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Newborn Baby Girl Safely Surrendered at Huntington Park Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the third time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on June 18, 2013 at a hospital in Huntington Park.

As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“I’m thankful that this mother decided to surrender her baby, rather than put him in a harmful situation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “As word spreads about the Program, mothers in desperate situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 106th since the program began over twelve years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Prepping for January 2014

This weekend, I was in Fort Worth, Texas for the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) 78th annual conference.

I participated in a panel discussion with the Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth Group and Chief Healthcare Officer of United Health Group Alliances Dr. Richard Migliori and Former Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt on healthcare reform and its impacts on counties. Before the panel began, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke to the participating counties in attendance.

Los Angeles County is the 2nd largest public health system in the country with a $3.5 billion annual budget. Every year, we handle 2.9 million outpatient visits, and 64% of those who come to our facilities are uninsured.

We are making the necessary investments to improve our technology and patient experience, and market our services and facilities to our new potential customers.

There are challenges ahead of us, including the potential impact of immigration reform and other unknown costs. Los Angeles County must shift to a preventative model of care where our patients won’t wait until their conditions are severely aggravated before they come into our facilities. We are doing everything we can to prepare ourselves and our patients for the January 2014 roll-out of the Affordable Care Act.

Los Angeles County Awards Grants to 32 Fourth District Arts Organizations

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission has announced $4,318,000 in two-year grants to 194 nonprofit arts organizations. The current awards represent a $200,000 increase in funding from the previous grant cycle and provide support to ensure arts organizations continue to provide cultural services to the diverse population that comprises Los Angeles County.

Grant amounts range from $3,500 to $214,400. Grantee organizations are spread throughout L.A. County including 32 located in the Fourth District. Over 80 knowledgeable panelists from the arts community, including artists, nonprofit arts administrators and members of the academic community, reviewed and scored the applications.

“Whether it’s a local theatre production or a concert in the park, the arts are an important part of our community,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I am so pleased that in these tough economic times, Los Angeles County is able to support these first-rate organizations so that they can continue exposing the residents of the Fourth District to high-quality art, music and culture.”

2013-14 ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS FOURTH DISTRICT RECIPIENTS

(Listed in alphabetical order)

• Angels Gate Cultural Center
• Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay
• Culture Shock Los Angeles Dance Troupe
• Downey Symphonic Society Inc.
• Dramatic Results
• Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
• Impro Theater Los Angeles TheatreSports
• Institute of Art Music and Science
• International City Theatre
• JC Culture Foundation
• Khmer Arts Academy
• Kings and Clowns Inc.
• Long Beach Chorale & Chamber Orchestra Inc.
• Long Beach Community Band
• Long Beach Museum of Art Foundation
• Long Beach Opera
• Long Beach Symphony Association
• Los Cancioneros Master Chorale
• Musical Theatre West
• Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization
• Precision Dance Company
• Public Corporation for the Arts
• Regina Klenjoski Dance Company
• Ryman Carroll Foundation
• San Pedro City Ballet
• Saturday Night Bath Concert Fund
• Shakespeare by the Sea
• South Bay Ballet
• South Bay Chamber Music Society
• South Coast Dance Arts Alliance
• The Garage Theatre
• Whittier Community Theatre

New commission not the answer for department drowning in recommendations

Over the last several years, we have had countless commissions, groups, panels and advisory boards provide us with recommendations for improving child protection services in Los Angeles County. By my approximate count, at least 859 suggestions have been provided, most of which say the same thing: we must ensure that our social workers have manageable and realistic caseloads, we must give our employees the training and resources they need to be effective, and we must end our relationships with service providers who abuse our funds. We are drowning in recommendations. Adding yet another commission to the galaxy of commissions we have to tell us what we already know will be a waste of time and money and will only distract us further from what needs to be fixed.

We have a department where 99% of the employees are outstanding public servants working in some really tough situations. However, innocent children have paid the ultimate price when we didn’t get it right, and I am sick about it. There should be a zero-tolerance policy for any staff or any service providers who do not do their jobs and expose children to harm.

