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Local Children Lose Out On $162 Million In Child Care Funding

Thousands of local children are losing out on access to millions of dollars in free child care funds because of non-flexible rules in how this funding can be spent. Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, unveiled a plan today that includes changing these funding rules in order to ensure that local children fully benefit from all the child care support they are entitled.

Child care providers in Los Angeles County, both in-home and private provides, have access to millions of dollars in child care funding from the State of California every year to provide subsidies that allow children from low income families access to child care. The problem is that child care providers face antiquated contracting processes which impair their ability to serve as many children as possible at the highest level of quality.

The result is that between 2005 and 2008, over $162 million in unused child care funds were sent back to the state from providers in Los Angeles County. The need for those dollars is well documented. In the 2008, only 11,000 infants who qualify for subsidized care were served, out of an eligible population of 116,000. Only 28,000 qualifying school-age children were served, out of an eligible population of 260,000. Only 32,000 of preschool aged children are served out of an eligible population of 110,000. There are also over 51,000 children on waiting lists for subsidized care in this County, 60 percent of who are in need of full time care.

The fact that we are sending even a single dollar back to the state is unacceptable, and this situation is but one example of the inefficient, silo approach we have in place on this issue, said Supervisor Knabe. Clearly the rules for how this child care funding can be spent are not aligned with the needs of our children locally.

With my motion today, we are going to be looking closely at why this is happening and how we can fix it so that our children have access to all the child care they are entitled to have.

Board Establishes $10,000 Reward For Information Related To Murder Of 20-Year Old Man In Artesia

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to a shooting incident that led to the death of a 20-year old man in the City of Artesia.

On September 29, 2002, Gabriel Steven Salazar, 20, was shot in the head while driving his vehicle with three companions on the 16700 Block of Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia. Gabriel was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head, and he later succumbed to his wound.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau are investigating the murder; however, to date, they haven’t received any viable information related to the incident. Despite the murder of Mr. Salazar occurring several years ago, investigators now believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in this case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display an unwavering stance against random acts of violence, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe this reward should be established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.

Reward Established For Long Beach Double Murder

A $10,000 reward has been unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, to assist in the investigation of a double murder that claimed the lives of Sarith Em and Vannaly Tim in the City of Long Beach on New Year’s Day.

On January 1, 2009, at 12:39 a.m., Sarith Em, 25, and Vannaly Tim, 24, were both found with multiple fatal gun shot wounds at the 1800 Block of Gardenia Avenue in Long Beach. According to family members, the victims went outside to move a car and did not return.

Long Beach detectives are currently investigating the incident, and believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in the case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

Anyone having any information related to this accident is asked to contact Detective Patrick O’Dowd or Detective Russell Moss at the Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Dredging Of The Marina Del Rey South Entrance Channel Has Begun

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors announced that the United States Army Corps of Engineers began dredging the south entrance channel to Marina del Rey on January 2, and will continue until the approximate completion date of March 15, 2009.

The $3 million dredging project will remove 50,000 cubic meters of contaminated sediment using a hydraulic dredge to remove a tip shoal area at the south entrance of the Marina harbor. Upon completion of the project, the dredged portion of the south entrance will return to the design depth of -20 feet mean lower low water. The sediment will be pumped to a temporary sand separation plant situated on parking lot # 3 located at 8600 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey. Utilizing a new application, the treatment facility will separate sand from other materials and contaminants, resulting in sand suitable for nourishment at Dockweiler State Beach. The material unsuitable for beach placement will be trucked to an inland landfill.

For more information, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Office at (213) 452-3925 or click here.

It’s Not Too Late To Vaccinate

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health is urging all residents to get a flu shot or the FluMist nasal spray vaccine if they have not done so already. Flu season can last until spring, so it is not too late to vaccinate against the flu.

Many people mistakenly believe that there is no benefit to getting a flu vaccine after November, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. In fact, influenza activity does not often peak until after the start of the new year and can continue through March, so vaccinations received in December provide protection at the time when people are most likely to catch the flu. Free flu vaccines continue to be offered through our Public Health clinics for those that do not have a regular doctor or insurance coverage.

Each year in the United States, between 5 and 20 percent of the population is infected with influenza, a serious disease that can lead to complications including pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death. In Los Angeles County in 2005, flu and pneumonia complications led to over 2,000 deaths. The flu also has a significant day-to-day impact on families and communities, leading to missed days of work and school, hardships for family care givers, and preventing people from participating in the activities they enjoy.

