This week, I had the great pleasure of presenting a Board Resolution in honor of the 50th anniversary of the OC Human Relations Commission, as I was joined by my Board colleagues in expressing our sincere appreciation for this very important body, the members of which are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. 

OC Human Relations Commission Executive Director Norma Lopez thanks our Board upon receiving the 50th anniversary resolution.

In February 1971, the Orange County Board of Supervisors created the OC Human Relations Commission as a pilot project, and on July 1, 1971, appointed 11 inaugural commissioners, with a purpose to build mutual understanding among residents and eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination.

In the early 1980s, the Commission began to take a more pro-active approach to human relations while maintaining its advocacy role, and by the end of the decade developed a robust relationship with law enforcement agencies in the County, as well as initiating BRIDGES, a School Inter-Ethnic Program as part of a comprehensive plan to address growing intergroup conflicts in schools, which became the center piece of its programs coming into the difficult 1990s.

During the 1990s, OC Human Relations community building efforts included increased support of hate crime victims and was a leader in establishing model programs such as the Hate Crime Network, and by the end of the decade had organized into four main programs, including the Community Building Program, Dispute Resolution Program, BRIDGES Program, and Leadership Development Program.

At this 50th anniversary milestone, OC Human Relations is a seasoned organization, ready for the challenges of the new millennium and, with its three decades of history, expertise and partnerships, is poised to build a future free of prejudice and discrimination, where all people feel valued and included!

At the Board of Supervisors meeting with current and past leadership of OC Human Relations.

This week, the County of Orange released its Citizens’ Guide to Strategic Financial Plan & Budget. The Citizens’ Guide provides highlights of the County’s 2021 Strategic Financial Plan and context for how this five-year forecast relates to the upcoming FY 2022-23 budget development process that kicks-off in January 2022. 

The document provides a high-level view of the County’s seven program areas, how the budget is planned and developed, information on the County’s General Purpose Revenue sources and the mandated and non-mandated uses, as well as the County’s strategic priorities and key initiatives. 

Also included is a budget calendar to assist members of the general public in knowing when public input opportunities are throughout the various stages of the planning and budgetary processes. To view the Citizens’ Guide to Strategic Financial Plan & Budget and the 2021 Strategic Financial Plan, click here.

Air travel during the winter holiday travel period is expected to be a busy one. Passengers traveling through John Wayne Airport (JWA) can expect to see increased passenger traffic and busier roadways.

To lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday travel season, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and John Wayne Airport have collaborated to distribute no-cost, self-collection COVID-19 testing kits to travelers at JWA. Test kits are available pre-security in Terminals A & C Sunday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), all travelers arriving in and returning to California from other states or countries are recommended to test for COVID-19 from 3 to 5 days after arrival.

Hoag Health provides onsite urgent health care services, COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid testing, prescriptions, vital screenings and more at the Fly Well Clinic located in the Terminal. More information can be found online here or by calling 949-557-0667.

For guests looking for travel guidance during this time, the latest travel advisory information from CDPH can be found here and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance can be found here. For more travel tips and additional information about John Wayne Airport, click here.

At our December 7 meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance identifying new district boundaries for all five supervisorial districts. The ordinance was adopted following the Board’s action on November 22 to select Map 5A-1 as the preferred map for establishing new district boundaries. The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after adoption on January 6, 2022.

I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in the process, as I truly believe Map 5A-1 was the best outcome for the County as a whole in that it minimizes division, creates fair and equitable representation, complies with the Federal Voting Rights Act, and keeps the majority of South County intact.

Please be advised that staff is currently working on preparing the final maps, which will be available shortly.

The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) recently hosted their 11th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards, where the County of Orange received the Business Retention and Expansion Program Award for the Orange County One-Stop Center Mobile Unit.

This award honors economic development initiatives focusing on retaining and growing existing businesses within communities and regions. Additionally, the award acknowledges the ability of the Mobile Unit to adapt and respond quickly to unforeseen events and its extensive cross-community collaborations.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors partnered with the Orange County Workforce Development Board to develop and create the Mobile Unit to provide business, employment, and workforce development services to various communities throughout Orange County.

