Santa Ana, CA (August 8, 2022) – The Orange County Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Kim announced that Daniel C. Hernandez is the new Chief Probation Officer of the County Probation Department on July 26, 2022. The announcement came after the Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Chief Hernandez.

“Following 28 years with the department, from entry level correctional officer to his most recent position as the Chief Deputy Probation Officer, Daniel has served the department as a highly effective leader,” says County CEO Frank Kim. “The County is fortunate to have had a legacy of fantastic Chiefs. I’m confident that Daniel will continue this legacy. Please join me in welcoming our new Chief Probation Officer.”

“This Probation Department combines many different functions in the name of change for the clients and community we serve,” says Chief Hernandez. “I look forward to the years to come and what we can do together.”

In 1994, Chief Hernandez began his career with the department as Probation Night Counselor at Orange County Juvenile Hall. He climbed the ranks, joining the executive management team in 2021. Throughout his career, Chief Hernandez has worked in a wide range of assignments and collaborated with justice stakeholders and community-based partners on diverse projects and initiatives.

Chief Hernandez’ experience will serve the Probation Department well as he leads the agency in its mission to provide the highest quality service through effective, research-supported practices; family and community engagement; collaborative partnerships; and employee enrichment.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – In response to the monkeypox outbreak, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency on August 1 to bolster the state’s ability to coordinate education, prevention, and treatment across the state. The proclamation supports vaccination efforts to increase the state’s monkeypox defense strategy being led by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

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Travelers are invited to help children battling critical illnesses
take flight by donating their miles, points, and dollars

Orange County, Calif. (August 1, 2022) – Today, Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire and John Wayne Airport kick off Trips That Transform, a monthlong celebration of the travel wishes granted to children battling critical illnesses and the donors that make them possible.

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in June 2022 as compared to June 2021. In June 2022, the Airport served 1,001,249 passengers, an increase of 37.1% when compared with the June 2021 passenger traffic count of 730,144.

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Boaters invited to properly dispose of expired marine flares at free event in Dana Point Harbor

Orange County, CA (July 28, 2022) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is hosting a one-day collection event for boaters and residents to dispose of marine flares free of charge. The drive-through event will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, August 27 in Dana Point Harbor at 34555 Casitas Pl Dana Point, CA 92629. Unexploded, expired flares create health and safety hazards. Boat owners are encouraged to participate in this essential public service event to safely dispose of these items.

Signal devices, including marine flares and smoke signals are considered explosives and can be difficult to properly dispose of. OCWR welcomes boaters to take advantage of this limited opportunity. Participants will need to transport expired flares in their trunks. Upon arrival to the drive-through event, staff will collect items directly from vehicles and safely store them for disposal. OCWR will also welcome walk-up disposal near the restrooms by the marina.

"We’re proud to host this free event that keeps hazardous flares off boats and out of landfills,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “Marine flare disposal is difficult due to costs and permit requirements. We look forward to providing this vital public resource to boaters throughout the County.”

This is a marine flare disposal event only. Items that will not be accepted include electronic flares, military flares, or any other hazardous waste such as paint, oil, e-waste or batteries. For information on the proper disposal of household hazardous waste visit OCLandfills.com/hazardous-waste. For general recycling questions visit OCRecycleGuide.com.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, August 27
• Time: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Location: Dana Point Harbor at 34555 Casitas Pl Dana Point, CA 92629
  o Major cross streets: Harbor Blvd. & Casitas
• Accepted items: Signal devices including residential boater marine flares and smoke signals
• Unaccepted items: No military grade flares or household waste will be accepted
   

The Marine Flare Disposal event supports OCWR’s commitment to safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste. OC Healthcare Agency will also be onsite providing information on their free Bilge Pad Exchange program. Participants will receive a free boater kit coupon and flare discount coupon courtesy of The Coastal Commission. For more information including details on resource recovery and waste disposal visit OCLandfills.com.

About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OCLandfills.com.

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Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris Instrumental in Securing State Funding

Santa Ana, Calif. (July 21, 2022) The Orange County Board of Supervisors announced today that the County of Orange was awarded $10 million in state funding to continue delivering mental health services, support and resources for children in crisis and their family members. The Board has prioritized the transformation of Orange County’s approach to behavioral health through the “Be Well Orange County” initiative, a coalition between the County and behavioral health stakeholders in the private and public sectors.

“I want to thank Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for her leadership to secure this funding in the state budget,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee. “She is passionate about the need to address the urgently needed behavioral health resources for Orange County residents and the Be Well OC initiative.  The state’s ongoing investment in Orange County will be critical as we continue building our Be Well system of care campuses in order to improve access, quality of care and service delivery for children in crisis and their family members.”

According to the 2020 United States Census, children under 18 years of age account for 21.7 percent of Orange County’s total population. A survey conducted in Fall 2020 by the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Mental Health Services Act Office reported that 51 percent of parents indicated their children (four to 17 years old) experienced some form of anxiety or depression. One in four families sought some form of mental health assistance, with therapists being the top go-to support service followed by pediatricians and psychiatrists. Additionally, one in five parents faced two or more barriers in accessing help, with inconvenient or delayed appointment times and preference for face-to-face services being the top two barriers.

Assembly Bill 178 includes language signed by the Governor to appropriate, “…$10,000,000 to the County of Orange to expedite the completion of an urgently needed Behavioral Health Families and Children’s Campus, which will deliver coordinated mental health services, support, and resources to children and their family members.”

“On behalf of the entire Be Well OC movement, I’d like to express our deep gratitude for Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and our Orange County Board of Supervisors for their unwavering support to pioneer an innovative approach to build a coordinated system of mental health care,” said Be Well OC CEO Marshall Moncrief. “This is a tremendous next step for the Be Well OC movement and Orange County residents.”

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(Santa Ana, CA) – Due to recent increases in COVID-19 case counts, Orange County was moved to "High" community transmission status as of 7/14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level Data Tracker.
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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Communicable Disease Control Division (CDCD) has confirmed the first presumptive case of monkeypox infection in Orange County (OC) and is awaiting final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While awaiting CDC confirmation of a probable case, the HCA is proceeding with the assumption it is a monkeypox case and is conducting contact tracing and post-exposure prevention for close contacts.

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 24, 2022) – In partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB), the County of Orange (County) has expanded the Work Experience Program to include youth ages 14-24. Orange County businesses are encouraged to enroll in the upcoming program year to help train youth to meet their organization’s needs and jumpstart their exposure to the work field at no cost to the employer.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employee resignations are at an all-time high. According to the most recent Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary, 4.4 million people quit their jobs in April 2022. This leaves businesses with hectic environments and low work performance.

Historically a program offered to adults only, the Youth Work Experience Program allows businesses to make an impact by helping youth gain skills and motivation along with providing career exploration and work experience. This program provides many benefits for participating employers including:

• Having wages subsidized through the program so there is no cost to the employer
• Building a multi-generational workforce
• Being at the forefront of training for your sector
• Training for a period of up to 12 weeks, 15-30 hours per week 

The new program year begins July 1, 2022. For more information on this program including how to participate, businesses can call (714) 480-6500 or email BusinessServices@ocworkforcesolutions.com.

(Santa Ana, CA) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people between 13 and 64 years of age get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS at least once as part of routine health care. For those at high risk of HIV, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and persons who inject drugs, the CDC recommends testing at least once per year as part of routine health care. June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), which promotes testing and early diagnosis of HIV. This year’s NHTD theme is HIV Testing is Self-care. HIV testing is an act of self-care, and knowledge of status is the gateway to engaging in prevention or treatment services that enable individuals, regardless of their status, to live a long and healthy life.

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