Los Angeles, CA – Today, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the city’s Emergency Operations Center as the mayor signed an emergency declaration for the homeless crisis.
In remarks to the press, Hahn made clear that she intends to be the mayor’s partner in this effort and announced an upcoming motion to bring county resources to match the city’s work.
“Mayor Karen Bass is doing exactly what she promised the voters and what the situation demands: treating the homelessness crisis with the urgency it demands. People’s lives are on the line, and I appreciate that Mayor Bass did not waste a moment to get to work. The emergency declaration is important – as are the policies Mayor Bass will implement in the coming days and months that double down on the strategies we know work: like master leasing and moving entire encampment communities inside at a time.
The homelessness crisis is not the City of Los Angeles’s problem, or the County’s problem, or the State’s problem to solve alone. This is a crisis that demands all our attention, our cooperation, and our resources. As Mayor Bass said in her address yesterday—we need to link arms rather than point fingers.
As the Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, I stand ready to be a partner with the new Mayor in this effort. In the coming weeks, I will be putting forward a motion to ensure that County resources, especially mental health and health care, can be brought to bear and match the urgency of this emergency declaration.Mayor Bass, thank you for inviting me to join you and for bringing this renewed vigor to a battle we have been fighting for far too long. Let’s get to work.”
Supervisor Janice Hahn Brings Increased Public Participation to Board as Chairhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/BCZ_7694-1024x683.jpg1024683Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who became Chair of the Board on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, is announcing new changes she has made aimed at increasing the public’s ability to participate in Board Meetings.
“The changes that were made to the board meetings during the pandemic kept people safe but came at the expense of unlimited public access to our work,” said Supervisor Hahn. “As chair, my goal is to increase the public’s ability to participate in our meetings and weigh in, in real time, on policies the board is considering.”
Hahn will serve as Chair of the Board until December 2023.
Changes to Public Comment:
Supervisor Hahn, as Chair, has changed how public comment is taken during board meetings. Rather than all public comment being taken together at the beginning of the meeting and limited to 90 minutes, as has been the practice during much of the pandemic, Hahn is taking unlimited public comment on each item when it is considered by the Board. Members of the public interested in participating can either come in-person to the Hall of Administration or participate virtually by calling (877) 226-8163 and using participant code: 1336503.
Additional Changes to Board Meeting:
Hahn has brought back the pre-pandemic tradition of inviting a local veteran to lead the pledge of allegiance, and a resident to deliver an invocation at the start of every meeting.
Tuesday, December 6 was the first time that the board meeting included a land acknowledgement recognizing the First Peoples, thanks to the recent passage of a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Hahn. All meetings going forward will include this acknowledgement.
Hahn has added an additional monthly board meeting dedicated to Public Hearing items.
Hahn is setting goal to increase the capacity of members of the public permitted in the board room when current surge of COVID-19 cases is over.
Hahn Brings Paws for Life Program to LA County Juvenile Facilitieshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tails-inmates-dogs-training-04-ht-jc-190128_hpMain_16x9t_992.jpg992558Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal by Chair Janice Hahn to bring the Paws for Life dog-training program to LA County juvenile detention facilities, beginning with Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. The program aims to benefit the incarcerated young people as well as local shelter dogs.
“The incarcerated young people at our juvenile facilities want something to do and deserve more programming,” said Supervisor Hahn. “The Paws for Life program is special and I hope it gives the young people an opportunity to not only learn new skills but find comfort and companionship with these shelter dogs. Each of these young people has so much potential and it is our responsibility to help them reach it.”
The Paws for Life K9 Rescue specializes in programs that allow incarcerated people in maximum security prisons to work with shelter dogs in need of socialization and training. Hahn’s proposal will bring this program to the incarcerated young people in LA County juvenile detention facilities who will have the opportunity to work with a formerly incarcerated trainer to learn to train dogs from City of Los Angeles animal shelters to make them more adoptable.
“Paws For Life is so excited to bring meaningful, transformative programming, to enhance the lives of our youth impacted by the justice system,” said Paws for Life Chief Operating Officer Jon Grobman. “The power of combining rescue dogs from our shelters with unconditional love will pave the way for our youth to find purpose and meaning in their lives.”
