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| Volume 2 | Issue 12 |
March 25, 2022 |
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Solutions That Help Residents When They Need It Most
Dear Neighbor:
This week, I celebrated the one-year anniversary of accepting the challenge to serve our great County as a Supervisor on the Board of Supervisors.
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By listening to the needs of our constituents, I will continue to facilitate solutions and ensure our County’s success prioritizing public health... including mental health, economic recovery and workforce development, Veterans services, reducing homelessness, and sustainability.
Watch as I’m sworn in: Here
 Image Credit: The Mobile gas station on Pacific Coast Highway and Broadway in downtown Laguna Beach in early March.(Don Leach / Staff Photographer) LA TImes – Daily Pilot
On Tuesday, our Board of Supervisors discussed my request to suspend the $.51 gas tax & backfill with surplus funds and reduce costs for Orange County families. My colleagues unanimously approved sending a message to the Governor and California Legislature requesting relief for our community-members.
Learn more about my perspective on the gas tax credit, approved by the Governor, and read my opinion piece in the LA Times, below.
I continue to advocate for sober living reforms that protect patients and neighborhoods, just as I did as the Mayor of Costa Mesa. Reforms must happen before more people die from unscrupulous, unprofessional operators. I thank Chairman Chaffee for appointing Supervisor Bartlett and I to a Group Home/Sober Living Ad Hoc. We will see true reform at a local, county, and state level!
Thursday, our Constituent Services Manager, Manuel Chavez, joined me on a tour of Costa Mesa High School and a meeting with Newport Mesa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Wes Smith. I loved the trip down memory lane and to see the school my boys attended, where I also served as booster president and school board member. The school is living up to its full potential with Project Lead the Way, as students learn about solar engineering, orchestra, and keyboard classes, and excel in Spanish and Mandarin.
Sadly, Madeline Albright, the former U.S. Secretary of State passed away this week. While most of us remember her foreign policy leadership after the Cold War, she was my college professor’s mother-in-law and visited my law school. Her journey and diplomatic skills inspire so many.
This upcoming week will usher in National Volunteers Day! I invite you to sign up to be notified about volunteer opportunities with our office: Here
Be well,
 Katrina Foley
Supervisor
County of Orange
Save the date for our upcoming April 20, 2022, Homelessness and Housing Hearing.
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In This Edition
Read more about our Transparency in Governance,
Team Updates,
Health News, and
Community News.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting
- Please attend our Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. Watch it live: Here
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View a list of all 2022 Orange County #BOS meetings (link) or learn more about what’s happening in your community in our District Update (link).
Agenda Item S45H&I:
Our office and Supervisor Wagner’s office both requested that the Board of Supervisors send an official request to the Governor and State Legislature to address the rising costs of gas.
Read my Opinion piece in the LA Times – Daily Pilot: Commentary: Transitioning to Cleaner Energy is the Best Way to Reduce the Impact of Rising Gas Prices
Agenda Item S45J:
Chairman Chaffee appointed Supervisor Foley and Supervisor Bartlett to the Group Home/Sober Living Ad Hoc. Local, state and federal reforms that protect patients & neighborhoods must happen before more people die from unscrupulous, unprofessional operators.
“For years I have advocated for commonsense reforms to target unscrupulous operators who put money above the welfare of those in recovery. - look forward to working with Supervisor Bartlett to find solutions on this critical issue that affects our communities in Orange County.” – Supervisor Katrina Foley
Agenda Item S45H:
Our California women Veterans are part of a long and proud legacy of military service and the third week of March is an important time to recognize their significant contributions to the Armed Forces of the United States. We look forward to celebrating this week each March, going forward.
Agenda Items 41 & 45:
Support for Congressman Levin’s HR6685 Spent Fuel Prioritization Act and $100,000 contract with Southwest Strategies, LLC for action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Management services at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).. 9 million residents live within 50 miles of SONGS. We must enhance the safety for South Orange County, & reduce the risk that consumes OC resources.
Agenda Item 42:
More Climate Action-Diverting Food Waste – The County was awarded $150,000 for Edible Food Recovery Program funds. These funds will support the purchase of equipment such as refrigerators, installation, software, training, & education materials at John Wayne Airport and other County facilities, to facilitate edible food recovery and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing Homelessness
Alex Rounaghi, Policy Analyst
Addressing homelessness in Orange County is Supervisor Foley’s top priority. While we are making progress with recent successful Project Homekey applications, homelessness continues to be a crisis in our communities. On April 20, 2022, our office will host a hearing on homeless in Orange County to evaluate our approach and consider recommendations for future action. Stay tuned for details!