Yearly flu vaccinations are the best way to prevent influenza. The vaccine can prevent 70-90% of cases in healthy adults under 65 years of age. The vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu. Some minor side effects can occur, signaling that the immune system is responding to the vaccine and building immunity. Such side effects, which usually last only 1 to 2 days, include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given; a low-grade fever; and aches and pains. These side effects are minor and are far less risky than suffering through the flu.

Residents are encouraged to first contact their regular doctor for recommended vaccinations. Those who do not have a regular doctor or insurance coverage for vaccines may be eligible for reduced-cost or no-cost vaccines. Free flu vaccines are readily available in LA County, and the traditional shot, FluMist nasal spray vaccine and thimerosal-free (preservative-free) vaccine continues to be offered through Public Health clinics, while supplies last. To find a Public Health clinic near you, contact LA County’s information line at 2-1-1 from any land line or cell phone.

For information on the web regarding low-cost flu vaccines through a health care organization or other vaccination clinic, visit the Public Health Immunization Program’s website by clicking here or at www.findaflushot.com

“A Day Without A Bag” In Los Angeles County

To reduce the impact of litter on the environment from single-use carryout bags, such as plastic- and paper-bags used at stores, the County of Los Angeles joined Heal the Bay in supporting A Day Without A Bag Countywide on December 18, 2008.

This year’s event marked the second, and there will be many more to come. On December 2, 2008, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming the third Thursday of December, each year, as A Day Without a Bag throughout Los Angeles County, urging shoppers to forgo single-use carryout bags in favor of reusable bags.

Each year over six billion plastic bags are distributed in the County of Los Angeles with too many ending up as litter, negatively impacting marine life and the environment. Paper bags are not the best alternative since they’re heavier and could be even more contributive to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than plastic bags. The most environmentally favorable alternative is for shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to stores.

Heal the Bay gave away thousands of reusable bags at various locations throughout the County on December 18th. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works contributed 5,000 of their popular Brag About Your Bag, totes as giveaways for the day. To find out more about A Day Without A Bag and giveaway locations click here.
For information about the County of Los Angeles’ Single Use Bag Reduction and Recycling Program, click here or call 1(888) CLEAN LA.

Supervisors Want Explanation On Future Of Palmdale Airport

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and Board Chairman Don Knabe, directing the County’s Chief Executive Officer to prepare a formal request to Los Angeles World Airports, the Board of Airport Commissioners, and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, to explain its plans for the undeveloped property adjacent to the Palmdale Airport.

This vital property is not being utilized as was promised when it was taken by eminent domain from property owners over 40 years ago, said Supervisor Antonovich. The City of Los Angeles has an obligation to explain fully its plans for using the property.

For four decades, this land has been sitting vacant, not being used for the development of another critically-needed regional commercial airport, which was the intended use of this land, said Supervisor Knabe. Today’s action will hopefully get us some answers about how this vital facility will be used for regionalizing commercial air traffic.

In the 1960s, the Los Angeles City Airport Commission acquired Ontario Airport, the 17,000-acre Palmdale airport site, and later contracted with the United States Air Force for Palmdale’s Plant 42’s runway and air terminal, for a regional airport network to meet future population needs. To date, the City’s Los Angeles World Airports Department has failed to develop this property.

LA County Celebrates 25 Years Of Trauma Services

December 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Los Angeles County’s trauma system. Nearly 400,000 critically injured trauma patients have been treated in local trauma centers since the first trauma centers were designated in 1983. Traumatic injuries continue to be the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 44.

Critically injured trauma patients include those who require immediate life-saving surgical intervention because of major blood loss or shock as a result of motor vehicle crashes, gunshot or knife wounds, falls, or other violent accidents. These patients are brought by ambulance directly to a trauma center for specialized care rather than being transported to the nearest emergency room.

Unlike regular community hospitals, trauma centers maintain an entire team of specialized medical personnel, including a trauma surgeon, who are available 24 hours a day to ensure that life-threatening injuries to be treated at a moment’s notice. There are currently 13 trauma centers in Los Angeles County, making it the largest organized trauma system in the country.

As we saw during the recent train collision in Chatsworth, trauma centers are crucial to disaster response, says Cathy Chidester, Director of the Emergency Medical Services Agency. There are four to five multi-casualty incidents every month in the county, where critically injured victims are taken to a trauma center.

Over the past 25 years, the number of trauma patients treated annually has grown from 15,138 in 1984, to 19,481 in 2007. The most recent data shows that males have more traumatic injuries than females (14,584 males vs. 4,897 females) and that the top five mechanisms of injury are: motor vehicle crashes (5,039), falls (4,045), auto vs. pedestrian/bicycle (2,947), gunshot wounds (2,366), and motorcycle crashes (1,339). Out of 19,481 trauma patients, nearly 1,800 were pediatric.

