Grand Jury report is out

The  Grand Jury's Final Report 2008-09 has just been released (9 a.m.) 

 

We have put it online at:

 

http://grandjury.co.la.ca.us/gjury08-09/MasterDocument2009-06-07.pdf

 

There are a limited number of hard copies  in the Public Information Office at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Adminstration, 500 W. Temple. Call (213) 974-1311.

 

Topics are:

 

INTRODUCTION

The Plight of At-Risk Youth in Los Angeles County……………………………. 11

POLICY VS. RESULTS

Youth Employment Programs Funded but Not Fully Utilized…………….. 15

HUB CLINICS

An Underutilized Resource……………………………………………………… 77

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD

Reducing Youth Gangs…………………………………………………………... 135

CAN LAUSD SOLVE ITS GRADUATION RATE AND DROP OUT PROBLEMS?

Failing to Make the Grade……………………………………………………….. 177

2009 – A DECISIVE YEAR FOR ARTS EDUCATION AT LAUSD

A Promise Worth Keeping……………………………………………………….. 221

HEALTH INFORMATION-SHARING FOR AT-RISK YOUTH

Overcoming Obstacles…………………………………………………………… 241

BE PREPARED – KEEPING KIDS SAFE

Disaster Preparedness for Youth in County Custody………………………. 271

EXTENDING FOSTER CARE FROM AGE 18 TO 21

“So I’m Eighteen, Now What?”…………………………………………………. 277

ON THE HORIZON: THE SENIOR TSUNAMI

An Investigation of Elder Abuse Prevention Services and Programs……. 291

THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

A Look at Provisional Balloting….……………………………………………… 399

MOTION WOULD AUTOMATE INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE

 

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE	Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:      (213) 974-5555   Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov
June 26, 2009	For Immediate Release
ANTONOVICH MOTION WILL AUTOMATE INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY –  To identify and prevent child abuse and neglect, Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky have introduced a motion directing County departments to immediately implement an automated information sharing system using data about clients simultaneously served by public agencies.    Pursuant to recommendations stemming from a June 24, 2008 Board directive, the system will include expansion of the County's under-utilized Family and Children Index (FCI) and provide the training necessary for participating agencies to increase and maximize their FCI utilization.    “Child welfare is the shared responsibility of all County departments, non-County agencies and community-based partners serving the family,” said Antonovich.  “Time is of the essence and this automated system will significantly improve the County's ability to identify, prevent and treat incidents of child abuse and neglect.”   “Protecting kids from harm and neglect must be our top priority,” Yaroslavsky said, “and our ability to do that absolutely depends on full participation by all our departments to ensure that decision-makers can always access the most accurate information available.”   The proposal also seeks legislative remedies to address state prohibitions against a data-sharing system and directs the CEO to report back to the Board within 30 days with progress updates and any recommendations for further implementation.
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Patt Morrison for Mon, 6/29

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, June 29, 2009

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 - 1:40 

Troops Out, Anarchy In?

Tomorrow, June 30th, is the Obama Administration’s deadline for U.S. combat troops to pullout of Iraq’s major cities and urban centers.  Despite a recent spike in deadly violence, the administration is sticking with the pullout plan – ready or not.  But is it a good idea?  How ready are Iraqi forces to take over control of their own security situation?  And what will the new role of the American military be for the next two years before the 2011 total withdrawal date?

Guests:

 

Colonel Peter Mansoor, professor of military history at Ohio State’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies; retired colonel in the U.S. Army & executive officer to Gen. David Petraeus

CALL HIM:   

 As the chief adviser to Gen. Petraeus, Mansoor assisted with strategic planning for the U.S. war effort in Iraq.  He was one of the major authors of the Report on the Situation in Iraq, delivered by Petraeus to Congress in Sept. of 2007.

• Before he deployed to Iraq, Mansoor served on the Council of Colonels that led a reassessment of strategy for the Iraq war.  Their work led to the surge strategy.
• Mansoor is also founding director of the U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Center at Fort Leavenworth.
• He wrote the book “Baghdad at Sunrise: A Brigade Commander’s War in Iraq.”

