County of Orange Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe
Lisa Bartlett - Supervisor, Fifth District
March 1, 2019 Volume 6 Issue 8
Bartlett Bulletin
Don't Miss the 2019 South County Pet Expo!

Come to the South County Pet Expo on March 9 and meet Bella, canine star of the blockbuster movie "A Dog's Way Home" (playing at a theater near you) and W. Bruce Cameron, author of the bestselling book and major motion picture!

PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
For Booth and Sponsorship info, please click here.
 
dotted line
South County Children’s Mental Health Forum

Mental health related issues continue to be one of the most prominent issues that can impact any family and any community. To that end, the recently released 24th Annual Conditions of Children’s Report indicates mental health and substance abuse related hospitalizations among youth have increased 44% in Orange County. Moreover, South County cities show the highest rates of hospitalizations in the region. Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death nationwide and in our community, with a higher rate of incidents occurring in South County and coastal cities.

Click the image above for the Conditions of Children’s Report.

Earlier this month, I hosted a South County Children’s Mental Health Forum at the Mission Hospital Conference Center to bring stakeholders together in an effort to identify gaps in our mental health system and determine how we can improve community wellness, prevent crisis and escalation of mental health disorders, and provide greater access to treatment for those in need.

Speaking at the South County Children’s Mental Health Forum.

Over 150 attendees heard presentations from Dr. Jeff Nagel, Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Orange County Health Care Agency, Dr. Heather Huzsti, Chief Psychologist at CHOC Children’s; and three representatives from the Orange County Department of Education – Stephan Lambert, Prevention Coordinator, Mayu Iwatani, Manager of Student Services, and Mimi Marrocco, OC Crisis Response Network.

Click the image above for information on Be Well OC.

After the presentations, Dr. Clayton Chau, Regional Executive Medical Director for the Institute of Mental Health and Wellness at Providence St. Joseph Health System, facilitated a discussion by a panel of youth, who participate in Be Well OC, and attendees of the event. The discussion provided valuable feedback as we continue working to improve the system of care for mental health in Orange County.

 
dotted line
OCPAA State of the County Address

It was my pleasure last week to present the State of the County at a luncheon hosted by the Orange County Public Affairs Association (OCPAA). During my presentation, I highlighted what is to come in 2019 and conveyed my continued support to partnering with our local business community to enhance our County.

Presenting the State of the County to OCPAA.

As Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I look forward to working closely with my Board colleagues as we focus on more public/private partnerships that can be established with our local business community.

Many projects like the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization, John Wayne Airport General Aviation Improvement Plan, and Be Well OC are coming to fruition because of the relationships we have built between public and private companies and local businesses working together to keep Orange County a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

 
dotted line
Excellence in Promotion of Infrastructure Award

At its 2019 annual awards banquet, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Orange County Branch recognized individuals and projects for outstanding achievements in civil engineering.  

To that end, I was honored to receive the ASCE ‘Excellence in Promotion of Infrastructure’ award for my continued efforts in promoting the many projects throughout Orange County, which my Senior Policy Advisor, James Dinwiddie, graciously accepted on my behalf. 

During the evening, ASCE presented awards to numerous projects and project teams, including Orange County Public Works, which received the ‘Outstanding Roadway & Highway Project’ award for improvements on Crawford Canyon Road. This award winning project provided safety enhancements for pedestrians and recreational users, as well as safeguards against storm events. 

Additionally, the County of Orange, in partnership with Rancho Mission Viejo, received the ‘Outstanding Transportation Project’ award for the Los Patroness Parkway project in South County, which provides greater mobility throughout the region. Congratulations to OC Public Works, Rancho Mission Viejo and all the ASCE award winners!

 
dotted line
South Coast Air Quality Management District

I was honored to be sworn-in this week as a Governing Officer to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). SCAQMD works to craft, promote, and execute air quality policies for 16.8 million residents of Orange County, as well as the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, respectively.

