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Respiratory Illnesses Are On The Rise This Season

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the past week as Preteen Vaccine Week to highlight the importance of immunizations and regular doctor visits for 11 and 12-year-olds.

California’s youth are our greatest asset, and protecting their health is our responsibility, says Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer. Parents of preteens are urged to schedule a wellness check-up with their child’s doctor to make sure immunizations are up-to-date. This visit is a great opportunity for youth to receive any shots they might have missed, and to receive any other immunizations that can protect them against serious diseases.

It is recommended that all 11 and 12-year-olds receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster to protect against whooping cough and a meningococcal vaccination. Meningococcal infection can be very serious, and can rapidly progress to meningitis, pneumonia, and even death. Among infected teens, the disease is fatal in about 10% and another 15% will have a long-term disability because of it. A vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), which helps protect against cervical disease and cancer later in life is available for girls.

For more information on preteen vaccines, visit the Public Health’s Immunization Program at www.lapublichealth.org/ip

Second Safe Surrender In 24 Hours

The Los Angeles County Safe Surrender program celebrated a second success story today with the confirmation of a Safe Surrender in the City of Monterey Park. Word of the other Safe Surrender came earlier today out of Huntington Park.

This most recent Safe Surrender of a female Chinese newborn occurred on Tuesday, January 15 at a hospital in Monterey Park. Although the surrender happened several days ago, confirmation was just received today. It is normal for surrenders to take several days to be verified under the rules of the program. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

A second Safe surrender also occurred on Tuesday, January 15th when a Hispanic baby boy was taken to an urgent care facility in the City of Huntington Park. This is not the first time multiple surrenders have happened on the same day. Last year, two babies were surrendered in different parts of the County on January 17, 2007. Two different surrenders also occurred on February 10, 2007.

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2008, and the 65th since the program began seven 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.

This case could have ended in tragedy, but because of the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a long life ahead of her, said Supervisor Knabe. I am happy this mother made the right choice for her baby.

Newborn Safely Surrendered In Huntington Park

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success again with the report of another safely surrendered newborn. This most recent report of a safe surrender occurred at a hospital in the City of Huntington Park.

The newborn Hispanic male was surrendered on Tuesday, January 15 and is reported to be in good health. Reportedly, the infant’s mother gave birth on January 13 at another hospital and she considered voluntary relinquishment. However, the infant’s mother changed her mind and took her baby home. Later that day, the mother brought the infant to the urgent care in Huntington Park and asked to safely surrender the infant.

Although the surrender occurred on Tuesday, the confirmation was just received today. It is normal for surrenders to take several days to be verified under the rules of the program. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2008, and the 64th since the program began seven 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.

Employment Opportunities For Veterans

A County program introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe and Supervisor Mike Antonovich to assist veterans with employment opportunities is seeing tremendous success.

The program is available to local military veterans who have been honorably discharged, the County recruits applicants whose training, education and skills match those needed by the County. Successful applicants are hired as trainees for up to 24 months and receive job training and experience. They receive benefits and are eligible to compete for permanent County positions.

Already, 250 veterans have been placed in employment opportunities and another 1,400 are currently being evaluated. Interested veterans are encouraged to visit http://dhr.lacounty.info or call (213) 738-2175.

Knabe Provides $2.5 Million For The Renovation And Expansion Of The San Pedro Service Center

A man who owes over $100,000 in child support payments and is also one of the 10 Most Wanted child support payment evaders wanted by Los Angeles County has been located and arrested through a pilot program introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe last year.

Kenneth John was arrested Friday morning in the driveway of his San Fernando Valley home and booked at the LAPD Van Nuys station because of an outstanding warrant and an outstanding child support balance of $112,369.71. John has a current support obligation is $481 per month; he was also ordered by the court to make payments of $119 per month toward the liquidation of his arrears. He last made a payment in 2002.

There has been a warrant outstanding for John’s arrest since October 2003. The warrant was issued for his failure to surrender to the Sheriff to serve 60 days in jail as ordered by the court. In addition to the 60 day sentence, John is also facing an additional 120 day suspended sentence.

John was successfully tracked down and arrested by two specialized agents working with the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department. Funding for the agents and their pilot program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe in April 2007. Knabe’s motion sought to crackdown on hundreds of the County’s most heinous child support payment evaders by establishing a partnership between the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department (CSSD) and the Office of the District Attorney.

CSSD goes to great lengths to pursue collection of child support payments on behalf of families in need, and always seeks to establish cooperative relationships with the parent required to make payments. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of parents currently in the County’s system who also go to great lengths to evade their child support obligations, even after arrest warrants have been issued for their arrest.

There are approximately 2,000 parents who fall into this category, and they owe over $2.5 million in child support payments. Before Supervisor Knabe secured $500,000 to launch the current program, CSSD did not have the means to proactively serve these warrants and seek out these parents. Under this new partnership with the District Attorney, CSSD is utilizing District Attorney Investigators to pursue these 2,000 parents.

Far too many families are struggling to pay their bills because people like Mr. John are choosing to evade or ignore their responsibilities, said Supervisor Knabe. I am very pleased to hear of the success our program is having in tracking down these uncooperative parents and getting them to pay their child support obligations.

