Attorney, a part-time Paralegal, and a part-time Victim Advocate. The Victim Advocate will provide a broad range of services including intake assessment, crisis counseling, case management, resources and referrals, and education about the criminal justice system.

Vertical Prosecution refers to a method in which a prosecutor is assigned to the case from the initial point of referral to the completion of the prosecution. This method results in continuity and improves prosecution success.

Emergency Management Performance Grant

The Orange County Operational Area emergency response organization has been awarded grant funding through the FY 09 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program. The grant is to support activities that contribute to the grant recipient's capability to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, whether natural or manmade.

Of the $446,880 awarded, a total of $213,440 will be distributed to all cities in the County and $233,440 will be retained by the Sheriff's Emergency Management Bureau. Funding allocation is based upon the population figures from the California Department of Finance.

Estimated distribution within the First District:
City Population Allocation
Garden Grove 174,715 $12,350
Santa Ana 355,662 $25,140
Westminster 93,284 $6,594

EMPG grant funds are received every year and are used by the Sheriff's Emergency Management Bureau toward salaries of staff who update the County's Emergency Plans, provide emergency management training, maintain the Emergency Operations Center, and respond to actual emergency events.

Development of County Emergency Medical Services Data System

An agreement with the State of California Emergency Medical Services to develop an Orange County Medical Emergency Data System has been approved by the Board. Orange County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers respond to more than 150,000 calls every year, completing a pre-hospital care report for every patient encounter. The current system is "paper based" with limited use of electronic data. The Health Care Agency has already begun developing this system that will allow monitoring of every EMS patient encounter from the moment that a 9-1-1 call is received to the moment that the patient is discharged from the emergency department.

California State Library Grant for Literacy Services

The Board has accepted the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) Grant Award for $62,471. The funding provides a continual baseline of support based on achievement of literacy program essentials and reporting requirements. Learner-centered literacy instruction supports adult learners and their families in their major life roles as community members, workers, family members and life-long learners.

California has approximately 3.4 million adults with below basic literacy skills. More than 100 CLLS libraries serve nearly 20,000 adults annually in more than 800 library branches and other outlets statewide. The OC Public Libraries Literacy Program manages more than 300 volunteer tutors who are providing instruction to more than 400 learners in various programs, such as Adult Literacy Services, Family for Literacy, English as Second Language, among others. As a result, these adults are voting for the first time, reading newspapers, reading aloud to their children and securing jobs. To learn more about California Library Literacy Services, click here.

Housing Authority SEMAP Certification

The Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) Certification is a method used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to measure performance in administering the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The SEMAP ratings enable HUD to monitor program utilization and identify management capabilities and deficiencies through a fourteen performance indicator system. HUD established SEMAP in September 1998 and implemented rules effective January 3, 2000. Since that time, HUD has updated and enhanced its Public and Indian Housing Information Center (PIC) requiring housing authorities to electronically submit program transactions and performance data on an ongoing basis.

The review of applicable performance measures for this year indicates that OCHA's overall SEMAP score will be sufficient to achieve a "high performer" agency rating for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. To review the SEMAP Certification, click here.

Support Services for Juvenile Probationers

The Board has approved the agreement between the County of Orange and the Orange County Superintendent of Schools (Superintendent) for the provision of Probation Officer and Support Services for the Community School Program effective September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010.

The Superintendent and the Orange County Probation Department have partnered since 1991 under a contract to operate the Community School Program for juvenile probationers. Under the program, students are referred when remedial options at the local school district level have been exhausted in response to truancy, behavioral and/or non-enrollment problems.

Youth Guidance Center Funding Approved

The Board of Supervisors recently approved a sole source agreement for a Job Specialist and Instructor position with the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program (NOCROP).

NOCROP is an accredited career and technical training center providing career preparation classes and services for youth and adults. For the past several years, NOCROP has provided a vocational training program at the Youth Guidance Center (YGC). Minors participate in two programs: Addiction Substance Abuse Education Recognition and Treatment (ASERT) and Sobriety Through Education and Prevention (STEP).

ASERT and STEP participants are generally of transitional age and are close to reaching adulthood upon release. Through the services of a Job Placement Specialist, with NOCROP assuming a large portion of compensable salaries and benefits, YGC minors have learned to develop resumes and prepare for job interviews. While receiving employment counseling and vocation training from NOCROP at YGC, the minors are able to gain credits toward a high school diploma as well.