Air quality plays an important role in the impact on our environmental, both locally and to our surrounding areas. SCAQMD has a large role in promoting policies that make our air cleaner and safer for everyone. I look forward to working with this board to promote clean air policies that work for all communities.

Being sworn-in as a Governing Officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
 
dotted line
Crown Valley Parkway Bridge Repairs
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
Hunger and Homelessness Prevention
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
Report on Deaths of Homeless Individuals in OC

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Coroner Division publicly released two reports this week concerning reported deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness in Orange County in 2018.

The OCSD Coroner Division is responsible for investigating deaths that occur within the County of Orange. This includes unnatural deaths, such as homicides, suicides, accidents and/or suspicious or unexplained deaths. In 2018, there were 5,858 deaths reported to the Coroner Division in Orange County. Of those, 210 decedents were considered homeless, as they had “no fixed abode” at the time of death.

The first report, titled “Coroner Division Homeless Mortality Report,” provides data categorized by the cause of death and the geographic location of where the death occurred. The information is provided for each calendar year 2014 to present, in addition to statistical graphs by mode of death. The Coroner Division has been working to compile this data since January 2019 to study these cases and identify changing patterns important to public health and safety.

The second report was prepared pursuant to a request from the Honorable David O. Carter, Judge in the United States District Court to provide the causes of death of homeless individuals who passed away in 2018 and 2019. The report lists 210 decedents from 2018, as well as 25 reported deaths from January 1 to February 19, 2019.

2018 data shows that of the 210 homeless decedents, 75 individuals died of natural causes, with overdose as the second highest cause of death claiming the lives of 44. Thirty-two are still pending an official cause of death awaiting toxicology results.

 
dotted line
Orange County Adult Protective Services Program

Sadly, over 225,000 Californians become victims of elder or dependent adult abuse each year, but experts believe the problem to be much larger. Victims often remain silent because they fear retaliation from their abusers. Many times victims remain unnoticed and untreated because they are isolated.

Abuse is often divided into four main categories: physical abuse, neglect, psychological or emotional abuse, and financial abuse. Other types of abuse may include isolation, abandonment, or abduction. Self-neglect can be detrimental to an individual's wellbeing and should also be reported. Individuals are most often the victims of multiple kinds of abuse.

The Orange County Social Services Agency’s Adult Protective Services (APS) program is designed to prevent and remedy the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elders and dependent adults who have been harmed or are at risk of harm. The program serves elders ages 65 or greater, including dependent adults, or any person between 18 and 64 years of age, with physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to carry out normal activities, protect their own rights, or whose physical or mental abilities have been diminished due to age.

Adult Protective Services are provided, without regard of income or resources, to residents living in Orange County who have been the victim of abuse, either self inflicted or by another, that occurred in the community. If you know a victim of elder or dependent adult abuse, please don’t wait! Call (800) 451-5155. APS emergency response is available 24 hours a day.

 
dotted line
Senior Citizens Advisory Council Presentation
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
County Connections
OC Fentanyl Seizures Doubling for Two Years

Seizures of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, and other illicit drugs have increased rapidly in Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) jurisdiction, with fentanyl seizures skyrocketing from less than one pound to more than 44 pounds in just two years.

Multiple narcotics, gang and interdiction teams covering OCSD contract cities and unincorporated areas work tirelessly to intercept illicit drugs. In 2018, these teams seized 44 pounds of fentanyl, 72 pounds of heroin, 451 pounds of cocaine, and 1,420 pounds of methamphetamine.

Even more alarming are the year-to-year increases in seizures, specifically of fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically used for advanced cancer patients. It’s similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Illicit fentanyl, sold on the street, started to emerge locally in 2017. 

While in a medical setting fentanyl can be effective and safe for the treatment of severe pain, when it’s used illegally it can be incredibly dangerous. A fatal overdose of fentanyl can be 2 milligrams. For perspective, a sugar-packet-sized bag of fentanyl can contain 500 lethal doses. The 44 pounds seized by OCSD in 2018 contains more than 10 million fatal doses, enough fentanyl to overdose the entire population of Orange County three times.