Benefits for youth “trainers” working with dogs include looking outward of oneself to care for others, personal responsibility for the dog’s well-being, learning to follow prescribed instructions to elicit desired behavior from the dog, working in cooperative groups, and date and time driven routines that are transferable to any employment opportunity.
“As a person who was formally incarcerated in Barry J. Nidorf, I’m well aware of what the Supervisors had mentioned that oftentimes there’s nothing productive for these young men and woman to do,” said Chris Murray, a trainer with Paws for Life who will be working with young people at Barry J. Nidorf. “It’s about time that programs like this be brought to these facilities and Paws for Life could not be a better program to start with. It teaches maturity, which is what these young men and women need before they re-enter our society. It will help them to be safer, more productive citizens. It most certainly teaches empathy, kindness, compassion and remorse and actually gives them an entryway into showing what making amends looks like.”
Hahn’s proposal, directing the Los Angeles County Probation Department to enter into an agreement with Paws for Life K9 Rescue, was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors today.
Supervisor Janice Hahn Presents $500,000 Grant to Bellflowerhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Bellflower, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn presented a $500,000 check to the City of Bellflower City Council. The new funding from Hahn’s office will support the city’s New Hope Shelter, a 50-bed shelter providing interim housing and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of Bellflower.
“I have always said that any city in my district who is willing to step up to be part of the solution to the homelessness crisis can count on my support,” said Hahn. “That is why I helped fund the creation of the New Hope Shelter when Bellflower leaders came to me with their plan, and it is why my office is continuing to fund its operation now. This $500,000 grant will ensure Bellflower has what it needs to keep operating this site and keep changing and saving lives.”
“Thanks to LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn for the $500,000 grant for the New Hope Temporary Shelter,” said Bellflower Mayor Pro Tem Sonny Santa Ines. “As the Supervisor has said, she will support any city in her district that is willing to be part of the solution to address homelessness. The City of Bellflower has a shelter and I’m really glad that the Supervisor kept her word. I’m very proud of the City of Bellflower’s efforts to help address homelessness. The number of homeless persons declined significantly since the shelter opened its doors in 2020. The City’s homeless population has a shelter to go to and at the same time, can enforce its ordinance against camping in public places like parks, sidewalks, etc.”
New Hope is a 50-bed shelter located at 8833 Cedar Street in Bellflower that provides people experiencing homelessness in the city with housing and supportive services. Currently, the shelter provides a bed to 42 people every night on average. It is operated by Mercy House, who assists program participants with creating a housing plan, making connections to housing resources, and ending their homelessness as soon as possible. The shelter opened on May 20th, 2020.
Hahn Congratulates Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye on Presidential Appointmenthttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
San Pedro, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is congratulating her long-time friend and commissioner, Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye, on her appointment today by President Joe Biden to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Dr. Estrada Schaye is a resident of Rolling Hills who had previously served as Hahn’s appointee to the Los Angeles County Women and Girls Initiative Governing Board and currently serves as her appointee to the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission.
“I want to congratulate my friend, Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye, on this prestigious appointment by President Biden to the Fulbright Scholarship Board,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I have known Carmen for decades and I know how seriously she takes public service. She has repeatedly stepped up to serve as my commissioner at the local level and now she will be serving at the pleasure of the President.”
The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board supervises the Fulbright Program and certain programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act and for the purpose of selecting students, scholars, teachers, trainees, and other persons to participate in the educational exchange programs. Appointed by the President, the 12-member Board meets quarterly in Washington, DC. The Board establishes worldwide policies and procedures for the Program and issues an annual report on the state of the Program. Board members include Donna Brazile and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson.
“I’m proud and honored to be a member of the Fulbright Scholarship Board and I shall represent the values and educational achievements of our country,” said Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye.
Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye earned a doctorate in Institutional Management at Pepperdine University, preceded by two master’s degree and a BA cum laude from Cal State Northridge. She was an Assistant Professor at Cal State University. Estrada Schaye also served as a community college Dean of Academic Affairs. Estrada Schaye is the recipient of the California State Senate Woman of Distinction, which recognizes trailblazing women for their impact on their communities.