Since its debut in February 2021, the Mobile Unit has served over 300 clients at a variety of locations throughout Orange County, including Orange County Public Libraries, community parks, community centers, and homeless shelters.

The Orange County One-Stop Center team with the Business Retention and Expansion Program Award from OCBC.

In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also proud to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.

As such, I'm pleased to report this past year, OCTA, Caltrans District 12 and the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel have continued working together to deliver the I-5 Freeway Widening Project from SR-73 to El Toro Road, one of our region’s largest freeway improvement projects.

Approved by nearly 70% of Orange County voters, this $580 million project spans 6.5 miles and is being constructed in three segments. Today, the overall project is more than 1/3 finished, with Segment 1 from SR-73 to Oso Parkway and Segment 2 from Oso Parkway to Alicia Parkway each 50% complete.

For more information, including what's down the road ahead, please click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

I'm pleased to report Orange County residents can now enjoy more reliable and frequent trips on the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner®.

In late October, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, implemented one of the largest schedule adjustments for the Pacific Surfliner in years. It included further restoration of service across the corridor as well as sweeping adjustments to existing train schedules.

The improvements enhance the reliability and connectivity of trains that travel between San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Pacific Surfliner trains have been operating on a reduced schedule since March 2020 due to a pandemic-related drop in travel demand. The schedule change builds on the partial service restoration that was implemented in June 2021, and also moves towards pulsed schedules, which evenly distribute trains to provide maximum service coverage.

Changes include:

• One additional round-trip was added that travels the length of the corridor. 
• Most train departure and arrival times were shifted to evenly space them out across the day for more consistent frequencies. Many train numbers changed.
• The schedule is now consistent for both weekday and weekend travel.

Travelers now have predictable departure times between trains, and improved connections to other train services.

Passengers are encouraged to follow safety measures and any important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination. Per federal law and Amtrak policy, face coverings must still be worn while onboard trains and in stations.

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passes through Orange County as part of its 351-mile coastal rail route from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. The LOSSAN Agency is managed by OCTA in an agreement with the state. For more information, click here. 

Last Saturday, I had the great pleasure of participating in the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade, as thousands of attendees got together again to enjoy a plethora of festive parade favorites!

L-R: With Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, Laguna Niguel Mayor Pro Tem Sandy Raines, Mayor Elaine Gennawey, SANTA CLAUS, Senator Pat Bates, and Council Members Fred Minagar, Rischi Paul Sharma and Kelly Jennings before the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade.

Enjoying the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade!

Last week, my office was also pleased to attend the Laguna Niguel City Council meeting to present a well-deserved commendation to outgoing Mayor Fred Minagar.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation outgoing Laguna Niguel Mayor Fred Minagar.

This week, my office was pleased to attend the Laguna Hills City Council meeting to present a well-deserved commendation to outgoing Laguna Hills Mayor Erica Pezold. 

My Community Relations Adivsor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to outgoing Laguna Hills Mayor Erica Pezold. 

While at the Laguna Hills City Council meeting, my Community Relations Advisor, who is also a longtime resident of Laguna Hills, presented a proclamation to newly appointed Mayor Dave Wheeler in honor of the City's 30th year of incorporation. 

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a proclamation to Laguna Hills Mayor Dave Wheeler in honor of the the City's 30th anniversary.

Incorporation efforts for the City of Laguna Hills were initiated in 1987 by residents wishing to improve local parks, provide active recreational facilities, enhance public safety and establish locally elected representation, as well as keep local tax-dollars for local municipal services.

To address the community’s recreational needs, the City developed the 18-acre, $36 million Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex, which serves as the center of the City’s recreational, leisure, and cultural interests through world-class amenities and athletic facilities.

Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex

With overwhelming support of residents, two additional areas were successfully annexed to the City of Laguna Hills, including North Laguna Hills on November 14, 1995, and Westside Annexation Area on September 18, 2000; and

The former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro

In 1993, working with other south Orange County cities, Laguna Hills played an important role in opposing and successfully stopping the redevelopment of the former Marine Corps Air Station - El Toro into a massive international airport, which was considered to be the single greatest threat to the quality of life in Laguna Hills, officially defeating the proposed El Toro Airport in 2002.

