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Gov. Newsom Launches New Plan to Help Californians Struggling with Mental Health Challenges, Homelessness

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Gov. Newsom Launches New Plan to Help Californians Struggling with Mental Health Challenges, Homelessness

SAN JOSE – Gov. Gavin Newsom March 3, unveiled CARE Court, a new framework to provide individuals with mental health and substance use disorders the care and services they need to get healthy. The proposal, which must be approved by the Legislature, would require counties to provide comprehensive treatment to the most severely impaired and untreated Californians and hold patients accountable to their treatment plan.

CARE Court does not wait until someone is hospitalized or arrested before providing treatment. CARE Court will provide an opportunity for a range of people, including family members, first responders, intervention teams and mental health service providers, among others, to refer individuals suffering from a list of specific ailments, many of them unhoused, and get them into community-based services.

CARE Court offers court-ordered individualized interventions and services, stabilization medication, advanced mental health directives, and housing assistance. Plans can be up to 12 to 24 months. Additionally, this client-centered approach also includes a public defender and a supporter to help individuals make self-directed care decisions.

The CARE Court framework was created using the evidence that many people can stabilize, begin healing, and exit homelessness in less restrictive, community-based care settings. The plan focuses on people with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, who may also have substance use challenges, and who lack medical decision-making capacity, and advances an upstream diversion from more restrictive conservatorships or incarceration.

The framework provides individuals with a clinically appropriate, community-based and court-ordered Care Plan. Services are provided to the individual through an outpatient model while they live in the community.

In the event that a participant cannot successfully complete a Care Plan, the individual may be referred for a conservatorship, consistent with current law, with a presumption that no suitable alternatives to conservatorship are available.

All counties across the state will participate in CARE Court under the proposal.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger today voiced support in response to the Governor’s Care Court plan.

Barger said in part: “I commend Governor Newsom’s efforts to bring healing to the indigent individuals living with debilitating mental illness on our streets. We need a coordinated and consistent approach to help these individuals, and Care Court is poised to deliver that through the courts system.

Certainly, the onus of providing comprehensive treatment will fall on counties’ shoulders. This will require an investment in resources and infrastructure. I look forward to working through those details when the time comes.”

 

Her Story Brought Down Alaska’s Attorney General. A Year Later, She Feels Let Down

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Her Story Brought Down Alaska’s Attorney General. A Year Later, She Feels Let Down

By Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica co-published with Anchorage Daily News

Nikki Dougherty White came forward to say Alaska’s acting attorney general had an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a teen, and he resigned. That was more than a year ago, and the state’s investigation has barely moved.

More than a year after the acting Alaska attorney general suddenly resigned, the criminal investigation into his alleged sexual contact with a teenager decades ago is not complete, and two special prosecutors hired to look into the case have billed for less than two weeks’ time.

Nikki Dougherty White told the Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica in January 2021 that Ed Sniffen began an illegal sexual relationship with her in 1991 when she was a 17-year-old high school student and Sniffen was the coach of her school’s mock trial team. Sniffen was 27 years old at the time.

Read more at: https://www.propublica.org/article/her-story-brought-down-alaskas-attorney-general-a-year-later-she-feels-let-down

Whale of a Day Celebration Returns April 9

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Whale of a Day Celebration Returns April 9

Whale of a Day returns April 9. at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

The 37th annual festival celebrating the migration of the Pacific gray whale from its summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas in Alaska, to the winter breeding and calving grounds in Baja California, will be held in person for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will feature children’s games and crafts, tours of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center museum, live entertainment and an array of marine-themed vendors and organizations, plus food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a silent auction and raffle.

Since the last time the event took place in person, in 2019, the Point Vicente Interpretive Center museum gained new interactive exhibits that take visitors alongside gray whales and birds as they journey along the coast of the Peninsula. The displays also explore the history of animal and human migration and navigation.

In celebration of Whale of a Day, kids grades TK-5 are invited to use their creativity to design an ocean- themed bookmark. Winners will be showcased online on April 9. Entries are due March 25. Visit whaleofaday.com for contest details.

