Last Opportunity to Provide Input into the County's Seamless Senior Services (S3) Initiative

 

_______________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                                                   CONTACT:  Patricia Senette-Holt, PIO

 December 2, 2008                                                                                        (213) 738-2065

PRESS RELEASE

ANNOUNCING “FINAL” COMMUNITY MEETINGS

TOPIC:  LOS ANGELES COUNTY SEAMLESS SENIOR SERVICES (S3) INITIATIVE

An Invitation to Senior Citizens, Service Providers, Community Leaders and Senior Advocates

LOS ANGELES COUNTY— Community and Senior Services (CSS) Director Cynthia Banks today announced that the department is continuing to gather input on the Seamless Senior Services (S3) Initiative at “Stakeholders’” meetings being held at various locations listed below during December 2008.  Senior citizens, service providers, community leaders, caregivers and senior advocates are strongly urged to attend the Stakeholders’ meetings to provide comments on the S3 Initiative and offer suggestions to streamline County services provided to senior citizens in the County of Los Angeles.

An important part of the process is to gather input from the community.  William T Fujioka, the County’s Chief Executive Officer, has asked Banks to lead this effort and work with other County departments to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by the spring of 2009.

 “S3 is creating a seamless service model for seniors,” says Banks. “The department is working collaboratively with other County departments via the S3 Task Force to identify all existing programs and resources to streamline senior services in Los Angeles County,” she added.

Background

A recent needs assessment conducted by CSS indicated that there will be a sizeable increase in the need for services focused on health and well-being, supportive services, and preventive services as the baby boomers approach age 60. Service integration is becoming significantly more important due to the rapid growth of the County’s population of those 60 and over.  There are now approximately 1.4 million seniors age 60 and over in Los Angeles County. From 2010 to 2020, the 65+ population is projected to spike by 72% nationwide.

Currently there is a lack of service integration in the County’s service delivery system to the elderly.  Over half of the 40 county departments provide services to seniors including Public Health, Health Services, Public Library, District Attorney, Public Social Services, Consumer Affairs and Public Works.  There is also a large network of public and private agencies serving seniors.  The end product of the S3 Initiative is to determine how the county can achieve service integration of its services provided to senior citizens.

For these reasons, the County is proactively seeking solutions and has created an S3 Task Force comprised of county departments providing services to senior citizens to study the problem and prepare recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.  The Stakeholders’ meetings are part of the data-gathering process and will provide an opportunity for senior citizens, senior advocacy groups, service providers and other program beneficiaries to provide comments on proposed recommendations of the S3 Task Force.

The County is now seeking community feedback on the S3 Task Force Recommendations through December 2008.

For more information and to arrange for testimony, please contact Jay Glassman at (213) 739-7323.

Locations of S3 Initiative “Stakeholders’” Final Meetings:

Monday, December 8, 2008        9:00 AM – 11:00 AM      Joslyn Adult Center

1301 W. Olive Avenue

Burbank, CA 91506      
Friday, December 12, 2008       1:00 PM – 3:00 PM       Alpert Jewish Community Center

3801 E. Willow 

Long Beach, CA 90815   
Monday, December 15, 2008       8:30 AM – 10:30 AM      National Guard Armory

17330 Victory Boulevard

Van Nuys, CA 91406     
Tuesday, December 16, 2008      2:30 PM – 4:30 PM       Antelope Valley Service Center

777 W. Jackman Street

Lancaster, CA 93534    
Wednesday, December 17, 2008    8:30 AM – 10:30 AM      Whittier Sheriff Star Training Center

11515 S. Colima Road

Whittier, CA 90601     
Thursday, December 18, 2008     8:30 AM – 10:30 AM      Culver City Senior Center

4095 Overland Avenue

Culver City, CA 90232

Parking is across the street at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.   
Friday, December 19, 2008       2:30 PM  – 4:30 PM      Lynwood Senior Citizen Center

11329 Ernestine Avenue

Lynwood, CA 90260      

 

# # # #

Thank You.