Trauma System History

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially designated the first eight trauma centers on December 15, 1983. The system grew to a peak in 1985 with a total of 22 designated trauma centers. The county currently has 13 trauma centers.

During the initial period of growth, there were many perceived advantages in seeking trauma center designation, such as marketing advantages, prestige, and favorable impact on post-graduate training programs. However, it quickly became evident that the perceived benefits were not enough to offset the high levels of uncompensated care for trauma patients.

The decline of trauma centers was finally halted with the implementation of secure trauma catchment areas, which helped keep patient numbers high enough for trauma centers to maintain high-quality training programs, and the Board of Supervisors’ decision to allocate newly available Proposition 99 tobacco tax monies to offset the trauma centers’ financial losses.

Additionally, the recent stability of the trauma system network is largely due to the voter-approved special parcel tax (called Measure B: Trauma, Emergency and Bioterrorism Response Assessment) that was approved in 2002. Part of the money that is collected allows the county to maintain and enhance the trauma network.

The trauma system has proven to be cost effective because it lowers mortality and morbidity rates, decreases permanent disabilities, and decreases the number of productive years lost to society, says Chidester. More importantly, the system saves lives every day by providing highly specialized care for the most life-threatening injuries.

District Attorney Targets “Spoofcard” Voicemail Sabotage

A New Jersey firm that provided customers unauthorized access to the cell phone voicemails of others through a software program called SpoofCard and two cellular providers agreed to permanent injunctions banning misrepresentations of cell phone security and the legality of the spoofing system.

The civil actions culminated an investigation by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation that began last year after a citizen complained of unauthorized cell phone voicemail access.

These cases illustrate how deeply new technology and misuse of it can affect the lives of consumers, said District Attorney Steve Cooley in a written statement. The software program that was advertised as ‘legal in 50 states’ was not legal in California and some other states.

Our investigators found that cellular providers who claimed their systems were safe from such sabotage were wrong, he added. Cell phones purchased by undercover investigators were easily hacked into, enabling the voicemail to be changed at will by use of the spoofing system.

Hacking into voicemail allowed messages to be changed or erased. Important information could be removed from the voicemail and phony information could be inserted. Imagine the havoc that could result, Cooley added.

The civil actions were settled without admissions of wrongdoing by the parties, said Deputy District Attorney Thomas R. Wenke of the Consumer Protection Division, who handled the cases against TelTech Systems Inc., doing business as SpoofCard, Love Detect and Liar Card; AT&T Mobility, LLC; and T-Mobile USA, Inc. All are Delaware corporations. TelTech is headquarted in New Jersey; AT&T Mobility in Atlanta, Georgia; and T-Mobile in Bellevue, Washington.

Wenke said the TelTech injunction prohibits misrepresentations about the legality of the use of TelTech technology. The AT&T and T-Mobile injunctions ban the firms from making specified misrepresentations about the security of their cell phone systems.

TelTech agreed to pay a total of $33,000 as investigation costs and civil penalties. AT&T agreed to pay a total of $59,300 and T-Mobile to $25,000. Investigators from both the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection and High Tech Crime divisions worked on the cases.

Wenke said the firms and their attorneys were cooperative in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution to the civil actions. Each of the firms has taken corrective action, he added.

Santa Returns To Whittier Parks

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will join Mr. and Mrs. Claus and other special passengers on Thursday, December 18 when they board the Here Comes Santa Holiday Train – an annual event that brings presents and fun in the snow to three locations in the Whittier area.

Every year this is a great occasion for families to come down and enjoy the spirit of the Holidays, said Supervisor Knabe. The kids have a great time visiting with Santa and playing in thousands of pounds of real snow.

The Holiday Train pulls into its first stop on December 18 at Amigo Park at 3:30 p.m., and then makes a stop at Parnell Park at 5:00 p.m.; finally it’s off to Adventure Park at 6:30 p.m. At each stop children will receive presents, get a chance to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus play in real snow. Over 3,000 children, parents and community members are expected to attend throughout the night.

Here Comes Santa Holiday Train Locations:

3:30 p.m. @ Amigo Park, 5700 Juarez Avenue, Whittier, 90606

5:00 p.m. @ Parnell Park, 10711 Scott Avenue, Whittier, 90604

6:30 p.m. @ Adventure Park, 10130 South Gunn, Whittier, 90605