Tours of the Point Vicente Lighthouse will not be offered at this year’s event, as the lighthouse remains closed by the U.S. Coast Guard due to its COVID-19 protocols.

There will be no on-site parking for Whale of a Day. Parking and a shuttle service will be provided for free at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard.

If you have questions, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5260 or events@rpvca.gov

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9

Cost: Free

Details: www.whaleofaday.com

Venue: Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr W, Rancho Palos Verdes

Board of Supervisors Condemn Russia: Offer Support for Ukrainian Refugees & Take Steps to Divest from Russia

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Board of Supervisors Condemn Russia: Offer Support for Ukrainian Refugees & Take Steps to Divest from Russia

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors March 1, voted unanimously to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, offer support to Ukrainian refugees and Ukrainians living in Los Angeles County, and take steps to divest from Russia.

The motion, which was authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and amended by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, does the following:

  1. Directs the County CEO to send a letter to Anatoly Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the United States relaying the County of Los Angeles’s position on the Russian War of Aggression against Ukraine and urging his government to immediately commence peace talks with the Ukrainian Government to prevent any more deaths of civilians on both sides;
  2. Directs the County CEO to send letters to President Joe Biden and the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation, asking the President to provide Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforcement Departure for Ukrainian Nationals and especially for family members of American Citizens or Permanent Residents of Ukrainian descent to allow them to relocate to the United States. In addition, asking the President and Congress to provide additional funding to the 9 nonprofit groups tasked by the United States Department of State with resettling refugees in the United States;
  3. Direct the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ office of immigrant affairs in collaboration with the office of emergency management to work to provide information to Los Angeles County residents seeking information and assistance for friends and family members;
  4. (Barger Amendment) Instruct the CEO to write a five-signature letter to LACERA (the group which manages the retirement funds for LA County employees) requesting that LACERA apply its announced Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) investment policies in support of divesting investments from Russia; also divestment of investments in other nations that are determined violate such LACERA ESG investment policies;
  5. (Barger Amendment) Instruct the CEO and County counsel to report back in 14 days on the feasibility of prohibiting County contracts to companies doing business with Russia.

South Bay Man Arrested in “Green Gaiter Bandit” Serial Bank Robberies; Second Suspect Sought

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South Bay Man Arrested in “Green Gaiter Bandit” Serial Bank Robberies; Second Suspect Sought

LOS ANGELES — A South Bay man has been arrested and charged federally with multiple bank robberies following an investigation by the FBI and multiple law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the FBI announced March 2.

Christopher Paul Daniels, 55, of Torrance, was arrested on Feb.27, in Palos Verdes Estates. Daniels made his initial court appearance on Feb. 28, after being charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. Daniels was denied bond and was remanded to federal custody.

FBI agents and officers from multiple police departments responded to 19 bank robberies or attempted robberies in various cities in Orange and Los Angeles counties since October 2021, committed by a suspect described as a white male. The nickname, “Green Gaiter Bandit” was ascribed to the case to keep track of the numerous crimes in multiple cities.

Daniels has been linked to at least 12 of the robberies committed during this time. At least one additional white male suspect is being sought for the remainder of the robberies.

Daniels wore a green camouflage gaiter covering part of his face during some of the robberies, according to an affidavit in support of the complaint. The complaint charges Daniels with bank robberies or attempted bank robberies in three cities and alleges Daniels is suspected in at least eight others.

Investigators also believe that seven additional robberies conducted within the past few months were separately committed by a similarly described bandit. Those robberies are under investigation.

The continuing investigation which led to Daniels’ arrest, as well as the continuing investigation to identify an additional suspect or suspects, is being conducted by multiple agencies.

Long Beach Update on COVID-19 and Masks

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Long Beach Update on COVID-19 and Masks

LONG BEACH —As of March 2, Mayor Robert Garcia reported that 88% of adults and over 99% of seniors in Long Beach have been vaccinated — and the city’s efforts have been lauded as a model for the rest of the country. Garcia continued, Long Beach was the first city in California to vaccinate public school teachers and educators, and the city built on this success by moving quickly to vaccinate food and dock workers early last year.

