BETTER TOGETHER
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
WELCOME!
I’m Dylan Wright Director of OC Community Resources, where our mission is “Connecting People with Resources.”
When we think about connection, some things just naturally go together - Peanut butter & jelly, stars and stripes, Batman and Robin.
But the question I often hear is… why do the programs in OCCR belong together? At first glance regional parks, housing and library services don’t have much in common and, veterans support, aging programs, animal care services, and workforce development seem like a random mix.
But trust me, it makes sense. It boils down to just this… we are simply Better Together.
From the sprawling beauty of our regional parks to the compassionate care provided at our animal shelter, and the enrichment offered through our library programs, our commitment to enhancing the quality of life is unwavering. We take pride in the tailored support provided to our veterans and the focus on creating a supportive environment for our aging population. Furthermore, our engagement in
housing and workforce development initiatives underscores our dedication to building a community that thrives on secure homes and ample opportunities for growth.
Aristoteles believed that often the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The programs housed in OCCR routinely go beyond their individual scopes and TOGETHER they bridge gaps and invite our community to explore what the County has to offer.
We are thankful to the County’s Board of Supervisors, our community members, partner organizations, and the dedicated staff at OCCR as we work to serve a community that is resilient, inclusive, and truly “Better Together.”
Thank you and stay healthy.
DYLAN WRIGHT Director
Watch Director’s Message Here.
CONNECTING PEOPLE & RESOURCES BETTER TOGETHER
Donald P Wagner
CHAIRMAN
3rd District
Doug Chaffee
4th District
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Andrew Do
VICE CHAIRMAN
1st District
Vicente Sarmiento SUPERVISOR
2nd District
Katrina Foley SUPERVISOR
5th District
EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS BETTER TOGETHER
MISSION
To preserve and enhance OC Parks’ natural and cultural resources for recreation, education, and exploration.
WHAT WE DO
• Guided programs
• Resource interpretation
• Customer service
• Park maintenance
• Resource protection
• Park planning
• Special events
• Park permits and reservations
• Zoo animal caretaking
GOALS
Expand scheduled public access at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness and Red Rock Wilderness, providing more opportunities for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Implement OC Parks’
in-house Ranger Academy Class #9, recruiting, training and swearing in new park rangers.
Complete Phase I and begin Phase II of the Mile Square Regional Park 93-acre expansion.
WHO WE SERVE +15M
More than 15 million people annually, including residents and visitors of all ages.
FUN FACTS
1
2
3
Irvine Regional Park, California’s first regional park, celebrated its 125th anniversary in October 2022.
More than 44,000 people attended the 2022 OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema fim series.
The Old Orange County Courthouse was one of five recipients across the state to receive the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.
NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Opened Saddleback Wilderness in the Irvine Ranch Open Space.
Reopened Clark Regional Park
Interpretive Center after making extensive repairs.
Opened new, ADAaccessible amphitheater at O’Neill Regional Park with increased seating capacity, new lighting and native plants.
PROGRAM IN ACTION
The OC Zoo welcomed Mickey the jaguar to the Large Mammal Exhibit.
More than 465,000 people went to the OC Zoo from July 2022 through June 2023, a record number of visitors.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Kyle Sato Arborist
Kyle is OC Parks’ arborist and is an expert on trees! Kyle started working for OC Parks in 2019 and cares for more than 52,000 inventoried trees. He recently became an International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist, a credential less than 2% of arborists ever achieve.
“I love being OC Parks’ Arborist as every day brings new opportunities to hone my skills as a Master Arborist, all while being outdoors!”
PROVIDING ACCESS TO INFORMATION BETTER TOGETHER
MISSION To empower and enrich our communities.
GOALS
Create meaningful experiences through innovative and inclusive programs, services, and outreach.
Provide sustainable and welcoming spaces for the community to connect, explore and learn.
Collect, preserve and share
Orange County’s heritage through oral histories, photos and documents.
Provide expert assistance, curated collections, and resources free of charge to our communities.
