October 2009
In This Issue:
State Association Honors Probation Department Staff
Staff from the Orange County Probation Department received two prestigious honors during the annual California Probation, Parole and Correctional Officers Association (CPPCA) meeting held in Indian Wells.
Eric Burnell, Deputy Juvenile Correctional Officer II, was named Juvenile Institution Staff Member of the Year by CPPCA after being nominated for his outstanding performance in working with youth in Juvenile Hall. Burnell was recognized for his unwavering commitment to youth facing significant mental health challenges as well as his work ethic and fast response to emergency situations.
The CPPCA presented its John B. Clark Memorial Award to the Team of Unit One at Juvenile Hall in recognition of the team’s work with youth who pose supervision challenges associated with ongoing medical and mental health issues. The Unit One Team utilizes consistent intensive and highly specific intervention strategies in working with youth at Juvenile Hall, while serving as a resource to staff at other County facilities who work with minors requiring an intensive level of care.
The California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association was founded in 1917 to advance correctional practices through public education and information, research, standards development and professional development. It is one of the nation's oldest and largest state professional associations for corrections and provides California with dynamic and innovative leadership in correctional programs.
Get Ready to ShakeOut 10/15 at 10:15 a.m.
At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, County employees will join an estimated 10 million residents statewide who will drop, cover and hold on during the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill.
The drill centers on the ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario, a realistic portrayal of what could happen in a major earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault. Created by more than 300 experts led by Dr. Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey, the scenario outlines a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating near the Salton Sea, which would have the potential to cause major devastation to the entire region.
The ShakeOut has been designed to inspire participants to get ready for big earthquakes and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. Outside of the workplace, individuals can make the most of the exercise by taking the opportunity to prepare their homes and families for emergencies.
For more information, please visit www.ShakeOut.org.
Get ReadyOC at October 17th South County Disaster Preparedness Expo
Wildfires, earthquakes and floods are ever present threats in Southern California. However, nearly eight out of 10 Orange County residents report that they are not prepared for a large scale disaster, according to ReadyOC.org.
In response, Board Chair Pat Bates, Fifth District Supervisor, is hosting the 2nd Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo on Saturday, October 17th for community members to learn emergency readiness, response and recovery techniques and experience disaster simulations. The Expo will be held at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Participating agencies will include the OC Sheriff’s Department, OC Fire Authority, American Red Cross, City of Mission Viejo and several other organizations dedicated to disaster preparedness and response.
“Preparedness is absolutely critical for Orange County residents, because what we do now will determine what our lives will be like after a major disaster,” said Supervisor Bates. “We can’t predict when an emergency will strike but we can be prepared for one, and the Expo will help show us how.”
Numerous booths at the Expo will offer informative, interactive displays, such as moulage applications to simulate injuries, AlertOC registrations for emergency notifications, and CPR demonstrations for both humans and pets. Several response vehicles will be on site, including the new OC Fire Authority firefighting helicopter, aerial bucket vehicles and a mobile shelter unit.
The South County Disaster Preparedness Expo will be held in conjunction with the City of Mission Viejo’s “Walk Against Drugs” and will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information, visit http://bos.ocgov.com/expo.
Web-Based ReadyOC Campaign Urges Residents to Plan for Major Emergencies
ReadyOC, Orange County’s largest disaster preparedness initiative, recently unveiled a web-based campaign to educate residents to prepare for and respond to emergencies using resources available at ReadyOC.org. The site provides community members with access to the step-by-step advice and tools needed to be ready for earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, terrorism and other disaster situations.
Board Chair Pat Bates announced the re-launch of ReadyOC.org, which debuted in November 2006, at the September 15th Board meeting along with a proclamation recognizing September 2009 as “National Preparedness Month.” Chair Bates also joined Donna Boston (OCSD/Emergency Management Bureau), Lynne Halverson (CEO/IT Business Continuity) and Deputy Chief Carlos Rojas (Santa Ana Police Department) at a press briefing that provided an overview and tutorial of the site.
“We urge everyone in the county to actively pursue emergency preparedness by going to ReadyOC.org,” said Supervisor Bates. “The site offers the resources you need to quickly and easily make a plan, get an emergency kit together and stay informed with real-time emergency information.”
ReadyOC.org features live breaking news, information about emergency preparedness classes, training and events, videos and downloads, access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels, emergency kit checklists, family emergency planning tools and online games for kids. The interactive site also includes links to local, regional and national emergency preparedness and response resources.