Patricia Senette-Holt
Office of Communications

Community and Senior Services
3175 W. 6th Street, Suite 302
Los Angeles, CA.  90020
213.738.2065 Telephone
213.280.4144 Cell
213.427.6104 Fax
mailto:psenette@css.lacounty.gov
 
 

closed session of Board of Supervisors

 

REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN

CLOSED SESSION ON

DECEMBER 2, 2008

 

 

 

CS-1.         CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

(Subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 54956.9)

 

Initiation of litigation (one case)  (08-3446)

 

ACTION TAKEN:

 

The Board authorized County Counsel to seek judicial review of Administrative rulings by the State Department of Healthcare Services regarding Medi-Cal costs reimbursements.  The particulars of the action will be disclosed upon request to any person once the action has been formally commenced.  \

 

The vote of the Board of Supervisors was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.

 

Molina Announces Commuter Safety Project in Pomona

 

 

 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     CONTACT:  Angie Castro, (626) 350-4500

                                                                                                                Supervisor Gloria Molina

                                                                                    Mobile, (213) 703-2823

 

 

 

 

MOLINA ANNOUNCES COMMUTER SAFETY PROJECT IN POMONA

 

 

            POMONA (Dec 2, 2008) -- As part of an important safety initiative for commuters, Los Angeles County Supervisor

Gloria Molina announces the First Street Bridges Seismic Strengthening project in Pomona at First Street over Towne

Avenue and First Street over White Avenue (see attached map) begins mid January 2009 through April 2009. 

“This seismic strengthening project is an important safety initiative for commuters and residents using the First Street bridges, said Molina.  “The County is pleased to provide vital improvements in local cities such as Pomona to ensure our transportation infrastructures are maintained to withstand major earthquakes.”

Funded with Federal and State Proposition 1B funds, the seismic strengthening project modifies the two bridges to meet current Earthquake structural design standards, including; reinforcement of the abutments and placing steel casings around the existing columns. 

For more information, contact Salman Khan at skhan@dpw.lacounty.gov or (626) 458-4956.

 

-end-

 

 

SUPERVISORS FUND TWO PROJECTS ON CATALINA ISLAND

 

 

NEWS FROM DON KNABE

Supervisor, Fourth District

County of Los Angeles

822 Hahn Hall of Administration

 

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

 

                                    Contact:        David A. Sommers                                       (213) 974-1095

                                                                                                                           (213) 453-6446 (cell)

 

SUPERVISORS FUND TWO PROJECTS ON CATALINA ISLAND

Los Angeles, December 2, 2008 – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors allocated nearly $1 million in funding today that will benefit two projects underway on Catalina Island.

The first project allocates $415,000 in Cities Excess Funds to the City of Avalon to continue the restoration of Joe Machado Field, a community park that was damaged by mudslides and flooding following a wildfire on Catalina Island in May 2007. The total cost of the restoration is estimated at $1.4 million and will be completed in four separate phases. The first phase, removal of debris and demotion of the damaged areas of the park, is currently underway.

In exchange for the $415,000 allocation, the City of Avalon will return an earlier grant for the exact same amount of money that had been previously given to the City. In June 2005, the County committed $415,000 to Avalon from the 1996 Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition fund. That initial grant was to be used for the construction of a community center, but the project was postponed due to lack of additional funding. Because of the community center postponement, the City of Avalon will return the initial $415,000 grant to the County in exchange for today’s new grant for the same amount of money. The funds from the new grant can then be applied to the restoration of Joe Machado Field.

The second project allocates $500,000 from Fourth District Capital Project funds at the request of Supervisor Knabe to help the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy complete road improvements across portions of Catalina Island. The money will be used for making all-weather improvements to roads that are currently unsealed and dirt roads.

