March 2009
In This Issue:
Three Agency/Department Heads March into Retirement
Three experienced and accomplished directors leading the Health Care Agency (HCA), County Counsel’s Office and OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) will retire from County service by the end of March. The combined County tenures of Julie Poulson (HCA), Ben de Mayo (County Counsel) and Jan Goss (OCWR) represent 98 years of service to Orange County residents.
Julie Poulson
Director of the Health Care Agency
With more than 36 years experience at the County, Health Care Agency Director Julie Poulson will embark upon a new chapter of her life and enter retirement.
As Agency Director, Poulson is responsible for the four core service areas of Public Health, Financial & Administrative Services, Behavioral Health, and Medical & Institutional Health Services. During her tenure with the County and prior to becoming the Agency Director, she served as Director of the County’s Behavioral Health programs and in numerous management roles in Behavioral Health, including the Deputy Director of Inpatient and Specialized Services. In addition, Poulson is also a registered nurse.
During her career, Poulson has focused on the development of high quality health care services through collaboration with other County agencies and community organizations. These programs have included the expansion of the County’s Mental Health Children and Youth Services, which serve emotionally disturbed minors and specialized mental health and substance abuse services within the County’s correctional facilities and within the community.
“The Health Care Agency has been an integral part of my life and I have greatly enjoyed serving the people of Orange County in many capacities,” said Poulson. “I have equally enjoyed getting to know hundreds, if not thousands of talented, dedicated and caring HCA staff through the years.”
Julie plans to travel and spend more time with family, as she awaits the arrival of her new grandchild.
Ben de Mayo
County Counsel
In 1976, Ben de Mayo began his public service in the County Counsel’s Office representing the Social Services Agency in child protection cases. Over the years, de Mayo represented the County in several areas ranging from mental health conservatorships with the Public Administrator/Public Guardian to advising the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on land use issues and handling election contests for the Registrar of Voters. de Mayo has led the department in the position of County Counsel for the past eight years. At the end of this month, he will trade in his leadership role for retirement.
Among the major cases he has handled are the defense of the County’s multi-million dollar landfill fees, a challenge to the County’s supervisorial redistricting plan and drafting of the County’s charter that allows for vacancies on the Board of Supervisors to be filled by election rather than gubernatorial appointment.
“The greatest reward working in County Counsel is being surrounded by intelligent, talented professionals who work so hard to provide legal guidance and representation to the Board of Supervisors, County officers and County departments that offer such a tremendous array of programs and services to the people of Orange County,” said de Mayo.
Ben is the immediate past President for the County Counsels’ Association of California. He is active in the local Bar Association, where he was selected to sit on the Administration of Justice Committee and Judicial Evaluation Committee.
Jan Goss
Director of OC Waste & Recycling
County service for Jan Goss, Director of OC Waste & Recycling, stems back to working as an extra help staff member in the Second District Board Office in September of 1980.
Her progressive years of service in the County include working as the Chief of Staff for Former Second District Supervisor Harriett Wieder and serving in various management capacities at OCWR, including the distinction of being the first manager to lead the Recycling and Material Recovery Division. After a brief stint with the County’s Watershed Management Program, Goss returned to OCWR as the department’s director in 2001.
Accomplishments achieved under her tenure were ensuring long-term landfill capacity, negotiating waste disposal agreements that provide landfill stability and implementing importation agreements that provide revenue in support of the County’s bankruptcy recovery efforts, just to name a few.
“I have always enjoyed the challenges of public service, and the talented team of colleagues who helped to meet those challenges. I’m excited to see new leaders emerge,” said Goss.
After 29 years of County service, including eight years as the Director of OCWR, Goss has retired. Jan and her husband have traveled to all seven continents of the world and look forward to more traveling now, as well as spending time with their children and grandchild.
Mike Giancola has been named as the new OCWR Director. The successive directors within HCA and County Counsel will be selected shortly.
“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” – Sandra Day O’Connor
Graffiti Tracking Program Reduces Costs, Solves Cases
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted a survey last year to estimate the annual graffiti removal expenses incurred by Orange County communities, and the figure exceeded $5 million.
In response, the department worked with its law enforcement contract partners to create a system that would address their individual needs. Together with the Orange County Transportation Authority and the cities of Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton and Villa Park, existing shortcomings were identified and the team began to develop a tracking system to serve as a clearinghouse for graffiti-related regional crimes.
By September of 2008, the Tracking Automated Graffiti Reporting System (TAGRS) was introduced to enable law enforcement and public works agencies throughout the state to accurately capture and share incidents of graffiti. The program allows personnel to quickly gather and input graffiti data from out in the field using smart phones with custom-designed applications and global positioning systems.