WHAT WE DO
• Create community hubs connecting people to services and resources
• Provide access to the internet and digital resources
• Create communities of lifelong learners
• Host enriching programs exploring literature, arts, civics, science, history, and technology
WHO WE SERVE
• Families
• Children
• Students
• Job seekers
• Small businesses
• Book clubs
• All ages and socioeconomic status
Over 3 million people visited our libraries in 2023.
Over 2.4 million hours of free highspeed internet were used at library branches.
Over 9.47 million items were borrowed, and 2 million items were transferred between libraries to fill patron requests.
FUN FACTS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Over 667,000 patrons attended programs, storytimes, bookclubs, craft and author events.
Renovated
The Brea Library and San Juan Capistrano Library.
Awarded for the Kindergarten Readiness Initiative, Mobile Library Program, and Fine Free Marketing Campaign.
PROGRAM IN ACTION
Career Online High School (COHS) gives adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma while gaining career skills. The COHS program works to ensure student success with a flexible, anytime-anywhere online platform. Academic coaches and instructors offer assistance and the opportunity to learn new career skills along with core academics and career guidance.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Carl Phillips Library Assistant
Carl brings laughter and goodwill with him daily, making work fun and inclusive. His programs for adults with unique needs are exemplary and his enthusiasm at events inspires audience members to return to the library.
“I love my job because it allows me to work with the public in a helpful way! Using my creativity and empathy to have a meaningful impact in people’s lives is the best feeling in the world.”
FINDING YOUR FOREVER FRIEND BETTER TOGETHER
MISSION
To provide refuge and care for animals, foster the human-animal bond, and promote safety in our community.
GOALS
Increase outreach on the health and safety of animals to support responsible pet ownership.
Provide resources for pet owners in the community facing financial hardship.
Expand the foster program
to encourage the adoption of shelter pets.
• Pet owners
• Potential pet adopters
• Residents of 14 contract cities and County unincorporated areas
• Students
• Residents of all ages and economic status
WHAT WE DO
• Veterinary services
• Licensing services
• Community outreach and education
• Customer service
• Shelter services
• Field operations
• Emergency response
• Communications and marketing
• Facilities/safety
• Business support
OCAC took in 14,673 total animals, all of which were examined by our staff of veterinarians and received care and enrichment during their stay.
OC ANIMAL CARE
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
9,027 dogs and cats
were reunited with their families, adopted, or transferred to a partner.
Over 400 volunteers donated 21,128 hours of service.
We distributed 81 tons of pet food to feed 8,908 pets during our monthly Family Furst Drive-Thru Pet Pantry.
PROGRAM IN ACTION
NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS
137
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Sam Blankenship
Shelter Operations Manager
Sam has been working with dogs for over 15 years and oversees the basic care and behavior demands for all our pet residents. He works with a wonderful team of dedicated people who help our programs run smooth and you can often find him at the shelter conducting evaluations and behavior rechecks on our dog residents.
“I find great joy in helping a dog find a path to a happy and balanced life. When I’m able to see a dog make the shift from fearful to confident it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
2,910
pets were fostered
WELCOMING PEOPLE HOME
MISSION
To administer the County’s affordable housing development, community development, and the Orange County Housing Authority and housing successor agency programs/activities.
GOALS Develop 342
supportive housing units for the next 7 years to meet remaining goal.
Continue alignment of funding and resources toward housing and community development activities.
Increase lease up for HUD Special Purpose Voucher Programs including VASH, FUP and EHV.
WHAT WE DO
• Affordable housing development
• Community development
• Rental assistance
• Special housing
• Grants monitoring
• Contracts funding
• Landlord recruitment/retention
• Inspections
• Recertifications
• First-time home buyer programs
• Administrative support
OC HOUSING AUTHORITY
Doesn’t only provide rental assistance, but we can also pay the mortgage for Housing Choice Voucher holders through our homeownership program. OCHA provides rental assistance on a monthly basis for approximately 32,000 individuals in Orange County.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
178 supportive housing units were added to the County’s pipeline.