Due to its own budget constraints, NOCROP has requested an increased level of contribution from the County for its services at YGC. At the same time, NOCROP has offered to expand its services by adding an Instructor position to teach "Career Training for Transition" (CTT) courses. The CTT course will assist minors in developing more marketable skills such as computer applications, critical thinking, communication and teamwork.

Family-to-Family Initiative Receives Funding

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently awarded the Social Services Agency (SSA) a $100,000 grant to assist with the Family-to-Family (F2F) Initiative. SSA's proposed budget will utilize the funding to augment F2F services to birth parents, expand foster and adoptive parent recruitment in communities with an identified need and related staff training.

The F2F Initiative is designed to keep children in their homes by providing services to preserve families; develop a network of family foster care that is located primarily in the communities in which children live; and reduce multiple placements and length of stay for children in congregate care.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation offered to counties that were implementing the F2F Initiative, including Orange County, an opportunity to apply on a yearly basis for a $100,000 grant for a three-year grant cycle to strengthen support of the F2F Initiative in their community.

Medical Services Initiative Program

The Board of Supervisors recently approved agreements with various providers of hospital, clinic and administrative services for the Health Care Agency's Medical Services Initiative (MSI) Program. These agreements included distribution of $8,078,732 of additional funds provided by the State Department of Health Care Services for services provided under the State's Coverage Initiative program. These added funds will be distributed to MSI contracting hospitals in accordance with the approved agreements.

Master Agreement Approved for Professional Services

The Board of Supervisors recently approved a Master Agreement for the provision of Professional Services with the Health Care Agency (HCA) to ensure the continuity of services to vulnerable client populations.

Services provided by clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, dentists, marriage and family therapists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physicians, psychiatrists and registered nurses were all included in this agreement.

HCA provides essential medical, dental, behavioral and other support services through its Behavioral Health, Public Health and Medical and Institutional Health programs. The availability of contracting for these services provides the flexibility needed to maintain levels of services required by State and other mandates as part of the conditions of eligibility for State and Federal funding. It provides a mechanism to flexibly adjust staffing to adapt to changing caseload requirements. Many of these providers are actively working in the Orange County medical community assisting HCA in meeting community standards for health care.

Pediatric Immunization Project

The County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently received an increase in funding from the California Department of Public Health for the Pediatric Immunization Project. The funding reflects an increase of $159,584 from the previous fiscal year.

The goals of the Pediatric Immunization Project are to promote childhood immunizations to reduce incidence of preventable diseases and increase coordination of immunizations through the use of an immunization registry. Utilization of the registry assists Public Health efforts by informing providers of vaccines needed by children and adults and reducing unnecessary duplicate vaccinations.

As of May 2009, 197 Orange County providers and 121,170 Orange County children below six years of age were enrolled in the registry. This is a 21 percent increase in the number of Orange County providers and a 50 percent increase in the number of Orange County children below six years of age enrolled in the registry since July 1, 2008.

Funding allows HCA to provide community immunizations monitoring, immunization registration, education and outreach activities, and expanded immunization opportunities. Increased funds will support entry of the immunization data into the registry by the Orange County Rescue Mission and fund HCA staff to expand outreach to families and providers, thus providing support for the registration of children into the system. The program is now able to educate parents utilizing day care centers about the value of immunizations and the benefits of the registry.

Green Jobs Grant

The Board of Supervisors recently approved the receipt of a $937,890 grant from the State of California Employment Development Department for "green jobs."

This project will train 112 Orange County at-risk and disconnected youth ages 16 to 24 for a variety of green careers in eco-friendly industries while they continue their education and contribute to the greening of their communities. Participating youth will receive pre-employment, work maturity and life skills training.

Waterfront Family Inn at Newport Dunes

The Board of Supervisors recently approved a plan that would facilitate the development of a waterfront family inn at Newport Dunes.

Newport Dunes is a 102-acre recreation facility on County-owned tidelands in Upper Newport Bay within the city of Newport Beach. The property includes a 450-slip marina, a boat launch ramp, a dry boat storage facility, an RV park, a beach and swimming lagoon, as well as a restaurant.

It also includes an undeveloped 13-acre parcel entitled for a 275-room family hotel. The lease documents approved by the Board are consistent with the Letter of Intent between the County and Newport Dunes defining the lease terms to accommodate the development of the hotel. Windsor Newport Dunes LP has entered into a franchise agreement with Embassy Suites for the Newport Dunes hotel.