For more information, click here.

 
dotted line
SSA Receives Crown Communities Award

As reported in my newsletter last week, the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) has been honored with the 2018 Crown Communities Award presented by American City & County magazine. SSA was recognized for its simulation training program, the first of its kind in the state specifically designed for Adult Protective Services (APS) workers.

Since 2004, American City & County magazine has bestowed the awards acknowledging cities and counties throughout the country for their ground-breaking accomplishments. This year, SSA was one of six programs to win this prestigious accolade.

While simulation training is more commonly utilized in child welfare, the SSA curriculum for APS social workers is being hailed as a best practice among other California counties. The goal of the training is to help APS workers become more adept and confident at engaging with clients, family members and suspected abusers during home visits, which can be complex to navigate.

The SSA training program was enabled through a partnership with the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department for use of its simulation training facilities which provide three real-world home scenarios. SSA also garnered support from retired social workers who stepped forward to serve as “actors”, ensuring the simulations offer realistic and impactful training experiences. For more information, click here.

 
dotted line
OC Food Establishment Award of Excellence

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has issued the 2019 Award of Excellence to 3,239 Orange County food facilities to recognize local businesses for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2018.

This annual recognition was created to provide an incentive for retail food businesses that consistently meet or exceed health and safety standards for food facility operations. In 1999, the first year of the program, 584 food establishments received the recognition. With increased outreach and improved compliance with food safety laws, the number of recipients has grown significantly since its inception.
 
Orange County’s restaurants bring a diverse and special experience to our quality of life. We are fortunate to have such great culinary options throughout our county, and I am proud these establishments are being recognized for their health and safety efforts! 
 
Included in the Award of Excellence program are food facilities such as restaurants, catering establishments, meat/seafood markets, retail bakeries, supermarkets, supermarket/bakery combinations, and public and private schools with food production service. A complete list of all recipients and award criteria is available online.

 
dotted line
Exotic Underwater Photography Comes to JWA

As a certified National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Dive Master and avid traveler, photographer Beverly Factor of Laguna Beach has visited every corner of the globe, taking photos of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and mysterious creatures deep below the ocean’s surface.

Ms. Factor’s underwater photographic artworks explode with color, texture and visual excitement. Visitors at John Wayne Airport are sure to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the underwater world and its inhabitants that many have never seen before.

An exhibit of her vibrant undersea images comes to the surface in the John Wayne Airport Community Focus Space, now through March 19. For more information, click here.

 
dotted line
Critter Chronicles
OC Animal Care: 2018 A Historic Year!

As reported in my newsletter last week, OC Animal Care broke its organizational record in 2018 by achieving a combined save rate of nearly 82 percent for dogs and cats, almost 10 percent higher than in 2017.

OC Animal Care achieved progress in 2018 though the implementation of the strategic plan approved by the Board of Supervisors in May 2018. This plan brought about new programs, changes in procedures and increased adoptions, among other improvements.

Our OC Animal Care team excelled in 2018 - from completing a successful transition to the new facility in Tustin to implementing elements of its strategic plan - and is now celebrating its highest dog and cat save rate ever. These are the kind of accomplishments and care our animals deserve! For more information, click here.

 
dotted line
Pet of the Week: Meet Rutts!
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
Out and About in South County
CANCELED: Dana Point Festival of Whales Parade

Please be advised that after speaking with the National Weather Service about the weather forecast for this weekend, the Festival of Whales Parade scheduled to take place Saturday morning, March 2, has been canceled, and Pet Project Foundation has made the decision to cancel the Mardi Paws Street Fair as well.

