Our mission at OCCR is to connect people and resources, and we do it in more ways than you might expect.
From lending books to adopting kittens. From job training to concerts in the parks.
Our range is wide, our audience is diverse, and our staff is committed. We are a front door to Orange County, inviting each local resident to take advantage of the many services and resources we offer.
2021 was a year where we continued to navigate the challenges of COVID-19. While the nation focused on public health, the team at OCCR knew there were other equally important aspects to restoring normalcy to the lives of Orange County residents. The pandemic isolated our community, and OCCR was determined to be part of what would bring it back together.
How did we do it? The answer is one staff person at a time.
Was it the housing specialist who matched a family to an apartment or the Veterans rep who helped a service member waive their college tuition fees? Was it the staff who trained a senior citizen to connect to their family through an iPad or a kennel attendant that found a pet its forever family? The examples are like grains of sand on the beach, individually small but collectively a sight to be seen.
I give the credit for this incredibly successful year to each and every member of the OCCR team. Their commitment, resilience, and dedication never wavered. They focused on the job at hand – to connect our community with the resources they needed more than ever.
Going forward the lesson learned is one we’ve always known – but maybe best stated by the famous basketball coach Phil Jackson, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
As we look forward to 2023, our priority will continue to be our most valuable resource – our staff. By committing to these team members, we do better by them, better by our agency, and, most importantly, better by the residents we serve.
Investing in our people makes for a sustainable future –one where we connect people and resources.
Stay healthy, and let’s connect.
Dylan Wright Director
Cultivate Opportunities
Exceptional Experiences
Unleash Creativity
Ethics in Action
Inspire Synergy
To empower and enrich our communities.
• Provide equitable services and resources responsive to community needs, languages and abilities.
• Provide state-of-the-art, sustainable and welcoming spaces for the community to connect, explore and learn.
• Engage our communities through innovative programming, literacy services and outreach.
• Branch Management
• Library Patron Assistance
• Children, Teen, Literacy, Career, & Senior Services
• Bibliographic Services
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• Marketing & Outreach
• Event Planning & In-Person/ Virtual Programming
• Warehouse Sorting & Book Delivery
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1. Aliso Viejo Library
2. Brea Library
3. Costa Mesa - Donald Dungan Library 4. Costa Mesa - Mesa Verde Library 5. Cypress Library 6. Dana Point
Over 2.7 million people visited our libraries in 2022.
Over 1.8 million hours of free highspeed internet were used at library branches.
Over 8 million items were borrowed, and 2 million items were transferred between libraries to fill patron requests.
Provided 1,864,893 hours of free internet access through Bridging the Digital Divide, a program committed to digital inclusion and equal access to resources.
Served 12,961 people through OCPL’s Mobile Library to bring collections, technology and programs to people unable to visit libraries.
Completed tenant enhancements for Cypress, El Toro, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Westminster Libraries.
32 Library Branches
Mobile Library
eLibrary
Telephone
Website/Email
Online Chat Service
Community Events & Programming
Social Media
Established in 2019, OCPL’s NACo award-winning Kindergarten Readiness (KR) program helps children gain skills needed to succeed in school through social media programming, storytimes, monthly rhymes, singing, movement, educational videos, and backpacks for borrow.
Kindergarten Readiness backpacks allow families to cultivate school readiness from the comfort of their homes and include toys, books, and tips that help incorporate math and reading concepts into learning. Kindergarten Readiness educates caregivers on the “why” behind programs and provides resources on how to conduct similar skilldeveloping activities.
As part of the Kindergarten Readiness program, OCPL hosts Kinderpalooza, a month-long event in March, for children preparing for kindergarten. It features performers, costumed characters, activity stations, crafts, and resources to prepare for kindergarten.
To preserve and enhance OC Parks’ natural and cultural resources for recreation, education and exploration.
• Continue improvements for a 93-acre park expansion that increases access to outdoor amenities for the public at Mile Square Regional Park.
• Expand scheduled public access at Saddleback Wilderness, North Gypsum, and Redrock areas so visitors can enjoy new hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
• Complete improvements to aesthetically enhance the entry at Mason Regional Park to welcome park visitors.