 

 

John Arquilla (ar-KWILL-lah), Professor of Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School, (the nation’s premier national security research university)

CALL HIM:  

  

 

Kalev Sepp, Senior Lecturer in Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School

CALL HIM:

           

 

1:40 - 2:00 

OPEN

 

2:00 - 2:30   

Sin by Silence

Brenda Clubine killed her husband when he came at her with a hammer, just months after an overcrowded women’s shelter turned her away. Olivia Klaus’ documentary “Sin by Silence,” tells Clubine’s story, from the 26 years she spent in prison before a judge reopened her case and threw out her conviction, to the support group she started while in prison, for victims of domestic violence. They’re here with their story.

 

Olivia Klaus, director and producer of “Sin by Silence,” a documentary about a female inmates’ support group for victims of domestic abuse

IN STUDIO

 

Brenda Clubine (CLUE-bine), founder of the support group featured in the documentary.  She's been out of prison for only 8 months after serving 26 years behind bars.

IN STUDIO

 

Alyce LaViolette, Domestic Violence Counselor for Survivors and Perpetrators, Expert Witness in Brenda Clubine's trial

IN STUDIO

 

Olivia and Brenda will be screening “Sin by Silence” throughout the Southland this summer and are also going on a national tour with the film this fall.

 

2:30 – 2:39

OPEN

 

[BREAK]

 

 

2 :40 - 3:00

Shouting Fires:  Stories from the Edge of Free Speech

In the United States the right of free speech is one most basic tenets, but is there a limit? Liz Garbus explores the issue in her documentary "Shouting Fires:  Stories from the Edge of Free Speech," which features her father Martin Garbus, who has spent his life defending such clients as Daniel Ellsberg and Don Imus.

 

PATT:  Shouting Fires premieres tonight at (time tbd) on HBO.

 

Guest:

Liz Garbus, director of "Shouting Fires:  Stories from the Edge of Free Speech"

CALL HER:   

  

Martin Garbus, trial lawyer specializing in first amendment issues, and Liz Garbus' father

CALL HIM:   

 

 

Michael Jackson -- Cause of death deferred

NEWS  DEPARTMENT OF CORONER

                                                                                    County of Los Angeles

 

 

                                                                             Anthony T. Hernandez, Director

                                                                             Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, M.D.

                                                                             Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner

                                                                             1104 North Mission Road

                                                                             Los Angeles, CA  90033

 

                                                            Contact:

           

Craig Harvey, F-ABMDI

Chief Coroner Investigator

                                                                                                (323) 343-0783

                                                                                               

                                                                                                Ed Winter

                                                                                                Assistant Chief        

                                                                                                (323) 343-0783                      

 

 

 

RE: Coroner Case Number 2009-04415 – JACKSON, Michael Joseph

 

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner conducted an autopsy on the body of Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50, on June 26, 2009.

 

The cause of death has been DEFERRED pending the receipt of additional toxicological tests and tissue studies that have been ordered by the medical examiner.

 

There will be no final ruling as to the cause and manner of death until the requested test results have been received and reviewed in context with the autopsy findings. It is anticipated that this process may take as long as 4 to 6 weeks to complete.

 

Anatomical findings show no evidence of trauma to the body or evidence of foul play.       At the request of the Los Angeles Police Department, additional case information is being withheld to allow their inquiry into the death to proceed.

 

CRH/06/26/2009                                                                                                    

 

JUNE 30 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                                                       

        June 26, 2009             

 

June 30 Agenda Highlights

(Meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.) 

 

$10.2 million in stimulus funds proposed for various homeless projects. (Item 3-D)

 

Maximum $2.3 million loan recommended for rehabilitation of 35-unit apartment building in Florence area, using City of Industry redevelopment funds.  (Item I-H)

 

Approval requested for 2009 plan to spend $9.6 million in Regional Park and Open Space revenues, and to reallocate $56.5 million in prior year funds to each supervisorial district for projects. (Item 1-P)

 

Parks and Recreation Department seeks approval to spend $866,000 in Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition funds on various projects.   (Items 2-P and 22)

 

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich proposes Angeles National Forest canyon be officially named in honor of a Marine captain killed when his jet crashed during a routine test flight.  (Item 2)

 

Supervisor Gloria Molina asks $150,000 reward be extended for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for killing 15-year-old East Los Angeles resident Brenda Sierra in 2002.  (Item 4)

 

New policy proposed for the receipt and distribution of passes and tickets to, or at the behest of,

County officials to meet new state requirements.  (Cont. from 4/21, 5/12, 6/2)

 

$23.3 million in Homeland Security grants would fund efforts to respond to terrorism and natural disasters.  (Item 10)

 

Policy change would extend criminal history check of County job applicants and employees to include federal crimes. (Item 11)