When graffiti is initially found, a photograph of the vandalism is taken on the employee’s smart phone. He or she then enters the type, location, size, labor and material costs, which are sent wirelessly to the public works graffiti portal with a copy to law enforcement. The reviewing officer has the capability to conduct various field searches for suspect names, monikers, associates and geographical trends. Such features save countless investigative and administrative hours.
“In the past, I typically expended approximately 40 hours investigating a single graffiti incident,” said Deputy David Beeler with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “Since the inception of TAGRS, we have experienced a 20 percent increase in cases cleared and a graffiti removal cost reduction of $50,000. Agencies using the system have also reported a 90 percent reduction in related administrative project time.”
The City of Lake Forest’s Police Services division has made 35 arrests and cleared 87 vandalism cases after implementing TAGRS. As of November 2008, graffiti cleanup costs were lowered by 70 percent with a projected annual cost savings of $85,000.
To learn more, please contact Deputy David Beeler at (714) 265-4340 or via e-mail at dbeeler@ocsd.org.
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County Awarded $13.7 Million for Homeless Services
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the County a $13.7 million grant in homeless assistance funding that will assist Orange County’s population of homeless families and individuals.
“Orange County has been recognized by the federal government for our regional approach to help move families and individuals out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency,” said Chair Pat Bates. “In this present time of budgetary constraints, the nearly $14 million will ensure that we continue to care for our residents most in need.”
The funding is part of the Continuum of Care Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) grant competition. The SuperNOFA is an annual process and the grant award to the County of Orange, with OC Community Services (OCCS) as the lead agency, is a direct result of the County’s partnership with cities and homeless service organizations to address the issue of homelessness in Orange County.
This collaborative effort is part of a regional plan aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness. According to the 2007 needs assessment conducted by OCCS, Orange County residents experience approximately 35,000 episodes of homelessness throughout the course of one year.
Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, acknowledged the County’s homeless prevention and assistance efforts on March 5th at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope. Board of Supervisors Chair Pat Bates and Supervisor John M. W. Moorlach were in attendance along with State Senator and former Supervisor Lou Correa.
“I applaud the political will and commitment of Chairwoman Bates and Supervisor Moorlach dedicated to Orange County’s efforts to reduce and end homelessness,” said Mangano. “By obtaining a record $13.7 million in HUD targeted homeless assistance resources Orange County is receiving a tangible expression of partnership to end the long misery of homelessness for its poorest neighbors.”
OCCS, OC Partnership, and the Continuum of Care Leadership Cabinet coordinated the 2008 Continuum of Care application process. This year’s grant will provide transitional shelter and supportive services for families and individuals, as well as permanent supportive housing for disabled and special needs individuals.
Since 1996, the County has received $110.9 million in the Continuum of Care SuperNOFA grant competition.
OCCS operates the County’s Homeless Prevention Division. OC Community Services also administers funds for participating cities and community-based organizations for homeless services. For more information about the County’s efforts to address homelessness, please contact Karen Roper at (714) 480-2805.
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Spring into Action to Feed Those in Need
Employee food drive barrels are at worksite locations throughout the County through April 20 to collect donations for this year’s campaign, themed “Spring into Action to Feed Those in Need.”
Last year, County of Orange employees alone contributed nearly 10 tons of food that provided 38,000 meals to deserving residents. Chair of the Board of Supervisors Pat Bates recognized the following employees at a special ceremony on March 10 for using creativity and passion to make the 2008 “Giving from the Heart” food drive a tremendous success:
- Jason Hensley and Janice Kollander - OC Community Resources
Jason Hensley served as point person for the 34 OC Public Libraries branch locations throughout the County, resulting in 2,992 pounds of food. Janice Kollander expanded the drive at the Heritage Park Library to include the public and gathered approximately 500 pounds of food.
- Stacy Dyer - Social Services Agency
Stacy Dyer coordinated activities for all of SSA’s collection locations and included an article about the drive in the agency’s newsletter, ultimately collecting 2,987 pounds of food from 18 sites.
- Amber Alford and Sylvia Goldie - Health Care Agency
Amber Alford and Sylvia Goldie worked with several coordinators from more than 15 locations to contribute 2,809 pounds of food.
- Rosemary Dey - County Executive Office
Rosemary Dey motivated employees by arranging for them to receive raffle tickets in exchange for donations. A weekly drawing was held for various gift cards throughout the drive.
- Kelly Lupro – OC Community Services
Kelly Lupro coordinated the entire food drive effort in partnership with the Chair of the Board’s office, County agencies/departments, Congresswoman Sanchez, Federal and State offices in the Civic Center, the City of Santa Ana, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Community Action Partnership.
