California has experienced an unprecedented number of catastrophic wildfires, with last year’s record wildfires illustrating the nature and extent of fire risk threat we are facing. SCE remains dedicated to keeping our communities safe by making our infrastructure more resilient against the increasing threat of extreme conditions driven by climate change.

SCE also implements Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) as a measure of last resort to reduce the threat of wildfires. During the last wildfire season, we know that PSPS had a significant impact to our communities with some customers experiencing multiple PSPS outages. SCE is committed to reducing the use and impact of PSPS to our customers.

To inform our communities about our wildfire safety efforts and the actions SCE is taking to reduce the impact of PSPS, we would like to invite you to a community live stream meeting for Orange County communities. SCE will share information on their work to protect and harden the grid, Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), customer care programs, and resources. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

SCE Wildfire Safety Live Stream for Orange County

Tuesday, May 24, 2022
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Click here to register for the live stream. For more information, please visit here. 

May is National Water Safety Month and every year our health promotion team helps to provide education on drowning prevention and demonstrations on life vest/jacket wearing procedures among other water safety tips at the Annual Water Safety Challenge Day developed and organized by a global nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Stop Drowning Now.

This year, Water Safety Challenge Day in the 5th District is Saturday, May 21, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM, 20 Santa Barbara Drive, Aliso Viejo 92656.

*Additional locations may be added as planning continues and cities sign up with the Task Force. All events are available here.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for kids under five in Orange County. The community at large is invited to participate in various ways to prevent drowning.

Water Safety Challenge Day activities are especially geared for families of young children and is a fun, interactive and comprehensive water safety day designed to teach families and children important water safety lessons such as how to do a safe water rescue, how to properly use life vests, how to swim to the side of the pool, and importantly, helps parents identify their child’s particular strengths and weaknesses in the pool.

I'm pleased to share John Wayne Airport’s 2021 Annual Report, which highlights our accomplishments and day-to-day operations. I want to acknowledge that 2021 was another challenging year for the travel industry. However, we are proud of the positive progress we made and of our focus on Rebounding Stronger.

As you read about our accomplishments from 2021, please know that we continue to practice smart fiscal stewardship while delivering a superior guest experience. To read the John Wayne Airport 2021 Annual Report, click here. To view a YouTube message from the Interim Airport Director, click here.

I'm pleased to report the newest Community Focus Space exhibit at John Wayne Airport features paintings by artist Dennis Carrie, whose paintings, landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, focus on representing his subjects with respect and integrity.

President Abraham Lincoln

His current works aim to capture the character and honesty of some of the most impactful individuals throughout history. Select works from his Portraits of Integrity collection and other pieces will be on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal through May 19.

Frederick Douglass 

After a successful thirty-year career teaching mathematics in Orange County, Dennis Carrie changed course and pursued a graduate program in painting. In 2010, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Figurative Painting from the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach. For more information, click here.

In addition to the OC 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 OCTA has made approximately $3 million in competitive funding available through our Environmental Cleanup Program. Qualifying projects reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation by removing litter and debris before it reaches the ocean and other waterways.

Cities and the County of Orange can propose projects through the program, which is funded by OC Go, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, also known as Measure M.

Since 2011, nearly $58 million has been awarded for 221 projects from all 34 cities and the County of Orange. Through these projects, it is estimated that the equivalent of nearly 105 football fields one foot deep in trash has been captured!

Project applications are due by June 16 and are expected to be selected by the OCTA Board in the fall. For more information, click here.

Please be advised that OCTA is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the OC Go Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC). TOC members help keep an eye on tax dollars by monitoring OCTA’s use of OC Go funds and ensuring that all revenue collected from OC Go is spent on voter-approved transportation projects. OC Go, the County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, is also known as Measure M.

Applications are due by May 2, 2022, with final selection taking place at our Board of Directors meeting June 27. 

Orange County residents in the Fifth Supervisorial District are eligible to apply. The Fifth District consists of the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine (west of I-405) and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe, and Wagon Wheel.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and be willing to serve for a three-year term. Potential committee members should also demonstrate a history of participating in community activities and knowledge of transportation in their application. Elected or appointed city, district, county, state or federal officials are not eligible to serve.

The Grand Jurors Association of Orange County is conducting the TOC recruitment and will recommend qualified candidates for membership. For additional information and to apply, please call 714-974-9699 or visit here.