I also want community members to be aware of two upcoming Homeless Action Plan listening sessions that will be hosted by the Office of Coordinated Care. See below for details and to sign up.
The Office of Care Coordination is working with Homebase Consulting Group to develop a local Homelessness Action Plan for Orange County. The Homelessness Action Plan is a requirement of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) Round 3 grant application for the Orange County Continuum of Care and the County of Orange.
The local Homelessness Action Plan must include:
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A local landscape analysis to assess the current number of people experiencing homelessness, along with existing programs and funding which address homelessness.
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Identification of the number of individuals and families served, including demographic information and intervention types provided.
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Identification of all funds, including state, federal and local funds, currently being used and budgeted to be used, to provide housing and homelessness-related services.
As a next step in the development of the Homelessness Action Plan, 2 listening sessions will be facilitated by the Office of Care Coordination:
Homelessness Action Plan Listening Session 1
Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Homelessness Action Plan Listening Session 2
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Key stakeholders within the homeless response system including direct service providers, leadership and administrative supervisors, community and faith leaders, funders, local government leaders, community members with lived experience of homelessness, and others interested in developing goals and strategies to address homelessness in Orange County.
If you have any questions about the Homelessness Action Plan Listening Sessions, please reach out to the Office of Care Coordination at CareCoordination@ochca.com.
Team Foley In the News This Week
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- Video Tour of Be Well OC with Secretary Xavier Becerra
Watch Here
- Commentary: Transitioning to Cleaner Energy to Reduce the Impact of Rising Gas Prices
"While suspending the gas tax or offering an equivalent rebate will not completely solve the scourge of ever-increasing gas prices, it’s vital that we provide respite for Orange County families struggling to pay for gas during this challenging time." – Supervisor Foley
LA Times - Daily Pilot
OC Breeze - Press Release
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Orange County Receives More Funding to Convert Motels Into Housing for Homeless
“It’s a win because it’s cleaning up a community area that had been a cause for concern by residents for many years,” Foley said. “And it’s a win because the county gets permanent supportive housing ... It’s also a win for people who are experiencing homelessness or on the verge of homelessness, because now we have more units in the community where people can live.” – Supervisor Foley
LA Times - Daily Pilot
OC Breeze - Supervisor Foley Attends Veterans Housing Summit
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Fighting for a Middle-Class Harbor in Orange County
Voice of OC
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Safe Zones for O.C. Families in Child Custody Cases Created and Release of Sex Offenders Opposed
New Santa Ana
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Federal Dollars to Help Replenish OC Beaches
“Our coastal communities and local businesses were impacted last year by flooding, the oil spill and the COVID-19 pandemic. This long overdue funding to replenish the sand in our coastal community is critical to protect our local residents and tourism economy.” – Supervisor Foley
Spectrum News
Bruce Cook Conversation
On Sunday, I joined the Bruce Cook Conversation on Angel‘s radio to talk about the burdensome cost of gas, initiatives to reduce homelessness, Project Homekey, and the fentanyl crisis. Bruce is a great host and his passion for our County’s residents is evident.
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Constituent Services Manager
Please reach out to me at any time with questions or concerns: Manuel.Chavez@ocgov.com
Representing Garden Grove and Santa Ana.
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Investing in Orange County Youth
Hello Residents!
Another exciting week in our District. On Tuesday, I joined the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, The City of Santa Ana, OC Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, and representatives from Senator Tom Umberg & Congressmember Lou Correa's offices to welcome Randy’s Donuts to Santa Ana! The location is conveniently located at 2232 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92705 near the 55 freeway exit. Stop by and check out one of the best donut shops in the country, right here in Orange County!
Wednesday, I attended the Ribbon Cutting from Project Youth OCBF, alongside the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Ana, and representatives from Senator Umberg and Congressmember Correa's offices. The new center's mission is to keep at-risk youth in school through education, counseling, mentoring and by strengthening families. The center also focuses on post-high school education and vocational career training to ensure that students achieve their preferred career track. Thank you for investing in Orange County youth!
 Thursday, Supervisor Foley, the Newport Mesa School District Superintendent, and Costa Mesa High School Principal, Dr. Smith, and I attended a morning tour of the Costa Mesa High School campus. During the tour, we stopped by the school’s Wellness Center, Mandarin Language Classes, Band Class, Ceramic class, Media Arts Class and more. It's great to see how any electives are being offered at local schools and we hope to see this throughout our County.
