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Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Janice Hahn and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon Announce Joint Effort to Establish First LGBTQ+ Community Center in Whittier 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Janice Hahn and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon Announce Joint Effort to Establish First LGBTQ+ Community Center in Whittier

484048 LGTBQ Center Site Visit 06-14-23 (Photo by Bryan Chan / Los Angeles County)

Whittier, CA – Today, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn and California State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) are announcing a plan to create a LGBTQ+ Service Center in the City of Whittier. The center will be established in an existing LA County building at 7639 Painter Avenue. Assemblymember Calderon secured $4.2 million in the state’s budget to support the creation and operation of the future center.

“The LGBTQ+ residents of Whittier and surrounding areas have always had to travel far to find dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces. There just isn’t anything like that in this area. That’s going to change when this center opens. When this space became available, I knew we had to snatch it up,” said Chair Hahn, who represents Whittier and who recently visited the construction site. “At a time when the rhetoric of hate across our country is louder than ever, LGBTQ+ centers like the one we’re building here are lifelines for this community. I’m thankful for Assemblymember Calderon’s work to secure the state funding we needed to make this a reality.”

LGBTQ Whittier

The property, which already belongs to the County and has sat empty since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consists of a single-story building of approximately 2,694 square feet and a surface parking lot. It is currently undergoing previously planned upgrades by Los Angeles County Public Works.

“It is important to bring resources to my district that help our communities thrive. That is why I am pleased to partner with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to establish a new LGBTQ+ Center in Whittier,” stated Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, Whittier resident and representative for the state’s 56th Assembly District. “I was thrilled to advocate for this project in the legislature, which will support the livelihoods of my constituents and individuals in the region through the creation of a safe and supportive space for all!”

At the direction of Supervisor Hahn, the County’s Internal Services Department is already conducting evaluations of the site’s ADA accessibility, building systems, designs, costs, and programmatic needs for the future center. The Internal Services Department will next provide the Board of Supervisors with cost and timeline estimates.

150 150 Esteban Garcia


I know that public safety has become a top concern for many residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula communities. I have heard concerns from many about recent property crimes. I have invited Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna to a town hall meeting in RPV next month so we can hear more about the issues you’re facing and discuss possible solutions going forward.

RSVP by email at fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov, or call (310) 519-6021.

Supervisors Direct County Staff to Prepare for CARE Court Launch 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisors Direct County Staff to Prepare for CARE Court Launch

County will use Emergency Declaration to Hire Needed Staff Quickly

Los Angeles, CA – Today, led by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to direct staff to prepare for the launch of CARE Court on December 1, 2023. CARE Court, a new initiative championed by Governor Newsom and passed into law by the State Legislature, aims to fix the ongoing challenge of getting people with severe mental illness the support and care they need.
“We have been struggling for decades to figure out a way to get real, compassionate help to people with severe mental illness, and I believe CARE Court could be the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our December 1 launch date is coming up quickly and there is plenty of work we need to do to be prepared to provide CARE Court clients with the care they need and support their concerned family members on day one.
CARE Court will provide upstream treatment opportunities to individuals suffering from severe mental health disorders, especially schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders, and are unable to make their own medical decisions by authorizing specified people, like family members, to petition a civil court to create a CARE plan for that individual.
“This motion is about our County proactively preparing for CARE Court. Staffing up is key so that we’re ready to help the gravely disabled – they’re the intended clients and their needs are complex. Our Department of Mental Health is the lead implementation agency and I support moving forward, but there are still a lot of questions about how referrals will be accepted and managed that need to be answered. A lot of good can be achieved. We need to work in close partnership with the state so we get this right and are set up to succeed. We can’t squander this opportunity.”
The Board passed a motion today, authored by Hahn and Barger, directing the LA County Department of Mental Health to recruit and hire new employees to support the CARE Court program and use the Board’s emergency authority under the recently declared Homelessness Emergency to expedite hiring. The motion also directs County staff to identify potential properties and facilities that are needed to support CARE Court, to develop a referral system to connect CARE Court clients with substance use treatment, to implement a peer supporter program for CARE Court participants, and to report back in 90 days with progress made towards CARE Court implementation.
“December 1st is just around the corner and so much needs to be done,” commented Mike Molina, who serves on the LA County Commission on Mental Health. “We need emergency appointments. We need treatment facilities identified, prepared and staff hired. We need coordination with the courts and all agencies involved. And we need a full and comprehensive communications plan so that County residents clearly know the options and services offered to them through CARE Court. This Motion is just what we need to fast-track the work ahead in the next six months.”
Under SB 1338, every county in the state must implement CARE Court. The County of Los Angeles will be part of the first group of California counties to implement CARE Court starting with one courtroom and one judge in the LA County Superior Court Courthouse in Norwalk.
Governor Newsom’s May Revision to the state budget proposes to allocate $15 million to Los Angeles County to implement CARE Court. The revision also identified $151 million in ongoing funds to support CARE Courts statewide although LA County’s allocation is unknown at this point.
Today’s motion passed in a 4-1 vote with Supervisors Janice Hahn, Kathryn Barger, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell voting for the motion and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath voting against it.