This initiative is administered jointly through the Santa Ana and Anaheim police departments as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), a grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
H1N1 Flu Activity Increases
As many experts predicted, H1N1 influenza activity has increased as the summer recess ended and students returned to school. By the end of September, more than half of the 50 states in the union were reporting widespread influenza activity and almost all of the flu viruses identified were of the H1N1 type.
While influenza activity has increased, the flu remains a mild illness for most people and scientists have not detected any changes in the severity of the illness that would cause alarm. In addition, a vaccine for H1N1 influenza is expected to be available in mid October with more vaccine to be shipped as the flu season continues. Still, influenza can result in serious complications and even death in some cases, so it is an illness that should be taken seriously.
The Health Care Agency planned to start its seasonal influenza vaccination programs earlier than usual this year, since two different vaccines will be needed this flu season. For County employees, Employee Health Services began offering seasonal influenza vaccinations on September 21, with vaccination clinics also scheduled for numerous County worksites. For more information about flu shots for County employees, contact Employee Health Services at (714) 565-3780.
For the public, seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shots) will be available through the Health Care Agency’s Santa Ana Clinic, located at 1725 W. 17th Street. Originally scheduled to begin in mid-October, the start of the public flu shot clinics has been postponed due to delays in vaccine shipments from the manufacturer. The Health Care Agency will post information on its website, www.ochealthinfo.com, once seasonal flu shots are available for the general public.
In addition to flu shots, there’s more that we all can do to help prevent the spread of influenza. Many resources that remind people to “Cover their Cough” and wash their hands have been compiled on a new County Influenza Resources page, found on the Intranet at http://intra2k3.ocgov.com/influenza/. Fliers and brochures can be downloaded and printed for posting in County worksites and the OC Updates and Events section will offer information about flu shots for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
PrepareOC Provides Online Collaboration for Incident Preparedness, Response and Recovery Efforts
After nearly a year of planning and development, the County has launched a collaborative web site designed to facilitate business continuity, disaster recovery, and emergency response preparedness and planning efforts. Known as PrepareOC, the site allows County agencies, Operational Area member jurisdictions, and participating nonprofit groups to share resources, documentation, communications and training materials in a secure, online environment.
Since the site’s official launch in July, nearly 650 people have accessed PrepareOC to share and post information. Once logged into the portal, users may access four distinct sections in addition to the top-level PrepareOC page. Each section focuses on a different aspect of incident preparedness, response and recovery:
- PlanOC – Safety training, risk management and special projects
- ReadyOC – Management and collateral materials for the ReadyOC campaign, which promotes public awareness and preparedness
- RespondOC – Emergency preparedness and response planning for the County and Operational Area
- RecoverOC – Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning for County agencies and area partners
“Disasters are best managed through the integration of many diverse response agencies. PrepareOC allows this to happen before a catastrophic event, making OC more prepared than ever before,” said Donna Boston, Emergency Manager for the Sheriff’s Department. “PrepareOC is an effective, easy-to-use tool for all areas of emergency preparedness and response. The site joins emergency planning, disaster response, risk management, business continuity, and education into one portal.”
Initially designed based on input provided by the County’s multi-agency Business Continuity Working Group, PrepareOC has grown to meet the needs of multiple overlapping initiatives within the County. The site marks the first time these initiatives have come together in a collaborative space.
PrepareOC provides a reliable web presence accessible from any location at any time. It is open to all County agencies. Employees involved in business continuity, disaster recovery, safety training, AlertOC administration, or emergency preparedness and response may request access to the web portal at http://www.prepareoc.org/access.asp. For more information, visit www.prepareoc.org or contact Lynne Halverson (CEO/IT) at 714.834.5294 or Lynne.Halverson@ocgov.com.
9-11 Memorial Slideshow
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OC Animal Care Hits Homerun at Angel Stadium
OC Animal Care partnered with players’ wives under the big red hats at Angel Stadium September 12th for the 2nd Annual “Angels for Animals” event.
Opportunity drawing tickets and mystery bags with autographed baseballs were available for purchase before the afternoon game against the Chicago White Sox. The event raised approximately $27,000 that will benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation and the OC Animal Shelter.
“OC Animal Care’s involvement in the event was another great success,” said Interim Director Ryan Drabek. “We had the opportunity to showcase some of our wonderful animals on the field, promote responsible pet ownership, and encourage shelter adoption to the thousands of fans who stopped under the big hats out front.”