Estrada Schaye is currently the national first Vice President of Diversity for the National Women’s Political Caucus in Washington, DC. She conducts a monthly symposium on women’s issues featuring state and nationally prominent women and serves as a Commissioner for Supervisor Hahn on the the LA County Small Business Commission. She formerly served as a Commissioner for Supervisor Hahn on the Los Angeles County Women and Girl’s Initiative. Estrada Schaye teaches NWPC National Diversity Campaign Training and was instrumental in developing a nationwide curriculum for diversity campaign instruction. In Los Angeles she was recently the President of Center Theater Group Affiliates at the West Coast’s largest theater complex. She is a businesswoman who owns Historic Home Restorations, a company dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic residences throughout the United States. She co-created and actively manages with her husband, Dr. Gordon Schaye, Grant Rivers Productions LLC in Los Angeles, devoted to the production of original films and TV programs.
Supervisors Require New Training Regarding First Responder Photographshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn regarding new trainings for LA County Firefighters, paramedics, and Sheriff’s deputies about new County policies prohibiting photographs of human remains.
Hahn’s motion is a follow-up to a previous motion she authored August, shortly after a jury ordered Los Angeles County to pay $35 million to Kobe Bryan’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, and Chris Chester for failing to prevent the taking and sharing of photos of their deceased loved ones at the site of a 2020 helicopter crash.
“Our failure to prevent those photos from being taken hurt Vanessa Bryant and Chris Chester as well as LA County taxpayers who ultimately had to foot the bill of the massive settlements,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “It is important that have new policies for our first responders on the books, but those policies will only be as effective as the training that comes along with them. We need all our current first responders and every new hire to be educated about what these new policies mean and trained explicitly in what is expected of them.”
Both the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department have new policies that explicitly address prohibited behavior regarding photographs and recordings at scenes where human remains are present. The Sheriff’s Department adopted a new policy in July 2020 regarding the photographing of human remains which requires personnel to preserve the dignity and privacy of the deceased and their family and prohibits photographs of human remains unless by certain authorized personnel. The Fire Department has not yet implemented their new policy, but it has been finalized and has gone through the review process with labor. They plan to implement the new policy in January 2023. The new policy will address all types of employee photography, the use of recording devices, and posting on social media. It also strictly prohibits photographs of deceased persons or human remains.
“As first responders, it is imperative we provide the highest level of care while maintaining the trust and confidentiality of the people we proudly serve,” said Los Angeles County Interim Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “Passing this motion solidifies our ongoing commitment to the communities we swore an oath to and will allow us to continue preserving an individual and family’s rights to dignity and privacy.”
Hahn’s motion, which was approved today in a 5-0 vote, directs the Fire Department and requests the Sheriff’s Department to report back in writing in 45 days with their plans to develop and implement training of the new policies pertaining to on-scene and incident photography. The reports will detail how each department plans to train both new hires and current employees on the new policies in a way that will provide all department members with clear guidance on the application of the new policies.
Supervisors Vote to Create new Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Healthhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FhoufC4VEAARi9c-1024x576.jpg1024576Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – During their meeting today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a motion put forth by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis to create a new Los Angeles County Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health. The Office will operate within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and will be tasked with proactively addressing the impacts of industrial pollution and climate change on communities in Los Angeles County.
Speaking to the Board, Supervisor Hahn said that since being elected, the communities she represents have been confronted with one environmental justice crisis after another, from carcinogenic hexavalent chromium emissions from metal plating plants in Paramount, to noxious fumes from an animal rendering plant in Vernon. Neighborhoods she represents continue to deal with lead contamination from the former Exide battery recycling plant.
“It is time we get proactive,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We’ve seen the terrible toll that industrial pollution has had on vulnerable communities and, increasingly, those same communities are also bearing the brunt of the heat waves caused by climate change. With this new office, we will not only better help these communities in crisis, but craft policies of the future that will help us protect them.”
The Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health will be staffed with employees from the Department of Public Health’s Toxicology and Environmental Assessment Branch and an interim director for the new office will be appointed within the next 30 days. The Office will first create its Strategic Plan, which is expected to be ready in nine months. The Strategic Plan will finalize the priority policy areas of focus, in consultation with community stakeholders and the Community Prevention and Population Health Task Force.
“Communities across Los Angeles County are crying out for justice: environmental justice,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “While this Board has stepped up to elevate and prioritize environmental justice, it is critical that we take bolder steps in our actions to respond decisively. This motion helps to do just that by creating transformative changes to the environmental and climate health of our residents.”
In April, Hahn and Solis led the Board in adopting Environmental Justice and Climate Health as a Board priority, and directed the Department of Public Health to produce a plan to create the Office. The vote formally adopts the roadmap in the Department’s October 2022 report entitled, “Evolving and Advancing the Board Directed Priority: Environmental Justice and Climate Health,” which called for the creation of the Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health.
Hahn Appoints CSULB Student Clarissa Peña to LA County Youth Commissionhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Today LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn appointed California State University Long Beach student and former foster care youth Clarissa Peña to serve on the County’s Youth Commission.
“We established the Youth Commission to make sure that young people with experience in our County’s foster care and juvenile justice systems are at the forefront of helping us make those systems better,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Through her own experience in foster care, Clarissa has the expertise to help us do better by the kids in our charge. I am proud to appoint her to the Los Angeles County Youth Commission and I know she will do great work.”
Peña entered the County’s foster care system at nine years old after experiencing homelessness with her family. She spent another ten years in foster care, switching between home placements and moving schools frequently, before settling at Jordan High School in North Long Beach. Peña graduated Jordan High with over 600 hours of community service with California Youth Connection. In Fall 2021, she was able to move out of her last group home and into on-campus housing at California State University Long Beach, where she is pursuing a science track as her area of study. She also currently works with the California Youth Commission as a Core Organizer.
“First I would like to thank Supervisor Hahn for appointing me to the Los Angeles County Youth Commission,” said Peña. “I’m honored to represent District 4 since I was raised in cities such as Long Beach, Whittier, and South Gate throughout my time in the child welfare system. From my lived experience, I hope to uplift the voices and experiences of those who have been system impacted, who have experienced homelessness, and part of the Latinx community. I am excited for this opportunity and I look forward to connecting with the youth of Los Angeles County!”
Established in 2020 by the Board of Supervisors following a motion by Supervisor Hahn and Sheila Kuehl, the Youth Commission is a youth-led organization that advises the Board on all matters related to youth policy. It also promotes youth participation in County affairs and policy development. Its members are all young people ages 18 to 24 with lived experience in the foster care and/or juvenile justice systems.
Supervisor Janice Hahn Opens New Aquatic Center in West Whittier- Los Nietoshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/483518-Aquatic.36-1024x683.jpg1024683Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Unincorporated West Whittier, CA – On Saturday, October 29, 2022, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn held a community Grand Opening celebration for the new Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center. The new public aquatic center, which was spearheaded by Hahn and made possible with $26M in funding allocated by her office, is in the unincorporated West Whittier-Los Nietos community on what was formerly a parking lot for Pioneer High School. It is be operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and open to the public six-days-a-week year-round.
“Public pools are so important for neighborhoods,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “And this one is state-of-the-art. Kids are going to learn to swim here, seniors and people of all ages can exercise, and the entire community will be able to cool off on a hot day. The West Whittier-Los Nietos community has been looking forward to this for a long time and it was great to be able to welcome them here today.”
The Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center is the only competitive-level aquatic center within seven miles of this community. It features two pools (a 50-meter by 25-yard competitive swimming pool and a 25-meter by 25-yard practice swimming pool), concrete bleachers for approximately 500 spectators, and a new building with changing rooms, showers, restrooms, and classrooms. The building also features a beautiful mosaic, commissioned by the Civic Art Division of the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, by Rebeca Mendez titled “Underwater Sunlight,” which covers the ceiling of the center and resembles the surface of a pool as seen from underwater. Outside the aquatic center is a new public park space with workout equipment and a playground.
