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Over the past year, my office has been listening closely to the concerns raised by community members about the limited public access to our County’s animal shelter, as well as the need for greater transparency and collaboration with the public.
I am pleased to share that, in response to these concerns, Supervisor Janet Nguyen and I brought a proposal to the Board of Supervisors this week aimed at improving access and fostering stronger community partnerships at OC Animal Care. The proposal was unanimously approved by the Board.
Key improvements from the approved proposal include:
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Expanded Public Access: Within the next four months, the animal shelter will offer walk-in access to the public, making it easier for community members to visit and engage with the shelter.
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Enhanced Transparency and Collaboration: We’ve introduced new measures to ensure better communication with the community, including regular report-outs and an increase in opportunities for community involvement. A designated community liaison will be appointed to ensure ongoing dialogue between the shelter and local residents.
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Exploring Trap-Neuter-Release Program: We’ve also asked County Counsel to explore the legal options for implementing or funding a trap-neuter-release program to help manage the county’s animal population more humanely.
 I am committed to working with all of you to create a more open, transparent, and community-driven animal shelter. Thank you for your continued feedback and support as we work together on this important community priority.
As the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, I am happy to share that CalOptima Health will expand the Street Medicine Program to the City of Santa Ana.
When it launches later this year, the Program will provide urgent medical and vital social services to unhoused folks on the streets, in partnership with the City. The program will also connect individuals to critical services that support their long-term health and well-being.
Santa Ana will be the fourth city served by the Program. The Street Medicine Program is a key part of Cal Optima’s comprehensive strategy to address homelessness, recognizing that housing insecurity directly affects health. Other strategies include awarding grants for housing development, increasing housing services provider capacity, and creating CalOptima Health’s first-ever Street Medicine Support Center, a 52-room facility in Garden Grove that will open in 2026.
 By meeting people where they are, we are upholding CalOptima Health’s mission to treat every member with dignity, compassion and respect while creating pathways to stability and hope.
I hosted a roundtable with faith-based leaders to continue an open and meaningful dialogue on critical issues, including challenges facing the faith community, immigration policy, and the intertwined crisis of housing affordability and homelessness. These dedicated leaders shared their insights on how these issues impact their congregations and the compassionate strategies they are implementing to address them.
I was deeply moved by their commitment and the transformative work they are doing within their communities. Together, we explored opportunities to unite our voices in tackling urgent concerns such as providing support to immigrant and refugee families, identifying funding opportunities for faith-based community initiatives, and advancing faith-led housing solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis.
 I am grateful for our faith partners who continue to uplift and protect our communities. In these uncertain times, it is important than ever to come together, united in service and guided by hope.
To kick off the month of March, I had the honor of hosting a resource fair in partnership with the Garden Grove Unified School District. The event brought together over 35 community-based organizations and more than 20 high school student clubs to provide valuable resources and services to over 600 local families at the Santiago High School campus.
It was a fantastic day filled with community connection and support, made possible by the incredible collaboration of partners like the County Social Services Agency, Cal Optima Health, Healthy Smiles, Serve the People, and the Community Action Partnership of Orange County.
 I am so grateful to GGUSD Trustee Walter Muneton for his unwavering advocacy and to Superintendent Mafi and Principal Pijl for their invaluable support in making this event a reality.
 Thank you to our Social Services Agency team for all the hard work and commitment to serving our community.
I joined Congressman Lou Correa, along with education and business leaders, at Santa Ana College for an engaging business workshop. Together, we discussed key topics such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and starting a business.
It was truly inspiring to witness the energy and enthusiasm of the next generation of entrepreneurs who will shape the future of our county’s business community.
 I deeply valued the collaboration with the City of Santa Ana, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, CHIRLA, Union Bank, and the Community Legal Information Resource and Referral Clinic, which provided students and community member with invaluable resources and meaningful networking opportunities.
Despite the rain, Anaheim youth made their voices heard during a recent student-led march and vigil, calling for stronger protections for their undocumented friends, families, and neighbors. These passionate students urged city officials to make a public commitment to oppose mass deportations, to implement a clear Anaheim Police Department policy rejecting all cooperation with ICE, and to strengthen the Welcoming City Policy to safeguard immigrant residents.
 I was proud to support these brave and dedicated youth leaders and encourage their continued efforts to improve their community.
I want to highlight the incredible work of the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC). As they prepare to celebrate their 25th Anniversary later this year, it’s truly remarkable to reflect on the transformative impact they’ve had on countless lives. For a quarter of a century, OCCTAC has been a pillar of creativity, education, and inclusion—offering arts, education, and therapy programs that empower low-income and special needs families.
 Founded by Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, OCCTAC continues to make a lasting impact in our community. To learn more about the Center’s programs and services, visit their website at www.occtac.org.
We continue to address public safety concerns related to people congregating along the riverbed and in flood control channels. We face the dual challenge of expanding access to bike paths while controlling these areas to prevent criminal activity and ensuring we provide services to those in need.
I wanted to share some of the latest before and after images of that ongoing work.
Before After
 Before After
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