 

Ordinance would require persons and businesses receiving County contracts to certify they have no unpaid property tax bills.   (Items 14 and 67)

 

Sixteen contracts totaling $28 million -- $17.5 million from stimulus funding -- would fund employment and training programs.  (Item 16)

 

Board asked to approve spending $11.6 million in stimulus funds for jobs for youth in General Relief welfare program.   (Item 17)

 

Marina del Rey lease amendment would extend fuel dock lease by 55 years, change rent structure for fuels sales to flat fee, approve change in ownership structure of lessee, and incorporate revised site and development plans.  (Item 21)

 

Agreement calls for planting 60 oak trees to mitigate road repair projects in Santa Monica Mountains.  (Item 25)

 

Supervisors asked to approve revised $3.7 million budget for project to improve septic system and inmate restrooms and showers at fire camp in Santa Clarita area and award $2.2 million construction contract.  (Item 29)

 

$30 million requested for Pacoima Dam sediment and Sun Valley watershed projects.  (Item 30)

 

Recommendation calls for spending $1.1 million for taxiway improvements at El Monte Airport and $310,000-$360,000 at Bracket Field Airport in La Verne.  (Items 35, 38)

 

Contract would provide $65.9 million annually to Sheriff’s Department to provide services to MTA.  (Item 50)

 

$325,000 settlement proposed in medical malpractice lawsuit filed by Olive View Medical Center patient whose face was burned while having a mole removed when oxygen in her mask caught fire.  (Item 54)

 

Settlement would pay $10.5 million, plus $2.122 million in ancillary payments, to 18 mental health providers who were denied reimbursement for services because the County did not file timely or accurately process their claims.  (Item 55)

 

Development standards proposed to preserve the rural character and sensitive environmental settings of Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes.  (Item 66)

 

Report scheduled on law enforcement facility fees for Santa Clarita/North Los Angeles County.  (Cont. from 3/10, 5/12, 6/9)

 

Public Health Department reports on how it will handle budget curtailments and whether its escalating costs are attributable to separating from the Department of Health Services.  (Item 72)

 

Board in closed session discusses lawsuit filed by Drew University alleging breach of medical school affiliation agreement.  (Item CS-1).

 

 

--lacounty.gov--

 

Art glass wall at new Lawndale Library gets national award

 

Civic Art

PRESS RELEASE

 

For release June 25, 2009

 

Press Contacts (not for publication):

Rebecca Banyas, Interim Director of Civic Art, Los Angeles County Arts Commission,

(213) 202-3986, rbanyas@arts.lacounty.gov

 

Linda Chiavaroli, Director of Communications, Los Angeles County Arts Commission,

office (213) 202-5935, mobile (323) 810-9240, lchiavaroli@arts.lacounty.gov

 

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE:

More information and photos of “Subdivisions” may be found at
http://lacountyarts.org/civicart/02_Second_District/2_gsla_l_lawn_gla_karlsen.htm

 

Americans for the Arts announcement of public art awards may be found at
http://www.americansforthearts.org/news/press/2009/2009_06_16f.asp

 

ANNE MARIE KARLSEN’S GLASS ART AT LAWNDALE LIBRARY

RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

“Subdivisions” was produced through L.A. County’s Civic Art Program

 

The art glass wall by Anne Marie Karlsen that is a dominant feature of L.A. County’s new Lawndale Library dedicated last November has been named one of the Best Public Art Projects in U.S. by Americans for the Arts. The award was announced June 20 during the Americans for the Arts annual convention in Seattle. The forty works cited as “the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2008” were selected from more than 300 entries nationwide.

 

In “Subdivisions” Karlsen reconfigured Lawndale history into art glass. From a distance the glass wall, in cool blues and greens, seems to be made of intricate geometric patterns like those you would see if you looked through a kaleidoscope. However, on closer inspection, the viewer finds fragments of local history. On one panel, a newspaper headline, “Opening Today – LAWNDALE,” forms a border around graceful shapes from the cover illustration of a Lawndale Poultry Colony brochure. The 20-foot high by 15-foot wide floor to ceiling artwork is the focal point of the library’s glass corridor and welcomes visitors entering from the direction of Lawndale City Hall and from Hawthorne Blvd. The new library, part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, is located at 147^th Street and Burin Avenue in Lawndale.