Regional Recycling and Waste Diversion Grant Program

The Board has approved $2.5 million in AB 939 Surcharge Grants and Funding Assistant Agreements with cities and school districts throughout the County, including the Midway Sanitary District for demolition and construction of a green building and a recycling center.

These grants will help support recycling and waste diversion efforts by school districts, cities and other local jurisdictions in cooperation with the regional leadership of the County.
Other Boards & Commissions

OCTA

Access Quarterly Report Shows Improvement

Orange County Transportation Authority staff reported that overall, the quality of ACCESS service has dramatically improved when compared to the same reporting period in 2008.

On-time performance for ACCESS service surpassed the 96 percent level for the first time during the three-year contract period. In April 2009, on-time performance actually exceeded this mark, resulting in a new record high of 96.5 percent. Service quality continued to show improvement during the months of April, May and June 2009.
 JANET AROUND THE FIRST DISTRICT



Huntington Beach Union High School District Trustee Matthew Harper, Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Assistant Emergency Manager for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Vicki Osborn and Supervisor Pat Bates run through emergency preparadness drills at the County Emergency Operations Center.


Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins 7 Seas Seafood Restaurant Owner, Bruce Nguyen, Garden Grove Planning Commissioner Tom Bonikowski, Connie Margolin (President/CEO, GG Chamber), Sandra Thomas (Chair, GG Chamber), and many others at the Grand Opening Ceremony for 7 Seas Seafood Restaurant.


Asian Gang Investigators' Association of California President Ed Yee presents a plaque to thank Supervisor Janet Nguyen for her continuous support of the annual AGIAC's conference.


Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins Dr. David Kim, President of Stanton University, Irvine Mayor Suhkee Kang, and other guests for the ground breaking ceremony of Stanton University's Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic in Garden Grove.
 LOCAL ISSUES


* The following articles are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily intended to imply endorsement or support.

Orange County

Legal Aid Society Now Serving Residents Visiting the County Community Service Center
Legal Aid Society of Orange County is coming to the County Community Service Center (CCSC) and will be holding office hours from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2009.

The Legal Aid Society of Orange County provides free, civil legal services to low-income persons and seniors. Services include a hotline intake system, self-help clinics, workshops, online court forms and in-depth legal services ranging from preparation of legal documents to legal representation.

The Legal Aid Society of Orange County (Legal Aid) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been bridging the justice gap for nearly 50 years. Legal Aid was founded by a group of local attorneys (with volunteer assistance from a group that was then known as Lawyers Wives) in 1958 to respond to the needs of the County's poor and elderly. Legal Aid serves low income individuals and seniors who reside in all the cities and unincorporated areas in Orange County. LASOC has an office in the City of Santa Ana and one in the City of Anaheim.

The County Community Service Center was established by the Board of Supervisors and opened to the public in October 2007 to provide referral and outreach services for County residents. The Legal Aid Society now joins the Health Care Agency, OC Community Resources and the Social Services Agency in successfully providing assistance in accessing County programs and services. The CCSC is located at 15460 Magnolia in Westminster. For more information about the services available at the CCSC, please call (714) 889-4105.

Superior Court Closure Dates
Beginning September 16, 2009, through June 16, 2010 the Superior Court of Orange County will be closed the third Wednesday of each month. The California Judicial Council approved the unprecedented one-day-a-month closures for all state courts due to California's fiscal crisis and the Legislature's reduced state funding to the courts.

The statewide court closures are authorized by recently enacted Government Code section 68106. Court closure days listed below will not count as official court days for purposes of calculating statutory deadlines. The Court will re-set hearings currently scheduled for these dates. As with all non-court days, judges will be on duty to handle emergency matters.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Wednesday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Health Promotion Hosts First Deaf Training For Providers
On June 24, Health Educator Laura Buscemi-Beebe from HCA's Health Promotion Division presented a new training Public Health, the Deaf and You to 62 HCA providers. As one of the first ever deaf community awareness trainings, the program provided an overview of deaf culture, education on cultural competence, cultural sensitivity, and even some lessons in sign language.

