Issues

Knabe Announces Plan to Restore Early Opening Beach Restrooms

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement addressing recent complaints about beach restrooms:

“Over the last week, there has been considerable media attention on the County’s beach facilities, in response to the suggestion at the last Board Meeting that there are issues with the cleanliness of our restrooms that could lead to a health crisis.  In fact, a review of the Department of Beaches and Harbors’ complaint log shows that no calls had come in regarding restroom cleanliness at our beaches.  Rather, patrons were frustrated that the restrooms were not open early enough, a schedule change that had been made over the last month due to severe budget cuts.

As of Saturday, June 4, the Department of Beaches and Harbors has realigned some employee schedules to open up the most high-traffic restrooms (see list below) by 7:00a.m.  Within 30 days, the Department will hire the staff necessary to open as many restrooms as possible in the early morning.  At our Board meeting next Tuesday, the Department will outline the details of its plan.  In the meantime, the County remains committed to ensuring a clean, pleasant and enjoyable visit for our millions of beach visitors as the summer season gets underway.”

Restrooms to Open by 7:00a.m.

Los Angeles: Will Rogers at Temescal

Malibu: Zuma #6 and Point Dume

Manhattan Beach: El Porto and 26th Street

Redondo Beach: Knob Hill

San Pedro: White Point

 

Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered at Fire Station #104 in Winnetka

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 29, 2011 at Fire Station #104 in Winnetka.

The mother gave birth to the baby boy at home and then went to the fire station and asked to surrender the infant. 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.

“The Safe Surrender program was created to give mothers a safe, secure and anonymous way to get their child into safe hands and to protect babies from abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 85th since the program began ten 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.

Newborn Girl Safely Surrendered at West Covina Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the first time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 20, 2011 at a hospital in West Covina.

The mother gave birth to the baby girl at the hospital and asked to surrender her newborn infant. 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.

“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.”

This is the first Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 84th since the program began ten 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.

Full I-405 Freeway Closure Scheduled for July 16-17

A full 53-hour closure of the I-405, roughly between the I-10 and U.S. 101, is planned for the weekend of July 16-17, 2011. The closure is needed because of demolition work scheduled on the Mulholland Bridge. Due to the steep nature of the bridge, the freeway in both directions must be closed to protect the public during demolition.

Demolition preparation work is scheduled to begin Friday night, July 15, 2011 at 10 p.m., and continue until Monday morning, July 18, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. During this period, the Mulholland Drive Bridge and both directions of the I-405 freeway and on- and off-ramps within the area of the closure will be closed to ensure public safety during bridge dismantling.

For more information, visit Metro or follow the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project on Facebook and Twitter.

Knabe Requests Funding for Low Income Families With Children With Autism

In a motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Board of Supervisors will request that the First 5 Los Angeles Commission consider an annual allotment of funding to address the challenges facing low-income families with children with autism, aged five and younger.

The California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism reported that a significant number of families confront major barriers in accessing and navigating programs and services, including case management, speech therapy, physical therapy and social skills training. The number of children diagnosed with autism, known clinically as Autism Spectral Disorders, has exploded over the past 17 years, from 1 in 10,000 in 1993, to 1 in 110 children in 2010, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control,

“Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that has become more prevalent in the past years, affecting not only the child, but the family as well,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “While the First 5 Los Angeles Commission has funded efforts in the past to provide support for families impacted by autism, we believe that more can be done to help these young children and their families. Detecting Autism at a young age can have a profound impact on cognitive and social development, giving children and their families more options and hope.”

The First 5 Commission, created through Proposition 10 funds, provides low-income families with children five and under, education, health services, childcare and other crucial programs.

County Launches Mapping Software on Redistricting Website

Residents wanting to participate and “make a difference” in the Supervisorial Redistricting process can now do so with the help of new software found on the County redistricting website.

By logging onto http://redistricting.lacounty.gov, interested parties can access free mapping software tools, allowing them to develop and submit redistricting plans for Boundary Review Committee (BRC) consideration.

The BRC is comprised of residents of the County who were nominated and appointed by the Board of Supervisors.  Based on the census figures, the county’s population must be substantially equalized among the five Supervisorial Districts.  This same process is undertaken for the state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization.  This process is called “redistricting.” Deadline for submitting redistricting plans is June 2, 2011.

Live online training sessions will be available on the redistricting website on the dates/times listed below.  A software training video will be available on the website in early May. Community meetings and public hearings are currently underway to encourage public participation in the redistricting process, gather public input, and to answer any questions the public may have.

Knabe Announces Summer Arts Internship Program for College Students

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced the return of the County’s Arts Internship Program, which will provide 74 paid summer internships for college students.

Requirements
Position descriptions and contacts are posted on the Arts Commission’s website. Go to Los Angeles County Arts, click on “Internships,” then “Opportunities for Students.” Interested students should act as soon as positions are posted as there is stiff competition for a limited number of internships. Students apply directly to the organization offering the internship, not the Arts Commission. The organizations make final candidate selections quickly, as internships begin on May 30.

Graduating seniors who complete their undergraduate degrees by September 1, 2011 are eligible, as well as undergraduates. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of college by June 2011 and be currently enrolled (full-time) in a community college or a four-year university. Applicants must be a resident of and/or attending school in Los Angeles County.

Internship Details
The positions are for 10 weeks and pay $350 per week. Interns also take part in educational and arts networking activities. Through the program, interns gain real work experience to strengthen their resumes and develop business skills that can be put to use in their future careers.