 

"Residents of the 2nd Supervisorial District are proud of Ms. Karlsen and the great honor she has received. Her work captures the rich history of the community of Lawndale and provides a warm welcome to visitors who come seeking knowledge from a fine County library," said Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2^nd District Supervisor.

 

The artwork was commissioned under Los Angeles County’s Civic Art Program, administered by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Rebecca Banyas of the Arts Commission was project manager for “Subdivisions.” Under the Civic Art Program, one percent of construction costs of all County capital projects over $500,000 is set aside for the incorporation of civic art.

 

Karlsen, a resident of the Los Angeles community of Westchester, earned her MFA from the University of Wisconsin and has been teaching art in southern California since 1979. She is currently Professor of Art at Santa Monica College. Since 1990 she has been commissioned for numerous public projects throughout the country, including Paseo Colorado Development, Pasadena; North Hollywood Red Line station; and Trailside Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska. Her work is represented in many museums throughout California and the U.S. and internationally in the Kulturverwaltung Stadt Salzburg, Austria.

 

This is the ninth year that Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, has recognized public art works. The artists and commissioning organizations involved in creating and citing these public art works will receive letters of recognition and congratulations from Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch.

 

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Laura Zucker, Executive Director, provides leadership in cultural services of all disciplines for the largest county in the United States, encompassing 88 municipalities. The Arts Commission, in addition to overseeing the County’s Civic Art Program for capital projects, provides leadership and staffing to support the regional blueprint for arts education, Arts for All; administers a $4.5 million grants program that funds more than 300 nonprofit arts organizations annually; funds the largest arts internship program in the country in conjunction with the Getty Foundation; programs the John Anson Ford Theatres and supports the Los Angeles County Cultural Calendar on ExperienceLA.com. The Commission also produces free community programs, including the L.A. Holiday Celebration broadcast nationally, and a year-round music program that funds more than 50 free concerts each year in public sites. The 2009-10 President of the Arts Commission is Araceli Ruano.

 

 

Saturday event -- youth fishing at Legg Lake

Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department

June 24, 2009

                                                                                                                                                 Media Contacts:

 Joyce Fitzpatrick,

 Public Information Assistant                                                                                          626.821.4645

626-821-466     Or

 

 Imee Perius

 Public Information Officer

 213.738.2963

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Join Whittier Narrows Recreation Area for the “Youth Fun Fish,” featuring the new ADA Accessible Fishing Pier at Legg Lake, Saturday June 27, 2009

 

Children ages 15 and under can enjoy a fun-filled day of fishing, with rod and reel loans, free bait, music, food and more at the “Youth Fun Fish,” in Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, located at 555 North Durfee Avenue in El Monte, CA, 91733.   The event will take place at the new ADA accessible Fishing Pier at Legg Lake, Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 9:00 am until 2:00pm.  The event is free and registration starts Saturday at 8:00am. 

 

The new Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible fishing pier at Legg Lake has several features.  An aluminum bridge, fishing pier with a designated ADA fishing spot, concrete abutments, information kiosk, interpretive signage, native plant materials, reclaimed water system, ADA access, parking, ramps and decomposed granite path of travel from the parking lot.  The project started construction in 2008 and was signed off as completed in February 2009.  The project budget was $990,000.00, with funds from Proposition A, a grant from the (RMC) Rivers Mountains Conservancy, and Proposition 50.  It was also completed under budget. 

 

This event is sponsored by County of Los Angeles 1^st District Supervisor, Gloria Molina,   the California Department of Fish and Game Resources Agency youth program “Fishing in the City,” the Rivers Mountain Conservancy (RMC), and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. 

 

Parking for the event is $4.00 at the Durfee parking lot entrance.  Free limited parking is available off of the Santa Anita Parking lot located at 751 South Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, Ca  91733. 

 

Whittier Narrows has a variety of features, spread over 1,492 acres and is one of Los Angeles County’s largest and most popular recreational areas.  The park is located on both sides of the Pomona Freeway at Rosemead Boulevard.  There are over 200 acres of natural woodland areas including four lakes that provide a winter sanctuary for migrating water fowl.  The Nature Center focuses on the river environment and has a museum with live displays of plant and animal life.  The regional facility is a product of cooperative efforts between the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.  In 1952 a flood-control dam was completed known as Whittier Narrows. 

 

For more information please call the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area park office at (626) 575-5526 or Fax: (626) 448-7308.  For information regarding all community and regional parks, museums, nature centers and more please visit the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation website at:  www.lacountyparks.org.