LBPD gun buyback June 150 150 Esteban Garcia

LBPD gun buyback June

We know that when guns are present, our homes and communities are less safe. While we continue to demand action from Congress, I am doing everything in my power to reduce the number of guns on our streets. This is an opportunity for residents to participate in making their own communities safer.

This event is totally anonymous. We will not ask for any information from you.

There are important guidelines to participating in the buy-back that ensure the safety of the public and LBPD officers. Firearms must be brought unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle and are not permitted on any Metro or Long Beach Transit vehicle. Pedestrian walk-ups will not be accepted. Participants can choose from an assortment of gift cards, including gift cards that can be redeemed on Amazon.

Board Declares June 2nd Gun Violence Awareness Day in LA County 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Board Declares June 2nd Gun Violence Awareness Day in LA County

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared June 2, 2023, Gun Violence Awareness Day in Los Angeles County. The declaration, brought forward by Chair of the Board Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, is meant to draw attention to the devastation caused nationwide by gun violence and urge Congressional leaders to act.

“The nationwide gun violence crisis continues to plague our community,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Just last week, Long Beach lost 12-year-old Eric Gregory Brown III in a senseless drive-by shooting.  We know that so many of these deaths are preventable and if we hope to ever get action from Congress, we can’t stay quiet. We have to demand action for the sake of our children.”

The proposal to declare Gun Violence Awareness Day came to Hahn’s office from Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization that advocates for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. June 2nd is significant because it is the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl from Chicago who was playing in a park with her friends when she was tragically shot and killed, just one week after performing at President Obama’s inauguration in 2013.

“Enough is enough,” said Supervisor Solis. “We need real solutions and real action.  I am proud of our collective record of standing with victims and survivors of gun violence and fighting for responsible gun safety. And in proclaiming June 2nd as Gun Violence Awareness Day, we are showing our over 10 million residents, our over 100,000 employees, and the nation, that LA County will continue to demonstrate its support to making our communities safer.”

Members of the organization testified at today’s Board Meeting, urging residents to wear orange on June 2nd. Orange was selected because it is the color hunters wear to prevent themselves from being shot.

At today’s meeting, Moms Demand Action volunteer Heather Jones spoke to the board about heartbreaking questions she got from her six and ten-year-old children who worried they would be shot and asked where they could be shot and still live.

Supervisor Hahn has led the effort at the Board to put in place new gun violence prevention ordinances that put new regulations on gun dealers and prevent the sale of .50 caliber weapons and ammunition. She has also held gun buyback events across her district which have taken 814 guns off the streets.  Hahn’s next gun buyback is in coordination with the Long Beach Police Department on June 10, 2023, from 7:00am-5:00PM at MacArthur Park located at 1321 E Anaheim St, Long Beach.  Residents are encouraged to turn in firearms in exchange for gift cards– no questions asked.

Board of Supervisors Proclaims Philippine Independence Day in Los Angeles County 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Board of Supervisors Proclaims Philippine Independence Day in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles, CA – Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 12, 2023 as “Philippine Independence Day” in Los Angeles County. The motion, authored by Chair of the Board Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, reads in part “The Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of this day to Filipino residents in Los Angeles County and the contributions made by Filipino employees who are a vital part of our County workforce and continually dedicate themselves to serving our communities.”

“The histories of Los Angeles County and of the Philippines are inextricably linked, and Filipino immigrants have shaped our region over generations. We’re honoring those historical ties and also saying to our Filipino community: LA County is celebrating with you,” said Chair of the Board Janice Hahn. “I’m especially thankful for the role that our Filipino employee groups like the LA County Filipino American Employees Association and the Filipino American Employees Association of DPSS play in the life of our County government, and I wish them a very happy celebration of Philippine independence next month.”