Happily, 50 pets were adopted at the shelter that weekend. To learn more about OC Animal Care or to search adoptable pets, please visit www.OCPetInfo.com.
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What does it mean to be a “Servant Leader?”
From Board meetings to staff meetings, the term “servant leadership” is being used increasingly to describe what we do at the County. So, what exactly does that mean?
Robert K. Greenleaf coined the term servant leadership in 1970. According to Greenleaf, “The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. This is sharply different from the person who is leader first… For this person it will be a later choice to serve (if this choice is made at all), after leadership is established.”
Although providing different services, the ultimate goal of every County agency is to serve our community. This purpose is reflected in our County slogan: Our Community, Our Commitment as well as the County’s mission statement: “Making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work, and play, today and for generations to come, by providing outstanding, cost-effective regional public services.”
The premise of Servant Leadership is to identify and meet the needs of others in order to help them grow as people. This includes the people we work with, as well as the people we work for, and the community. Managers who are Servant Leaders work for the people who work for them, bringing out their best.
Participants in the Orange County Leadership Academy and OC Leadership Lessons seek to understand servant leadership and discover how best to practice it within their departments, divisions or lives. The latest round of County managers dedicating their time to develop servant leadership is underway. The 12th session of Orange County Leadership Academy began last month with a class of 30 managers from various agencies Countywide. The participants attend classes at Chapman University focusing on teamwork, communication, integrity and Servant Leadership. The 12th session will graduate in January 2010.
Want to learn more about servant leadership? OC Leadership Lessons is now open to all County employees. To register for a class, visit the Training Partners web site and type “OC Leadership Lessons” in the search field. Employees are asked to obtain supervisor approval before registering.
Life’s most persistent and urging question is: What are you doing for others? – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming United Way Events
According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 150,000 households in Orange County that earn less than $25,000 per year. The United Way supports nonprofit organizations that provide basic needs, education and financial stability to struggling families and individuals.
The 2009 United Way campaign is on the move. Chaired by Chief Probation Officer Colleene Preciado and co-chaired by Steve Franks, Director of OC Community Resources and District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, this year’s theme is “Now is the Time in 2009.” Check out the following United Way campaign events to raise funds for those who are most in need in our community:
Monday, October 12th
Green River Golf Tournament
This year’s golf tourney will again be held at the County’s Green River Golf Course in Corona. Registration is $100 and includes: 18 holes with a cart, a golf shirt, a goodie bag, a continental breakfast and a scrumptious barbeque lunch. Check in is at 7 a.m. Contact Mark Rahlwes at 714.834.6715 or Lilia Ramos at 714.834.2456 for more information.
Wednesday, October 28th
Lamoreaux Justice Center Mini Rally
Come out for food and fun at the Lamoreaux Justice Center Mini Rally. The party will take place 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Contact Cynthia Contreras at 714.569.2218 for more information.
Thursday, October 29th
Grand Avenue Rally
This year’s Grand Avenue Rally will be from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The event will take place in the grass field to the rear of Building A, next to the OCPW/Records Center. The rally will feature music, delectable food (including carne asada), baked goods, silent auction items and even a chance to put your coworkers in jail. Contact Neil Jessen at 714.567.7341.
For more information about the OC United Way campaign, visit: http://intra2k3.ocgov.com/unitedway09/.
County Commuter Assistance Program Shines in Award Competition
The County of Orange has been recognized by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and other regional transportation agencies with a 2009 Rideshare Diamond Award for Outstanding Marketing of the County’s Commuter Assistance Program.
The County was nominated for its innovative Manager’s Rideshare Tools web site, which provides information about a wide range of incentives available to encourage the use of public transportation, including buses and trains. The web site provides an overview of the Rideshare program and a number of forms frequently used by program participants. Also available are Carpool Classified Listings that help match commuters based on their place of residence, work location and schedule. The site was launched in 2008 and has helped to increase enrollment in several rideshare incentive programs. For example, applications for the Commuter Club increased 73% from 2007 to 2008, with a 45% increase in Metrolink passes ordered during the same time period.
Once again, the 2009 Urban Mobility Report ranked Los Angeles and Orange Counties as the nation’s most congested region, with the average Southern California motorist wasting 70 hours per year in traffic. That’s 26 hours more per year than just 25 years ago and the experts say traffic congestion will increase in the years ahead.