I am not suggesting that we do nothing. But we should not rashly dismiss our current efforts. Late last year, this Board was presented with a strategic plan developed by DCFS to put in place a set of action items that address a number of the systemic problems that compromise child safety and hamper our workers’ ability to get the job done. This Board approved that plan, and it is moving forward.

We have no more important job than protecting the most vulnerable children in this county. Another Commission will not address the problems we face or set us on a path to the future. In fact, it will be a distraction to the very important work at hand. We know what must be done and we must remain committed to the course we set.

Knabe Calls for More Jobs Programs for Young People and CalWorks Recipients

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved additional funding for a summer jobs program for low-income youth at its 2013-2014 budget review meeting.  The Board also approved a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe to seek funding from the State for subsidized employment for those on public assistance.

“While we are seeing improvements in the unemployment rates across California and in the overall economy, too many people are still struggling to find work or are underemployed,” said Knabe.  “A few years ago we launched my 10,000 Jobs Program, which utilized federal stimulus dollars to create temporary subsidized jobs for 11,000 adults and 15,000 disadvantaged youth.  The program was one of the most successful uses of stimulus funding in the nation.  However, that money has dried up and we still have too many people who have been looking for work for too long.  That is why I have asked our Department of Public Social Services to look into funding that has been set aside at the State level, through CalWORKS, to continue subsidized employment programs.”

The Board also approved $2 million for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provides low-income youth with invaluable job experience.  Positions will be located throughout Los Angeles County at sites including County departments, local cities, non-profit, and for-profit organizations and will include clerical, maintenance, grounds keeping, child care, teacher’s aide, and librarian assistance work.

“Young people have been hit particularly hard over the last few years and have really struggled to find work experience that gets them on the path to their futures,” said Knabe.  “This program will give them that experience and life skills, while providing local organizations with invaluable resources and support.”

Knabe Calls For More Investment in Marina del Rey

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved fourth district Supervisor Don Knabe’s motion to increase and make consistent the County‘s funding for investment in Marina del Rey.

“Marina del Rey is one of Los Angeles County’s most precious regional assets and we need to ensure it has continuous funding for projects that improve the quality-of- life for residents and visitors,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “Right now, most of the revenue generated by Marina del Rey goes back into the County’s general fund with very little set aside for improvements to the Marina.  That’s simply not fair.  My motion called for ongoing funding which will allow for upgrades and repairs to landscaping, bikeways, walking paths, play equipment, community meeting space and other public area improvements because no funding has been available for these items after meeting the most basic of the Marina’s infrastructure needs. I appreciate the Board’s support in making good stewardship of the Marina a regional priority.”

Currently, capital improvements in Marina del Rey are made through the Marina Accumulative Capital Outlay (ACO) Fund and participation fees.  Knabe’s motion called for an increase to the yearly allotment for the Marina, as well as more balanced revenue sharing.  The annual allocation to the ACO is presently $2 million, half of which depends on meeting revenue targets.  Knabe’s motion asked for a total ongoing annual contribution of $4 million.

The County also receives one-time participation fees on leasehold transactions which go back into the County’s general fund with no consistent formula for reinvestment back into the Marina.  Knabe’s motion called for a set reinvestment schedule based on fee levels. He also asked for a percentage of transit occupancy taxes (TOT) to go, on an annual basis, to the Department of Beaches and Harbors for use specifically for visitor-serving events, attractions and programs.

“We have made significant strides in developing a vision for the Marina del Rey of the future.  The private sector has committed to investments of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars for the next generation – it is now time for the County to put its money where its mouth is and make our crown jewel a priority,” said Knabe.

Reinvestment key to building a better Marina del Rey

For years, Marina del Rey has been the crown jewel of Los Angeles County, a place where all residents and visitors can exercise, recreate, eat and enjoy everything the County has to offer.

With the help of private investments from businesses, we have made significant strides in developing a vision for the Marina del Rey of the future. The funds generated by these ventures ultimately go towards the County’s general fund and very rarely go back into building a better Marina del Rey.

