On October 16, 2023, we celebrated another momentous occasion: the groundbreaking of Be Well OC Irvine.

It’s remarkable to reflect on our journey to improve mental health services in Orange County. Back in 2015, before anyone even talked about mental health as a systemic issue, then-Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and I began to examine mental health services in Orange County through the County’s first-ever Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee. We were responding to the outcry from hospitals and law enforcement about the number of patients facing mental health crises and their impact on our emergency departments and jail.

After hosting numerous community forums and stakeholder meetings, we developed a plan to build an integrated and regionally coordinated System of Care to break the mental illness-addiction-homelessness-incarceration cycle.

The County led the effort by funding the creation of Be Well OC, and received support from our community partners, Kaiser, St. Jude, St. Joseph, and Hoag Hospitals. We also must recognize the exemplary efforts of many individuals, including Frank Kim, Dr. Clayton Chau, Dan Young, Dr. Rick Afable, Marshall Moncrief, Michael Hunn, and many others.

The Orange campus was the first piece in the mental health system we set out to build, then came the Mobile Response system that you see driving around Orange County in the blue Be Well OC vans, and now this Irvine campus.

I am deeply honored to be part of the ongoing endeavor to help ensure Orange County provides vital care to patients experiencing mental health problems.

From preventative mental health and substance use treatments to diversion services and programs, together, we will continue leading Orange County in providing optimal mental health and wellness for all.

More than 7,000 people crowded into Mile Square Park on October 1 to celebrate the 2023 OC Moon Festival – one of the most significant celebrations in Vietnamese culture dating back thousands of years. Known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese, the Moon Festival highlights the significance of family, unity, and gratitude.

By sharing our traditions with our family, friends, and neighbors, we celebrate Orange County’s diversity and keep important cultural celebrations alive. The free community event was hosted in collaboration with CalOptima and Orange County Parks.

Click here to view a recap video of the event.

On September 30^th, a little rain couldn’t stop a crowd of Orange County car enthusiasts from enjoying the 3rd Annual Sunset Classic Car Show & Concert at Mile Square Park. Our free community event featured classic cars, local food vendors, and musical performances by Tempoe Entertainment DJs, Corazón De Maná, and 80s tribute band, The Reflexx.

Thank you to everyone who came, danced, and shared memories with us. And a big shout out to all our classic car owners, performers, food vendors, Orange County Parks staff, and our volunteers from the Dynamite Book Club - Little Free Library Charters & Volunteer Youth Project and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA Explorer Program for helping make this event possible.

Click here to view a recap video of the event.

We had a selection of showstopper cars at our 3rd Annual Sunset Classic Car Show & Concert. From Chevy Corvettes to Willys Sedans, Pontiac Firebirds, and even a 1960 Dodge Power Wagon – one of only ten ever made. Thank you to all car owners for attending.

Check out this year’s winners below:

My colleagues and I joined John Wayne Airport Director Charlene Reynolds on September 28 to celebrate a century of flight in Orange County.

The airport has long served as the entry point for many tourists visiting Orange County. As Orange County grew from its agricultural past, John Wayne Airport has expanded as a critical hub for our local business community.

Today, JWA connects local businesses to global markets and is a gateway for visitors coming to our county looking for sunshine and beaches. Our world-class technology and bio-medical industries, among others like finance and healthcare, are a testament to our county's progress and innovation.

I am excited about the upcoming plans to transform over 80% of the concessions program, focusing on reflecting the diverse cuisine, cultures, and communities that make up Orange County. Infusing local flavors and highlighting local businesses will make JWA stand out and memorable to out of town visitors.

Congratulations to Charlene and John Wayne Airport, Orange County staff on this significant milestone!

On October 5^th, we celebrated more than just the grand opening of a new restaurant at John Wayne Airport, Orange County – we celebrated our commitment to providing travelers with diverse and exceptional dining options that reflect Orange County.

The grand opening of Brodard Express marks the first step in reprogramming of JWA’s concession offerings with brands that embrace local flavors and represent our county’s diversity.

Brodard Express serves as a gateway to the authentic flavors of Vietnam, allowing travelers to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine during their journey. Their diverse menu features Vietnamese classics, including delicious signature nem rolls, savory banh mi sandwiches, mouthwatering rice and noodle dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and an array of decadent macarons.

I encourage all travelers seeking a memorable dining experience to explore Brodard Express and try the diverse menu offerings representing one of the many flavors of Orange County.

Congratulations to owner and founder Diane Dang and her daughters. Your commitment to excellence and dedication to preserving Vietnamese culinary heritage traditions will surely make Brodard Express a standout choice for airport dining!

The devastation of Fentanyl is forever. It leaves families shattered and communities in despair.

According to the CDC, more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. With the widespread availability of fentanyl on the drug market, people should not experiment with illegal drugs. 