Department of Children and Family Services Teams With County Partners To Tackle Issue Of Childhood Obesity

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has teamed with the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court, the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families, hospitals associated with Los Angeles County medical hubs and a variety of other external partners to create a Juvenile Obesity Workgroup to help tackle the issue of obesity among children, especially those in foster care.

The workgroup will collaborate to connect resources educating caregivers about proper nutrition and exercise for youth.

Coordinated by Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Michael Nash, the Juvenile Obesity Workgroup members also include representatives from the Association of Community Human Services Agencies (ACHSA), the DCFS Training section and the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department.

Part of the workgroup’s agenda will include increasing the awareness and training for social workers and public health nurses regarding nutrition. The workgroup also aims to identify resources and services to refer caregivers and children to such as treatment centers that have expertise in dealing with childhood obesity. In addition, the workgroup will collaborate with group home providers to address the nutritional status of children in group homes and look at their exercise programs in order to provide suggestions and help.

The workgroup will also work closely with community providers associated with the County’s Healthier Communities, Stronger Families, and Thriving Children (HST) and Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project to streamline information to the community and reinforce early education about nutrition and exercise.

"This is a growing problem nationwide," said Dr. Charles Sophy, DCFS Medical Director and a member of the County’s Juvenile Obesity Workgroup. "We at DCFS are charged with protecting vulnerable children in Los Angeles County and part of that protection includes raising the awareness level about the health needs of foster children so we can better serve them."

Bridge Widening Complete On Stamy Road In South Whittier

The County of Los Angeles has completed construction on the widening of a bridge on Stamy Road over Leffingwell Creek in the unincorporated community of South Whittier, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

In addition to widening the bridge on Stamy Road, the $892,554 project also included: the construction of a concrete barrier with picket railing, the construction of an asphalt paved sidewalk, and the installation of traffic signals.

By widening this bridge, both the drivers and pedestrians who use the bridge will benefit by crossing a safer bridge.

Norwalk Fire Station Receives The First Safely Surrendered Newborn Of 2008

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce that a baby girl was safely surrendered at a fire station in the City of Norwalk this morning. This was the first safe surrender of 2008.

The newborn Hispanic female was surrendered this morning at Los Angeles County Fire Station 20 in Norwalk and was transported to Downey Community Hospital, where she is reported to be in good health. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will eventually be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

I want to thank this newborn’s mother for doing the right thing, said Supervisor Knabe. We have a law on the books to protect babies from abandonment and give the mother a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands. It is our goal that 2008 will be the first year with no abandoned newborns.

This is the first Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2008 and the sixty-third Safe Surrender since the program began six 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.

Supervisor Don Knabe Honored By Children’s Mental Health Agency For Support Of Children’s Causes

Intercommunity Child Guidance Center (ICGC), which provides comprehensive mental health and social services for children and their families, recently recognized Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe for spearheading landmark programs designed to safeguard children.

While on the Board of Supervisors, Don Knabe has repeatedly advocated for and supported groundbreaking programs to protect the lives of children and safeguard their environment, said ICGC Executive Director Charlene Dimas-Peinado. He’s truly been a champion of children’s causes throughout his career, as well as an advocate for children’s mental health services.

ICGC, which serves the Whittier and Southeast Los Angeles County area, presented its Children’s Champion Award to Supervisor Knabe during its recent 50th Anniversary Gala held at the historic Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena.

Supervisor Knabe championed the County’s Safe Surrender Program in 2001, which allows a parent or guardian to drop off an infant, three days old or younger, to a hospital emergency room or other designated location without fear of arrest and prosecution. Based on the State’s Safe Haven Law, the program has saved the lives of more than 60 newborn children.

In addition, Supervisor Knabe led efforts for the creation of a Child Care Quality Review System in Los Angeles County, sought enhanced County’s oversight of the State-licensed Foster Family Homes program, led a drive to reform the County’s Department of Children’s and Family Services and helped to establish a rating system for child care centers to help parents make informed choices.

Proceeds from the gala dinner benefited the Early Attachments, that last a Lifetime Infant-Toddler Center, an ICGC project in partnership with Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier. The Center will provide an early intervention and prevention program for families with infants at-risk for abuse, neglect or foster care placement with the goal of decreasing that risk by providing services aimed at fulfilling the well-being of the entire family system.

Financial Investment In Youth Creates Over 3,400 Jobs Countywide

Six months after Los Angeles County allocated funds to create jobs for the local youth, the investment has yielded over 3,400 jobs. The motion, introduced by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky during the County’s budget hearings, was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this past summer.

On June 18, 2007, the Board approved an allocation of $6.5 million to fund the Youth Jobs Program, and directed the Department of Community and Senior Services to use the money to enter into contracts with appropriate Youth Jobs providers throughout the County, including the seven local Workforce Investment Boards. To date 3,436 jobs have been filled Countywide, with 499 jobs in the Fourth District alone.

There is a tremendous need for our youth to be meaningfully engaged in positive activities in our communities, and employment is vital to that experience, said Supervisor Knabe. I am very pleased at the success of this program, but our work is not complete. We will be working very hard to press this point at the State and Federal level that job programs for young people is a priority that all of us will benefit from.