“We are so excited to have partnered with Supervisor Janice Hahn to create this beautiful facility for Los Nietos and West Whittier residents,” said Dr. Russell Castañeda Calleros, President of the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees, which allowed the Aquatic Center to be built on a former parking lot of Pioneer High School. “We look forward to the many benefits and opportunities that this center will provide to our students, families, District and community.”
The aquatic center is open Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 8:00pm and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Programming will include swim lessons for all ages, swim team, aqua aerobics, water polo, lap swim, and “Everybody Swims” hours on Saturdays. Find the full schedule here.
Starting in January, people interested in becoming pool lifeguards will be able to enroll in Lifeguard Ready Training at the aquatic center. Saturday’s all-day grand opening celebration also included lifeguard tryouts for members of the Pioneer High School Water Polo Team and other interested young people.
“We have been excited for this long-anticipated launch of the Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center, a state-of-the-art aquatic facility serving the residents of Whittier and the surrounding communities in an area that has traditionally been underserved in aquatic programming,” said Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, the Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District. “Additionally, the Department is proud to partner with the Whittier Union High School District to promote youth job creation by developing a lifeguard training program through our Lifeguard Ready Training Program. The Greater Whittier Aquatic Center was made a reality thanks to a $5.5 million award in Proposition A funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD).”
Both pools are equipped with the AngelEye drowning detection system which features underwater cameras along the perimeter of the pools and pool deck cameras that monitor movement in the water and will alert lifeguards in the event of an emergency.
“Investments in public infrastructure—like this aquatic center—create jobs, improve public health and connect residents to vital County resources and services,” said Mark Pestrella, Director of Los Angeles County Public Works. “More than 57% of the workers on this project were hired locally, and we’re so proud to be able to bring those dollars back to the community of Whitter-Los Nietos.”
The Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center was made possible with funding allocated by Supervisor Hahn –$17.9 million of Measure U, $5.5 million of Proposition A excess funds through the Regional Park and Open Space District, $3.1 million in Proposition 62 funding– and a $3 million State Parks Competitive grant.
Department of Mental Health will Expand Student Trainee Opportunitieshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-Long-Mental-Health-Counselor-1024x683.jpg1024683Emily LintnerEmily Lintnerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85cfc18eb3c8162c132df3fbc9545eee?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors have unanimously approved a proposal by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to expand the number of student trainee opportunities in the Department of Mental Health as a strategy to recruit more mental health professionals to the department.
“We are in the middle of a sea change in how the County responds to and treats mental health crises, sending more mental health teams into the field to help deescalate crisis situations, and opening more facilities where people can recover,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “But this progress is threatened by a lack of mental health professionals who can fill these new positions. Luckily, there are plenty of students who are studying to get in these fields, and we should start working with them now so they are ready to fill jobs in LA County when they graduate.”
To meet the mental health needs of our communities, Los Angeles County has committed to expanding available mental health services, including innovative programs like the Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT), Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) teams, and Therapeutic Transport Vans. The County is also working on expanding the number of mental health beds available to ensure that everyone who needs a space to stabilize and recover from a mental health crisis can get the help they need.
However, the success of these programs is threatened by a shortage of mental health staff. There is currently a 28% vacancy rate at the County’s Department of Mental Health, and the department is facing challenges in recruitment and retention, at least in part due to the increase in demand for mental health professionals across the nation, state, and here in Los Angeles County.
“This motion is about fixing a big gap that we have in our mental health services system – we simply don’t have enough qualified mental health clinicians to meet the need that exists in our County,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who co-authored the motion. “I’m hopeful that increasing the number of County training sites for students will both expand their access to the diverse training sites within our Department of Mental Health and also help us attract new local talent. This has the potential to be a ‘win-win’ situation.”
Hahn and Barger’s motion, which passed today, directs Dr. Lisa Wong, the Interim Director of the County’s Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resources, to report back in 90 days with a plan to expand the number of training sites for students in key mental health-related fields to enhance recruitment and retention of mental health clinicians.
