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Celebrating Recent Successes and Future Visions
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Welcome to the fourth edition of the quarterly newsletter, Commissions Connection: Celebrating Recent Successes and Future Visions. You can expect to see updates on Commission Services achievements and highlights of the boards and commissions the Executive Office oversees.
Commissioners Gather to Network, Learn, and Share Ideas
District 5 Supervisor Kathryn Barger speaks to the Los Angeles County commissioners at the Commissioner Networking Forum. Photo: David Franco/BOS Staff Photographer
On December 9, 2024, the Executive Office of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors hosted a Commissioner Networking Forum designed to connect Los Angeles County Commissioners and share insights. The event featured opening remarks from Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. William Parent, Quality and Productivity Commission, and skilled facilitator, led topics of discussion and collaboration among panelists Vivian Chan, Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission; Lou Moore, Commission for Children and Families; Mary Hewitt, Workforce Development Board; and attendees.
Following the panel, commissioners participated in networking breakout sessions covering the Brown Act, Social Media Community Engagement, and Improving Language Accessibility Through Artificial Intelligence. Commissioner Joshua Elizondo of the Youth Commission led the discussion about the Brown Act; Jennifer Wicks, Communications Manager for the Executive Office, provided an overview on how commissioners can utilize social media to increase public participation; and Arpiar Nazarian, Application Development Chief for the Executive Office, spoke on the potential to increase language accessibility through artificial intelligence.
"It provided a great opportunity for commission members to share information and that there are many areas of shared interest among many of the commission,” said Louise E. Smith of the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities.
It provided an intriguing look into the evolving landscape of public service and the steps we must take to offer the greatest support for the Board of Supervisors and LA County residents.
 Faith Oladimeji, MPH, Program Manager at the College of Medicine at Charles Drew University, speaks to attendees at the HIV Commission's Annual Conference. Photo: HIV Commission Staff
The Commission on HIV held its annual conference on November 14, 2024 featuring the theme, “Bold Transformation to Confront and End HIV”, as a rallying cry to scale up all community efforts to meet the national goal of ending HIV by 2030. Nearly 150 individuals attended the annual conference, offering space for learning, community, and recharging commitments to end HIV.
The 2024 Annual Conference featured local best practices for prevention and care and national and regional experts on guaranteed income programs, the cure for HIV, and housing. The Division of HIV and STD Programs (DHSP) presented surveillance data on the State of HIV/STIs in Los Angeles County and their FLEX Card program which provides $400 monthly gift cards for PLWHA to reduce the financial burden for basic needs and frees up existing income for other essential needs.
Additionally, the HIV Cure Panel featured world-renowned HIV researcher and scientist, Dr. Luis Montaner, and two of the seven individuals in the world who have been cured of HIV through stem cell transplants - Paul Edmonds (City of Hope patient) and Adam Castillejo (The London patient). The discussion offered hope for a cure to end HIV and underscored the importance of achieving equitable access to current and future prevention and treatment therapies.
 The Commission on HIV hosted community members on February 13 for its 2025 Consumer Resource Fair, "Love Begins with Me," at the California Endowment Center in Los Angeles. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in workshops, participate in discussions, and explore a variety of resources offered by community service providers.
For information on future events, visit the Commission on HIV's website here.
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Commission for Children and Families Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Back Row (L to R): Interim Executive Director Armand Montiel, Wende Julien, Michael Flowers, Zaid Gayle, Lou Moore, Roman James, Vice Chair Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole, Vice Chair Franco Vega. Middle Row (L to R): Carol Biondi, Dr. Khushnuma Cooper, Dora Jacildo, Dr. Jacquelyn McCroskey, Martha Powell, Dr. Wendy B. Smith, Susan Friedman, Elizabeth Seipel. Seated (L to R): Jose Miguel Ruiz, Chair Shimica Gaskins, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Gabriela Eddy, Dr. Jeanette Mann.
Photo: Martin Zamora/BOS Staff Photographer
On November 18, 2024, the Commission for Children and Families celebrated 40 years of service to the children and families of Los Angeles County. The Commission advises the Board of Supervisors on strengthening service delivery systems and enhancing partnerships to create safer and more secure futures for Los Angeles County’s at-risk children and their families.