Activities over the next two weekends celebrating the migration of gray whales will continue. Check the Festival of Whales website for updated event information.

 
dotted line
Mission Viejo: Fighting Against Alzheimer's
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
Laguna Niguel: Living With Coyotes
PDF
Click the image above to enlarge.
 
dotted line
Laguna Bluebelt: Photo Contest 2019
Click the image above for more info.
 
dotted line
This Week I
  • Attended the Brave Race 5K Joyful Child Fun Run at Aliso Niguel High School to present awards to the race winners.
  • Participated in the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
  • Chaired the regular meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and adjourned the meeting in memory of my longtime friend, Mary Young of Aliso Viejo.
  • Participated in the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Joint Finance & Investment Committee meeting and the Joint Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
  • Participated in the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors meeting.
  • Was sworn-in as a Governing Officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
With Joyful Child Foundation's Erin Runnion (center) presenting awards to the Brave Race 5K Joyful Child Fun Run winners at Aliso Niguel High School.

With City of Aliso Viejo Sheriff's Deputies at the Brave Race 5K Joyful Child Fun Run.

Being sworn-in as a Governing Officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
 
dotted line
My Staff
  • Attended the Brave Race 5K Joyful Child Fun Run at Aliso Niguel High School to provide hot coffee for the event attendees.
  • Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for GoldFish Swim School in Laguna Woods.
  • Presented certificates of recognition in honor of the multi-business ribbon cutting ceremony at Laguna Niguel City Hall for Assembly Point Financial, Parker Coaching & Equipping, Toucan Marketing LLC, and Caring Transitions Orange Coast.  
  • Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Woodfire Kabob Restaurant in Laguna Hills.
  • Attended the Tri-Chamber event hosted by the Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo Chambers of Commerce.
  • Participated in the monthly meeting of the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, featuring CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital as keynote speaker.
  • Attended the memorial service for Mary Young of Aliso Viejo to present an Adjournment in Memoriam to her family from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a certificate of recognition at the ribbon cutting for Woodfire Kabob Restaurant in Laguna Hills.

L-R: With Mission Viejo Mayor Greg Raths, Cindi Powalski (Lake Forest Chamber Member) and Lake Forest Mayor Mark Tettemer at the Tri-Chamber event.

At the ribbon cutting for Goldfish Swim School in Laguna Woods with Mayor Pro Tem Noel Hatch, Council Members Shari Horne, Carol Moore and Joe Rainey, and Katelin Sandeno of Lake Forest (2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Swimming).

At the multi-business ribbon cutting at Laguna Niguel City Hall.

With Patricia Wenskunas (CEO of Crime Survivors) and Aliso Viejo Councilman Bill Phillips at the Brave Race 5K Joyful Child Fun Run at Aliso Niguel High School.

At the memorial service for Mary Young of Aliso Viejo.
 
dotted line
Elected Officials in the Community
L-R: Patty Mouton (Alzheimer's OC), Laguna Niguel Mayor John Mark Jennings, CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital, MNWD Board Vice President Duane Cave, and CUSD Trustee Martha McNicholas at the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.

RSM Councilwoman Anne Figueroa anf Mission Viejo Councilwoman Trish Kelly at the Tri-Chamber event.
Laguna Hills Councilwoman Erica Pezold at the ribbon cutting for Woodfire Kabob Restaurant.

Laguna Hills Councilman Dave Wheeler at the ribbon cutting for Woodfire Kabob Restaurant.
 
dotted line
 
For questions or comments regarding my E-Newsletter, please contact my office staff at (714) 834-3550 or email my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at Sergio.Prince@ocgov.com.
 
In This Issue
orange arrow Bartlett Bulletin
orange arrow County Connections
orange arrow Critter Chronicles
orange arrow Out and About in South County
orange arrow This Week I
orange arrow My Staff
orange arrow Elected Officials in the Community
DISTRICT STAFF
 
Victor Cao
Chief of Staff

James Dinwiddie
Senior Policy Advisor

Sara May
Senior Policy Advisor

Sergio Prince
Community Relations Advisor

Megan Dutra
Communications Advisor

Pauline Colvin
Executive Assistant and Office Manager

 
Stay Updated!
house icon http://ocgov.com/gov/bos/5/
envelope icon Lisa.Bartlett@ocgov.com
phone icon 714.834.3550
arrow icon View Online Version
 
Copyright 2019 County of Orange, California
You are currently signed up to the 5th District newsletter. To unsubscribe, click here.