On March 18, CalOptima unveiled a transformative 5-year strategic plan to bring unprecedented levels of services to Medi-Cal patients.

As the Chair of CalOptima, I proposed a new vision for CalOptima during the March 17th Board of Directors meeting and received unanimous support from the Board.

The three goals over the next 5 years include:

• Same-day treatment authorizations.
• Real-time claims payments for providers.
• Annual assessment of each member’s social determinants of health.

The changes articulated in the new vision will help reduce delays and barriers to care for our members, as well as attract more providers to work with CalOptima. By understanding the life changes in our members, CalOptima can help our members address insecurities in their daily needs that may impact their physical and mental health.

To achieve this new vision, CalOptima’s Board of Directors approved a three-year investment of $100 million to fund a digital system transformation and workplace modernization strategy.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to watch the press conference.

Making travel plans but still need to get your passport?

On April 2, the OC Clerk-Recorder will host a “Passport Day” for new applicants only - no renewals.

Due to increasing demand, there are no more appointments available, however walk-ins are welcomed.

Remember to bring a completed and unsigned passport application prior to visiting the office. If you don’t have a passport photo, the OC Clerk-Recorder has recently reduced their photo fees from $10 to $7. 

For more information:

Old Orange County Courthouse

211 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana

Saturday, April 2

9 am - 3 pm

OCRecorder.com

OCTA has partnered with Saddleback College to launch a free training course for people interested in developing the skills needed for a potential career in public transit.

The first session started on March 19. The second session will start on May 14.

These 40-hour training courses are made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Orange County Community Foundation and aim to create a pipeline of qualified bus drivers.

The training course includes learning about:

• Pre-trip inspections
• Safety procedures
• Behind-the-wheel training
• Commercial permit preparation
• Job application guidance

Driver benefits at OCTA include:

• Starting pay of $20.48 per hour (as of 5/01/22)
• Eligible for a raise every six months
• Medical, dental, vision benefits
• Paid leave and retirement benefits, and education reimbursement

For more information or to enroll:

949-582-4548

Jessie Cheng at jcheng64@saddleback.edu

www.ocbus.com/saddleback

“Your Health Matters OC” is a bi-weekly talk show hosted by Dr. Clayton Chau and Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong featuring health care professionals discussing various health topics that impact our Orange County community.

The show airs every other Tuesday on OC Health Care Agency’s Facebook and YouTube pages (@ochealth).

Members of the public and media can email questions to yourhealthmatters@ochca.com.

Click here to check out past and future shows.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mayor Paulo Morales from the City of Cypress. We talked about city projects, city events, and the diverse community of Cypress at large.

Interesting fact: By the 1940s, Cypress was the third-largest dairy district in the U.S. and many referred to the area as “Moo Valley” and Dairy City. In the late 1950s, the city was incorporated and renamed from Waterville to Dairy City to its now-known name, Cypress.

As the new County Supervisor for the City of Cypress, I look forward to getting to know the city and its residents.

The First District is home to the two remaining military bases in Orange County. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of visiting one of them: The Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach.

I met with the Station’s Commanding Officer, Captain Jason Sherman, and his command staff, which included the Commanding Officer of Navy Munitions Command Pacific, Commander Todd George.

During my visit, I was given a thorough briefing of the Station’s mission and various units. After the briefing, Captain Sherman hosted me on a tour of some of the facilities aboard the Station.

Here are some interesting facts about the Station:

• The Station and its detachments - located in Fallbrook and Norco - exist to provide weapons storage, loading, maintenance, and assessment support to ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
• The facilities support Coast Guard vessels and Marine Corps units stationed afloat and ashore.
• The Station has an active environmental cleanup program.
• One-fifth of the facility's land area has been designated as a National Wildlife Refuge - the only such refuge within a five-county area.
• The station is home to the nation's West Coast WWII Submarine Memorial, which is open to the public.

Thank you to Captain Sherman and his command staff for a very informative briefing and a great tour!

Click here for more information on the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach.

Earlier this month, the First District Team stopped by Sunmerry Bakery Cafe’s newest location in Garden Grove to try their delicious Super Garlic Bun and other baked goods.

Sunmerry started in Japan and was brought to Taiwan in 1986. With the Japanese baking techniques and the local Taiwan flavors, Sunmerry Bakery has become a household name in Taipei.

Congratulations to the Kao family for opening their Sunmerry Bakery in Garden Grove!

Congratulations to Lindsey Muser on opening her fourth Formation Stone Surfaces showroom in the First District.

In addition to a slab yard stocked with the finest natural stone, Lindsey and her team offer a unique retail setting where customers can consult with specialists about their design and architecture needs.

Next time you're in need of a home or office renovation, check out their showroom in Los Alamitos!

This month, the First District Team visited Hopkinson Elementary in Los Alamitos to present a certificate of recognition to Mrs. Angie Haas for being selected Teacher of the Year by the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

Mrs. Haas, who has been teaching for 26 years, was chosen out of hundreds of teachers. During the pandemic, Mrs. Haas went out of her way to help her students succeed with online learning. She creates a perfect environment for kids to grow, learn, and thrive. Congrats, Mrs. Haas, for this prestigious honor!

This month, the First District Team also stopped by McAuliffe Middle School in Los Alamitos to present a certificate of recognition to Jason Khan, the 2022 OC Spelling Bee Champion, and Emma Voight, the runner-up.

Following last year’s online competition, the 2022 OC Spelling Bee took place in person, drawing more than two dozen spellers in grades six, seven, and eight.

In late May, Jason will travel to Washington, D.C. to represent Orange County at the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

A big shout out to their spelling bee advisor Elizabeth Edwards and Principal Dr. Weiss-Wright.

Earlier this month, the First District Team joined the Fountain Valley Pony Baseball for their 2022 Opening Day Ceremony and presented a certificate of recognition to commemorate the occasion.

During the ceremony, Midway City Young Marines provided the Color Guard as the teams lined the edge of the infield for our National Anthem and Fountain Valley Mayor Patrick Harper threw out the traditional first pitch to officially start the season. After that, there was some time for celebration before the first game, then it was “Play ball!”

A big shout out to all team coaches and parents who volunteer their time to ensure Pony League is alive and well in their communities.

This month, the First District Team presented a Neighborhood Hero Award to Mitzie Larson for her outstanding community service. Every day, Mitzie and her pug, Lily, walk around her Garden Grove neighborhood picking up trash. Thank you, Mitzie, for having pride in your neighborhood and leading by example.

Recognize others!

If you would like to recognize a neighbor for an outstanding deed, please send an email to First.District@ocgov.com with their name and a short description of what makes them a hero in your community. You can also call our office at 714-834-3110.