DEVELOPMENT
WHO WE SERVE
• Low to extremely low income households
• Families
• Veterans
• Persons with disabilities
• Older adults
• Those experiencing homelessness
• Chronic homelessness or at-risk of homelessness
• 12 participating and 2 metropolitan cities in the CDBG urban county program
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OC HOUSING AUTHORITY
OCHA successfully housed 606 homeless households in 2023.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
26,832 low to moderate income families and individuals were served through various activities.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Released the 2023 NOFA on March 20, 2023, making up to $67.1 million in capital funding and 210 PBVs available for supportive housing development and processed nine active applications requesting 202 PBVs and approximately $32.76 million in combined funding requests that will produce 619 supportive and affordable housing units.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Sue Harder
Community Development Compliance and Environmental Coordinator
Sue brings a team approach to OC Housing and Community Development while keeping focused on the detailed tasks at hand. She is the lead on all National Environmental Policy Act reviews for federally funded projects and her thorough approach and organizational skills help keep the County in compliance in using federal funds.
“Although my job efforts come near the start of the long course in the County’s Affordable Housing Development Process, I love seeing the end results manifested on the joyful faces of people we help find a new place to call home.”
PROGRAM IN ACTION
OC Housing Authority
attended the Apartment Association of Orange County tradeshow to engage with landlords and property owners.
EXPLORING YOUR NEXT CAREER BETTER TOGETHER
MISSION
Lead a workforce system providing education, resources, and collaborative opportunities to benefit job seekers, employers, and entrepreneurs.
GOAL
Set job seekers up for success by building partnerships that bridge skill gaps, provide access to training and employment opportunities, and connect them with employers and in-demand jobs.
WHAT WE DO
• Business services
• Job seeker services
• Business solutions/Hiring support
• Senior employment programs
• Youth programs
• Dislocated worker programs
• Layoff aversion programs
• Wioa programs
• Special programs
• Apprenticeship programs
• Economic development
• Dispute resolution
WHO WE SERVE
• Job seekers including veterans, justiceinvolved individuals, older adults, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, English language learners, and other populations facing economic barriers
• Employers
• Youth (ages 14-24)
PROGRAM IN ACTION
NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS FUN FACT
As part of the Career Preparation and Exploration (CPE) program, participants use VR headsets to virtually explore different careers with hands-on simulations in various career paths, including Automotive Mechanics, Electrical Construction, Carpentry, Restaurant Management, Aviation Maintenance, Information Technology, Culinary Trades, Phlebotomy, and Patient Care. With over 200 simulations currently available, participants can fully experience the many aspects of each career pathway.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT
WEDD launched an innovative Career Preparation and Exploration (CPE) program that helps build self-sufficiency and reduce recidivism for incarcerated and probation populations.This 12-week program combines case management and technology to connect participants with a variety of career paths and development opportunities before their release.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Anthony Rafeek
Program Manager
As a Program Manager, Anthony Rafeek is committed to guiding the delivery of services in the OC Workforce Solutions Centers.
“I appreciate how workforce development can profoundly alter the lives of individuals and their families with just a single employment opportunity.”
The Business Solutions Unit plays a key role in connecting businesses with qualified candidates. In FY 2022/2023, they hosted 3 Career Fairs and 16 Hiring Events, serving a total of 294 employers and over 1,000 job seekers. 2022-2023
SERVING OUR VETERANS BETTER TOGETHER
MISSION
To actively pursue the rights of veterans and dependents to receive benefits and ensure they receive the entitlements they have earned for their military service.
GOAL
Help veterans and their dependents receive benefits they’ve earned by offering personalized application assistance and navigating them through the benefits process.
WHO WE SERVE
• Orange County veterans
• Transitioning active military
• Dependents and survivors
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT
VSO served over
31,559 veterans via walk-ins, appointments, and telephone assistance.
PROGRAM IN ACTION
• VSO collaborates with the Workforce & Economic Development Division (WEDD) to offer the Veterans Employment Program (VEP).
• This program provides comprehensive support to veterans seeking employment or filing for benefits.
• VEP staff are located at the OC Workforce Solutions Centers, ensuring convenient access to these essential services for local veterans.