Los Angeles County, which has the largest Asian American population of any county in the nation, is home to more than 340,000 Filipino Americans.

“This June 12 will commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, marking the historic day when the Philippines declared independence from Spain. I am proud to represent a vibrant community of Filipino American residents, from Historic Filipinotown to West Covina. I am honored to celebrate this historic milestone with them and am so grateful to them for their part in making our County so special,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District.

After 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, Filipino rebels declared independence on June 12, 1898. After its defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War, the United States subsequently annexed the Philippines, and governed the archipelago until full independence was granted on July 4, 1946.

Supervisor Janice Hahn Unveils Countywide Campaign to Prevent School Violence 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Janice Hahn Unveils Countywide Campaign to Prevent School Violence

Pico Rivera, CA – On Friday morning, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn and LA County Department of Mental Health Director Lisa Wong, Psy.D., unveiled a new campaign to prevent school shootings and school violence. The new education campaign features social media ads and in-school posters to encourage high school students to contact the County Department of Mental Health’s School Threat Assessment Response Team (START) if they witness concerning or threatening behavior by a fellow student.

The START program consists of mental health professionals who work with schools and law enforcement and respond to calls about concerning behavior that could potentially lead to school violence. When contacted about a student who might pose a threat to themselves or others, the team comes in to assess the level of risk and provide targeted intervention to the student.

Up until now, however, trainings and advertisement of the START program has been aimed at teachers, school administrators, and other school staff.  Studies have shown that many youth who commit acts of violence at school discuss or mention their plans beforehand, often on social media and to other students.  Targeted intervention can successfully prevent violence, and it is important that programs like START are informed about early warning signs.

“If one of our students witnesses something that doesn’t feel right, they need to know there is someone they can call who can step in and help,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We are blanketing social media with these ads so we can reach as many LA County students as possible with this information.”

Examples of START social media ads

The new campaign unveiled by Supervisor Hahn and Director Lisa Wong on Friday morning at a press conference the El Rancho Youth Center in Pico Rivera aims to reach high school students with information about START.

The campaign includes a video PSA, ads that will run on popular websites like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch and Facebook, and posters that have been distributed to more than 200 schools countywide.  The campaign’s tagline, “If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t,” was developed through focus groups with local students.

“The START Campaign hopes help students recognize that when something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. This campaign empowers students to make a difference in their lives, and the lives of fellow students who may be on a path to violence, but could benefit from services and intervention,” said Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “Studies have shown that many youth who commit acts of violence at school either discuss or mention their plans beforehand, often to other students and on social media. And studies have shown that by providing early intervention services to students who are posing threats, students’ outcomes can be positively impacted by connecting them to services and providing the support needed to succeed. By speaking directly to young people, the campaign encourages direct referrals to START from them when they recognize concerning behaviors by fellow students.”

START PSA now up on YouTube

The campaign’s PSA features a real student named Mia Tretta who survived a shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita in 2019.  Mia’s best friend, Dominic Blackwell, was shot and killed.  Since the shooting, Mia has become a passionate anti-gun violence activist.

The $547k campaign is funded through MHSA funds.

START Student Outreach Campaign Materials:

  1. Vimeo: Social Media Video Ad
  2. YouTube: Mia PSA Video
  3. Poster
  4. Social media ad screenshots

START Youth Website: START Information for Youth & School Community – Department of Mental Health (lacounty.gov)

Hahn Releases Statement after County Officially Transfers Bruce’s Beach to Bruce Family 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Hahn Releases Statement after County Officially Transfers Bruce’s Beach to Bruce Family

Manhattan Beach, CA– This morning, less than two years after she announced her intention to return Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce family, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn celebrated the official transfer of the property to the great grandsons of Willa and Charles Bruce.  Hahn joined Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Senator Steven Bradford, members of the Bruce family including Anthony Bruce and Derrick Bruce, and local activist Kavon Ward for a ceremony at Bruce’s Beach to mark the occasion.

Supervisor Hahn has released the following statement:

“When I met with our County lawyers last year and said I wanted to return this property to the Bruce family, they told me nothing like it had ever been done before. No government in this country had returned land that was taken from a Black family unjustly. They said the work ahead of us would be unprecedented. Now, we are sending a message to every government in this nation confronted with this same challenge: this work is no longer unprecedented. We have set the precedent and it is the pursuit of justice. 

