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I was proud to get a chance to assist the artists and volunteers as they worked on a beautiful mural in the Santa Anita Neighborhood.
 I was also glad to provide financial support for this neighborhood beautification project and the talented local artists and community members bringing it to life.
 There’s something special about seeing neighbors come together to bring more color, culture, and pride to our community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible.
I want to share an important update about Medi-Cal coverage that may affect you or your family if you receive care through CalOptima Health or Kaiser Permanente in Orange County.
Starting January 1, 2027, some Medi-Cal members will transition out of their current health plans and receive care through a system called Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. We want you and your family to understand what’s changing and know where to turn for help.
Your Medi-Cal coverage is not ending. What’s changing is how you access care and which doctors and providers you can see. This change affects certain members, including undocumented individuals, some green card holders, and others with specific immigration statuses.
Under the new system, you’ll need to see doctors and providers who accept Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service. The state pays providers directly for covered services, so Fee-for-Service does not mean you must pay out of pocket for covered care.
So, what should you do now?
Contact your current doctor to confirm whether they accept Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service and renew your Medi-Cal on time to keep your full scope coverage.
Remember to keep your contact information up to date so you don’t miss important information about your benefits.
If you have questions, you can contact your current health plan, reach out to the Orange County Social Services Agency for help with your Medi-Cal case, or call the state Medi-Cal Help Line at 1-800-541-5555 for information about the transition and help finding a doctor who accepts your coverage.
It was a pleasure to join the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Summit.
I enjoyed taking part in a lively and wide-ranging conversation with Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, former member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. We discussed a range of important issues, including the County’s budget, housing, health care, economic development, and support for small businesses.
 Thank you to OCHCC President Reuben D. Franco for bringing community leaders together for these meaningful conversations. It was great to connect, exchange ideas, and hear different perspectives as we continue working together to strengthen Orange County and support our local communities.
I joined the community in celebrating October as LGBTQ+ History Month and National Coming Out Day. This year, I was grateful to have the opportunity to welcome the return of the Pride celebration to Downtown Santa Ana, here in the heart of Orange County.
 During the event, the community celebrated the love, diversity, and spirit that make our community so special!
As we honor the contributions of the community and the ongoing fight for equality, we cannot forget those who have come before us and stood up against harassment and discrimination. Their courage paved the way for generations of advocacy and progress, inspiring us to continue their work today.
In the face of renewed challenges and a national political climate where some seek to roll back the progress made, the community continues to persevere and lead with strength, resilience, and love. I want to thank all those who advocate for justice, inclusion, and dignity.
 Celebration and fellowship are so integral to who we all are as people, and I am so proud of the organizers, staff, and volunteers who are making this year’s celebration a reality. Coming together in joy and love sends a message that the community will not go backward and helps light the way for today’s youth.
 The community’s voice and participation matter more than ever. I join you in celebrating the right of all people to live openly, be respected for who they are, and thrive in our County.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that can bring periods of heavy rain and strong winds to Southern California. Depending on its strength, it can also increase the risk of flooding, landslides, mud and debris flows, mountain snow, large ocean waves, and coastal flooding.
While recent storm damage has been especially noticeable along the coast, where erosion has affected beach communities, the impacts of heavy rainfall can extend throughout Orange County. In our district, this could mean flooded streets, dangerous, fast-moving water in flood channels, and potential damage along the river. Residents may also face road closures, power outages, and flooding in homes and garages.
Taking a few steps now can help protect your family and property:
- Make a plan: Prepare an emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, and other essential supplies.
- Protect your home: Clear gutters and storm drains near your property, and take steps to protect areas prone to flooding, including garages.
- Stay informed: Monitor weather forecasts, emergency alerts, and local advisories.
- Never drive through floodwater: Avoid flooded streets and intersections. Even shallow water can be dangerous.
- Stay away from flood channels: Water levels can rise quickly, creating dangerous conditions even when it is not raining nearby.
Free sandbags are available from October 1 to April 30. OC residents can obtain up to 50 free EMPTY sandbags for home protection. Available at 2301 N. Glassell St. Orange, CA 92865. For more information, please contact the OC Public Works, OC Operations & Maintenance main office at (714) 955-0200.