Laguna Hills Civic Center

In 2002, the City purchased an existing multi-tenant office building, with a vision of moving its City Hall and creating a profitable business enterprise, and after extensive renovations, City Hall operations were relocated to the 56,000 square-foot Laguna Hills Civic Center. Happy 30th anniversary to the City of Laguna Hills!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the newest member of my Board office, Christian Abueg. Christian serves as a Policy Advisor through the Orange County Leadership Enrichment Program, which provides County Administrative Managers an exceptional insight into all aspects of County governance and policy making.

Christian has been part of the County family for over four years serving in various County agencies such as the Social Services Agency, the Probation Department and the Sheriff-Coroner Department, where he spent most of his professional career.

He comes with a honed skillset in building relationships to achieve organizational outcomes and has an extensive knowledge of Law Enforcement and Financial Management. Christian is specifically assigned to handle policy on: Public Safety, Legislation, Grants, the California Association of Counties (CSAC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Prior to beginning his County career Christian, a California native, lived in the United Kingdom for more than four years where he completed his Master’s Degree in Public Policy & Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and two Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science from Richmond, the American International University in London. He also holds an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University, a Management Certificate from Harvard Business School Online and a Project Management Certificate from the University of California – Irvine.

Christian shares, “I have always wanted to give back to the Orange County community through public service and I am excited to be able to do so in a meaningful and earnest way. I look forward to collaborating with City, County and State leaders in order to make a difference for Orange County through policy making. Supervisor Bartlett has been a champion in placing public policy at the forefront during her time on the Board of Supervisors and it is an honor to be a part of her team.”

Please join me in welcoming Christian Abueg to my Fabulous Fifth District Team!

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 318,831 positive cumulative cases and 5,851 deaths to date, as well as 198 currently hospitalized with 56 in ICU.

As scientists continue to learn more about the Omicron variant and detect cases in the U.S., the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages the public to stay the course on all public health prevention measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including vaccination, getting tested and wearing a mask indoors or in large gatherings.

“Our public health labs have not yet detected any cases of Omicron here in Orange County but we are seeing a slight rise in cases and hospitalizations, which is expected due to increased gatherings and travel during the holidays,” says Dr. Clayton Chau, HCA Director and County Health Officer. “It is only a matter of time before the new variant arrives in our county. We have all the tools available to fight the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, through vaccination, testing and prevention measures.”

The HCA continues to encourage the following precautions to protect loved ones from getting sick or hospitalized due to COVID-19:

• Get your vaccine and booster shot - Residents who are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or are eligible for their booster dose should access the most convenient option available to them to get their shot. 
• Get tested after returning from travel - Regardless of vaccination status, those returning from travel over the holidays are strongly encouraged to get a COVID test 3-5 days after travel. Self-collection, at-home COVID-19 test kits are being distributed to travelers at John Wayne Airport in Terminals A and C and are available at no cost by visiting here.
• Wear a mask - Slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when you are indoors in public settings, in crowded outdoor settings, or in close contact with others who may be unvaccinated or higher risk of getting sick with COVID-19 (such as the elderly, infants and immunocompromised). 
• Adhere to all other COVID-19 safety precautions - Limit large and indoor gatherings, keep a safe distance from others who may be unvaccinated, wash and sanitize your hands often and thoroughly, regularly self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if you are sick.

“With over 90% of COVID hospitalizations occurring in those who are unvaccinated, vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the likelihood of getting sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy County Health Officer. “We hear many people saying that they are concerned about side effects in children and fertility issues; however, please know that most side effects are common and mild, and that the benefits of vaccination for both pregnant persons and their fetus or infant outweigh known or potential risks. We ask that if you are eligible for a vaccine or booster, please do not delay in getting your shot.”

Individuals seeking additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine before making a decision to get vaccinated are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated through sources they trust. These may include family members, friends, and colleagues who have been vaccinated. Health professionals are also available to answer questions at various community events and webinars; for the latest information on local town hall events and video recordings, click here. 