Today I am thinking of Willa Bruce, who never gave up on getting this land back for her family.  I am thinking of her children and grandchildren, who were denied the generational wealth and opportunity that should have been theirs.  I am thinking of her great grandsons, Derrick and Marcus Bruce, who today become the owners of some of the most beautiful beachfront property in the world. And I am thinking of the generations of Bruces to come – whose lives will be forever changed because of the wrong we are setting right today. 

We can’t change the past. And we will never be able to make up for the injustice that was done to Willa and Charles Bruce nearly a century ago. But this is a start. ”

Learn more about Bruce’s Beach: https://ceo.lacounty.gov/ardi/bruces-beach/

 

Hahn Names Community Leaders and Educators Dandy de Paula and Lisa Michelle Dabbs to Serve on LA County Commission on Human Relations 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Hahn Names Community Leaders and Educators Dandy de Paula and Lisa Michelle Dabbs to Serve on LA County Commission on Human Relations

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Los Angeles, CA – Today, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn named two community leaders and educators to serve on the County’s Commission on Human Relations – Hawaiian Gardens resident Dandy De Paula and Whittier resident Lisa Michelle Dabbs.

“The Commission on Human Relations has the monumental and important task of combating prejudice and hate in an increasingly diverse LA County,” said Supervisor Hahn. “It can’t do this without the expertise of individuals who have spent years supporting and improving their communities and know what residents of these communities need to thrive. Dandy De Paula and Lisa Michelle Dabbs are two such individuals – I am proud to appoint them both today, and I know they will do great work.”

Both De Paula and Dabbs bring with them to the Commission decades of experience in education and community leadership.

De Paula – a native of the Philippines – is a resident of Hawaiian Gardens who has worked since 2003 in the field of Early Childhood Education. He currently serves as a Program Director of Covenant Kids Preschool, helping local kids get a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. De Paula has received numerous awards from the City of Hawaiian Gardens and the ABC Unified School District for his organizing and outreach efforts in Hawaiian Gardens. He also previously received a Certificate of Appreciation from Supervisor Hahn commending him for his community work.

“Serving others has been my passion and I am deeply honored to have been given this great opportunity to continue my work in helping improve the quality of life and create healthy relationships,” said De Paula.

Starting her career as a teacher, Whittier resident Lisa Michelle Dabbs is an education leader who worked for over 15 years as a school principal in four different school districts in LA County. She was elected in 2018 to serve as President of the East Whittier City School District Board and is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of La Verne, where she teaches courses in school administration. She is also a published author. Her book “Standing in the Gap: Empowering New Teachers Through Connected Resources” is taught in teacher education courses across the globe.

“I’m honored to receive this appointment to the Commission on Human Relations, the longest-standing Commission of its kind in the US,” said Dabbs. “I want to thank Supervisor Hahn for selecting me to serve and represent the diverse community of Los Angeles County on this Commission. As a second-generation Latina, I have dedicated my education career to championing the rights of the underserved. The mission of the Commission speaks to that commitment that I have had and to leaving a lasting impact by striving to bring the community together around the issues of diversity that matter to our LA County residents. Lastly, I look forward to connecting with my fellow Commissioners and in collaboration with them, becoming a valued member of this important Human Relations work. I want to again thank Supervisor Hahn for entrusting me to this important Commission appointment.

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is a 15-member body dedicated to promoting positive human relations and protecting human rights in an increasingly complex and multicultural LA County. Partnering with schools, cities, community-based organizations, and other leaders, the Commission brings key players together to resolve intercultural conflicts and to work toward the longer-term aim of eradicating bias and prejudice in LA County. Each Supervisor names three Commissioners who serve multi-year terms.

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Hahn Commits to Helping Workers Impacted by Announced Farmer John Closure 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Hahn Commits to Helping Workers Impacted by Announced Farmer John Closure

Vernon, CA — After the announcement by Farmer John that it will close its Vernon plant next year, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement:

“The planned closure of the Farmer John plant in Vernon will have an impact on the economy and workers in Southeast LA County. I will do everything I can to get county resources to Farmer John employees to help them with the job training and assistance they need to get new good-paying jobs.”

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