This year, participants can virtually shop for food items to donate. In order to track employee contributions and ensure proper credit, please indicate your agency/department name on the form in the same box as your last name, and select “County of Orange” from the drop down menu.
To give online, visit:
The Community Action Partnership of Orange County
http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=3383
The Second Harvest Food Bank
http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=3341
In appreciation for generous gifts of food and/or hygiene items, the Board of Supervisors will honor the agencies/departments with the highest levels of participation.
To learn more, please contact Kelly Lupro at (714) 480-2744 or via e-mail at
Kelly.Lupro@hcs.ocgov.com.
Get Trained in CPR and First Aid at Super CPR Day
The American Red Cross, in partnership with the Health Care Agency, will host Super CPR Day on April 18th at the Angels Stadium and Exhibition Center. The event, held in conjunction with Emergency Medical Services Month, will offer several two-hour sessions to train and certify residents in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid techniques.
Sessions begin as early as 8 a.m. and as late as noon. The cost for early registration is only $5 each for CPR and first aid training. The price at the door is $10 for each training session.
To learn more or reserve your spot, please visit www.oc-redcross.org or call (714) 481-5351.
Internal Audit Fraud Hotline
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of County resources, contact the OC Internal Audit Department Fraud Hotline at (714) 834-3608 or visit www.ocgov.com/audit. Messages are accepted any day or time and can be made anonymously. In addition, employees are provided protection under the California Whistleblower Law.
Get the 411 on OC
Office of the District Attorney
- The Orange County District Attorney (DA) has adopted innovative approaches to catch and stop violent sexual predators, including taking a leadership role by employing the latest DNA technology to solve crimes.
- The DA prosecutes approximately 70,000 cases per year with a felony conviction rate of more than 90 percent.
- Fighting gang crimes is the number one priority of the DA. Through the vigorous prosecution of gang members by way of Gang and TARGET Units, as well as using civil Gang Injunctions, gang membership in the past 10 years has decreased by 7,400 individuals – a reduction of 37 percent. There are 95 fewer gangs today – a decrease of 24 percent. Five criminal street gangs are currently enjoined from terrorizing their neighborhoods.
- The DA continues to preserve Orange County’s drinking water by enforcing the judgment of the first prosecution of its kind in the nation against three major oil companies for polluting the County’s ground water by leaking dangerous chemicals. More than 300 gas station sites in the County are being cleaned up, costing the oil companies approximately $100 million.
To get more of the 411, visit www.orangecountyda.com
Service Awards
February Awards
35 Years
Sarah Gomez
Health Care Agency
Anastasia Loion-Molioo
Social Services Agency
30 Years
Corwin Brown
Health Care Agency
Martin Friebert
Health Care Agency
Debra Power
Health Care Agency
Rosa Santiesteban
Human Resources Department
Patricia Randall-Many
Probation
Jose Dominguez
Public Defender
Donald Dear
Sheriff-Coroner
Sonia Rodriguez
Social Services Agency
25 Years
Mary Fitzgerald
Auditor-Controller
Raymond Oliver
OC Community Resources
Barbara Silva
OC Community Resources
Guadalupe Ruiz
Health Care Agency
Jack Meurer
John Wayne Airport
Cheryl Green
Probation
Sharon Matthews
Probation
Rebecca Menendez
Probation
John Ruszak
Probation
Robert Stockbridge
Probation
Mary Anne Skorpanich
OC Public Works
20 Years
Theresa Row
Assessor
Beverly Bruyntjens
Auditor-Controller
David Rogoff
OC Community Resources
Edward James
County Executive Office
Aurora Chavez
Health Care Agency
Diane Gipson
Health Care Agency
Kim Phan
Health Care Agency
Pamela Vellen
Health Care Agency
Jeannette Noceda
Public Defender
Clinton Brown
OC Public Works
Thomas Renock
Registrar of Voters
Joe Anaya
Sheriff-Coroner
Daniel Beam
Sheriff-Coroner
Antoinette Bland
Sheriff-Coroner
Stephen Buchanan
Sheriff-Coroner
Donald Dixon
Sheriff-Coroner
William Downard
Sheriff-Coroner
Monte Huotari
Sheriff-Coroner
Carlyn Moreno
Sheriff-Coroner
Paul Martin
Sheriff-Coroner
Chi Bui
Social Services Agency
Doreen Cardenas
Social Services Agency
Victor Chavez
Social Services Agency
Susan Collins-Rogers
Social Services Agency
Margarita De Boer
Social Services Agency
Brenda Israel
Social Services Agency
Linda Koski
Social Services Agency
Deborah Lazan
Social Services Agency
Henry Sakaue
Social Services Agency
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