ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on select agenda items from yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
Agenda Item 18: The Board of Supervisors approved recommended positions and legislative priorities for 2023. Notably, this year’s legislative platform includes addressing climate change.
“For the first time in County history, this legislative platform demonstrates the County’s commitment to Sustainability and the Environment. These priorities will help us leverage the unprecedented amount of funding available through state and federal infrastructure legislation.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on this Board, as well as our bipartisan OC delegation in Sacramento and Washington to ensure Orange County has a seat at the table and to bring back our fair share of dollars to address community needs,” said Supervisor Foley.
Agenda Item 19: The Board of Supervisors approved a contract with City Net to conduct a new 2023 Homelessness Survey to obtain more data on people experiencing homelessness in Orange County.
“When it comes to the County’s approach to addressing homelessness, we must be guided by data, best practices, and insights at the ground level. This will help us gain those important insights by asking questions to those experiencing homelessness about what’s effective and where the gaps and barriers exist in services. I look forward to utilizing the insights from this survey to inform the County’s approach and how we think about reducing homelessness in our community,” said Supervisor Foley.
Agenda Item 20: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve the following grant awards:
- Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) to accept a $10 million grant to expand HCA’s Mobile Health Crisis Response programs. The funding will go towards enhancing the community mobile crisis response system through the purchase of 30 vehicles for the Crisis Assessment Team (CAT) and Outreach and Engagement (O&E), upgrades to the electronic information systems to enhance crisis response, and training for individuals with lived experience to provide peer services.
“This funding will improve our mobile crisis response system in Orange County to ensure that individuals with mental health challenges are diverted to mental health resources instead of jails and emergency rooms. I am proud to support these efforts to support our most vulnerable while also saving taxpayer dollars and allowing law enforcement to focus on public safety issues instead of mental health,” said Supervisor Foley.
- Orange County Sheriff’s Department to accept $1.3 million ($1,285,513.36) to expand officer wellness and peer support units and services from licensed mental health professionals. The grant funds will also help develop multiagency mutual aid programs focused on officer wellness and mental health.
“The men and women of law enforcement risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. I’m proud to support this funding to enhance officer wellness and mental health,” said Supervisor Foley.
Agenda Item 21: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve the use of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds to partner with Project Kinship. As part of the OC Cares Initiative, Project Kinship aims to reduce incarceration and recidivism for Transitional Aged Youth with substance abuse issues through case management, transportation, housing assistance, and mental health/substance abuse counseling.
“We must support those who served their time, and those trying to stabilize and move on to being good citizens. Project Kinship is a regional leader in delivering effective re-entry services, and I am proud to support continued efforts to uplift youth in the system, said Supervisor Foley.
Agenda Item 16: Supervisor Foley was appointed to various County boards, commissions, and committees, including the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). Supervisor Foley’s District contains eight cities that contract with OCFA, the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel, and several fire prone areas as evidenced during the Laguna Niguel Coastal fire last year.
“I appreciate the Board’s support of my appointment to serve on OCFA. I look forward to working with the Board to address the existential threat of wildfires and to support the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe,” said Supervisor Foley.
As Fifth District Supervisor, Supervisor Foley serves on the following Boards.
- Orange County Fire Authority
- Transportation Corridor Agency for Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills
- First 5 Orange County Children & Families Commission
- Coastal Greenbelt Authority
- Emergency Management Council
- Law Library Board of Trustees
- Local Agency Formation Commission
- Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee
- OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
- Orange County Housing Finance Trust
- Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
- Orange County Transportation Authority
- Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection Agency
- South Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committee
- Southern California Association of Governments
Item S23B: The Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Supervisor Foley’s appointee Kelly Osborne to the Coastal Greenbelt Authority.
“Kelly Osborne brings firsthand experience with the open space that defines Laguna Beach. Her passion together with her experience as a School Board member, outdoor educator, and environmental champion makes her well suited to serve as my representative on the Coastal Greenbelt Authority. I look forward to working together on protecting our open space and natural environment,” said Supervisor Foley.
“I am delighted to support Supervisor Foley as a Coastal Greenbelt Authority member. Laguna Canyon Wilderness Park and Aliso Wood Canyon Wilderness Park are a gem in Orange County and I look forward to ensuring current and future generations enjoy these parks. I am honored to help work collaboratively with landowners, homeowners, adjacent cities and local environmental groups to manage this beautiful open space,” said Osborne.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Law Library Board of Trustees, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, OC Public Libraries Advisory Board, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Orange County Transportation Authority, and the Transportation Corridor Agency.
