The 29th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County is now available, offering a comprehensive assessment of the health, economic well-being, education and safety of Orange County’s Children.
The following areas have shown improvement in the lives of local youth:
Good Health: The percentage of uninsured children in Orange County dropped to 3.6%, representing a 42.8% decrease in the number of uninsured children since 2012, a 10-year low.
Economic Well-being: The percentage of Orange County children receiving CalWORKs represents a decline. In 2021-22, 3.2% of Orange County’s children received CalWORKs assistance, a 48.3% decrease from 6.1% in 2012-13.
Educational Achievement: The percentage of college-ready Orange County students increased for the 10th straight year. In school year 2021-22, 57.2% of high school graduates within Orange County were eligible for University of California or California State University, higher than the State of California’s eligibility rate of 51.4%. The high school dropout rate continues to decline, at 4.0% in the 2021-22 school year compared to 7.3% in 2012-13.
Safe Homes and Communities: The juvenile arrest rate continues to decline. In 2021, there were 1,368 juvenile arrests in Orange County, an 84% drop from 8,578 juvenile arrests in 2012. An arrest is usually a youth’s first formal encounter with the juvenile justice system. It is important that at this first encounter a pattern of juvenile delinquency does not continue into adulthood.
While much progress has been made, continued areas for focus include behavioral health, chronic absenteeism and child poverty, among others.
This year’s front section explores the data with a focus on local solutions for advancing equity in Orange County and highlights several programs addressing health disparities in our county.
Orange County residents have an opportunity to shape the future of programs and services for older adults and their caregivers by completing the countywide Older Adults Needs Assessment Survey.
The County of Orange in partnership with the Office on Aging has contracted with Advance OC to develop and conduct this Survey. Input offered through the survey, available now until December 30, 2023, will help define the needs of older adults and their caregivers and will be used to make recommendations for improving services. The findings will be presented to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in Spring 2024.
“The input we gather from these surveys is key to our understanding of how best to serve Orange County’s older adults, who face a variety of different needs to be addressed in their senior years,” said Board Chairman Donald Wagner, Third District Supervisor.
The anonymous survey asks residents to rank their greatest needs and concerns and provide input on topics such as housing, transportation, remaining safely at home and caregiving. Residents can also identify concerns about aging, including physical and mental health and quality of life. The survey will also gather demographic data to identify gaps in service for Orange County’s communities.
"Orange County is getting older, and we must take steps to redesign our programs and services to meet the needs of our aging population," said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. "In addition to serving seniors, we will continue to address issues such as the cost of living and affordable housing, which are driving so many young families away from Orange County."
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Arabic and Farsi. Older adults and caregivers can fill it out online at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7469482/OC-MPA-CommunitySurvey-2023, or in-person at their local senior center and locations where they access older adult services
. "Input from our various communities, including monolingual speaking and working-class communities, will shape critical services for older adults and their caregivers,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. “We need the public’s input on what is most important and how we can best provide services for our growing aging community.”
Additionally, the County and its contracted partner, Advance OC, will also host a series of community education and resource fairs throughout the rest of the year. Residents can register online at www.olderadultssurvey.com or call (949) 415-6898 to attend. Some of the planned events include:
• Delhi Center in Santa Ana on September 21, 2023, hosted by Supervisor Sarmiento
• Asian Garden Mall in Westminster on September 22, 2023, hosted by Vice Chairman Do 2
• Brookhurst Community Center in Anaheim on September 25, 2023, hosted by Supervisor Chaffee
• Norman Murray Senior Center in Mission Viejo on October 12, 2023, hosted by Chairman Wagner
• Soka University in Aliso Viejo as part of the Senior Summit on October 27, 2023, hosted by Supervisor Foley
Additional events will be listed on the Older Adults Needs Assessment website.
“It’s important for every Orange County senior and for the loved ones and caretakers who assist them to complete the survey,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “By collecting the data, we can understand the challenges seniors face and able us to create better programs to serve their needs.”
“As the County Supervisor whose district includes the largest aging population, I know the importance of hearing from our aging residents of all diverse backgrounds so we can plan for future housing, healthcare, transportation, recreation and other needs,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District. “We hope the public will participate in our efforts, and share ideas, thoughts, and concerns to help us plan for the future.”
“This Assessment will help us identify and prioritize the needs and factors affecting the health of our aging population, specifically those aged 55 and older,” said Claudia Harris, Director of the Office on Aging. “The information will be crucial in helping the County understand the holistic needs of the aging population and provide us with a better understanding of the areas of greatest need, current barriers to accessing services, and more precisely identify gaps in services and inequities creating these gaps.”
For more information, visit www.olderadultssurvey.com.
The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today that its Cypress Regional Center at 6100 Chip Ave. will not reopen. The office first closed for repairs in late 2022.
Clients can continue to contact their assigned case worker or obtain services through:
BenefitsCal.com, the new statewide portal to apply for and check on benefits,
SSA’s Call Center at (800) 281-9799, available from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, or
Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District, Northgate Market and the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) will host the event from 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Northgate Market, 1305 W. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra.
“The recent end of the CalFresh emergency payments and the return to the renewal process for Medi-Cal underscore how vital events like this are to the County’s mission of making this a safe, healthy and fulfilling place to live, work and play. Having a presence in the community, helping residents apply for benefits and addressing their questions can help them on their journey to self-sufficiency,” said Supervisor Chaffee.