• Zoo Animal Caretaking
• Resource Interpretation
• Park/Traffic Operations
• Customer Service
• Park Enforcement
• Park Maintenance
Each year, OC Parks serves more than 15 million visitors and hosts hundreds of free, family-friendly events and activities.
• Heavy Equipment Operation
• Administrative Support including Budgeting, Reservations, Permits, Park Planning, Community Outreach, and Events
Over 21,000 annual passes were sold, and 1,837 permits for special events and filming were processed.
There are over 52,000 inventoried trees throughout all OC Parks including coast live oak, California sycamore, Aleppo pine, and red gum to name a few.
Reopened George Key Ranch Historic Park in November 2021.
Extensive repairs were made to the home and the grounds following the 5.6 magnitude La Habra earthquake in 2014.
Opened the OC Zoo Large Mammal Exhibit in May 2022. Since the opening, the OC Zoo received record attendance of 431,934 people visiting the OC Zoo.
Curated approximately 15,000 artifacts and fossils at the John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center. The Cooper Center currently houses more than 6 million artifacts.
Approximately 60,000 acres of parkland, open space, and shoreline including wilderness, regional, historical, and coastal facilities
Public Outreach and Events Social
July 2021 marked the start of an exciting year for OC Parks with the return of the OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series. The series was the first opportunity for many people to listen to live outdoor music and gather with family and friends since before the pandemic. The OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series offer nearly two-dozen free summer concerts and movie screenings at various parks from June through September. These family-friendly events were enjoyed by approximately 38,550 people.
To administer the County’s affordable housing development, community development, and the Orange County Housing Authority and housing successor agency programs/activities.
• Fund development of 340 supportive housing units a year for the next four years to meet the remaining goal (based on the current units in the pipeline) of the June 2018 Housing Funding Strategy.
• Continue alignment of funding and resources toward housing and community development activities.
• Increase lease up for HUD Special Purpose Voucher Programs including Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Family Unification Program (FUP), Mainstream and Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV).
Facts
• Affordable Housing Development
• Community Development
• Rental Assistance
• Special Housing
• Grants Monitoring
• Low to Extremely Low-Income Households
• Families
• Veterans
• Contracts Funding
• Landlord Recruitment/Retention
• Inspections
• Recertifications
• First-Time Homebuyer Programs
• Administrative Support
• Persons with Disabilities
• Older Adults
• Those Experiencing Homelessness
• Program-Participating Cities
Housing Specialists inspect the interior of approximately 250 homes a week to have an opportunity to engage with our clients and ensure they are residing in a safe and decent environment.
Our Family Self Sufficiency coordinators assist families with reaching their income goals and hold over $630,000 in escrow earned by their clients to be issued upon their graduation from the program.
185 supportive housing units were added to the County’s pipeline toward Housing Development’s annual goals for supportive housing production based on the Housing Funding Strategy received and filed by the Board.
Housed 350 homeless households through Emergency Housing Voucher, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, NonElderly Disabled, Mainstream Voucher, and Project Based Voucher programs.
Served approximately 50,250 people through various community development funded activities.
In 2020 Supportive Housing NOFA, processed 4 applications requesting $7,917,613 in capital funding, 40 Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) and 50 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) PBVs that will produce 207 supportive and affordable housing units.
OC Housing Authority Office
Virtual Briefings
Remote Video Inspections
Onsite Visits
Meetings
Information/ Feedback Sessions
Roundtables
OCHA:
OC Housing Authority attended the Apartment Association of Orange County tradeshow to engage with landlords and property owners.
Connecting personally with landlords and property owners helps demystify the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program which encourages reluctant owners to participate in our program.
In 2022, OCHA connected with 238 owners, signed up 34 owners for virtual workshops, and received the award for best use of theme.
OCHCD:
OC Housing & Community Development partnered with CEO Office of Care Coordination and CEO Real Estate to apply for Homekey funding with developers as co-applicants.
Under Round 2, the County was awarded $33,620,000 in funding for acquisition/capital and operation of 173 units total at HB Oasis (Interim to Permanent Housing), Riviera Motel (Permanent Housing), and Motel 6 (Permanent Housing), which are all under construction/rehab. The County also supported the City of Anaheim in an application for an 89-unit motel conversion (Interim to Permanent Housing) by providing a commitment of funding for operating costs.