“Vaccines and boosters are continuing to prevent hospitalization and serious illness and have saved countless lives in our community,” Garcia said.

Because of the city’s vaccination program and the recent decline in COVID-19 cases, during the past week, Long Beach has joined the State of California and County of Los Angeles to take steps reducing the scope of its indoor mask mandate.

Some key changes for residents include:

  • People who are fully vaccinated are encouraged to, but no longer required to wear masks in most indoor settings,
  • Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people must continue to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses,
    • Examples include, but are not limited to, retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, and state and local government offices serving the public.
  • Regardless of vaccination status, everyone must continue to wear face masks in certain indoor settings,
    • These include public transit, emergency shelters and cooling/heating centers, healthcare settings, correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, long-term care settings and adult and senior care facilities.
  • And lastly, the Long Beach Unified School District has announced plans to make masking strongly recommended, but not required, while indoors beginning on March 12 — in line with state guidelines.

You can read our updated health order with revised masking guidance here and view the school district’s announcement here.

Gov. Newsom Announces New Appointments

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Gov. Newsom Announces New Appointments

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Feb. 24 to 28, announced the following appointments:

Judge Lucy Armendariz, 51, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Committee to Review the Operations and Structure of the Commission on Judicial Performance. She has served as a Judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court since 2018. She was a Judge at the State Bar Court of California from 2007 to 2018. Judge Armendariz was Chief of Staff and Counsel in the Office of California State Senator Gloria Romero from 2002 to 2007. She was Ombudsman at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 1999 to 2002. Judge Armendariz earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and an Advisory Board Member of the Latina Lawyers Bar Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Judge Armendariz is a Democrat.

David Ramirez, 21, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer Intersegmental Implementation Committee. Ramirez has been student trustee for the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees since 2020 and vice chair for the Student Trustee Advisory Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees since 2021. He was legislative affairs director for Region VII for the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges from 2020 to 2021 This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ramirez is a Democrat.

Gabriela Gonzalez, 48, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the State Board of Education. Gonzalez has been an elementary school teacher for the Montebello Unified School District since 2001. She earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Dominguez Hills. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Gonzalez is a Democrat.

Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Therapeutics is Key to Mitigating COVID-19 Impact Among Underserved Communities

Terelle Jerricks
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Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Therapeutics is Key to Mitigating COVID-19 Impact Among Underserved Communities

As L.A. County continues to slow community transmission of COVID-19, and access to effective therapeutics improves, equitable distribution of COVID-19 treatments is a critical issue. As supply of these medicines increases, information and access about therapeutics must be available across the county, particularly in those communities with residents at elevated risk of poor outcomes should they become infected with COVID.

Several free treatment options are available and can be used to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Treatments are available for those who are at increased risk of severe disease, test positive for COVID-19, and have any symptoms, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). Five therapeutic options have been authorized by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 in individuals ages 12 and over who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness:

  • Oral Therapeutics (Pills)
  • Paxlovid (must be taken within 5 days of first COVID-19 symptom)
  • Molnupiravir (must be taken within 5 days of first COVID-19 symptom) **Oral therapeutic treatments require a prescription from a healthcare provider.
  • Monoclonal Antibody Intravenous (IV) and Antiviral Infusions
  • Sotrovimab (must be administered within 10 days of first COVID-19 symptom)
  • Remdesivir (must be given within 7 days of first COVID-19 symptom)
  • Evusheld available for people who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons, or who may not respond well to a vaccine because they have a weak immune system due to a medical condition or treatment. (must be administered before a person is exposed to COVID-19 to prevent them from getting infected).

In total, more than 60,000 doses of these three COVID-19 therapeutics have been distributed across LA County since they first became available in December.