Some myths and misperceptions addressed during the training included the following:

  • Deaf people are not mute. Deafness does not preclude vocal capacity, only the ability to hear oneself talk and thus, to develop speech. Use of voice is a personal choice based on comfort and training.
  • The Deaf do not see themselves as handicapped, impaired or disabled or having lost something. Thus, using the term "deaf" is preferred to "hearing impaired."
  • More than 70 percent of deaf people consider American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language and English their second. Many deaf people then, although intelligent, do not have good command of written English making materials presented in English often inaccessible to the deaf.
  • Research indicates that the average prelingually deaf (deafened before the acquisition of spoken language) person reads at 4th grade level and health education information is generally presented via print ads, brochures and television (if captioned) in English at an educational level equivalent to the 10th-13th grades.
  • American Sign Language (ASL) is not just English in the hands; ASL is its own distinct language.
  • Most deaf do not read lips. No facial expression in sign language is like monotone speech.
Public Health, the Deaf, and You demystified the community of the deaf, and was fun, informative and interactive. For more information about the training, please contact Laura Buscemi-Beebe via e-mail at lbuscemi@ochca.com.

Santa Ana

Hispanic Heritage Month
In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration, September 15th to October 15th. America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. For further exploration, visit the Library of Congress at the following: http://www.loc.gov/topics/hispanicheritage/

Garden Grove

GG Fire Department Fills the Boot for Jerry's Kids
The Garden Grove Fire Department responded beyond the call of duty for their community and raised a total of $8291.00! These dedicated men and women hit the streets at the intersection of Harbor and Chapman from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; receiving full support from the local community in the fight against neuromuscular diseases by driving through the intersection and filling the fire fighter's boots with money for the cause.

Funds raised will support MDA programs including MDA clinics at UCI and CHOC, MDA Summer Camp for local children living with muscular diseases and crucial lifesaving research. MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. To find out more about MDA in Orange County or the Fill the Boot program, call (949) 251-0191.

 REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS


County of Orange
There are currently many new bids to contract with the County of Orange. For more information, please click here.
 Community Events

City of Santa Ana
September 4, 2009 - Discovery Science Center Presents Preschool Month
This September, Discovery Science Center is celebrating preschoolers with programming specifically for tiny tots! Preschool groups can experience a new 4-D movie - Turtle Vision, for FREE, meet Smokey Bear and enjoy their very own Smokey Bear story time! Then they can explore Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home, their new, hands-on exhibit all about recycling and conservation. Call 714-913-5030 to plan your group visit today! The Center is located at 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705.

September 19, 2009 - Concert In The Park
The Concert Committee of North Santa Ana Neighborhoods in conjunction with Target presents its 8th Annual Concert in the Park at Morrison Park, 2801 Westwood Ave. Bring a picnic dinner or potluck with friends to enjoy the classic rock band, The Undercover Girls. Prizes will be awarded for the best table under the theme "Simply Purple" along with raffle prizes. Refer to the attached flyer for additional information. To make reservations contact Mel Steiner at 714-269-4138.

September 26, 2009 - Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day
Come join in a special open house of the Dr. Howe-Waffle House from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Go on to the Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day website to obtain a free pass for two. In addition, the Old Orange County Courthouse will be open at the same time. Be sure to arrive by 3:00 p.m. to get a full tour and visit two classic locations in one. Parking is free in the lot right next to the House on Sycamore. Normal admission without the pass is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and members, and $3 for students.

City of Westminster
September 17, 2009 - Taste & Tour of Little Saigon
Come join the Westminster Chamber for an elegant evening discovering the delights of Little Saigon. The reception includes a limousine tour of Little Saigon, a full-course meal from one of Little Saigon's finest restaurants and Vietnamese entertainment. Click here to see the flyer. Call or email to be placed on the invitation list or for further information at 714.898.9648 or email the Chamber at biz@westminsterchamber.org.

City of Garden Grove
September 19, 2009 - Annual Coastal Clean Up
Garden Grove partners with the cities of Cypress, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and Save Our Beach to keep our coastal areas clean. Volunteers are needed to help at three locations: Marina Drive/San Gabriel Riverbed, Long Beach; 1st Street/PCH, Long Beach; and 1st Street/Ocean Avenue, Seal Beach. Please wear sunscreen and closed-toed shoes. Free parking, free van shuttles, gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizers are available. This opportunity is perfect for those looking for community service hours - certificates will be given out at the site. For more information, log on to www.saveourbeach.org or call Garden Grove Public Works at (714) 741-5375. Interested participants please RSVP with Kim at 562-884-6764 or kim@saveourbeach.org.

September 25-27, 2009 - Arab American Festival
The Arab American community gathers for a weekend of cultural experiences and celebration. This annual festival at Garden Grove's Village Green Park, 12732 Main Street, will be filled with Middle Eastern entertainment, food, and crafts. For more information contact the Arab American Council at 714-758-3507 or visit www.aafestival.com.

To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com.