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Volume 2 | Issue 42 |
October 28, 2022 |
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Dear neighbor:
Before I dive into this week’s message, I hope everyone who celebrates Diwali had a wonderful holiday!
Last weekend started off with my office hosting our Welcome Home for Post-9-11 Heroes Event at Heroes Hall! It was a beautiful morning where we honored our post 9-11 veterans and connected them with veterans' resources and organizations. This celebration marks the beginning of support for this often-underserved group, and I just want to say an extra thank you to everyone who came by.
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 During the event, we shared a special announcement. We worked with our wonderful arts community to restart a very special program – the VOICES: Veterans Storytelling Project. I am pleased to provide $25,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding so we can inspire and empower veterans in the community through art.
 Our check presentation with President and CEO of Arts Orange County Rick Stein and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris!
After that event, I attended Barktoberfest! During this event, families had the chance to showcase their pets’ costumes in a parade or adopt a new furry friend. I always enjoy community events where we can all get together and enjoy some spooky, wholesome fun!
 This past weekend, I also joined Ryan Hickman and Project3R to help clean up T-street beach in San Clemente. We found lots of little strips of ripped plastic from the sandbags used to stop coastal erosion - we must work together as a community to find a better solution to protecting our beaches.

I attended the Orange County Transportation Authority Board Meeting on Monday, where we discussed long range transportation planning, the OC Street Car, and voted on elimination of routes with little to no ridership.
On Tuesday, I had the honor of joining Human Options for their walking vigil to Shine the Light on domestic violence. As a county, we must support and protect victims and survivors of domestic violence. I applaud the work of Human Options for helping raise awareness and providing support for those experiencing relationship violence. My advice to those whose friends or family members suffering relationship violence is to interfere, invade their privacy, let them know you care and where to find resources to leave.
 Wednesday morning, I joined my friends from the Orange County Model Engineers, Mayor John Stephens, and Hank’s grandkids which included my neighbor Michelle, at the Goat Hill Junction in Costa Mesa to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated train trestle. I am thrilled that they will continue to provide train rides through our beautiful Fairview Park and continue the tradition since 1988.

On Thursday, I joined Chairman Doug Chaffee, Vice Chairman Don Wagner, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, Veterans and other elected officials for the signing of AB1595. This bill paves the way for establishing a veterans cemetery here in Orange County. Orange County veterans advocated for almost a decade to build a State Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. This year, the Board sponsored AB 1595, a bill carried by Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva proposing to allow the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to study, acquire, design, develop, and construct a state-operated veterans cemetery in Orange County.
It passed in the State Legislature, and Governor Newsom signed it into law. Because of AB 1595’s urgency clause, the bill immediately became law.
 Here I am with Chairman Doug Chaffee, Vice Chairman Don Wagner, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, State Senator Dave Min, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, and fellow key Veteran Community leaders.
After years of disappointment, the veterans community formed a coalition last year to unite around the proposed site at Gypsum Canyon. The coalition now includes more than 150 veteran organizations, the County’s Board of Supervisors, state and federal delegation members, and all 34 Orange County cities, including 190 local elected officials. This cemetery will allow our Orange County residents to pay respects to our veterans and their sacrifices made.
 A snippet of our coalition!
Then, I attended the quarterly meeting of the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council. We reviewed the budget for future SB 823 funds, received and filed the 2022 Strategic Financial Plan projections, and reconvened the ad hoc committee to review Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) program requirements, plan and metrics. I strongly support the action to review existing funding to ensure that we are spending dollars based on performance metrics to ensure that we maximize outcomes and save taxpayer dollars. I look forward to continued work on the important work of supporting the most vulnerable in our juvenile justice system and advancing public safety.
Today, I happily attended Habitat for Humanity’s Framing Day! It was inspiring to hear the different accounts shared this morning to emphasize the importance of affordable housing. A place to call home transforms lives, and I am committed to doing everything I can as Supervisor to support opportunities for more families to find housing.