OCTA Plug-In Battery Electric Bus

While Earth Day provides a chance once a year to focus on environmental protection, OCTA remains committed at all times to protecting what makes the county such a special place to live and to keeping people moving with a balanced and sustainable transportation system.

The latest effort toward a greener Orange County is the introduction of the first two plug-in battery electric buses into the county’s fleet of OC Buses.

The two plug-in electric buses have begun operating on routes throughout various parts of the county, part of a pilot program of 10 plug-in electric buses that will be tested. The remaining eight buses are expected to be delivered later this year.

In 2020, OCTA also began operating 10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses. This new pilot will help determine which technology – or mix of technologies – will work best for Orange County moving forward. The move is part of OCTA’s plan to convert the OC Bus fleet to 100% zero-emission technology by 2040. For more information, click here.

April is Celebrate Diversity Month, a time to recognize and honor diversity and promote deeper understanding and acceptance.

Throughout the year, OCTA embeds diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do by focusing on people, programs, projects, policies and partnerships that lead to reliable, accessible and balanced transportation choices for everyone in Orange County.

In addition, OCTA has a diverse workforce and serves a diverse county. More than 70% of its workforce is composed of diverse groups, and 44% of the executive team is comprised of women. Orange County is a vibrant mix of different groups and the OCTA workforce reflects that diversity.

In 2022, through the Board Initiatives and CEO Action Plan, OCTA committed to continue engaging with diverse and disadvantaged communities, highlight diversity, equity and inclusion and develop additional plans to ensure systemic equity. Learn more about OCTA’s diversity efforts here.

Last Saturday, I was pleased to provide welcoming remarks at the Earth Day event held at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Back Bay in Newport Beach.

Providing welcoming remarks at the Earth Day event.

Hundreds of visitors of all ages were treated to a plethora of interactive Earth Day booths, exhibits and activities at this beautiful state-of-the-art facility.

Visiting one of the many exhibits at the Earth Day event.

L-R: With David Perry (Board President, Festival of Arts), Sharbie Higuchi (Marketing Director, Festival of Arts), and my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince.

Last Sunday, I was pleased to be invited to the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBaa) Art Star Awards event held at [seven-degrees] in Laguna Beach.

L-R: With one of the Art Star Award winners, Jeff Meberg, and Terry & David Perry.

The Art Star Awards is an annual award ceremony (celebrated Hollywood style) that recognizes excellence in outstanding achievements and contributions in the arts in Laguna Beach.

With Laguna Playhouse Executive Staff and Board Members.

During the evenings festivities, LBaa thanked me for my support for the arts and arts organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With Laguna Dance Festival Executive Staff and Board Members.

A wonderful time was had by all. Congratulations to all the Arts Star Award Winners! For more photos and information, please visit Stu News Laguna.

My office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to Gracia Madre in Newport Beach, where the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting this week. Guests will surely appreciate their love for Mother Earth and reverence for all mothers, in addition to their traditional Mexican cuisine made plant-based and all from scratch. Please join me in congratulating Gracia Madre in Newport Beach!

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a commendation to Gracias Madre in Newport Beach.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 552,994 positive cumulative cases and 7,007 deaths to date, as well as 76 currently hospitalized with 11 in ICU.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: HCA has transitioned to publicly reporting COVID-19 data to two days a week following the change in reporting by CDPH. Specifically data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU numbers and bed availability, and deaths will be reported on our dashboards Tuesdays and Fridays. Other data (e.g. testing positivity, variants, vaccinations) will continue to be updated on a weekly basis.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer at the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), has a video message to help explain why it's important to get vaccinated. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

For informational town hall events and more educational videos related to COVID-19 vaccination, visit the OC COVID-19 homepage.

The CDC has updated its guidance on COVID-19 booster shots and additional doses for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, including recommendations for people who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine as well as updated time intervals between doses.

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has an updated infographic to help you understand all of the information about boosters and additional doses. Click here or on the image below to download the information.

Click the image above to enlarge.

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.

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’

Registration is currently open for the popular CdM Scenic 5K & 2-Mile Fun Walk that will once again highlight the event’s charming ocean view course and delicious restaurant row of local eateries. On Saturday, June 4, the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating the event’s 40th Anniversary, and will be introducing new participation medals, themed celebrations throughout the day. For more information, click here or on the image below..

Click the image above for more information.

As previously reported, I'm pleased to have relaunched 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!