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I was very proud to present an item to the Board recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This important observance reminds us to celebrate the invaluable contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the dedication of those who support them in living independently and thriving in our communities.
In California, a developmental disability is defined as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other conditions closely related to intellectual disability. This year’s theme, "Creating Pathways to Independence," underscores the importance of providing the resources, support, and opportunities individuals with developmental disabilities need to thrive.
Discrimination and underfunding continue to impact Californians with developmental disabilities, leaving them disproportionately burdened by soaring housing costs, barriers to healthcare, low employment rates, and entrenched poverty. Many also face significant obstacles to civic engagement due to inaccessible voting systems, inadequate transportation options, and a lack of accommodations within government processes.
It is essential to recognize and amplify the efforts of parents, caregivers, advocates, and organizations that provide vital services and support. Their advocacy forms the backbone of our ability to serve those living with disabilities. Non-profit organizations such as the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy, part of Disability Rights California, play an indispensable role in championing the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed.
 We were fortunate to have a disability rights advocate, Azucena Garcia-Ferro, join the board for the presentation. Her eloquent and passionate remarks served as a powerful reminder to consider individuals with disabilities living in Orange County in the funding decisions we make. She also called on us to reaffirm our commitment to creating pathways that empower these individuals to achieve independence and thrive.
I truly valued the opportunity to partner with Helping OC Cats and play a part in the success of their Spay/Neuter Mobile Clinic. Through our sponsorship, we were able to fund surgeries and vaccinations for pets, providing these essential services at no cost to district residents. It was truly gratifying to support pet owners who are devoted to their animals but may face financial barriers in accessing such care.
 The clinic successfully sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated 40 cats for fleas, contributing to healthier, happier pets.
 A special thanks to Romina Yamashiro for her dedication and passionate advocacy for our pets. Her tireless efforts, alongside the remarkable commitment of the volunteers, never fail to inspire me. Their hard work and the countless hours they invest ensure the well-being of these pets, making a profound difference in their lives and the lives of their families.
The Truth Act, a California state law, establishes guidelines and restrictions for law enforcement agencies statewide when handling individuals arrested and issued an immigration detainer by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Each year, the OC Sheriff presents this information at a public hearing held alongside the Board of Supervisors meeting.
To make this critical information more accessible to the community, I partnered with local organizations to host an evening forum in Santa Ana. This event provided an opportunity for community members to engage with experts, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the law and its implications.
 Thank you to all the organizations for their participation and expertise: the Harbor Institute for Immigrant & Economic Justice, Resilience OC, VietRise, and the Mexican Consulate. I want to give a special thank you to Latino Health Access for hosting this community event.
I was glad to celebrate the Grand Opening of Archways Santa Ana, an 85-unit community providing affordable and permanent supportive housing for low to extremely low-income households. The project is the culmination of a collaborative effort between many agencies. It shows our collective commitment to achieving the County’s Housing Funding Strategy to build 2,396 units of supportive housing throughout the County by 2029.
I am especially happy to have the project include units for very low-income residents, some of our most vulnerable community members. The project serves families and individuals with a mix of housing units, with needed amenities, along a transportation corridor. This type of development is critical to meeting our county’s housing goals.
 The County is proud to have contributed $5 million in funds to support the development of this project. Additionally, we supported National CORE in securing $7.3 million in No Place Like Home funding through the State HCD.
The project was supported by the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, the City of Santa Ana, and Community Development Partners and Mercy House.
In the wake of the Andrew Do scandal, his resignation, and criminal prosecution, the county has undertaken significant reforms to restore the public’s trust. We are in the middle of internal audits of COVID pandemic-era contracts, preparing for an outside audit of those results and other reform measures, as well as in continuing litigation over the dollars that were fraudulently taken from the county taxpayers.
This past week, Supervisor Janet Nguyen and I joined community and business leaders for a candid conversation to share our experiences and insights regarding the scandal and thoughts on how we can work to strengthen integrity in Orange County governance.
 The conversation was lively and centered on how, as elected leaders, we can champion transparency and accountability and restore confidence in local government. You can learn more about OC Forum at ocforum.org.
We recently celebrated Working Wardrobes for 35 years of service to the residents of Orange County. The celebration at their Santa Ana headquarters showcased their remarkable growth and the profound impact they have had on the lives and careers of over 130,000 job seekers.
Under the guidance and leadership of CEO Bonni Pomush, Working Wardrobes has undergone a remarkable transformation while continuing to make a meaningful difference. Today, the organization remains a cornerstone of support in our county, empowering its clients with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to build self-sustaining careers and brighter futures.
 I want to thank Bonnie Pomush, along with the dedicated staff, selfless volunteers, and generous donors, for their invaluable contributions in bringing the Working Wardrobes mission to life. I look forward to another successful 35 years of extraordinary impact!
It was an honor to visit with the 4th and 5th grade students at Heroes Elementary School in Santa Ana. I was deeply impressed by the students' presentations, insightful questions, and engaging conversations. They demonstrated a remarkable level of preparation and passion, embodying the qualities of our community’s future leaders.
Having grown up in Santa Ana and attended local public schools, I was glad to be able to share some of my experiences growing up and provide the students with some encouragement in their education and life journey.
 I was very much inspired by the students and the work at the school. Thank you to the administration, teachers, and staff who made my visit possible, and a special thanks to Principal Churnside and autism paraprofessional Arlene Aguilar for the invitation. Go Huskies!
Our team proudly participated in the recent Operation Welcome Home event, honoring Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifices. Hosted at the Suavecito headquarters in Santa Ana, the event was organized by the Suavecito Foundation in partnership with American Veterans United Orange County. The celebration featured food, music, and a vibrant car show, creating a lively and memorable atmosphere.
 We were honored to sponsor and join this meaningful event, which aimed not only to recognize the bravery of Vietnam veterans but also to connect them with vital resources. Rose Contreras from our team, alongside interns Davis Garcia and Nicholas Kim, engaged with veterans and their families, ensuring they had access to available county services and support.
 Event partners included the Suavecito Foundation, Congressmember Correa, Assemblymember Valencia, Councilmember Hernandez, and Tacos El Gringo.
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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