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I was deeply honored to be unanimously elected as Chair of the CalOptima Health Board of Directors, a role I will begin in the new year.
CalOptima Health, the county’s largest health plan, serves nearly one million low-income children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities through Medi-Cal, including more than 42% of residents here in the Second District.
As we look ahead, my commitment is to strengthen CalOptima Health’s mission of whole-person care, understanding that true health extends far beyond doctor visits or prescriptions. It means ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food, stable housing, and the supportive services that make dignity and opportunity possible for every resident.
 With an annual budget of nearly $4 billion, CalOptima Health has both the reach and responsibility to serve as a bridge between health care and community well-being. This means deepening our partnerships with local organizations working to prevent homelessness, expanding access to behavioral health and dental care, and continuing efforts to connect every member to the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
I look forward to working with my board colleagues, our new Vice Chair Maura Byron, and our partners throughout the county to advance housing and food security initiatives, elevate care quality, and continue improving the experience for our members.
Last month, the Board hosted non-profits, social services County staff, and dedicated members of the community to spotlight Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
This year has been especially challenging for our most vulnerable residents with the federal shutdown and changing federal budget priorities disrupting key housing resources, including reduced support for Emergency Housing Vouchers and a projected decline in Continuity of Care funding that many of our partners rely on. These disruptions have directly impacted access to food, housing support, and safety-net programs.
The 2024 Point-in-Time Count saw increases in Orange County’s unhoused population, consistent with statewide/national trends, with a total of 7,322 persons experiencing homelessness, A 28% increase from 2022 to 20224.
Over 310,000 county residents rely on CalFresh benefits, with 85,000 residing in the 2nd District - the largest portion countywide. This underscores that even in a county often perceived as wealthy, food insecurity is a daily reality for thousands of families.
Many of our residents are facing increases in the cost of living that, along with the high cost and low availability of housing, are placing a tremendous burden on our residents and resulting in additional homelessness and food insecurity.
 These organizations recognized at the presentation have been essential, especially during the federal shutdown when food insecurity spiked, in supporting the community, continuing the work many have done for years, often under very difficult circumstances.
Addressing hunger and homelessness requires a unified effort across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. We must maintain and strengthen our coordinated system, especially under new legal constraints. Housing and food stability are fundamental, not optional.
We recently partnered with the governor’s Appointments Secretary, Morgan Carvajal, and her team to host local leaders and community members for a workshop on the opportunities available to serve on California State boards and commissions.
The team shared the latest updates regarding the process and invited participants to learn more about serving in these important roles that can and do influence policy.
They addressed the variety of available openings and shared that the Governor is seeking representation from all walks of life, including making sure all communities are represented as the various commissions do their work. Though some openings require specific experience and subject matter expertise, many are members from the community at large and serve to provide their lived experience to these positions.
 The team encouraged local area residents to think about the commitment that would be needed to participate as well as what unique contribution they would bring to the table. Specifically asking that folks pursue their passion to serve in areas they are most interested in and where they feel they can contribute.
These are great opportunities to serve and represent your community and make a difference in our state. For additional information, visit the Appointments website to find an opportunity that fits your interests and apply.
You can also subscribe to the appointments bulletin to stay up to date on current vacancies that the administration is recruiting for.
I was happy to be able to support the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin at their annual gala. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin have been empowering the youth of the Tustin community since 1966.
As someone who was once a club kid myself, it means so much to stand with an organization that shaped my own path. Thank you to the generous donors whose support continues to open doors for children across our community.
 The clubs bridge the gap between school and home by offering a welcoming, positive environment where kids and teens can have fun, engage in transformative programs, and build meaningful relationships with their peers and supportive adults.
In celebration of Veterans Day, the Board of Supervisors hosted a special presentation to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of service members and their families. The presentation honored all those who have served in the past and those currently serving. This was an opportunity to express our gratitude to these brave men and women and served as a reminder of the need to provide essential services.
 Nick Bernardino and Bobby McDonald, two of Orange County’s veteran leaders, presented the Board with recognitions for the Board’s work to uplift and support veterans across our County. Thank you, Nick and Bobby. We are humbled by the acknowledgements.
This Thanksgiving, as many families face difficult times, Luisa, a local resident, reached out to our office seeking help to provide meals for local families. It was inspiring to see a neighbor helping neighbors and a pleasure to be able to host a pop-up Thanksgiving food distribution at the Quiet Village Mobile Home Park.
 The effort met families where they are, and we were able to provide essentials to help stock the pantry, including turkey, bread, eggs, oatmeal, milk, peanut butter, and rice, as well as providing a warm meal for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Community taking care of community — that’s what it’s all about!
Nick Kim, from our team, attended the STEM Educator Award ceremony, where we honored twelve educators and partners for their innovation, leadership, and commitment to advancing STEM education. The event was hosted in partnership with Cox Communications and the University of California, Irvine, and held at the Orange County Department of Education’s Conference Center.
 County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stefan Bean, was on hand for the awards to recognize the great work and accomplishments of the awardees. These innovative thinkers do more than teach subject matter material; they inspire the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math.
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