In attendance was First District Supervisor, Hilda L. Solis, who congratulated the Commission on their 40 years of service and advocacy. Although the Commission was initially established to provide oversight of the Department of Children and Family Services, it has evolved into a vital advocate and national leader in policies and procedures in child welfare. Supervisor Solis highlighted some of the important work of the Commission, including the convening of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Protection generated reforms and the reimagined child welfare, the creation of the Office of Child Protection, as well as addressing other issues impacting the child welfare system. Supervisor Solis then presented the Commission with a scroll signed by all five members of the Board.
Cynthia McCoy Miller, Senior Deputy Director for the Department of Children and Family Services, extended her congratulations on behalf of Director Brandon T. Nichols and stated that the Commission’s purposeful services have provided a valuable role for children and families as advocates, innovative leaders, and a tireless voice for policies and programs that have been transformative. She commended their passion, knowledge, and experience.
To learn more about the Commission for Children and Families, click here.
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The 4th Annual Civilian Oversight of Conference was held on November 8, 2024, at Earvin "Magic" Johnson Recreation Area Conference Hall. More than 100 community members, academics, law enforcement professionals and County Departments gathered for a day of discussion on civilian oversight models, legal obstacles to civilian oversight and the community vision for civilian oversight of law enforcement.
In addition to hearing great insight from keynote speaker Honorable Mike A. Gipson, who is the Assembly member of the 65th District, attendees had the opportunity to network and learn from others in the areas of innovative and effective approaches to civilian oversight of law enforcement. Three sessions focused on the challenges to and effective practices in civilian oversight, strategies to strengthen oversight and the community involvement in building the County's vision for oversight of law enforcement. The conference concluded with attendees gathering for a facilitated conversation to recap the sessions and explore steps to implement improvements.
This conference was designed by a joint planning committee of the L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commission, the Human Relations Commission, the Department of Youth Development, the Department of Public Health, and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department.
Sign up to attend future Commission events - each are open to the public!
March 2, 2025: Youth Climate Commission
District 2 Youth Climate Coalition Meeting, 2 p.m.
Lennox Park
10828 Condon Ave., Lennox, CA 90304
RSVP here.
March 3, 2025: Government Reform Task Force
Community Zoom Meeting, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
RSVP here.
March 22, 2025: Youth Commission
Fifth District Healing Session; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Louis Creveling Lounge (BLDG CC) - Pasadena City College
1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106
For more information, click here.
April 10, 2024: Commission on HIV
Ryan White Program Dental Services Listening Session, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
St Anne's Conference Center
155 Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Learn more here.
April 22, 2025: Youth Commission
District 4 Listening Session, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location To Be Announced
For information, click here.
Learn More About Commissions
There are currently more than 200 legislative bodies established in the County of Los Angeles. The Board of Supervisors Executive Office has direct oversight of some commissions, committees and boards; learn more about them here. Other legislative bodies generally fall under the purview of various County departments or outside agencies.
Los Angeles County Commissions are created and governed by County Charter, County ordinance, Board motion or State and Federal law. To view and learn more about these commissions, task forces, special districts, agency boards and joint powers authorities, view the Membership Roster.
Attend an Upcoming Commission Meeting
Find upcoming Commission Meetings, which are open to the public, and take a look at agendas to get details and join us.
Volunteer as a Commissioner
Have you ever thought about how you could be of service to volunteer your time, elevate your voice, and listen to your community? There are many opportunities to do just that by submitting your Interest to Serve as a Commissioner.
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New Commissioner Orientation
Join a New Commissioner Orientation for newly appointed Commissioners, Commissioners in search of a refresher, and staff assigned to support Commissions. This quarterly orientation is hosted by Commission Services in coordination with the Chief Executive Office and County Counsel staff for an enlightening overview of Commissions, Legislative Support, and Brown Act requirements.
Email CommServ@bos.lacounty.gov to receive notifications of upcoming orientations.
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