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May 22, 2024
PRESS RELEASE: OVER 800 RESIDENTS SERVED DURING CHILDREN AND FAMILY HEALTH FAIR Fullerton, CA. (May 22, 2024) - Over 800 residents received free food, diapers, household items, school supplies, health screenings, assistance to sign up for public benefits, and information on community resources at a Saturday Children and Family Health Fair event hosted by Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District, the Social Services Agency (SSA), CalOptima Health, Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP-OC) and United Across Borders Foundation (UAB) in the Orangethorpe neighborhood. Overall, 615 toys, 164 backpacks with school supplies and notebooks, 500 boxes of produce and 315 packs of 50 diapers from CAP-OC, and 579 boxes of food and household items from UAB were distributed. Additionally, 45 residents were able to meet with a SSA eligibility professional to apply for public assistance benefits. Applications included Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWorks. SSA brought its Mobile Response Vehicle — an office on wheels — and a team of eligibility professionals to provide live assistance to residents who applied for public assistance benefits or to answer questions recipients may have about their current benefits. CalFresh applicants who were approved for benefits received their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards on site that day. “We continue to see a high level of need for services in Orange County,” said Vice Chairman Chaffee. “The Orangethorpe community hasn’t seen this level of outreach in years, and it is important for us to make services readily accessible for vulnerable communities.” The event also featured entertainment and games for children including Folklorico dance group performance, face painting, balloon animals, and Olympic-themed activity games. “Working alongside other County departments and our community-based partners are what make events like this a success,” said SSA Director An Tran. “That success comes from bringing our collective services and resources to community spaces like Orangethorpe Elementary School, reducing the barriers clients face such as transportation, childcare and busy schedules.” The event brought together 38 County and City of Fullerton departments and community-based organizations, including Access California Services, the Anaheim Ducks, Be Well OC, Families Together of Orange County, First 5 Orange County, Korean Community Services, Latino Health Access, Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA), Providence St. Jude, Startwell OC, and Vista Community Clinic to provide helpful resources for basic needs, mental health, childhood development and more. Residents receiving CalFresh benefits are encouraged to update their records when they have changes in their income or expenses, such as loss of a job or pay cuts, or increased daycare costs, rent or utilities. Seniors can maximize their benefits by reporting medical expenses that exceed $35 a month, in addition to their shelter and utility expenses. Residents can update their information or apply: For additional information on SSA programs, visit: www.ssa.ocgov.com. Orange County Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim and unincorporated communities. The County of Orange Social Services Agency connects residents to public assistance benefits and resources, provides protective services for children, and older and dependent adults, and supports families as they become self-sufficient. ###
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