The County has launched an El Niño emergency-response website that provides timely news, links to County resources and city sites, and important information on how to best prepare for storm-related weather.
The new website serves as a focal point for the community’s residents and businesses to receive the latest developments in the County’s response to El Niño weather conditions. The website address is www.ocgov.com/el-nino.
OC Public Works (OCPW) also has created a webpage sharing information on how residents can prepare their homes and businesses for potential floods, as well as how to travel safely in wet weather. The webpage outlines measures that OCPW is taking to prepare critical community infrastructure for El Niño storm impacts. The webpage address is pwom.oc.gov/el-nino.
Residents can also sign up for emergency alerts at AlertOC.
The community mourns the loss of Reverend Leon William Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a deeply respected faith and community leader.
A U.S. Navy veteran, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Pastor Clark dedicated decades of his life to serving others. His family, friends, fellow faith leaders, and community members recently gathered to celebrate his life, his ministry, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. I was honored to be able to share some remarks.
Born in South Carolina, Pastor Clark began his journey into ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena. His first sermon shared a simple message that would guide his life and service: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” He lived those words through his unwavering commitment to helping others. He pursued ministerial studies at California Baptist University and served congregations throughout Southern California.
 In 2003, he was called to pastor New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he would faithfully shepherd the congregation for more than 22 years.
His ministry reached far beyond the pulpit. He counseled families, mentored young people and emerging leaders, comforted those experiencing illness and grief, and provided a place of faith, fellowship, and belonging for generations of Orange County residents.
Pastor Clark also understood that faith called him to serve the broader community. For more than four decades, Reverend Leon William Clark served his family, his church, his community, his country, and his God. We are grateful for his many years of service.
I was glad to join Family Support Network’s first annual Teaching Loving Caring (TLC) Pathways Conference in Santa Ana, where families of children and adults with developmental disabilities came together with advocates, service providers, and community partners. The conference offered valuable information, practical resources, and guidance for families navigating a new diagnosis, accessing support services, or preparing their loved ones for adulthood and greater independence.
I was also proud to provide financial support for this important event and its mission to ensure families have access to information, resources, and a strong network of support.
 A special thank-you to Maura Byron, Executive Director of Family Support Network, Larry Landauer of the Regional Center of Orange County, and Genesis Banuelos for helping make this gathering possible.
 Every family deserves support and the opportunity to thrive. I’m grateful to everyone working to make that possible for families throughout Orange County.
At our October 13 Board of Supervisors meeting, we proudly recognized Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrated the many contributions Hispanic and Latino community members have made to Orange County and our nation.
I was honored to bring this special recognition forward and to be joined by community members in celebrating the rich culture, history, and achievements of the Hispanic and Latino community.
At a time when many Latino families are facing uncertainty and challenges, it is especially important that we stand together, support our neighbors, and recognize those who work every day to strengthen our communities and make this country a better place for all of us to call home.
 Thank you to Judge Elizabeth G. Macias for joining us and sharing your powerful story and leadership.
In September, OC Public Works crews completed maintenance and cleanup work at 376 locations throughout Orange County Flood Control facilities. Of those, 186 locations were in District 2, helping keep flood control channels and facilities clear and ready to handle stormwater.
Locations Cleared in District 2:
- Santa Ana: 126
- Orange: 28
- Tustin: 15
- Garden Grove: 13
- Unincorporated County areas: 5
- Anaheim: 2
Below are before-and-after photos showing the results of this ongoing work.
Thank you to our OC Public Works crews for their continued hard work in maintaining our flood control facilities and helping protect our communities.
Need to report an issue or request service? Click here to request services.
Before After
 Before After
Our intern, Lia Moran, proudly represented our office at Cal State Fullerton’s annual ¡Somos Titans! event!
This wonderful celebration brings the Titan community together to honor Hispanic and Latino culture, celebrate student achievement, and raise important scholarship funds to help Hispanic and Latino students pursue their educational goals.
 As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution where over 42% of the student body identifies as Latino, CSUF ranks 3rd in the nation for bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanic students. This incredible event has raised over $900,000 to fuel student programs and create lasting opportunities!
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