Edgardo Flores - RIPE

San Pedro, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is asking Metro to require all bus and train passengers wear face coverings to protect the health of bus drivers and their fellow passengers from COVID-19.

In a letter to Metro CEO Phil Washington Hahn said “given what we know about the COVID-19 virus, the policy of not requiring face coverings puts both Metro passengers and bus drivers at risk.”

The Supervisor’s letter comes after an LA Times article detailed the accounts of Metro bus drivers who fear for their own health and the health of their passengers. While the current Public Health Order requires the public to wear face coverings in essential businesses, Metro has put the onus on bus drivers to determine whether or not to allow passengers on board without face coverings.

“Because so many other essential workers, from grocery store employees to restaurant workers, rely on Metro to get to and from work, Metro’s decision not to require face coverings threatens to compound the spread of this virus across our County,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Due to the urgency of this matter, Supervisor Hahn is asking Metro to take action immediately and not wait until the next meeting of the Metro Board of Directors.

Read the Supervisor’s full letter to Phil Washington here.

San Pedro, CA — Today, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced that the County will operate a new drive-up COVID-19 testing site starting Monday, April 20 at PIH Health Whittier Hospital .  Any resident of Los Angeles County who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 is eligible for testing and can make an appointment through the website.  

“LA County is partnering with PIH Health to open a new drive-up COVID-19 testing site at their hospital in Whittier,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Expanding our testing capacity and ensuring residents have easy access to testing is helping us understand the spread of this virus and will be critical to easing restrictions when that time comes. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can make an appointment online for this new site in Whittier or at any of the dozens of testing sites established across LA County.”

The testing site will be located at the PIH Health Whittier Hospital located at 12401 Washington Blvd in Whittier. Testing will  occur in the parking lot located at Pacific Place and Putnam Street with an entrance on Pacific Place.  The site will run Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

“PIH Health is pleased to be working with Supervisor Hahn and Los Angeles County to enhance the accessibility of COVID-19 testing,” said James R. West, PIH Health president and chief executive officer. “Increased testing will help us to flatten the curve by identifying who needs to isolate and seek treatment.”

Individuals who make appointments will stay in their cars for tests. The test is a self-administered oral swab, meaning clients must swab their own mouths/throats by following the instructions provided to them on-site. The testing process will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. However, waiting times may vary depending on the time of day. Results will be provided to the individual via email or phone within two to three days.

See a list of FAQs about LA County/LA City testing sites here.

If you are experiencing symptoms, you can make an appointment for a test here. 

Starting Tuesday March 17th, Team Hahn will work from home. We will remain accessible to our constituents and will continue to get our communities the resources and assistance they need.

You can reach us by calling any of our main phone lines during normal business hours, or by sending us a message through our website.

Additional Closures:

All bars, breweries, wineries, nightclubs, theaters, gyms, and entertainment centers in the County of Los Angeles are now closed. Restaurants will be permitted to serve take-out or delivery food only and grocery stores will remain open. 

For County Department-specific information regarding COVID-19’s impact on County services, please visit LA County’s “Cancellations, Closures, and Modifications” webpage.

Social Distancing:

Please continue to do your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay home as much as possible and avoid all gatherings. Without a vaccine, social distancing is the best tool we have to combat this virus. 

Food and Panic Shopping:

It is critical that you stay calm and do not panic shop. There is no shortage of food in Los Angeles County. Please do not hoard food or supplies — especially if you are not elderly or do not have a condition that makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19. 

Please… this is important. Cut it out. 

Stay healthy and tune into daily updates from the LA County Department of Public Health on Facebook. 

Stay safe,

-Supervisor Janice Hahn

San Pedro, CA— Today, a new 40-bed shelter with 24/7 security, on-site showers, laundry, healthcare specialists, and casework services opened in a formerly vacant Los Angeles County Public Health Clinic in San Pedro.  Because the shelter was created out of an existing County facility, the project was able to be completed just 6 weeks after it was first approved by the Board of Supervisors in mid-January.  The shelter is now being run and operated by non-profit service provider, Harbor Interfaith.

“We took a vacant County building and turned it into a temporary shelter in 6 weeks,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Now we are handing the reigns over to Harbor Interfaith. They now have 40 beds to use to bring people indoors, get them the services and support they need, and help them to begin to turn their lives around.”

Harbor Interfaith has designated 25 of the beds for women and 15 for men – a ratio they determined based on their outreach efforts in the area. Each resident will have a locker with a combination next to their bed, two plastic bins for their belongings underneath their bed, and a two-gallon bin located in a storage area outside of the facility for extra belongings.

Incoming residents will receive on-site case management, mental health services, and will work with a housing coordinator to find long-term housing. The Harbor Community Health Clinic located in the same building as the shelter will provide residents with health assessments. Three meals a day will be provided by Beacon House. Three community rooms with TVs, books donated from the LA County Library, and games will allow residents to stay at the facility during the day. Residents will be allowed to stay at the shelter until they are matched with permanent housing.

