As Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new web application my office, in partnership with Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich and the OC Information Technology Development team, which is called "Mello."

Mello is a responsive web application designed to create an easy-to-use way to discover property tax cost breakdowns for communities throughout Orange County. Whatever type of charge it may be, like Mello-Roos for local infrastructure projects, every homeowner deserves to have easy access to information about the added costs of owning their home.

It has always been a priority of mine to find areas where we can make government more efficient and transparent. Mello does just that by giving the taxpayers a breakdown of where every cent of their property taxes are going while also being innovative and efficient.

With OC Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich at the OCAR Annual Meeting to launch Mello.

Thank you the leaders of the Orange County Association of Realtors (OCAR) for volunteering to test the Mello application and inviting us to launch it at their Annual Meeting. To use the app, simply visit mello.ocgov.com. We look forward to your feedback and future projects that will enhance transparency in Orange County! For more information, click here.

With Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich and OCAR CEO Dave Stefanides.

Last Saturday, I once again had the great pleasure of riding in the annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano. Joining me in my carriage this year was Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich.

Riding in the Swallows Day Parade with OC Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich.

The Swallows Day Parade is part of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows, a celebration of the return of the migratory songbird to Mission San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph’s Day.

During this three-month Fiesta de las Golondrinas, the Fiesta Association is responsible for various fundraising and community activities, including Taste of San Juan, Kids Pet Parade, El Presidenté Ball, Fiesta Grande, which includes the Hairiest Man & Soiled Dove Contests, and the infamous Hoos’Gow Day round-up, all culminating with the Swallows Day Parade and The Mercado.

To view a photo album of the Swallows Day Parade, click here. For more information and to view a video of the Parade, click here.

This week, I had the pleasure of presenting a certificate of recognition in honor the ribbon cutting for the new California Welcome Center at Outlets at San Clemente, making it the 18th California Welcome Center in the state and the only one in Orange County. For more information about California Welcome Centers, please see visitcalifornia.com. 

Presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for the new California Welcome Center at Outlets at San Clemente.

This week, my office was pleased to present a resolution from the Board of Supervisors to Orange County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council, convened by The Raise Foundation and supported by their many community partners, at the 25th Annual Blue Ribbon Kick-Off Ceremony at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a Board Resolution to Executive Director Elden Baber of The Raise Foundation and OC Superior Court Judge Joanne Motoike in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The event served as the official launch for a month-long “Keep Kids Safe, Healthy, and Happy” awareness campaign for April National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Michele Gile, news reporter for CBS2 and KCAL9, was the emcee for the event, which was attended by over 100 people, including parents, educators, members of law enforcement, civic and service groups, nonprofits and the business community.

Emcee Michele Gile listens to speaker Anne Bloxom, Division Director of the OC Social Services Agency Children & Family Services Division.

The Blue Ribbon Month award finalists honored during the ceremony for their advocacy for children included: Dr. Daphne Wong from Children’s Hospital of Orange County, State Farm Insurance Agent Jason Starkman, Orange County Kaiser Permanente Family Violence Prevention and Child Abuse Prevention Programs, Ocean View School District Social Emotional Learning Continuum, Garden Grove Police Department School Resource Officers, the National Guard Sunburst Youth ChalleNGe Academy, and the Orange County Sheriff Department Special Victims Detail and School Mobile Assessment Resource Team.

Following the ceremony, those in attendance planted and dedicated a large Pinwheels for Prevention® garden across the street from the museum in support of all children. The garden is designed to draw positive attention to the topic of keeping children safe and also to motivate the public to get involved. Each April, pinwheel gardens are created to raise awareness during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Early intervention is key, which is why all are asked to call the Child Abuse Registry Hotline (714) 940-1000 should they suspect child abuse or neglect. As noted in the 2018 Community Indicators Report for Orange County, calls to the hotline between 2008 and 2017 increased by nine percent. Some experts believe this is the result of a more informed community knowing what to look for and how to respond.

To learn more about Blue Ribbon Month and how to get involved, please call The Raise Foundation at (714) 884-3421, ext. 105 or visit TheRaiseFoundation.org.

At the 25th Annual Blue Ribbon Kick-Off Ceremony at Bowers Museum this week, Aliso Viejo resident Miguel Alcantara was featured as the Impact Speaker for the event, which served as the official launch for the “Keep Kids Safe, Healthy, and Happy” awareness campaign for April National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

Aliso Viejo resident Miguel Alcantara, Impact Speaker for Blue Ribbon Kick-Off Ceremony.

Miguel and Raquel Alcantara began the process of becoming a resource family (foster family) in 2014. Initially they approached the County of Orange with the goal of adopting a child, but after attending resource family training, felt compelled to foster children right away.

They received their first foster placements - 6 month old twins and their 20 month old sister. This was a challenging time, but with the help of their family, church community, and various Orange County resources at their disposal through the Social Services Agency and the Foster Care Auxiliary, they were able to care for 3 children overnight and completed a successful reunification of this family one year later.

They soon came to realize they had a calling to foster children and, since 2014, have fostered seven children. They have also adopted two children, providing the youth with a permanent home and a “forever” family.  In addition to growing their family through adoption, the Alcantaras continue to foster other children through County of Orange Social Services Agency. 