 I also enjoyed hosting two Coffee & Conversations this week. The first was at Kean Coffee, and the second at Vivante on the Coast with their residents where my special guest Public Safety Advisor Retired Police Chief Dave Snowden and I answered questions. I really enjoy hearing from you about the issues that matter most. Keep an eye out for more of these events in the future!

Finally, on Friday, I joined many community members for the Grand Opening of the Korean Community Services Health Center in Irvine! The organization provides crucial services for new Korean immigrants such as social services, counseling, food bank, legal assistance and education materials. This new center will be Irvine’s first federally qualified health center and will provide Irvine residents with culturally inclusive expert care.

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, I’m distributing $100 gas cards to my constituents facing economic hardship as a result of high cost of gasoline and rising inflation. This program is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The drive-thru distribution will take place at Orange Coast College (2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626) off Fairview near the Orange Coast College Wendell Pickens Baseball Field.
At the request of Vice Chair Wagner and I, the County Board of Supervisors advocated for the State of California to suspend the gas tax, but Sacramento did not listen. At the same time, large oil companies are seeing record profits. I remain committed to directly helping residents by returning your taxpayer dollars back into your pocket.
 Tonight, I’m kicking off Halloweekend by going on the Ghosts and Legends Tour in San Juan Capistrano! With Halloween just around the corner, I wish you all a fun and safe weekend full of festivities! I look forward to seeing everyone’s amazing costumes next week.
Be Well,
 Katrina Foley Supervisor County of Orange
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In This Edition
Read more about local events, community and health news, District and County initiatives, and other important updates!
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Upcoming Board of Supervisors Meeting On November 8, 2022
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Manuel Chavez
Constituent Services Manager
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Friday, I attended the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Honors Ceremony. It was a beautiful event where David Beek was recognized as the 2022 Citizen of the Year & Mario Marovik was recognized as the 2022 Business Person of the Year. Congratulations to the awardees!
Another busy week at the office. I spent this week preparing and fielding questions for our upcoming Gas Card Distribution Event. The event is going to be held at Orange Coast College from 11am-1:30pm on November 1st. To qualify you must live in either Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, Stanton or Tustin. The cards will be distributed in a first come first serve basis so register in the link below!
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Cindy Tran-Chang
Policy Advisor
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As Thanksgiving approaches, I think about all the things for which I’m grateful, for good health that allows me to be able to place food on the table, a roof over our heads and the means to be able to support my oldest daughter with her college education. I’m thankful for a supportive family and extended family members and friends who motivate and inspire me to push harder every day and to be the best version of myself.
I’m also thankful for a job that I absolutely love and the opportunity to work for an incredible and influential female leader that I admire and respect! Supervisor Foley tackles complex challenges critically, makes tough decisions thoughtfully, and maximizes the results for the communities she serves. I love having the flexibility to voice my opinions in a safe environment and to be able to make mistakes and learn from them. I love being empowered to make decisions, collaborate with team members and lead projects that make a difference in the lives of others.
It took me two and a half decades to have the courage to make a career change because change is always so unsettling for me. But I’m glad I did and I’m so giddy about my awesome work family. I’m excited for you to hear all about the amazing things we’ve got in place to make an impact in the lives of those we serve!
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Annie Mitchell
Policy Analyst
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Somehow it is already the end of October! This year has flown by in an instant. This week marks the three-month mark of me working for Supervisor Katrina Foley. What an unbelievable three months it has been. As I look back to who and where I was three months ago, a lot has changed. I am so thankful for all the opportunities working for the Supervisor has brought me and for how much I have grown in this position. While it has not been easy, it has been rewarding and I am so proud of how much my confidence in myself has grown. This might be quite the selfish newsletter entry on my behalf, but I believe it is important to celebrate ourselves and what we’ve accomplished. On that note, I want to say congratulations to Cindy for earning her MPA, that is an amazing accomplishment and I am so proud of you and how hard you worked! |
Stephanie Wade
Veterans Policy Advisor
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The highlight of my week (and this is true for veterans all over the county) was seeing the Supervisor stand tall with leaders of VALOR at the Orange County signing of the bill (AB 1595) that will put the state behind the county’s long overdue veterans cemetery project.