Residents will be able to use mobile shower units and clean their clothes using on-site laundry. Pets are allowed the parking lot will have an enclosed dog-run for residents with pets. Residents will also be able to keep their pets in a kennel at the foot of their bed. A local nonprofit organization, Pedro Pet Pals, is providing kennels and dog food.

The facility, located at 122 W 8th street, will operate as a shelter for three years while both the County and City of Los Angeles work on long-term plans to develop the site into housing.  The facility was run as a Los Angeles County Public Health Clinic until it was vacated in 2019.  The County set aside $300,000 to refurbish the building for the shelter. Ongoing operations costs are estimated at $1.1 million per year.  

Harbor Interfaith is accepting donations for shelter residents including new white t-shirts, grey sweats, and cotton socks, toiletries, and laundry detergent.  Donations can be dropped off at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce located at 390 W 7th St between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. 

Marina del Rey, CA — Today, Supervisor Janice Hahn joined the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation CEO Bill Allen, officials from AltaSea, and entrepreneurs from new ocean tech companies to announce that the “blue economy” or “ocean economy” would become an official economic sector tracked in LA County.

According to a report released today compiled by the LAEDC and AltaSea at the Port of LA, 117,000 workers are directly employed in the region’s ocean economy in LA County, with an additional 82,500 jobs sustained by the industry. The report: The Ocean Economy in Los Angeles County, was sponsored by LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office and released by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and prepared in collaboration with AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. Based on the industry’s significant regional economic contribution, the LAEDC took the rare step, upon the report’s release, to add the “Ocean Economy” as a Southern California-based industry cluster that it will formally monitor, benchmark and track going forward; much like the LAEDC does for the region’s more well-known industries such as aerospace and digital media entertainment.

The “ocean economy” is a large sector in LA County in terms of jobs. In fact, if the “ocean economy” had been included in the most recent jobs report, it would have ranked 9th in jobs behind manufacturing and ahead of Information Technology.

Supervisor Hahn made today’s announcement at the Burton Chase Park Boathouse in Marina del Rey. There, she got to operate an underwater drone created here in LA County by Blue Robotics – a startup based at AltaSea.

The report also found that:

• — California’s Ocean Economy supports 1.035 million jobs (direct, indirect and induced), or roughly seven percent (7%) of the state’s total workforce, and over $53 billion in total labor income. (2018)
• — LA County’s Ocean Economy supports 200,400 total jobs (direct, indirect and induced), produced over $34 billion in regional output, added $20 billion to the gross county product, yielded over $12 billion in labor income, and generated $1.7 billion in local taxes. (2018)
• — The marine transportation and tourism sectors, which employ 52,070 and 57,270 workers, respectively, in LA County, are the industry’s largest local employment contributors. (2018)
• — LA County’s Ocean Economy is forecasted to grow significantly, directly employing 126,000 workers by 2023 and generating $80.1 billion in regional output, $49.8 billion in additional gross county product and $69.2 billion in personal income over the five-year period between 2019 and 2023
• — Globally, the Ocean Economy is projected by the OECD to double to $3 trillion over the next decade.

“The newly-designated ‘Ocean Economy’ is a strong and growing sector of our economy in LA County,” said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Over the next decade we’re going to see more jobs at our ports, in aquaculture, in ocean exploration, and in ocean technology we haven’t even thought of yet.”

The LAEDC report also highlights the growing economic, environmental and equity importance of the LA region’s emerging marine-based biotechnology, conservation, renewable and high-tech sectors, which the LAEDC projects will be significant drivers of future job, venture capital and wage growth over the five-year study period. By levering the LA region’s existing applied research concentrations and pronounced productive advantages over other economic regions and nations, the report concludes that LA is “well-positioned” to become a world leader in the development of marine-based solutions to address global climate change, health and water conservation challenges.

The report also makes some policy and program recommendations for further building on the region’s organic strengths in this industry. Key suggestions include: invest in industry-driven workforce training programs that can respond in real-time to the fast-changing labor market needs of this industry; advocate for economic and workforce development incentives and programs that support emerging ocean industries; ease regulatory barriers for sustainable aquaculture; promote marine-based renewable energy solutions; and implement local waterfront revitalization and preservation programs that achieve the co-equal goals of to combat sea level rise and to promote sustainable economic development.

“This report is not just data,” said Supervisor Hahn. “It is a road map with recommendations the County can pursue with the LAEDC, AltaSea and emerging blue economy leaders – driving science-based understanding of the ocean, incubating and sustaining ocean-related businesses, and pioneering new ocean-related education programs for communities and entrepreneurs alike. This is just the beginning.”

Los Angeles, CA — Today, in response to a request from Supervisor Janice Hahn, the LA County Departments of Mental Health and Public Health are increasing services and outreach to communities impacted by fear, anxiety, and discrimination associated with the Coronavirus outbreak.

