Cindy Tran-Chang
Policy Advisor / Community Events Manager
Last Thursday and Friday was our office retreat, where we received training on several topics including how to plan different types of meetings, time management, staffing expectations and what to bring when hosting a booth at community events. We toured some gems tucked away in San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point and was an excellent team bonding opportunity. We also received our assignments. My policy areas include Social Services Agency, Child Support Services, Education and Community Events. I am the District Representative for the unincorporated areas, Capistrano Unified School District and PTA Councils and am the Community Events Manager.
This week, I met with the Supervisor and senior leadership to discuss the sponsorship packages for the Chamber offices in our district. I look forward to meeting representatives in the new communities we represent and getting to know south county areas better!
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Annie Mitchell
Policy Analyst / District Representative
What a busy and wonderful week it has been! I have had a great time getting settled into District 5 and our new roles as representatives. Meeting so many kind community members every day makes me so happy and thankful that I am able to do what I do. This week I got to get my grub on at Mezzo Calzones grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony! There was an assortment of traditional Italian calzones filled with a blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, hearty meats and vegetables. I opted for the pesto calzone – no tomato!
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Adam Tallabas
Policy Analyst / District Representative
This weekend, I attended the 41st Annual UVSA Tet Festival celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center with the Supervisor. There were wonderful performances and beautiful displays of Vietnamese culture & history – 100% planned and ran by student volunteers! I am so glad I was able to attend! On Thursday, I attended the celebration of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Employees of the Year! Our Coach Operators, Maintenance, and Admin employees are responsible for ensuring safe, timely & sustainable public transportation here in Orange County! Thank you for all you do.
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 Here I am in the crowd with other attendees of the Tet Festival!
 Congratulations to the Employees of the Month/Year!
Exciting news – our office is hiring interns! The full job description is available here. Please send a writing sample & resume to Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com & cc Annie.Mitchell@ocgov.com!
Restauranteurs: Learn if you qualify for a rebate or refund!
The Board-approved plan is part of a $1.7 million litigation settlement reached with restaurants that sued the County over the payment of inspection fees collected by the Environmental Health Division of the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to $1.273 million of the settlement will be refunded/credited to local restaurants that paid permit fees to HCA.
The refund/rebate is available only to those restaurant owners, who were in operation during the specific period between March 2020 and June 2021. Restaurants will also qualify for credits and rebates based on the following criteria:
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Restaurants that paid annual permit fees between March 17, 2020, to June 15, 2021, and are still in business, will receive a credit against future permit fees.
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Restaurants that paid annual permit fees between March 17, 2020, to June 15, 2021, but are no longer in business, will receive a reimbursement payment.
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Restaurants that did not pay annual permit fees (i.e., took advantage of the County’s fee deferral program) will receive a credit against fees owed.
The HCA's Environmental Health Division will process the fee credits and rebates to restaurants over the next 12 months. For further details regarding the restaurant fee credit program, please contact Orange County Environmental Health at (714) 433-6000.
Apply to Join a Commission!
If you or someone you know is interested in joining one of the county's commissions, please consider applying through the link here.
Health News
Michele Mullen
District Representative
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COVID-19 Data:
As of February 2, 2023, 2,366,484 Orange County residents are fully vaccinated. The 7-day average positivity rate 02/02/23 in our County is 6.3%. This equals out to 5.1 daily positive COVID cases per 100k residents.
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The National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey is in OC!
OC Health – REMINDER: The CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has arrived in Orange County! NHANES is a unique survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) that collects data on the health of people living in the U.S. through interviews and physical exams.
Participation in the NHANES is by invitation only – but if you are invited, we encourage you to participate! For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/participant.htm or call 855-958-0631.
Your Health Matters OC
 The OC Health Care Agency hosts a live, bi-weekly talk show on YouTube and Facebook called “Your Health Matters OC.” The show features healthcare professionals within the HCA and expert guests from within the OC community. Each Episode features a variety of relevant health topics that impact your health and the Orange County community.
Members of the public and media are encouraged to view the webcast live or at your convenience by click on links below!
Be part of the conversation by submitting questions either in advance or during the show by emailing yourhealthmatters@ochca.com.
Episode #24: The Fentanyl Crisis
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Time: 6 p.m.
Link to Join: https://youtu.be/_Jm9WW599D4
OC Animal Care
In our ongoing efforts to keep the shelters clear, starting this year, OCAC will waive fees for adult dogs over 25 pounds adopted by residents across Orange County! The normal adoption fee for adult dogs ranges from $100 - $200. Help our furry friends at the shelter find loving homes.
Pet of the Week
Meet Dottie, Pet of the Week! In October 2022, Dottie was found tied up to a bench in a park with her precious puppies. Soon after her arrival at OC Animal Care, she was placed with a foster family to care for her 7 pups. Now that they are grown and adopted, this loving mom is ready for adoption herself! Dottie can come off as a little shy at first. Once she has time to get to know you, she will warm up. One way to win Dottie’s heart is by taking her on walks and teaching her more tricks. Dottie was beginning to be potty-trained in her foster home, but she’ll need more practice once there’s a routine in place.
