September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and to raise awareness of this important issue, the OC Health Care Agency lit up the exterior of the County of Orange Administrative Offices, as well as other iconic locations throughout Orange County in teal and purple this week.

At the County Administration North (CAN) building for the Light Up Hope OC event.

Suicide impacts the senior community particularly hard. Older adults comprise just 12% of the population but make up 18% of all suicides. Loneliness is one of the top reasons why older adults attempt suicide which reinforces how critical social connections are to good mental health.

Participating in the Light Up Hope OC event.

Keep in touch with your older loved ones, even if it's via Zoom. Ask them how they are feeling and if you get signs that they are depressed, anxious or notice they start to give away possessions and put their affairs in order, express your concern, reassure them and, most importantly, get help. Remember, suicide is preventable and by recognizing the signs and acting on them, you might be able to save someone’s life. For more information, click here.

The OC Human Relations Commission has officially released the 2021 Orange County Hate Crime Report.  The Commission produced report provides valuable statistical information and resources pertaining to hate crimes and hate incidents that occurred throughout Orange County. A copy of can be found by clicking the graphic below or visiting the OC Human Relations Commission webpage. 

Click the image above to view the Report.

For most of us in Orange County, life is starting to return to some sense of normalcy, albeit in a post-pandemic world – schools are reopened, social distancing is, hopefully, a thing of the past, and smiling faces are no longer hidden behind masks. And while our economy is slowly rebounding, some businesses and essential services continue to struggle to get back on their feet.

Through the use of federal and state funding, my office has been able to provide much-needed financial relief to businesses across many industries. However, some service providers, such as childcare centers and homeless shelters, which were forced to shut down during the pandemic, are still struggling financially to acquire the necessary equipment and supplies to administer services effectively.

As such, I'm pleased to report that my office has launched a funding assistance initiative to provide a boost to childcare centers and homeless shelters. Utilizing discretionary state and federal funding, $1.5 million will be available in grant funding for childcare businesses, and $450,000 is being allocated to support homeless shelters in my district.

It is imperative that as community leaders, we prioritize assistance for some of our most vulnerable residents and critical businesses. Our homeless shelter providers should have adequate equipment and supplies in order to serve their residents effectively and childcare centers should have resources to get back on their feet to serve children and families.

In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also honored to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. As such, I'm pleased to report that OCTA has issued its annual call for projects aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion throughout Orange County.

Approximately $45 million is available through the Regional Capacity Program, which funds improvements that increase mobility at major intersections and provide smoother transitions to the highway system, and the Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, which provides funding to time traffic lights along long stretches of street that can run through multiple cities.

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

Project applications are due by October. 20, 2022 and are expected to be selected in spring 2023. For more information and to submit projects, click here.

As previously reported, zero-emission buses are headed to Orange County streets thanks to a federal grant awarded to OCTA for battery-electric paratransit buses! The Federal Transit Administration recently announced that OCTA will receive $2.5 million in federal funding toward purchasing ten battery-electric buses that will replace ten gasoline buses in the OC ACCESS program, which serves bus riders with physical or cognitive disabilities.

OCTA’s paratransit bus service provides approximately 1.5 million boardings annually. OCTA is already working toward a zero-emission future with its bus fleet by 2040. For more information, click here.

Last Saturday, I was pleased to attend the 20th annual Toast to the Casa, La Belle Epoque, where I was pleased to present a commendation in honor of the occasion to Ruth DeNault, President of the Board of Trustees for Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, and Executive Director Amy Behrens.

L-R: With Casa Romantica Executive Director Amy Behrens and Board President Ruth DeNault.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is an award-winning center for the arts and historic landmark that provides a rich selection of performances, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and tours year-round. For more information, click here.

Last Sunday, I had the great pleasure of attending the Pat Project Foundation Gala held at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort in Dana Point.

L-R: With San Juan Capistrano Councilman John Taylor and soon-to-be Dana Point Councilman John Gabbard.

For nearly 40 years, Pet Project Foundation (PPF) and the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter have been united in a unique partnership to provide pro-humane care to the lost and abandoned animals of the two cities. For more information, click here.