# # #

Final Actions: DEC 2 2008 AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

                                    AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

                           Board of Supervisors, County of Los Angeles  

                                                           

Contact:  Judy Hammond, Director of Public Affairs, (213) 974-1363

                 Brian Lew, Assistant Director, (213) 974-1652

 

Live videofeed, English and Spanish, Telco #948075      Audio–(213) 974-4700 or

                                                                                                   (877) 873-8017 ext. 111111# English

                                                                                                                           ext. 222222# Spanish

Agenda and supporting documents:  http://bos.co.la.ca.us/Categories/Agenda/AgendaHome.asp

Agenda Highlights: http://ceo.lacounty.gov/press.htm

 

                          Dec. 2, 2008              

 

Final Results: Dec. 2 Agenda Highlights

(Unless otherwise noted, vote was 4-0.  Molina arrived late.)

 

Board reorganizes its leadership.  (Item S-1) KNABE ASSUMED ROLE OF CHAIRMAN AND MOLINA ELECTED CHAIR PRO TEM, 5-0

 

Rose Parade queen and court honored. 

 

$6.8 million proposal would fund site acquisition/construction of 30-unit rental housing development in Florence-Firestone area. (Item 1-H) APPROVED

 

$789,000 proposal would fund Euclid Park redevelopment project in Santa Monica, with the City of Santa Monica contributing $516,000 towards the cost. (Item 1-P, 31) APPROVED

 

$415,000 proposal would help fund restoration of the Joe Machado Athletic Field in City of Avalon due to damage caused by fire/mudslides on Catalina Island in 2007.  (Item 2-P) APPROVED

 

$10,000 reward proposed for information leading to the arrest/conviction of person(s) responsible for the murder of Anthony Lofton, who were shot in Altadena in 2004.   (Item 7) APPROVED

 

$10,000 reward proposed for information leading to the arrest/conviction of person responsible for the hit-and-run death of Pauline Squires in Azusa in March 2004.   (Item 9) APPROVED

 

$2.3 million proposal would fund various park rehab projects, refurbishment of lifeguard facility in Redondo Beach, and improvements at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.   (Item 13) APPROVED

 

Board asked to declare the statewide general elections held Nov. 4 to be official. (Item 15) APPROVED

 

Supervisors asked to approve report which concludes that closing the Century City Doctors Hospital emergency department will have negative impact upon the community.   (Item 26) APPROVED

 

$4.5 million proposal would fund improvements at the Downey and Lancaster animal shelters, and plans for new animal shelter in the East Antelope Valley, in effort to relieve overcrowding.  (Item 36) APPROVED

 

Exclusive trash franchise recommended for Hacienda Heights.  (Item 38, cont. from 11/5, 11/25) KNABE CONT. TO 1/6/09 WITH MOTION TO CONVENE PANEL AND ESTABLISH PARAMETERS TO ALLOW PROPOSERS FOR THE FRANCHISE TO SEEK REVIEW OF THE SOLICITATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS

 

Acceptance of $2 million grant, with County match of $450,500, would fund creation of counter-terrorism operational team serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties. (Item 49) APPROVED

 

Acceptance of $65,301 grant would fund seven sobriety checkpoints in Palmdale.   (Item 50) APPROVED

 

$2.7 million proposal would fund contract to enhance County’s emergency management system through the creation of direct information sharing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  (Item 51) APPROVED 4-1,WITH MOLINA OPPOSING

 

$200,000 proposal would fund as-needed DNA testing for the Sheriff’s Department for FY 2008-09 in effort to reduce case backlogs.  (Item 54) APPROVED, 5-0

 

$335,000 settlement proposed for medical negligence lawsuit arising from treatment received by patient while hospitalized at Olive View Medical Center.   (Item 60) COUNTY COUNSEL CONT. TO 12/9

 

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas asks development of a plan within 60 days to reopen King Medical Center with 120-licensed inpatient beds, emergency room, and multi-specialty ambulatory care center. (Motion brought in at meeting) APPROVED, 5-0

 

Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky request Board oppose Los Angeles City Council action imposing a fee on trash disposed of at Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Granada Hills that is hauled from outside the city.  (Motion brought in at meeting) APPROVED, 5-0

 

 

-- lacounty.gov --

 

Patt Morrison Tues, 12/2

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 – 1:30

How Should We Treat the Elephants?