But I also want to note the start of the Supervisor’s Post-9-11 Welcome Home for Heroes Program and her 2nd annual Veterans of the Year Awards. Last Saturday, the Supervisor held the first of the Welcome Home events at Heroes Hall Museum in Costa Mesa. It honored ten OC veterans who are pictured below. Though public admiration for veterans remains high, these veterans are the first Americans to go to war in an all-volunteer force. This means they bear the special, isolating burdens of having fought wars and served repeated deployments around the globe only to come home to a population in which fewer than 1% of us serve and can fully relate to their experiences. To honor these men and women, the Supervisor will continue to give an official proclamation and commemorative lapel pin to veterans who have served in the US military for any length of time since September 11th, 2001. If you know a post-9-11 vet here in OC, please invite them to fill out this form so that the Supervisor can show of our county’s gratitude for their wartime service: tinyurl.com/KFHero. We ask veterans to use the form so that we can write an appropriate proclamation listing, their name, branch and dates of service.
The Supervisor will make the next round of post-9-11 welcome home honors on Saturday, November 12th (the day after Veterans Day) at 12:30 in the garden at Heroes Hall as part of her 2nd Annual Veterans of the Year Awards. The combined event is free and open to the public, so please attend if you can.
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Veterans Service Officer position is open!
The County of Orange is looking for qualified applicants to fill the Veteran Service Officer position! The application will remain open on a continuous basis. This position seeks a dynamic leader who will act as a liaison between military installations, veterans’ service organizations, and community organizations. If you are interested, apply now!
Commission Updates
Meeting Highlights of October 27, 2022 Housing and Community Development Commission
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Findings AB361 – Reconsider state of emergency and make findings that HCD has reconsidered state of Covid emergency and the County will continue hybrid meetings.
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Michelle Zdeba, Housing Development Manager - County brought forward two projects for update for PAC meeting last week. Motel 6 Costa Mesa will get total of 2.5 million. This is a Community Development Partners/Mercy House project. Riviera Motel in Stanton, a Jamboree Housing project, was originally slated to receive over 2 million. This project will now receive an additional 1 million for a total amount not to exceed $3,032,983.
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6 million in American Rescue funds were given to the Housing Authority. A portion is being used for landlord incentive programs. Incentives include signing bonuses, security deposit, funding which complements existing housing choice voucher recipients. OCHA is developing training procedures for this project for November, 2023. Additional new housing development set side is 27 million for NOFA housing development projects. Several million per year will be used to fill gaps in current housing development projects. Remainder will go to NOFA to be released later this year.
Health News
Michele Mullen
Public Health Advisor
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As of October 23, 2022, 2,357,219 of Orange County residents are fully vaccinated, 213,254 are partially vaccinated and 1,402,418 received their shot or booster dose. That is great news as we reopen and get back to living our best lives.
On October 27, 2022 Governor Newsom announced the plan to end California’s COVID State of Emergency February 28th, 2023. Marking the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency at the state and national level does not mark the end of COVID-19. We still must protect our health and get vaccinated and be mindful of our surroundings.
New COVID-19 (bivalent) boosters for children ages 5 and older are now authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Most children who are infected with the COVID-19 virus only experience mild symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue, and cough. However, some children have experienced.
Appointments can be made by parents and legal guardians seeking a vaccine for their eligible child(ren) by visiting www.vaccines.gov, https//myturn.ca.gov, or by calling their primary care provider.
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OC Health Update
As of October 27, 2022, there are 269 total cases of Monkeypox and 5.2(%) hospitalizations in Orange County.
Testing and vaccines are available across the County. To learn more about monkeypox and vaccinations, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/monkeypox.