Individuals looking for information and assistance on where to receive a vaccine can visit here or call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can also use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new texting feature to locate a nearby vaccination site by using your mobile phone and texting your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX).

Between December 1 and December 8, the seven-day average COVID-19 case rate increased from 7.1 to 7.3 per 100,000 people and the average number of daily COVID-19 cases increased from 229 to 234. The positivity rate also increased from 2.4 to 3.4 percent, hospitalizations from 169 to 183, and ICU admissions from 55 to 57 per day. 

For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination and testing in Orange County, visit here.

To lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday travel season, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and John Wayne Airport (JWA) have now begun no-cost, self-collection COVID-19 testing kits to be distributed to travelers at JWA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, travelers arriving in the U.S. are advised to get a viral test 3-5 days after travel, regardless of vaccination status. 

As a County, we have conducted over 5.8 million COVID tests to date, which means many have done their part to support their loved ones and the community. This collaboration between HCA and JWA will help ensure that people continue to have the resources available to keep getting tested and prevent the spread of COVID.

The self-collection test kits continue to be available to order online at no cost by visiting here, come with a prepaid shipping label, and are able to be dropped off at any FedEx drop-off location or scheduled for a pickup by calling (800) 463-3339.

My Board colleagues and I approved the launch of the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Vaccine Equity Engagement Program in an effort to accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, with a continued focus on the most vulnerable high-risk populations in Orange County.

The program provides an opportunity for community members to nominate collaboratives, volunteers and other organizations (especially smaller groups in hard-to-reach communities) for an opportunity to earn a coordination fee of $20 for every individual who receives either their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with a preferred minimum of 50 individuals registered per event). The program’s $4.5 million in funding is made available from the State of California’s Government Operations Agency.

Through the Vaccine Equity Engagement Program, HCA will oversee the criteria for organizations to host clinics, provide them with public health messaging resources to help them promote their events and communicate the importance of the vaccine to their community members, and collaborate with them on innovative ideas to increase engagement with residents such as donation and gift matching opportunities.

Interested organizations will be able to sign up to participate in this program and host vaccine clinics in partnership with HCA through the Mobile Vaccine Service feature on the Othena platform. Additionally, the Othena platform now offers a new feature for any eligible individual who has scheduled a vaccination appointment to request free roundtrip rides to their appointment. They can now log in to Othena.com or the smartphone app to request a ride to their appointment (residents are encouraged to request rides 3 to 5 days in advance and rides are subject to availability).

To sign up for the Vaccine Engagement Program and host a community clinic, interested organizations can click here.

Individuals looking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or complete their second dose can do so by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. For additional information on free or discounted rides to vaccination appointments, please visit the Lyft or Uber websites. For more information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, click here.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) launched a feature on the Othena platform, which streamlines the process for any interested individuals, groups, employers and businesses to request an onsite, mobile COVID-19 vaccination service.

To begin the application process, individuals can visit the Mobile Vaccine Service section of the Othena website or smartphone app and provide the following intake details:

• Name of the organization or group 
• Primary point of contact 
• Estimated number of patients at event (at least 50 preferred)
• Ability to register patients ahead of time
• Ability to supply a climate-controlled location 
• Preferred day(s) of the week

Once the application has been submitted, HCA will assign a dedicated Community Liaison to work directly with the primary point of contact to engage in a collaborative planning process. 

Additionally, the Mobile Vaccine Service feature enables community members who are homebound and meet specific criteria (or their caretakers) to schedule at-home vaccinations. To learn more, please visit Othena.com, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, or see the flyer below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Orange County parents and legal guardians of minors ages 12 to 15 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or walk-in to County of Orange Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites offering Pfizer. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12 to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended that the vaccine is safe and highly effective in protecting this age group against COVID-19. 

Individuals who would like to receive the Pfizer vaccine for themselves or their children ages 12 and older can do so through:

• A Primary Care provider or Pediatrician with whom your children or family is already familiar
• Pharmacies
• Visiting myturn.ca.gov
• Visiting othena.com - If further assistance is needed with selecting a site, scheduling, or arranging for transportation to and from the site, community members can call HCA’s OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000
• Walking-in to a County POD site that is administering the Pfizer vaccine

For more information, click here.