SSA’s Mobile Response Vehicle and eligibility staff will be onsite to help event attendees apply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal and other public assistance benefits.
Chef Pablo will start the festivities by making a dish CalFresh recipients can easily replicate at home. OC Health Care Agency’s CalFresh Healthy Living team will give docent-style store tours, where attendees can sample available food while learning how to live a healthy, active and nourished lifestyle while stretching their grocery budgets.
“At Northgate Market, we take great pride in partnering with the County of Orange to spread awareness about CalFresh, an invaluable program for eligible participants, and the benefits it brings to our customers. We wholeheartedly urge all those who meet the eligibility criteria to consider applying. We understand the economic challenges families face today, and that’s why the County and Northgate Market stand together in our unwavering commitment to improving their lives,” said Miguel Gonzalez, Co-President Northgate Gonzalez Markets.
First 5 will provide educational activities for children. OC Waste & Recycling will offer tips on reducing food waste.
“Northgate Market’s partnership is a shining example of how working with local businesses helps extend the reach into communities who need our services but may face barriers to accessing them, such as challenges related to transportation or daycare. We are grateful for Northgate and all of our partners who bring awareness of the social safety net programs available,” said SSA Director An Tran.
Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District, and the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced a Health Fair and Children's Day event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Maxwell Park, 2660 W. Broadway in Anaheim.
Residents can receive food, health screenings and school supplies while supplies last; apply for public assistance benefits such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief or CalWORKs; and visit with participating partners to find out more about other services and resources available to them.
“As we move away from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our residents have struggled with the loss of CalFresh emergency benefits and the return to the Medi-Cal renewal process,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee. “It is important that our community is aware of all the eligible benefits available to them. We hope this Health Fair will help all of our residents get the support and resources they need during this challenging time.”
SSA will bring its Mobile Response Vehicle – an office on wheels – and a team of eligibility professionals to assist attendees in applying for public assistance benefits or to answer questions recipients may have about their current benefits. In-language services will be available.
“Orange County’s strength is its ability to come together to address the community’s needs. SSA is pleased to be part of the collaboration Supervisor Chaffee and his team have formed for the Health Fair and Children’s Day Event,” said SSA Director An Tran.
Participating partners include the Anaheim Elementary School District, CalOptima Health, OC Coalition of Community Health Centers, Cal Assist, ICNA, Federacion de Clubes Unidos por Guerrero en California, OC Health Care Agency and more. Local student folklorico groups will be providing entertainment during the event.
Event parking is located on West Broadway near Haskett branch library.
For any inquires please call the Office of Supervisor Doug Chaffee at (714) 834-3440 or email Fourth.district@ocgov.com.
Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities.
The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) will transition to BenefitsCal, an enhanced public assistance benefits enrollment portal, on Monday, April 24, 2023.
BenefitsCal replaces MyBenefitsCalWIN (MyBCW), allowing clients to apply for benefits, report changes, upload documents and receive email and text alerts. Clients’ benefits will not be affected by the switch.
“BenefitsCal continues our efforts to reduce barriers for Orange County residents so we are excited to join a system that will serve all 58 counties in California,” says SSA Director An Tran. “We know that this new portal will make it easier for people to access the benefits they need, no matter where they live in the state. They will be able to apply and renew their benefits online, report changes that may affect their eligibility and upload documents to verify their information.”
Starting Monday, April 24, 2023, Orange County clients can register for a new account at www.BenefitsCal.com and submit their application for benefits or link their existing MyBCW case to their new BenefitsCal account. MyBCW will no longer be available after Thursday, April 20, 2023.
In preparation for the transition and cutover of information to the new system, both BenefitsCal and MyBCW will be down from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23. During this period the SSA Call Center at (800) 281-9799 will not be available. SSA lobbies will remain open Friday, April 21, with manual procedures in place to serve clients, including the ability to issue benefits for clients with emergent or immediate needs. To find a nearby office, visit ssa.ocgov.com.
Households interested in applying for public assistance benefits during the downtime period can:
Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211oc.org to be connected with food and other resources
From now through Thursday, April 20, 2023, clients can continue to use www.mybenefitscalwin.org to apply for or check on existing Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs or General Relief public assistance benefits or contact their designated case worker, if applicable.
As of April 24, 2023, there is a new simple way to apply for, view and renew benefits for health coverage, food and cash assistance: www.BenefitsCal.com.
BenefitsCal.com replaces MyBenefitsCalWIN (MyBCW), MyBenefitsCalWIN.org and the MyBenefitsCalWIN Mobile App.
The BenefitsCal.com website will work great on your smartphone and make it easier than ever to:
Apply online
Link your MyBenefitsCalWIN case
Report changes
Upload documents
See if you qualify for benefits
Sign up for email/text alerts
And more
Don’t worry – if you currently receive benefits, the switch from MyBCW to BenefitsCal.com does not impact your benefits.
What do I need to know?
You can now create an account at www.BenefitsCal.com and submit your application for benefits or link your old MyBenefitsCalWIN case to your account. (MyBenefitsCalWIN, the former benefits enrollment portal, is no longer available as of Thursday, April 20, 2023)