October 27,2022 Update - Rainbow Fentanyl Alert
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning to school leaders last week about a new and concerning “rainbow fentanyl,” a potentially fatal drug found in brightly colored pills and powders that could attract young people. “These brightly colored pills or powders laced with fentanyl could easily be mistaken for candy or chalk and pose a threat to our community,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA Chief Medical Officer. “I urge everyone in the community to spread awareness and learn how to use naloxone in the event of a fentanyl overdose or poisoning.” Get more facts about fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
National Takeback Day – TOMORROW, October 29
You can drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications on “National Take Back Day” THIS Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at numerous locations throughout Orange County.
Pharmaceutical medication can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. To locate a Take Back drop site near you, please visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1 (800) 882-9539. Drop-off service is free and anonymous.
It is increasingly important to remain safe and healthy and it is a top priority of mine to keep community members updated with the most recent guidelines. To find more information on the latest guidelines issued by the HCA, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.
Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any variants? Review the Quarantine Calculator: Here
As you celebrate summer activities and plan vacations, protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 by following safe travel guidelines issued by the CDPH.
See the latest guidance: Here
OC Animal Care:
Many concerned citizens reached out to my office about the state of OC Animal Care’s adoption system. In response, I sent an anonymous staffer unannounced to walk in to the shelter and report back what an everyday resident may experience as a walk in adopter. I’m pleased to report they were accommodated within minutes and were able to view multiple animals (& our office almost got a new fuzzy team member)!
There are some fundamental truths we must start with:
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Too many pets are living in our shelters who need a loving home.
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Our shelters are understaffed and we must vigorously recruit and retain new staff members.
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The OCAC shelter is open for walk ins. Appointments are recommended for a quicker adoption process, but not necessary. Every customer receives a fully personalized adoption experience.
To solve our most pressing concerns, my office sponsored adoptions through the month of September. I’m pleased to share we found homes for 182 dogs, 296 cats, 20 rabbits, 8 guinea pigs, and one tortoise!
To read my official response to frequently asked questions, please click here.
Pet of the Week
Dylan is a 4-year-old Blue Nosed Pit Bull who is full of sugar, spice, and everything nice! This sweet boy is as loyal as can be and just wants to be with you all day long, getting lots of love and attention! Dylan is incredibly smart and knows sit, shake, and lay down, and he takes treats very lightly, like a true gentleman. Since Dylan’s arrival as a stray in August, we’ve been working to help him gain some healthy weight so he can look and feel his best! Dylan enjoys the outdoors and is a pro at walking nicely on the leash, stopping to smell the flowers along the way of course! Dylan will do best in a home where he can be the only pet since he loves hogging all of the human attention. People are his absolute favorite!
Interested in adopting Dylan? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! Walk-ins are welcome! *
*Walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows.

Join us at the movies on Wednesday, November 2 for a free screening of "Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down," a 2022 documentary film that follows gun violence prevention hero and advocate Gabrielle Giffords as she recovers from the 2011 shooting.
Hosted by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Giffords, Moms Demand Action – CA, and my office, this event will begin at 6:00 pm at the Regal Edwards Metro Pointe Theater in Costa Mesa. The screening will commence at 6:30 pm, followed by a conversation on gun violence prevention.
Please join us for the Veterans Cemetary Flag-Raising Ceremony
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2022
Parking is first come, first serve.
Please come at 9:15 AM for the shuttle service as you will need to be transported to the top of the hill.
The American flag is a grand 60'x30' to be raised on a 100-foot flag pole to mark the site.
Directions to the Gypsum Canyon site:
From East on 91 Freeway: Exit Gypsum Canyon Road, then turn right at the end of the off-ramp. The event entrance is straight ahead. (Do NOT take the exit to Route 241.) From North on 241 Toll Road: Head west on Route 91, take the Weir Canyon Road exit, turn left at end of off ramp, take Route 91 East on ramp, head east on Route 91. Exit Gypsum Canyon Road, then turn right at the end of the off-ramp. The event entrance is straight ahead. (Do NOT take the exit to Route 241.)
Emergency Railroad Stabilization Project Updates
The Orange County Transportation Authority finalized a contract with a geotechnical firm to begin emergency work next week to stabilize the railroad track in San Clemente.