If you're looking for a sweet, playful girl, then Dottie would make the perfect addition to your family! To adopt Dottie, call (714) 935-6848 and mention Animal ID# A1788585.
Nominations open for American Red Cross of Orange County Heroes Awards!
American Red Cross of Orange County is currently accepting nominations for our annual Orange County Heroes Awards. This event raises awareness of local heroes making a positive impact in Orange County.
How do we find local heroes to honor? That’s where you come in! If you know an “ordinary” person with extraordinary courage, someone who has saved a life, helped a neighbor in need, or made a positive impact in Orange County, nominate them to be honored as a hero at the upcoming Orange County Heroes Awards event.
Red Cross established this one-of-a-kind event to honor local individuals who have made a personal commitment to creating safer and stronger communities. This year’s event will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at the City National Grove of Anaheim.
Nominations are due by Friday, March 3, 2023. Nominating is free and easy. We’re accepting nominations in the following categories:
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Animal Welfare Hero: Presented to an animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, to a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation, to an animal that is making a difference to impact someone’s life, or to an individual that cares for animals.
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Corporate Hero: A business or organization that has contributed significantly to the American Red Cross mission and/or made a positive impact in our community.
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Disaster Services Hero: An individual or an organization that has exhibited heroic efforts in any or all of the areas of disaster services, including preparedness, response or recovery during a natural disaster or emergency situation through mission-driven response assistance to people in need.
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First Responder Hero: Presented to a professional or volunteer serving as a law enforcement official, firefighter, first responder or responder in the medical or healthcare field. This award is presented to a person or persons who has exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency, on or off-duty, through acts of courage or selflessness.
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Gift of Life Hero: An individual or group that supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross through blood or platelet donations or inspiring others to give blood or platelets.
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Good Samaritan Hero: Presented to a person that has demonstrated outstanding heroism, skill, commitment or resourcefulness in attempt to save one or more lives by utilizing skills aligned with those taught in American Red Cross programs such as CPR/AED/First Aid or other health and preparedness training.
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Service to the Armed Forces Hero: Presented to a member of the armed forces (active or veteran, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose heroic action(s) demonstrated exceptional courage or improved the welfare of the military community. This award may be presented posthumously and may also be awarded to ROTC members or to civilians/organizations that have made a significant impact on the military community.
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Youth Hero (age 18 or younger): Presented to a youth in the community who has demonstrated courage, initiative and/or compassion in the spirit of the American Red Cross in service to another individual or the welfare of the region.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
- All nominees must work or reside in Orange County. The heroic act may have occurred elsewhere.
- The heroic act must be either an ongoing commitment to the community or must have occurred in 2022.
- It is possible to have more than one person awarded in a category for the same act.
- The 2023 Class of Heroes will be selected by the Heroes Selection Committee.
- Nominees may meet the criteria for more than one category or be moved to a different category at the discretion of the Selection Committee during deliberation.
HOW TO NOMINATE A HERO
American Red Cross
Attn: Karyssa Heggie
600 Parkcenter Dr.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Job Opportunity: Ocean Institute
Ocean Institute is heading into a SOLD OUT Field Trip season and looking forward to another record-breaking year for our 2023 Summer Camp!
They want you to dive in and join their team!
Please see below for more information about open positions -- new full-time positions just added for Science Instructors and Maritime Instructors.
Learn more information at the following link: https://oceaninstitute.org/career/
Job Opportunity: Yale Navigation Center
The Office of Care Coordination would like to inform Orange County stakeholders of the following employment opportunity currently available to share with community members and local partners:
The Associate Director works in collaboration with the Director to oversee the Yale Navigation Center Program and its staff to promote and ensure a safe and stable environment and the delivery of high quality and effective services to guests participating in the program.
Associate Director, Yale Navigation Center PATH Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 / year
Classification: Full Time
New Exhibitions January 30 - March 23
Check out Orange Coast College's new art exhibitions: Ann Phong: Re-Evaluating Normal and Linda White: Four Decades of Painting from Geometry to Gesture.
 ANN PHONG: RE-EVALUATING NORMAL
 LINDA WHITE: FOUR DECADES OF PAINTING FROM GEOMETRY TO GESTURE
Disney's Frozen
Disney's Frozen is here at Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Center for the Arts now through February 19! For more information and to purchase tickets, check out the following link: https://www.scfta.org/events/2023/frozen
Jump in to 2023 with Love Costa Mesa
 Their first quarterly City Leaders Gathering of 2023 is being held on Thursday, February 9, from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
They will be focusing on the Neighboring Initiative and hearing about all that is happening with our neighbors in Costa Mesa, from their Neighboring Initiative Director, Reina Cuthill.
Orange County Museum of Art News
Save the Date
Tuesday, February 14
Exhibition Opening celebration for our new exhibitions Daniel Arhsam: Wherever You Go, There You Are and 13 Women: Variation II.
Public Opening Party
8 PM–12 AM
Mix art, music, and cocktails! Galleries open until midnight! Visit our shop, The MIND for limited edition art pieces by Daniel Arhsam.
RSVP here by February 7.
Substance Abuse Resource
 Detox.com’s mission is to provide the best free resources for people to find self-help with substance abuse through detox and other mental health strategies. Check out their website for more information!
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
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 to provide 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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