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Across the dozens of community coffees I have held this year, the most concerns you have raised are regarding mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. All three issues intersect with the criminal justice system, which has changed dramatically after the passage of AB 109, and Propositions 47 and 57. That is why I worked with Supervisor Doug Chaffee and Sheriff Don Barnes to create Orange County’s Integrated Services Strategy, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors today. This action plan is designed to fight crime by matching programs that target criminality, enhanced mental health and substance abuse treatment, stronger connections to social services, and greater accountability. Integrated Services will help divert young people from committing crime, stabilize those who do before they leave our jails, and cut recidivism. Far too many mentally ill and homeless individuals end up in Orange County’s jails. In fact, 44% of inmates have a diagnosed mental illness or substance abuse issue, and one in five is homeless. Five percent of offenders – nearly 2000 individuals – return to jail 5 times or more in a given year. Among these high utilizers, 58% are homeless, 85% have a reported substance use disorder, and 46% have reported mental illness. If we release these people without making a serious effort to put them on the right track, then we put public safety at risk. As your Supervisor, I am working to marshal the County’s resources to tackle these issues more effectively than ever before. With Integrated Services, we are breaking down barriers between County departments in the criminal justice system under the same System of Care approach we are taking as we revamp behavioral health, physical health, housing and benefits, and support services to deliver results for you. 
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Last Saturday, I sponsored a karate camp day at Scholarship Prep in Santa Ana. A special thank you to Scholarship Prep and principal Dennise Allotey for hosting us as well as to the Senseis from Toyama-Do for teaching dozens of kids basic self-defense skills. This free community event helped kids build up their confidence. No young person should be the victim of bullies. We want everyone to stand up to bullies and make their voices heard! 
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Happy 125th Anniversary to the Ebell Society of Santa Ana! The women’s club, originally founded as a space for educational and cultural enrichment, offers members a multitude of ways to get involved. Community members stay connected and regularly volunteer at WISEPlace. It boasts generations of members, including their two oldest, who are 101 and 102 years old and still get together once a week to play bridge. Thank you to KidSingers for the wonderful performance, and congratulations to the Ebell Society on this momentous milestone! 
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Orange County is improving mental health services and expanding training for how law enforcement should handle psychiatric emergencies. At the last board meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a $7.7 million dollar contract with Mind OC to promote extensive interagency collaboration across multiple sectors to restructure the way mental health care is provided to its residents. In this new approach, the county will work with state and local agencies, public and private health plans, and philanthropic and non-profit organizations to connect these sectors and improve the quality and access to health services. Check out my press release for more information: http://bit.ly/2VSQh1e. 
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At the last board meeting, my colleagues and I presented a County Resolution commemorating Santa Ana’s 150th birthday. The City of Santa Ana is the County seat, the second-most populous city in Orange County, and is widely known as “Downtown Orange County.” A birthday celebration will take place 10/27/19 from 3pm-9pm at Centennial Park. Don't miss our city’s birthday celebration to honor our past and enjoy all the things that make Santa Ana a great place to live and work. For details check out their website at https://www.santa-ana.org/events/anniversary-celebration. 
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Last Friday, I had the honor of leading the pledge of allegiance at the swearing-in of Orange County’s new Auditor-Controller Frank Davies. Frank, a veteran of the Auditor-Controller’s Department, has over 30 years of experience serving the people of Orange County. I have full confidence he will lead the department well and faithfully serve all our residents. 
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