This past June, Orange County became the first California County to purchase Kloxxado, which is double the dosage of Narcan (8mg vs 4mg of naloxone). This will allow for a single dose to be administered in an overdose reversal situation, which is critical if waiting for medical assistance staff to arrive.

For more information on Kloxxado and where you can get some, visit the Health Care Agency’s website: www.FentanylisForeverOC.org.

The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) officially opened the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8, waiting list started accepting applications on September 18 and closed on September 29, 2023.

To assist our residents, I hosted an application assistance event at Mile Square Park in collaboration with OC Housing staff. My Chief of Staff, Van Tran, kicked off the event, and staff from OC Housing, Abrazar, Inc., and Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center guided people through the application process.

For thousands of people and families who have been waiting to apply for rental assistance, this came as a relief. With a housing voucher, individuals and families can choose their own housing that meets their needs, including single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments.

OCHA will give preference to applicants who live or work within OCHA’s jurisdiction and in the order listed to applicants who are U.S. Veterans, Elderly, Disabled or Working Families, and Non-Working Families. OCHA will group the applications by preference, apply the random placement within the preference group, and select the first 12,000 applicants by preference to be placed on the waiting list. The waiting list will be limited to 12,000 applicants.

Last month at the OC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council meeting, I had the privilege of meeting Luke Hudson, a former homeless veteran who turned his life around after living in the streets for years at the Plaza of the Flags in Santa Ana.

Luke served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 to 2007. After his service, he struggled with substance abuse and was in and out of jail. It wasn’t until September 2021 when Luke was booked, for the last time, that he had an epiphany moment and turned his life around.

At Theo Lacy, Luke participated in the Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA’s Housing Unit for Military Veterans (HUMV) where he received post-release employment resources, financial planning classes, and substance abuse services, among other services.

Today, Luke is employed, a homeowner, and actively gives back to his veteran community.

The HUMV unit opened in 2019 and is OCSD’s first-ever housing unit designed to support successful transition for veterans post-release.

To participate in HUMV, inmates must meet specific security criteria and agree to actively participate in the programming.

According to the 2020 census, more than 700,000 Orange County residents are 60 years or older. By 2030, California's older adult population is expected to double. To ensure we have a better understanding of the areas of greatest need, current barriers to accessing services, and identify gaps and inequities in services, the County of Orange, in collaboration with Advance OC and other county agencies, has launched the 2023 OC Community Survey for Older Adults and their Caregivers.

Anyone can access the survey online at http://www.advanceoc.com or in person at any local senior center and other locations where older adults access services.

The survey is available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Arabic and Farsi. And the last day to fill out the survey is December 30, 2023.

Click here for a recap video.

In mid-August, we brought much-needed services and resources to low-income families and seniors at our CalFresh Resource Application event at the Westminster Library.

My Chief of Staff Van Tran and staff, along with county agencies County of Orange Social Services Agency, OC Health Care Agency, OC Public Libraries, Orange County Sheriff's Department, County Community Service Center, and community partners Community Action Partnership of Orange County, CalOptima, and Southland Integrated Services, Inc. assisted with CalFresh, WIC, and Medi-Cal applications and the distribution of groceries, diapers, school supplies, clothing, and books to over 500 individuals. Working Wardrobes was also on-site to offer their services to individuals looking to get back into the workforce.

If you were unable to attend this event and still need assistance applying for CalFresh, WIC, or Medi-Cal, you can visit the County Community Service Center (15496 Magnolia St. suite 111, Westminster) or any of our Social Services Agency Regional Centers. You can also call my office at 714-834-3110 and we can direct you to the right place.

In early August, my Chief of Staff Van Tran recognized the Boy Scouts Troop 980 of Garden Grove for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations to Brandon Tran, Justin Le, Timothy Ngo, and Terrence Nguyen for this monumental achievement, and thank you for your dedication and service to our community.

In September, my Chief of Staff Van Tran presented a resolution in Huntington Beach recognizing the Animal Assistance League of Orange County’s 50 years of service to our community.

The AALOC was started in 1973 by a group of neighbors in Fountain Valley determined to encourage more people to neuter and spay domestic and local animals. During the pandemic, the AALOC collaborated with OC Animal Care to create free monthly pet food distribution drive-thru events for pet families affected by loss of employment. Thank you AALOC for your many years of service and dedication to the animals and pet parents of Orange County!

For 33 years, Working Wardrobes has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 clients who have overcome difficult challenges on their journey to meaningful employment, including substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, homelessness, and military to civilian transition.

Earlier this month, my Chief of Staff, Van Tran, toured the Hanger Outlet in Garden Grove. This outlet is one of Working Wardrobe’s three locations that offer brand-new and gently worn, donated clothing items – including designer brands – for deeply discounted prices. About 90 cents of every dollar spent in the outlets directly benefit Working Wardrobes’ programs and services.