Over the course of their journey as a resource family, Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara realized the importance of supporting biological families in their efforts to reunify with their children. As a result, the Alcantaras are advocates for family reunification, and now serve as mentors to many of the biological parents who are working to reunify with their children. 

Miguel and Raquel also assist with the Foster Care Auxiliary, Club Mom and Dad, and support the training of new resource families to help them understand the challenges and rewards that come along with such an awesome responsibility. 

Earlier this year, the Alcantara family received a resolution on behalf of adoptive families in Orange County from the Board of Supervisors for their outstanding work as resource parents, educators and advocates. Please join me in applauding Aliso Viejo residents Miguel and Raquel Alcantara for their selfless and noble efforts, as they are truly angels on Earth!

My fellow Supervisors and I voted this week to approve $13 million toward the creation of an additional Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) for those persons in Orange County experiencing a mental health emergency.

In doing so, our County took an important step toward ensuring we have more emergency beds for those experiencing a mental health crisis. This additional Crisis Stabilization Unit will prove to be an asset for those individuals and their families during their time of greatest need.

The facility will add 12 crisis stabilization chairs, serving clients year-round at an average of 18 people per day at College Hospital in the City of Costa Mesa. This program will be funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), which will be reimbursing the provider through Medi-Cal.

Due to the nature of mental health emergencies, many patients need immediate access to healthcare professionals. A CSU, such as College Hospital, help provide year-round access for mental health patients in need of psychiatric assessment along with therapy, crisis intervention and medication services, among other services. 

The CSU will serve adults between the ages of 18 and 59. Adults over 60 years of age, whose needs are compatible with those of other individuals seen at the CSU, may be included in the target population if they require the same level of care and supervision. For more information, click here.

Orange County Teasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) Shari Freidenrich reminds us that Wednesday, April 10, is the last day to pay your second installment of property taxes without penalty. If not paid, a 10 percent delinquency penalty plus a $23 fee will be added to the amount due. Check the payment status of your property taxes on their self-service website  by inputting your APN or property address. They also offer reminders by text message.

Construction has significantly affected parking and the TTC office’s main entrance is now only accessible off Broadway. For directions to their office and parking information, click here. The closest metered parking is across the street from their entrance at Lot P5 (Old Courthouse) and Lot P8. The quickest access to the TTC office is off Broadway and up the middle walkway between Buildings 10 and 12.

If you have any questions, please e-mail the TTC or call (714) 834-3411 weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM. For more information, click here.

The Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) Annual Spring Celebration will take place Saturday, April 6, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM. The event includes, Community Booths, Balloon Twisters, Face Painters, Visits with Peter Rabbit, Children's Crafts. Preregistration is REQUIRED for all egg hunt sessions. YOU MUST BE A DUES PAYING AVCA MEMBER TO ATTEND THE EGG HUNT SESSIONS. All other Spring Celebration activities (pancake breakfast, community booths, face painting, Peter Rabbit photos, etc.) are open to the public. For more information, click here.

Hop on down to Dana Point with your family Saturday, April 20, and discover the hidden treasure of candy and plastic-filled eggs at their springtime Egg Hunts for children up to 10 years of age. They offer two Egg Hunts, one at Pines Park, 34942 Camino Capistrano, and Sea Canyon Park, 33093 Santiago Drive. Family activities and Easter Bunny visits held from 9 AM to 10 PM, with the Egg Hunts beginning promptly at 10 AM. For more information, click here.

Did someone say EGG HUNT? Bring your baskets, get ready for some photos, arrive on time to scramble for some eggs and hunt for the special golden egg! Saturday, April 20, beginning at 9 AM. Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. For more information, click here. 

• Participated in the annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.
• Participated in a meeting of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.
• Attended the OCAR Annual Meeting to formally unveil and launch ‘Mello’ (the Mello Roos App our office created in conjunction with TTC Shari Freidenrich and OCIT).  
• Chaired the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting.
• Attended the Swearing-In Ceremony for 3rd District Supervisor Don Wagner.
• Participated in the TCA Joint Capital Programs & Projects Committee Meeting and Joint Finance & Investment Committee Meeting.
• Participated in the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors Meeting.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the California Welcome Center ribbon cutting ceremony at Outlets at San Clemente.
• Attended the San Clemente State of the City Address.

L-R: With OC Treasurer Shari Freidenrich, Congressman Mike Levin, CUSD Board President Gila Jones, and OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy at the Swallows Day Parade.

With OC Treasurer Shari Freidenrich and San Juan Capistrano Mayor Brian Maryott at the Swallows Day Parade.

Presenting a certificate of recognition in honor of the California Welcome Center at Outlets at San Clemente.

At the Swearing-In Ceremony for 3rd District Supervisor Don Wagner.

• Attended the Swallow Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.
• Presented a Board Resolution in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• Presented certificates of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Fonte Day Spa and Laguna Beach Aesthetics.
• Attended the California Welcome Center San Clemente ribbon cutting.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for What A Spectacle Optometry in Rancho Mission Viejo.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Futures Academy in Laguna Hills.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Coast2Coast Art in Laguna Beach.
• Attended the San Clemente State of the City Address.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting certificates of recognition at the ribbon cutting for Fonte Day Spa and Laguna Beach Aesthetics.

Presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for What A Spectacle Optometry in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for Futures Academy in Laguna Hills.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for Coast2Coast Art in Laguna Beach.