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Constituent Services Manager
Please reach out to me at any time with questions or concerns: Kalvin.Alvarez@ocgov.com
Representing Anaheim, Orange, Tustin, Animal Services.
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Women's History Month Celebration
Our application process for Women Making a Difference nominations closed on March 18, 2022, and our awardees will be announced at the end of this month. Our County is filled with compassionate women who possess the best and brightest minds.
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Housing and Community Development Commission
Muriel Ullman, Housing and Community Development Appointee
On March 24, 2022, I attended the Housing and Community Development meeting where we discussed the following:
HOME-American Recovery Plan (ARP) and the addition ARP funds recommended by the Board of Supervisors for the development of permanent supportive housing through the County's Permanent Supportive Housing Notice of Funding Availability
The public notice and comment period for the proposed FY 2022-23 Annual Plan
The County’s approved 2 Project Homekey project
The Housing Choice Voucher Program Status and Activities.
Learn more: Here
District Director & Policy Advisor
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We are very excited about our upcoming career fair. Whether you're a job seeker or resident, you are welcomer to attend. Use the link or the QR code on the flyers, below, to register.
While the event is open to all, Veterans receive priority arrival at 10:00 AM. and we expect a busy event with 100 employers.
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Health Updates
Federal Money Directed at COVID Testing for the Uninsured
"Well, what I heard today when I asked in the board meeting is that we will for sure be making these resources available through June 30. Hopefully, we don't have another surge, but that's what we don't want to risk. We want to make sure that people continue to test." - Supervisor Foley
Watch Now: Here
Learn more about the deadline: Here
Remember, while masking is no longer required in most settings, masking in high risk, indoor, public settings is still effective: Here
As of March 24, 2022, 2,446,410 Orange County residents are fully vaccinated and 1,228,846 received their booster shot or additional doses. The 7-day average positivity rate (3/25/22) in our County is 1.7% versus 2.3% a week ago. This equals out to 3.4 daily positive COVID cases per 100k residents or 267.8 PCR+ tests received per day.
Revised March 24, 2022 – Current Orange County Health Care Agency Orders: Here
Vaccine Clinics
Mobile COVID-19 Clinics will provide vaccines and test kits to uninsured individuals. See the list of locations, days and times: Here
Pet of the Week
 Pet of the Week: Greta Animal ID#: A1738018
Greta is an adorable 5-year-old Pit Bull that is sure to melt your heart with her sweet eyes and her loving personality!
She arrived at OC Animal Care, in September, limping. Veterinary Staff conducted a full examination and determined that Greta had an injury to her leg and staff suspected that she’d need arthritis management for the rest of her life. However, once Greta rested and healed, the staff at OC Animal Care began integrating walks into her routine. Before long, the limp stopped and she is now always asking to go on walks! While the team is careful not to push her leg past its limit, Greta loves to walk by her human’s side and also enjoys pack walk events! When Greta isn’t in the fresh air, she curls up comfortably on a pile of blankets to snooze and enjoy a relaxing day. Greta is a happy girl who is looking for a loving family to give her cuddles and attention!
Interested in adopting this adorable pup? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! We think Greta will do best as the only pet in the house.
Interested in giving Greta a loving home? Call (714) 935-6848 to set up an adoption appointment today! Animal ID#: A1738018
Not ready to get a dog but want to help Brixton find a home? Share this flyer on social media!
Apply As An Intern
Bowers Museum
LGBTQIAS+ Summit: April 1, 2022 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Equity in OC
Equity in OC is an Orange County Health Care Agency initiative that aims to improve lives of underserved and multicultural communities in Orange County by advancing health equity, access, and wellness through a collective, responsive, and unified approach.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Equity grant, Orange County United Way has joined this initiative and will be carrying out the Community Partner Engagement aspect of the grant, which includes engaging and recruiting participants, as well as administering the various funding opportunities.
We invite you to get involved by helping identify health inequities in our community and working to develop sustainable solutions through joining the Equity in OC Taskforce: Here
Supervisor Katrina Foley's Current Committee Appointments
Inovative solutions require hard work and that is exactly what I will be working on, alongside my colleagues, throughout the coming year.
If you have questions or comments that you'd like to share, in relation to the committees below, please email me at Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com
 My office is also recruiting commissioners to appoint to our Orange County Historical Commission and Waste and Recycling Commission. You can find more information: Here
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com.
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