Click here to learn more about Working Wardrobes and their resale locations.

In August, my office hosted a neighborhood coffee at a Starbucks Café in Huntington Beach.

Van Tran, my Chief of Staff, kicked off the Neighborhood Coffee by discussing some inquires residents had about the Surfside-Sunset Beach Sand Replenishment Project. This project is led by the USACE and executed in partnership with the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation (Division of Boating and Waterways) and local sponsors: the City of Huntington Beach, the City of Newport Beach, the Surfside Colony, and the Orange County Flood Control District. The project is programmed for Fall 2024, but the USACE and the sponsoring partners, such as the County and cities, are actively working to accelerate the project to begin this fall.

Ofelia Garcia, my Director of Community Engagement, also shared events that my office will be hosting in the coming months. Thank you to the Starbucks crew for allowing us to host our Neighborhood Coffee at the Brookhurst location in Huntington Beach.

In August, my Chief of Staff, Van Tran, was at Amarith Table Café and Restaurant in Garden Grove to discuss the upcoming expansion in Mile Square Park. This expansion was approved by the Board of Supervisors in July 2021 and is currently under construction. Once completed, there will be a cultural center and other new designs and updates to 93 acres of land.

My Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, talked about the County Community Service Center (CCSC) in Westminster after an attendee inquired about their services. The CCSC offers Orange County residents a variety of social services such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, and General Relief for those in need. Thank you to the Amarith Table for allowing us to host our Community coffee! Be on the lookout for their upcoming location in Cypress.

Thank you to the City of Los Alamitos for allowing my staff to use their Council Chambers for our Los Alamitos Neighborhood Coffee in August. And special thanks to the Director of Recreation and Community Services, Emeline Noda, for stopping by.

In honor of Lina Lumme, Executive Director for The Youth Center, being honored as a 2023 Inspirational Women by the LA Times, my Chief of Staff Van Tran presented her with a special certificate of recognition. Under Lina’s leadership, The Youth Center’s after-school program has expanded to four locations. She has also launched a leadership academy program, raised more than $3 million dollars for youth, and is a mentor to pregnant homeless women and youth. Lina continues giving back to her community by participating in several projects. Her dedication to her community is highly commendable.

The OC Office on Aging joined our Cypress Neighborhood Coffee at Dalton's Café back in August and shared information on how residents can access services and resources, including: adult day care, home-delivered meals, family caregiver support, individualized Medicare and insurance counseling, non-emergency medical transport, legal advocacy, and elder abuse prevention.

Thank you to the Woman's Club of Cypress for attending.

Thank you to the ABLE Coffee Roasters team for letting us host our Huntington Beach neighborhood coffee in August. My Chief of Staff, Van Tran shared an update on some of the critical improvements taking place on the flood control channel in Huntington Beach and what that means for residents and business owners in the area. My Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, also shared flyers for upcoming First District events.

After working in the special education setting for over ten years, the founders of ABLE Coffee Roasters, Anthony and Adeel, saw the need and realization that employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities were limited. They soon started their own company and created an environment where individuals with disabilities didn’t have to worry about the stress of resumes and intense interview processes.

Next time you’re looking for a new coffee shop to try, stop by ABLE Coffee Roasters! Their fresh organic coffee is perfectly brewed and always served with a smile.

7451 Edinger Ave. #115, Huntington Beach

Thank you, Seal Beach, for attending our Neighborhood Coffee back in August and to our OC Office on Aging representative, Elizabeth Avila, for answering everyone’s questions. The OC Office on Aging connects our senior community with services and programs that help them live independently and have a better quality of life.

Our special guest in attendance was Perla Mendoza, Founder of Project Eli, a Seal Beach non-profit that raises awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and other opioids. Project Eli’s outreach includes partnering with local school districts to provide education, resources, and support for individuals and families affected by fentanyl.

My Chief of Staff, Van Tran, was also on hand to answer questions regarding various county services and my Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, shared information on programming at the Mary Wilson Library.

Last month, my office hosted a coffee at Paul's Coffee Shop, a popular local diner in Fountain Valley. My Chief of Staff, Van Tran, and my Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, were joined by Eric Ensley from the OC Veterans Service Office.

Eric is a U.S. Navy veteran with 15 years of experience in the VSO and currently oversees the Veterans Employment Assistance Program. He shared new information on the PACT Act and the expansion of benefits for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 era. Eric also assisted a Vietnam Veteran with an inquiry about burial benefits.

Thank you, Cindy Martinez, owner of Paul’s Coffee Shop, for allowing us to host our Neighborhood Coffee. If you haven’t been to Paul’s, stop by and check out all the military memorabilia adorning the walls of her café and enjoy a Loco Moco with biscuits and gravy or a dish of Portuguese sausage and eggs.

Click here for more information or to make an online appointment to meet with our Veteran Service Office team.