The County promotes rideshare programs in many ways, including an overview presented during new employee orientation. There are 30 on-site coordinators throughout the County of Orange who assist with providing information and maintain the Rideshare Racks found in many county buildings. The County also conducts an annual employee transportation survey and uses the information in planning its outreach efforts. The County is assisted in its efforts to promote ridesharing and use of public transportation by TransVironmental Solutions (TVS).
Get the 411 on Auditor-Controller
- The mission of the Auditor-Controller’s office is to promote public oversight, provide accountability, and support financial decision making for the County of Orange.
- Two-thirds of the Auditor-Controller’s 432 employees work in Satellite Accounting, which provides exclusive support to seven County agencies/departments. These team members prepare claims that generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
- In FY 2008/09, the Auditor-Controller’s office calculated tax bills for 820,000 parcels and distributed $5.4 billion in property tax revenue to Orange County cities, schools, special districts, redevelopment agencies, and County funds. A new property tax system is currently being developed for implementation in 2010.
- Since the department’s CAPS+ Finance/Purchasing system went live July 1st on time, within scope, and under budget, staff members have overseen 395 training sessions and the program has processed 335,125 documents. This has helped correlate funding and organizational structures for more efficient reporting, created an enhanced toolset for managing detailed budgets, as well as reduced paperwork and overall processing time.
To learn more about the Auditor-Controller’s office, please visit www.ac.ocgov.com.
Service Awards
September Awards
35 Years
Anne Tavitas
District Attorney
30 Years
Debbie Hendricks
Auditor-Controller
Sylvia Reynoso
Health Care Agency
Judy Wagner Estrin
Probation
Brian Danker
OC Public Works
Brandon Shook
OC Public Works
Mary Valleau
OC Public Works
Elaine Varela
OC Public Works
Mark Bailey
Sheriff-Coroner
Richard Henley
Sheriff-Coroner
Nuri Melendez
Sheriff-Coroner
Veronica Cowgill
Social Services Agency
Diem-Phuong Tran
Social Services Agency
25 Years
Francis Davies
Auditor-Controller
Ijaz Mahmood
Auditor-Controller
Gloria Land
Child Support Services
Larry Brown
OC Community Resources
Craig Feiner
OC Community Resources
Cynthia Pisarski
County Executive Office
Linda Pressnall
County Executive Office
Carla Odwald
Health Care Agency
Gregory Fall
Probation
Virginia Lemas
Probation
Christy Rasmussen
Probation
Sydney Roman
Probation
Frank Nin
Sheriff-Coroner
Virginia Bennett
Social Services Agency
Ray Gallagher
Social Services Agency
Susan Holl
Social Services Agency
Albert Pereira
OC Waste & Recycling
20 Years
David Hinz
Assessor
Kim Visser
Assessor
Mohammed Karagah
Auditor-Controller
Amanda Nguyen
Auditor-Controller
Alicia Rangel
Auditor-Controller
Margaret Barbosa
Child Support Services
Maria Bueno
Child Support Services
Lan Tran
Child Support Services
Darin L’Allier
OC Community Resources
Kathleen Reza
OC Community Resources
Darlene Schnoor
County Executive Office
Thomas Glazier
District Attorney
Alice Gonzales
Health Care Agency
Enriqueta Martinez
Health Care Agency
Kellie Aumond
Probation
Remmy Chang
Probation
Ngoc-Diep Duong
Probation
Darryl Underwood
Probation
Cathy Ciccarelli
Public Defender
Daniel Cook
Public Defender
Leonard Gumlia
Public Defender
Dennis Nolan
Public Defender
Michael Granada
OC Public Works
Rena Krystle
OC Public Works
Steven Martindale
OC Public Works
Stephen Edney
Sheriff-Coroner
Arabela Higareda
Sheriff-Coroner
Patricia Sevilla
Sheriff-Coroner
Daniel Stroup
Sheriff-Coroner
Bradley Olsen
Sheriff-Coroner
Jeffrey Robinson
Sheriff-Coroner
Desiree Avila
Social Services Agency
Joseph Chavez
Social Services Agency
Kathleen Cooper
Social Services Agency
Ramon Cordova
Social Services Agency
Sandra Ergueta
Social Services Agency
Laura Garcia
Social Services Agency
Donna Garza
Social Services Agency
Yvonne Haddad
Social Services Agency
Huong Lam-Chan
Social Services Agency
Lan Nguyen
Social Services Agency
Martha Ramirez
Social Services Agency
Cathy Santana
Social Services Agency
Cheryl Sosa
Social Services Agency
Graciela Verduzco
Social Services Agency
Janet Yount
Social Services Agency
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