FUN FACT
VSO helped veteran students and their dependents save over $7.5 million in college tuition fees. That’s over 20% more than last year ($6.2 million)!
WHAT WE DO
• Benefits claims counseling and support
• Benefits verification
• Claims advocacy
• Service-connected disability compensation and non-service connected disability pension assistance
• Application assistance (education, burial, survivors dic, widow’s pension)
• Referral services and connections
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Amanda Cuervo Office Technician
Amanda plays a vital role in greeting and supporting veterans and their families. Her responsibilities include answering general inquiries about benefits and resources as well as scheduling appointments.
“I love helping veterans navigate federal, state, and local benefits and enjoy collaborating with community partners to ensure our veterans receive ancillary benefits. I am honored to assist those who served our country by supporting their journey back to civilian life.”
CARING FOR OUR OLDER ADULTS
MISSION
To ensure that Orange County’s older adults experience a high quality of life characterized by independence, safety, health, transportation, affordable housing, appropriate nutrition, and social activity.
WHAT WE DO
Connect Older Adults, Caregivers, and Individuals with Disabilities to:
• Adult day care
• Supportive services
• Nutrition
• Elder abuse prevention
GOAL
Reduce social isolation and foster connection among older adults by promoting active lifestyles, skill development, technical training, and opportunities for social engagement.
• Family caregiver support
• Health insurance counseling
• Transportation
• Legal services
• Technology programs
WHO WE SERVE
• Older adults
• Adults with disabilities
• Caregivers
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Iris Avalos
Senior Citizen Representative
Iris finds her role as a Senior Citizen Representative extremely rewarding as she advocates for older adults who may be facing various challenges and difficulties.
“My passion for helping older adults at the Office on Aging stems from the profound fulfillment of being a voice for vulnerable adults, ensuring they receive the support and resources they deserve to thrive.”
FUN FACT
OoA teamed up with a network of 85 senior centers, community centers, and communitybased organizations to bridge the digital divide and empower older adults with access to technology devices and training courses.
NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT
Through the Access to Technology program, OoA connected over 15,500 clients with technology training and technical support. This program empowers older adults to lead more independent and socially connected lives. Training classes included live virtual sessions for real-time interaction and self-paced learning for personalized schedules. Topics covered essential skills for using technology, navigating social media platforms, connecting with loved ones through smart devices, and accessing resources for healthy living.
PROGRAM IN ACTION
OoA is actively bridging the digital divide by providing access to digital devices, broadband, and training for older adults (age 60+) and people with disabilities in Orange County. OoA distributed 1,200 iPads as part of the Access to Technology (ATT) program, a collaborative initiative between OoA, County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA), and the OC Board of Supervisors, to reduce isolation, increase access to online resources, and improve quality of life for participants. By equipping them with the tools they need to connect and navigate the digital world, the ATT program empowers participants to live more fulfilling lives.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Making It Work
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
90 Agenda Staff Reports processed 1,273 Record Requests Processed 437 event related requisitions processed 578,599 pages reviewed
1 Legislative Proposal
introduced and signed into law CA AB 1270 (Dixon)
BUSINESS OFFICE
3,014 work orders processed 36 inspections completed
89% completion for IIPP training 12,806 volunteers 81,316.75 volunteer hours
FINANCE & STRATEGIC PLANNING
$860.9 M annual budget managed
PROCUREMENT
564 contracts for $85.2 M processed 3,014 requisitions for over $122.5 M processed
COUNTY SUPPORT
33,694 invoices processed 1,008 full-time positions; 54 recruitments completed
6,201 IT service calls
BUDGET & FINANCES
DOLLARS SPENT ON EXPENDITURES (MILLIONS)
$113.4
$6.8
DOLLARS MADE IN REVENUE BY CATEGORY (MILLIONS)
$190.1 M
$6.4
$1.3
$27.4
$303.5
$54.1 M
2.89%
WHAT’S NEXT?
Looking forward there’s a lot in store for OCCR, and the services and programming we provide to the community.
Making it easy to connect with us is a goal we are passionate about and accessibility is in the forefront of everything we do.
Look for us in your community as we continue to connect people with resources.