Los Angeles County’s most precious asset is in need of some serious polishing. That is why, tomorrow, I will introduce a motion that will increase the amount of funds that will be reinvested into revitalizing the Marina.

Our budget for improving the Marina has always been handcuffed by infrastructure projects and we haven’t been able to invest in our public spaces.

My motion will help provide funding for a better and stronger Marina del Rey community with projects such as landscaping, fixing walking paths, installing play equipment at Burton Chace Park, building sun shelters and many others. We would also be able enhance programs that will bring more visitors to the marina, such as summer concerts, the WaterBus, and Food Truck events, which are a huge draw for visitors and residents.

It’s time that we follow the private sector’s lead and invest in the quality of life for our Marina del Rey residents and visitors.

County’s anti-child sex trafficking efforts return to the nation’s capital

On the heels of my testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs last month, Los Angeles County’s anti-child sex trafficking efforts are returning to our nation’s capital this week.

Michelle Guymon, one of the two “wonder women” who first brought the issue of child sex trafficking to my attention, will be testifying before the Senate Committee on Finance on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00am PST at a hearing on Sex Trafficking and Exploitation in America: Child Welfare’s Role in Prevention and Intervention.

Michelle is the Director of Special Enforcement Operations with our County Probation Department and last year, won the California Probation Officer of the Year Award.

Michelle, Hania Cardenas and their team, have gone above and beyond their regular duties, spending countless hours of their personal time, to shine a light on this travesty and advocate for rehabilitation and healing that is specific for victims of this crime.

I am extraordinarily proud that Los Angeles County is being recognized as a national leader in the prevention of sex trafficking as well as the creation of programs to help survivors create a life for themselves.

Kids Fishing Derby Returns to Cerritos Regional Park

Nearly 1,000 children will be angling for a prize catch at the 2013 Cerritos Kids Fishing Derby at Cerritos Regional Park on Saturday, June 1. The annual event is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, along with the City of Cerritos, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Cerritos Rod and Gun Club.

“This fishing derby is always a fantastic event that children and families look forward to every year,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Even if a child has never fished before, there will be volunteers on-hand to show them the art of fishing.”

The event begins at 7:00 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast, followed by the fishing derby from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Children can participate in free fishing and angler safety lessons. Each child will also receive a free t-shirt and be eligible to compete for prizes in other categories.

Cerritos Regional Park is located at 19700 Bloomfield Avenue in the City of Cerritos. For more information, call (562) 924-5144.

They were Americans, but remember them as heroes

The history of Memorial Day can be traced as far back as the end of the Civil War.

Formerly known as Decoration Day, it was a day to commemorate the lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the four-year war. Despite believing in different fundamentals and ideals for the United States, these soldiers were remembered as Americans.

Memorial Day became an American holiday.

Though recently Memorial Day has taken on a new meaning—the unofficial start of summer, filled with barbeques, friends and family—we must never forget those who are no longer with us to partake in this summer tradition.

Just last week, the Fourth District lost one of its many heroes fighting overseas.

William Gilbert, a 24-year old Army Specialist from Hacienda Heights, was one of four soldiers killed in Afghanistan on May 14 when IED exploded. Specialist Gilbert had a loving family here in Los Angeles County. He leaves behind a devoted wife who this week gave birth to their baby girl. A military banner with his name on it that was flown above a street in his hometown will be delivered to his family.

A decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq has cost the lives of thousands of Americans. Spouses will grow old without their significant others and children won’t be able to hug their parents, but they know that their loved ones died protecting them from the evil in the world.

These men and women weren’t defined by their political beliefs. They were Americans, and they will be remembered forever as heroes.

God bless Specialist Gilbert and all the men and women like him who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Country and the freedoms we enjoy so much. We are eternally grateful for everything they and their families have given and will carry their memory in our hearts forever.

This weekend as you light the grill, lie out at the beach, or relax with family, make sure to remember the men and women who gave their lives for you to enjoy that freedom.