Elephants are always among the most popular sights at any zoo, but a number of animal advocates argue that zoo enclosures measured in acres are much too small for creatures that normally range over many square miles. A $42 million “Pachyderm Forest” that could house half a dozen elephants is under construction at the Los Angeles Zoo, but one L.A. city councilman wants the project halted and Billy--the zoo’s current lone elephant-- sent to a sanctuary. Zoo officials argue that elephants thrive in captivity, and that allowing the public to see the giant creatures up close is a boon to much-needed conservation efforts as wild populations decline. What’s the best way to protect these amazing animals?

 

Guests:

NOT CONFIMRED

City Councilman Tony Cardenas

 

John Lewes: Director, LA Zoo

 

Ron Kagan: Director, Detroit Zoo

 

 

 

1:30 – 1:40

OPEN

 

 

 

1:40 – 2:00

Tijuana Bloodbath Continues

 

Guests:

TBD

 

 

 

[NPR NEWS]

 

2:00 – 2:30

U.S. Cancer Rate Declines for the First Time

The rate of cancer in the US has begun to decline for the first time since the government began keeping records. A study compiled by various American cancer groups confirmed that cancer-related deaths, which have been on the decline for many years, are continuing to decrease and that for the first time, there has also been a drop in the number of incidences of cancer. California leads the country in declines for women in both incidences and deaths from lung cancer. Experts warn, however, that declines may only be temporary, as baby boomers reach the age at which cancer incidences usually increase and economic recession could cause fewer people to pay for screening tests and influence others to resume smoking.

 

Guests:

Dr. Terry Fontham: President, American Cancer Society. Dean and Professor of epidemiology, LSU School of medicine

Call her @

 

TBD: So Cal Cancer expert on the Lung Cancer numbers in CA

 

 

 

2:30 – 3:00

OPEN

 

 

Southeast Progress and Tree Lighting on Dec. 5

 

 

 MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                   CONTACT:  Angie Castro, (213) 703-2823

                                                                                             

                                     

MOLINA REFLECTS ON AREA’S BRIGHT FUTURE AND BRINGS IN HOLIDAY SEASON WITH FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING AT LA ALAMEDA

 

Nativity Procession and Mariachi Leads Children and Families to Tree Lighting

 

 

            WALNUT PARK (Dec 1, 2008) – Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina reflects on the area’s progress and bright future and brings in the Holiday Season in the Southeast Walnut Park and Florence-Firestone communities with the first annual “Community Tree Lighting” at the La Alameda.  The multi-million La Alameda shopping center which Molina and Primestor Development dedicated this past summer, brought more than 700 new jobs --- and, is dubbed a “community gathering place” by area residents. 

WHAT:           Community Holiday Tree Lighting at La Alameda – Reflecting on the Community’s Progress and Bright Future

 

WHERE:         La Alameda Shopping Center, 2140 E. Florence Ave, Walnut Park, 90255

 

            WHEN:           December 5, 6PM to 9PM

6:00 PM:  Nativity Procession begins at Chuck E. Cheese with children and families singing Holiday songs and carrying candle lights to light the tree.  After the tree is lit, children will ride Santa's train and ride the Merry-Go-Round while enjoying Christmas carols and mariachi music.

 

6:30 PM:    Holiday tree lighting celebration begins

7:00 PM:    Pastorela begins

7:30 PM:    Holiday carols with Ricardo Duque, Mariachi and community

WHO:              Supervisor Gloria Molina, Primestor Development CEO Arturo Sneider, families and children

“The tree lighting truly symbolizes our community’s bright future.  When I was a young girl, Walnut Park and Florence-Firestone were home to thousands of high-paying jobs and block after block of single-family homes—a shining example of the American Dream achieved,” said Molina.  But as the years passed, the area entered a period of decline—and now things are turning around!  With its abundance of families and young population—developers see the big purchasing power.  And, despite our weak national economy, more and more local residents are enjoying La Alameda since its grand opening last summer.  And, the Holiday tree is the perfect symbol of our community’s prosperity.”   -end-