This week, I participated in the MemorialCare Women's Health Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony in Laguna Hills. I am so proud to have MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in my District. This Medical Center has been a staple in our community for many years.

At the MemorialCare Women's Health Pavilion groundbreaking.

MemorialCare is well-known for keeping abreast of the latest technology and innovative practices to best serve its patients. By bringing both maternal health and an osteoporosis clinic under one roof, and including robust breast cancer services including genetic counseling, screenings, surgical services, and survivorship clinics, they have successfully created a convenient, one-stop shop for patient needs.  

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Women’s Health Pavilion will create an environment specifically dedicated and focused on women’s health, enabling women of all ages to actually make health their first priority. They can schedule an annual mammogram, a follow-up OB/GYN appointment, or participate in a support group, all under one roof.

Artist rendering of the MemorialCare Women's Health Pavilion.

MemorialCare is to be highly commended for their innovation in creating a new model of care for women’s health with the Women’s Health Pavilion!

Today, I attended the Costa Mesa State of the City Luncheon held at the Hilton Costa Mesa. The State of the City Address was delivered by Mayor John Stephens.

With The Honorable John Moorlach at the Costa Mesa State of the City.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of presenting a Board Resolution in honor of the 60th anniversary of Taco Bell, which boasts its international headquarters in the 5th District.

This week, my staff and I were invited to tour their impressive facility located in the Irvine Spectrum area, where we met with Taco Bell CEO Mark King, Julie Davis (Global Chief Legal Officer / Corporate Secretary), Rob Poetsch (Senior Director of  Public Affairs), and Chad Hoffmann (Public Affairs Analyst).

L-R: With Chad Hoffman, my Senior Policy Advisor Christian Abueg, Chief of Staff Yasie Goebel, Rob Poetsch, and my Community Relations Advisor Sergio Prince.

In 1962, Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California, where he introduced tacos in a burger world, setting the stage for what it means to “Live Más."

Taco Bell is well known for its bold food innovations and fresh experiences that satisfy cravings and serve society for the better. Today, Taco Bell is highly committed to a flavorful future with wonderful celebrations to match, fueled by its dedicated people and close-knit community as well as delicious food!

This week, my office was pleased to attend the Newport Beach Firefighter and Lifeguard Appreciation Dinner held at the Hyatt Newport Beach, where my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, provided commendations for the honorees.

The solemn evening was filled with many inspiring stories of the brave men and women of Newport Beach, who are to be highly commended for protecting life, property and the environment with innovative professionalism and organizational effectiveness, in addition to their outstanding commitment to providing the community with unparalleled service excellence. To view the event program, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the event program.

This week, my office was pleased to attend the Annual Gathering of Friends for the Laguna Beach Seniors at the Susie Q. Laguna Beach Seniors Executive Director Nadia Babayi, President Renae Hinchey, and First Vice President Stephany Skenderian graciously thanked the many supporters of this outstanding organization, which enhances the lives of seniors through its programs, services, and advocacy that promote independence, wellness and community. For more information, click here.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, with Renae Hinchey, Nadia Babayi, Stephany Skenderian at the annual Gathering of Friends for the Laguna Beach Seniors at the Susie Q.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 666,185 positive cumulative cases and 7,432 deaths to date, as well as 124 currently hospitalized with 21 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.

OC Public Libraries cordially invites you to one of the following branches in the 5th District to view the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "Encanto" (2021). The movie follows a multigenerational family, the Madrigals, who live in the mountains of Colombia in a magical place called an Encanto. This film about family and culture complements the NEA Big Read book selection, Infinite Country.

Sat | Sep 24 | 2pm
Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

Sat | Dec 17 | 11am
San Juan Capistrano Library (La Sala)

The City of Newport Beach presents its annual Summer Concerts Series on the Green, featuring an array of performers for your entertainment. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts are held on the Newport Beach Civic Center Green (100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach). Admission and parking are free, on a first come, first served basis. See the list below for upcoming concerts. For more information, click here.

• October 2 - Stone Soul (At Marina Park)

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!