As previously reported, everyone ages 16 and over in Orange County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent is required for youth under 18; however, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. If you have not already done so, be sure to get register with Othena ahead of time to ensure your place in the virtual waiting queue.  

People within the eligible groups are strongly encouraged to register now with Othena to receive a vaccination from the County. Once registered, they will be placed in the virtual waiting room with other individuals who are already eligible within the State’s guidelines. Appointments are dependent on vaccine supply. As the County receives more vaccines, more appointments will open in Othena. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine resources in Orange County, including this weekend's POD schedule, click here. 

Please be aware that there are more channels of distribution other than the County where people can get a vaccine. For more information on where you can find appointments through other medical providers and local pharmacies, visit vaccinefinder.org.   

Testing continues to be a main priority of our COVID-19 efforts. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if your employer is requiring testing as a part of their business reopening plan, the County offers FREE testing to all of our residents. 

There are many options for testing, including our County Super Sites, testing kiosks located at various locations throughout the County (including Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo in the 5th District), and even at home tests that can be delivered to you and mailed to the lab for processing.

While many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now is a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. 
• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A recorded webinar on financial protection of older adults during the COVID pandemic was recently held and is available for on-demand viewing. The webinar included a panel discussion of experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

If you are behind on your mortgage, beware of mortgage relief scams. There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate. The CFPB has information on how you can avoid foreclosure and tips for working with your mortgage servicer. For more information on COVID housing protections and important deadlines, click here.

Challenges COVID-19 has brought include a higher risk of identity theft. In 2020, the FTC received about 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the number from 2019. Repeatedly, identity thieves targeted government funds earmarked to help people hard hit financially by the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online – working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. If something goes wrong with your device, you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about tech support scams.

Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts, and emails, as scammers are pretending to be Social Security Agency employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters. Additionally, through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships, or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent, are eligible for financial assistance.

While many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now is a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. 
• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A recorded webinar on financial protection of older adults during the COVID pandemic was recently held and is available for on-demand viewing. The webinar included a panel discussion of experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

If you are behind on your mortgage, beware of mortgage relief scams. There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate. The CFPB has information on how you can avoid foreclosure and tips for working with your mortgage servicer. For more information on COVID housing protections and important deadlines, click here.

Challenges COVID-19 has brought include a higher risk of identity theft. In 2020, the FTC received about 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the number from 2019. Repeatedly, identity thieves targeted government funds earmarked to help people hard hit financially by the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online – working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. If something goes wrong with your device, you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about tech support scams.

Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts, and emails, as scammers are pretending to be Social Security Agency employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters. Additionally, through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships, or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent, are eligible for financial assistance.

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's What You Feel is Real webpage.

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website.

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

‘Tis the season for family fun and holiday cheer at the Great Park. Enjoy Holidayz at the Park through January 2, 2022, as the park will be transformed into a winterscape featuring holiday-themed events, displays, and lights. For more information, click here.

As previously reported, I'm pleased to announce the relaunch of the Nutrition Gap Program. Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge for many residents, as people struggle to get back on their feet and keep food on the table. The goal is to satisfy the continued demand for nutritious food and bridge the gap between hunger and the next meal.

The $2 million dollar program is being funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is available to residents living in my district. Priority will be given to those experiencing food insecurity due to age/disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Enrollment is now open and, to make it as easy as possible for people to enroll in the program, we have three options by which they can enroll.

• Online by visiting: https://fdngp.211oc.org/
• Call 2-1-1
• Text their Zip Code to 898211

Program Details:

• Coordinated through the Office on Aging in partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County.
• Provides twice-weekly deliveries, via DoorDash, of restaurant-quality meals directly to participant’s homes.
• Each Monday, participants receive three fresh lunches and three fresh dinners.
• Each Thursday, they receive three fresh lunches, three fresh dinners, one frozen lunch, and one frozen dinner.

Restaurants participating in the program include:

• Ruby’s Diner
• Bella Collina
• Villa Roma
• Bamboo Bistro

For those of you who may have missed any of my previous Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, click here. 

Thank you so much for your outstanding and continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together!