The current plan is to complete the work in one phase over approximately 90 days. Project engineers and geotechnical experts will continually monitor the slope next to the track during construction. In partnership with all rail agencies, a decision will be made when to safely resume passenger rail service. Restoration of passenger rail service could happen in as soon as 60 days, in mid-December, or when the construction is expected to finish in mid-January, in 90 days.
Metrolink released their adjusted schedule in response to the line closure, but at this time offer no alternate routes. Amtrak provides alternate bus routes for some of the trains impacted by the closure while other trains are temporarily suspended with no alternate routes.
Student Debt Relief
The application for student debt relief is now open! Applicants can expect to see relief within 4-6 weeks of applying.
Apply before 11/15 to receive relief before payment pause expires on 12/31. Applications submitted after will still be processed.

Mariangeles Soto-Diaz: Gentle Prowess Deliberations
Part of Mariangeles Soto-Diaz’s ongoing artist residency, Gentle Prowess Deliberations is the third project in a series in which the artist incorporate judo principles and elements into art objects, installations, performances and social practice with her judo community. This project focuses on ju, or gentle, one of the core concepts of judo. The work also grapples with the ongoing reality of violence, including the violence that has led to over six million people leaving the artists native country of Venezuela in recent years. How does one practice ju in a world shaped by oppressive violence?
While growing up in Venezuela, Soto-Diaz’s judo teachers were intent on transmitting judo’s international sensibility as intertwined with its pacifist ethos, a key principle articulated by judo founder Jigoro Kano. Through these early experiences, Mariangeles was able to begin the philosophical and rhetorical quest into what this might mean as one confronts a powerful opponent, institution, or system.
For this project the artist approaches ju in several ways. She asked judo colleagues and teachers from two different dojos, Bunasawakai and Sawtelle, to characterize ju in their own words, and then incorporated their answers into aspects of the performance and installation. She weaves into the performance movements from a choreographed judo form that centers around ju, called ju-no-kata, performed here by US National champions Lee Pasteris and Frederick Dagdagan. Soto-Diaz incorporates judo movements performed by two of her sensei, grand master Sensei Nori Bunasawa and Sensei Goya. In addition to these four highly ranked master judokas, the artist is collaborating in the performance with dancer, choreographer and UCI professor Charlotte Griffin and art performer Christina Segovia. The evening will include field recordings from judo competitions at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo as well as the US, with live and processed sound in collaboration with musician Michael Dessen.
Learn more.
OC Alert
Sign up for AlertOC to get notified in case of emergency in Orange County. The mass notification system is designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed in the event of a time-sensitive emergency. YOU MUST OPT IN TO RECEIVE ALERTS. Register today at AlertOC.org.
Appointments for Veterans Services
 Orange County Microbusiness Grants Re-Launch
Guo Pei: Art of Couture – NOVEMBER 12
Bowers Museum will once again welcome international couture powerhouse Guo Pei as she transforms the galleries into a world of fantasy this fall.
The exhibition Guo Pei: Art of Couture premiers with a fresh take on the artist’s finest and most personal pieces, including gowns hand selected by Guo Pei herself. Hot on the heels of her success at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, Bowers’ entirely new exhibition opens to the public on November 12, 2022.
Guo Pei: Art of Couture will feature over 40 works of couture art curated for exhibit by the world-renowned designer. Among the bespoke selection is Guo Pei’s Chinese Bride collection, which makes its North American debut at the Bowers.
OC Workforce Solutions
Ready Set OC offers no-cost employment training for Orange County youth ages 14-24, including those with disabilities or IEP plans, former or current foster children, pregnant or parenting, offender/ex-offender, and those experiencing homelessness, including couch-surfing or at risk of homelessness. To find out more information, call the OC Business and Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500 or text (657) 210-1295. Email info@readysetoc.com
Equity in OC
Are you in charge of a grassroots organization? the Equity in OC initiative is releasing a POWER BUILDING FUND toprovide smaller, grassroots organizations with the opportunity to build their infrastructure and/or capacity
Learn More: Here
Committee Appointments
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
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Team Foley
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