Organizations in the County’s Fourth Supervisorial District offering arts internships include:
Angels Gate Cultural Center
Arts & Services for Disabled
Arts Council for Long Beach
Culture Shock LA
Grand Vision Foundation
Institute of Arts Music and Science
International City Theatre
La Mirada Theatre
Long Beach Opera
Long Beach Symphony Orchestra
Norris Center for the Performing Arts
Precision Dance
Sangeet School of World Music
Shakespeare by the Sea

Examples of County internship experiences include:
• The Multidisciplinary Arts Intern at Angels Gate Cultural Center will receive valuable experience in all aspects of arts administration and be involved in events such as the annual Angels Playfest Play Reading Series and prepare for the on-site Cevapcici Fall Festival.

• At Long Beach Opera, the Arts Administration Intern will play an integral role in Long Beach Opera’s 2012 season marketing campaign. The intern will analyze and evaluate past marketing efforts and use traditional and cutting edge marketing tactics to help expand Long Beach Opera’s patron base.

• The Music Production and Radio Broadcast Intern at Arts & Services for Disabled will provide critical support for the performing arts and music program. The intern will create and produce a musical piece for broadcast on several community and state college radio stations.

To support the internships, Los Angeles County, through its Arts Commission, has given grants totaling $250,000 to 74 arts organizations throughout the County.

Metro Launches Nation’s First Major Public Transit Agency Spanish Language Blog

Metro today became the first major public transit agency in the nation to launch a Spanish language blog, underscoring the growing influence of Latinos in Los Angeles County.

El Pasajero is an interactive website that will post a steady stream of news and features, photos and video about virtually every aspect of mobility that Metro is involved in from running buses and trains to overseeing highway improvements, bicycle and pedestrian programs, goods movement, vanpools, carpools and more. Timely service alerts and breaking news about transportation will be highlighted.

The spotlight will be on Latinos who represent the largest percentage of Metro customers and Metro employees as well as the county’s population in general.

Edited by Jazmin Ortega, a seasoned Spanish-language news reporter, and a team of bloggers, El Pasajero will take an in-depth look at key issues affecting the Latino community including how to do business with Metro, tracking where Metro funding comes from and how it is spent, the changing dynamics of transit in Los Angeles County after the passage of Measure R in 2008, law enforcement and transit, rail safety, dealing with rising gas prices, fun, affordable family destinations via Metro, dining adventures accessible by Metro, the environment, public art, new technology, joint development, high speed rail and other topical issues.

The daily blog also will offer person on the street video interviews, reader feedback, polls, contests and other interactive features.

Knabe Proclaims April as “DMV/Donate Life California Month” in Los Angeles County

In an effort to urge Los Angeles County citizens to save lives by signing up with the Donate Life California Registry when they apply or renew their driver’s license or ID card through the Department of Motor Vehicles, Supervisor Don Knabe proclaimed the month of April 2011 as “DMV/Donate Life California Month.”

“Making the noble decision to donate can be difficult, but there is no greater expression of compassion than making the life-giving act of organ and tissue donation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Giving the gift of life through organ and tissue donation provides a measure of comfort to a bereaved family. I encourage everyone in Los Angeles County to consider signing up for the Donate Life California registry.”

A single donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives and a donation of tissue can save and heal up to 50 others. Nearly 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 20,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant wait list and every 90 minutes, one person dies while waiting for a donated organ. Each year, nearly 30,000 lives are saved and the quality off life for many hundreds of thousands more is enhanced by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

To sign up for the Donate Life California Donor Registry, please visit DonateLifeCalifornia.org

Rancho Los Amigos Named a 2011 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospital”

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been named to the 2011 U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” list. The world-renowned facility ranked 7th out of the 138 hospitals ranked in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and was the only rehabilitation hospital listed.

Rancho, one of five hospitals in the Los Angels County Department of Health Services family, has been ranked one of America’s best hospitals for 21 consecutive years since the inception of the U.S. News & World Report survey in 1990. It is the only County operated hospital to appear in the top ten.

“This ranking is a testament to the incredible and innovative work that Rancho does with their patients,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “Rancho is at the head of the class in rehabilitative innovation, incorporating technology and art for both physical and emotional rehab. Through art, sports and other creative and active outlets, Rancho helps patients not only overcome their physical challenges, but also gives them the confidence to move into self-sufficiency. The credit goes to each and every Rancho team member for the effort they put forth each day to give patients world-class care. I am so proud of Rancho for this well deserved honor.”

The U.S. News ranking differs from other rankings by looking at how well a hospital handles complex and demanding situations and involves surveys completed by 10,000 physicians worldwide. A total of 4,852 hospitals were considered for this year’s survey, but only 152 hospitals were ranked in one of16 specialties including rehabilitation, cancer, heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, urology, neurology and neurosurgery.

Scoring criteria included reputation, mortality index, patient safety, and care related factors such as nurse staffing, and available technology, however in the ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation and rheumatology specialties hospitals were ranked on reputation alone. Of the 152 hospitals ranked in one or more specialties, 14 qualified for Honor Roll by earning high scores in at least six specialties.

Rancho offers a full spectrum of both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. The hospital has been a leader in advancing rehabilitation medicine for more than half a century, including the introduction of the first ever halo, used for neck injuries. Rancho serves an average daily inpatient population of 147 persons and experiences approximately 57,000 outpatient visits annually. The hospital is also renowned for its tradition of research leadership.