Residents who want to access these medicines or have questions on which treatment is right for them should contact their medical provider or call the COVID-19 information line between 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily at 833-540-0473. The call center is a free resource where residents can get culturally and linguistically appropriate information about available therapeutics, and how to access them. Public Health is working to enroll enough providers to ensure a vast network of sites that can provide information, have a supply of therapeutics, and prescribing ability across the county, with emphasis on ensuring equitable distribution among hard hit and low-resourced communities.

As Public Health continues to build out the network of providers, a pilot will be launched using telehealth platforms at select sites to augment locations that can prescribe and distribute oral therapeutics in low resource communities.

Gov. Newsom Calls for State Sanctions on Russia

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Gov. Newsom Calls for State Sanctions on Russia

SACRAMENTO – Moving to support the Ukrainian people and protect the interests of Californians, Gov. Gavin Newsom March 1, sent a letter to the leaders of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System or CalPERS, California State Teachers’ Retirement System or CalSTRS and the University of California retirement system calling for the state to leverage its sizable global investment portfolio to sanction the Russian government.

“Russia’s brazen and lawless military assault on Ukraine demands our support for the Ukrainian people and exacting an immediate and severe cost upon the Russian government,” the Governor wrote. “The California Constitution is explicit in the fiduciary duties that are required of us on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Californians who have invested in these systems. These fiduciary obligations and our moral imperative before these atrocities demand that you act to address Russia’s aggressions and immediately restrict Russian access to California’s capital and investments.”

The combined assets of CalPERS, CalSTRS and the UC retirement system amount to $970 billion – equivalent to 60 percent of Russia’s gross domestic product last year. Over $1.5 billion of these California investments are held in various financial instruments linked to Russia’s financial markets.

The Governor called for the funds to halt the flow of money from the state to Russia, ban the purchase of Russian debt and conduct an assessment to ensure their actions protect the interests of current and future retirees. The Governor also requested recommendations from CalPERS, CalSTRS and the UC on additional measures that can be implemented to protect the state’s investments amid global financial sanctions on Russia.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

POLA Appoints New Chief Harbor Engineer

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POLA Appoints New Chief Harbor Engineer

SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles has announced the appointment of Dina Aryan-Zahlan to Chief Harbor Engineer, lead of the Port’s Engineering Division. Aryan-Zahlan replaces David Walsh who retired in December 2021.

Aryan-Zahlan most recently served as the port’s assistant chief harbor engineer since 2015, where she oversaw the planning, development and design of infrastructure and facilities that support the diverse operations of the nation’s busiest seaport, including wharves, terminals, rail, roadways, and public space.

A dedicated public servant with more than 30 years of experience as an engineer, Aryan-Zahlan first joined the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works as civil engineering assistant. During her 22-year tenure at the port, she has been pivotal in the transformation of cargo terminals, transportation improvements and waterfront development projects.

Since 2008, Aryan-Zahlan has led the Port’s LA Waterfront development team and has played a key role in the Port’s $1 billion public access infrastructure development program. Thanks to her efforts, pedestrians, cyclists and visitors to the LA Waterfront have experienced improved connectivity and access to the San Pedro and Wilmington Waterfronts and the California Coastal Trail.

Under her leadership, the port developed the 2003 port-wide transportation master plan resulting in transportation projects, including the I-110/SR-47 connector and John S. Gibson ramps improvements, I-110 freeway/C Street ramps and South Wilmington grade separation. She also led the team that planned and designed the modernization of the TraPac container terminal, the first of its kind in the nation.

Aryan-Zahlan has created multiple opportunities for career growth and advancement for minorities and women. More than half of her team represents females and minorities, and she encourages each member to develop their professional growth at the port. She is the second woman to serve as chief harbor engineer at the port, where women represent 30% of the professional engineering workforce.

Aryan-Zahlan earned her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and Executive Master of Leadership degree from the University of Southern California. She is a registered civil engineer in the State of California, certified Project Management Professional® and senior certified professional from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP). She serves as director-at-large of the Los Angeles Chapter of Women in Transportation Society (WTS-LA) and is an active member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Public Works Association (APWA) and Project Management Institute (PMI).

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