The County is distributing a guide for coping with stress during an infectious disease outbreak which can be found here in English, as well as Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

The LA County Departments of Mental Health and Public Health announced plans to distribute information about Asian Pacific Islander mental health providers, educational information on anxiety, bullying, depression, and connect people in need with the 24/7 Department of Mental Health ACCESS Line. They will also distribute accurate information about the Coronavirus in order to combat the spread of disinformation about the disease.

There is currently only one confirmed case of Coronavirus in Los Angeles County. However, residents across the County, especially in the Asian Pacific Islander community have experienced harassment, discrimination, and elevated levels of anxiety and fear because of the outbreak overseas.

“The Coronavirus outbreak is happening on the other side of the globe, but residents here in LA County are experiencing discrimination, harassment, bullying and fear because of it,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “LA County is making mental health services and information available that I hope will decrease some of this fear and anxiety and give impacted communities the support they need to get through this difficult time.”

All information will be translated into Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean Russian languages and will be distributed to various community stakeholder groups, Health Neighborhood/Clergy Counsels, directly operated clinics, health centers and other community agencies and organizations as well as posted on the Departments’ websites.

Whittier, CA — Today LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced her office would be giving $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier for the renovation of their gymnasium. The money will be used to re-do the flooring, add surround sound and a projector for movies or meetings, install carpet walls to reduce noise, and other cosmetic updates.

“Gyms are some of the most important resources for our kids, giving them safe places to exercise, grow, and play together during and after school,” said Supervisor Hahn. “The Boys & Girls Club gym hasn’t seen an update in over 10 years and it is time it gets some modern renovations that all kids can enjoy for years to come.”

“The first place that many of our members go is our gym,” said Oscar Hernandez, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier. “It is a place where kids can build confidence, learn teamwork and leadership, and begin to build lifelong healthy habits. Having a freshly renovated gym will enhance this experience for all of our members. With a new floor, freshly painted and padded walls, and many more cosmetic improvements, more kids will reach their potential in an inviting and special place.”

Opened in 1967, the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier provides after-school and summer programs for youth ages 6 to 18 years old that emphasize academic success, good character, and healthy lifestyles.

Norwalk, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has awarded a $300,000 grant to the City of Norwalk for an inclusive playground for children of all ages and abilities at Holifield Park.

“This is going to be a state-of-the-art playground where children of all ages and abilities can play together,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I appreciate Norwalk’s vision and I am happy I can help turn it into a reality.”

“Supervisor Janice Hahn’s support and partnership has brought us one step closer to achieving our goal of providing safe and improved parks in our community,” said Norwalk Mayor Margarita L. Rios. “Specifically, funding from the Supervisor’s office will help enhance Holifield Park’s amenities, such as the playground and basketball court.”

The grant comes from the Fourth District Discretionary funds. The planned playground would be ADA accessible and include shade structures to protect children from the sun as well as covered benches for parents. The two playgrounds at Holifield currently have sand surfaces which are not ADA accessible and are costly to maintain.

Supervisor Hahn’s Field Deputy, Ivan Sulic, is presenting a check for the project to the Norwalk City Council during tonight’s meeting.

Los Angeles, CA—Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a proposal by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl to create the County’s first ever Youth Commission. The commission aims to give a young people a voice in reforming policies that govern the foster care and juvenile justice systems.

“LA County’s most serious responsibility is the one we have to the tens of thousands of children in our care in both our foster care system and our juvenile justice system,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our success– and too often our failure– to serve these children can shape their futures. If we really want to learn from our mistakes and improve the system for the next generation, we need to engage with the young people who grew up in these systems and know what it takes to make them better.”

The Youth Commission will be made up of 15 commissioners, all 18-26-year-olds with lived experience in LA County’s foster care or probation system. Not only will the Youth Commissioners have the power to make recommendations about current policies—they will be encouraged to propose new ones that they believe would better serve the children and young people they are championing. The Youth Commission will also have the ability to monitor outcomes and the quality of services the county is providing by conducting site visits at County facilities and interviewing youth.

“My experiences and our experiences have to be part of the County Government,” said Blacc Johnson, an 18-year-old who told his story about being involved with the LA County Probation Department as a teen. “There are more than 200 commissions in LA County but none of them require youth representatives. It’s time that we finally have a voice in planning our future.

Supervisor Hahn touts the commission as “of the youth, by the youth, and for the youth.” Not only will it be made up of young commissioners, it is a commission that has been developed and championed by the youth themselves. For well-over a year, a group that calls themselves the Youth Commission Architects has been meeting after hours in Supervisor Hahn’s downtown office determining the vision for this commission and developing the framework approved today.

“When we make policy decisions that deeply affect the lives of our young people, we need to consult the real experts – the young people, themselves,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “They are best placed to know and articulate their needs and what has helped and what has hurt them. This motion creates a formal way to get that input.”

The youth commission will be created no later than May 15, 2020. The Youth Commission will start with 15 commissioners, with the option to increase its membership to 19; of this membership, one commissioner is to be nominated by each Supervisor, and the remaining commissioners are to be selected and identified through a self-nomination and interview process.