Once completed, these new developments will provide 262 new units of supportive and affordable housing and provide a place for homeless and at-risk of homelessness individuals to call home.
• OOA: 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.
• VSO: 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.
• WEDD: Lead a workforce system providing education, resources, and collaborative opportunities to benefit job seekers, employers, and entrepreneurs.
• OOA: Improve the ability of older adults to be active, productive, and experience social interaction.
• VSO: Assist all veterans and their dependents by educating on available benefits and assisting them in applying and receiving eligible benefits.
• WEDD: Help job seekers overcome barriers to employment through partnerships that provide access to education, employment opportunities, training, and support so they can succeed in the labor market and match to employers seeking skilled workers.
OOA
• Aging Programs and Health Education
• Senior Citizens Representation
• Call Center Information & Assistance
• Outreach
• Planning & Grants
• Contracts Administration
VSO
• Benefits Claims Counseling & Support
• Benefits Verifications & Information
• Information and Referral Assistance
• Veterans Claims Advocacy
WEDD
• Business Services
• Job Seeker Services
• Business Solutions/ Hiring Support
• Senior Employment Programs
• Youth Programs
OOA 19 VSO 14 WEDD 19
• Policy & Planning
• Administrative Support
• Assistance with ServiceConnected Disability Compensation; NonService-Connected Disability Pension; Educational Benefits for Veterans and Eligible Family Members; Burial Benefits for Veterans; Survivors DIC; Widow’s Pension
OOA
• Older Adults (60+ years of age) including those with low income
• Adults (18-59 years of age) with Disabilities
• Caregivers
VSO
• Orange County Veterans (including those with disabilities) and Dependents
• Dislocated Worker Programs
• Layoff Aversion Programs
• WIOA Programs
• Special Programs
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Economic Development
• Dispute Resolution
The OC Office on Aging provides information and/or referrals to an average of 85 older adults and their caregivers daily.
Our VSO assisted over 800 students with the college fee waiver program.
WEDD
• Job Seekers
• Youth
• Businesses
• Veterans
• Justice-Involved Individuals
WEDD supported a total of 19,637 clients through the Workforce Solutions Center and deployed the Mobile Unit 128 times to serve job seekers, employers, and community members where they live, work, and play.
OOA:
1. OC Office on Aging Office
VSO:
1. OC Veterans Service Office
WEDD:
2. Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base
3. OC Workforce Solutions CenterGarden Grove
4. OC Workforce Solutions CenterTustin Homeless Center
5. Ready SET OC - La Habra
6. Ready SET OC - Orange
7. Ready SET OC - Santa Ana
For accessibility and hours of operation for each location, as they vary, please visit https:// workforce.ocgov.com or call 714-480-6500
OOA
Connected with 20,350 individuals in person and by telephone and assisted another 2,973 individuals through outbound calls for help with resources and information to County and community service providers.
VSO
Helped veteran college students and their dependents save approximately $6.2 million total in tuition fees.
WEDD
Enrolled 175 veterans in the Veterans Employment Program and placed 50% of participants in gainful employment ranges.
OOA
• Office on Aging Office
• Telephone/Call Center
• Website/Email
• Contracted Service Providers
• Community & Senior Centers
• Health Fairs
• Community Events
VSO
• Veterans Service Office
• Telephone
• Website/Email
• Community Events
WEDD
• OC Workforce Solutions Center
• Mobile Unit
• Job/Career Fairs
• Community Events
• Telephone/Call Center
• Website/Email
The OC Office on Aging administers Aging Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) services to offer residents information and referrals on all available long-term support services and options for seniors and people with disabilities.
A client reported difficulty going outside her home due to her limited mobility and dependency on a motorized wheelchair. Through the ADRC and Fall Prevention programs, the Office on Aging partnered with the community and other county agencies to provide the client with a ramp. With the ramp, the client could finally leave her home safely, reducing her depression and social isolation.
The OC Veterans Service Office developed an online application portal to expand accessibility and better assist college students with College Tuition Waivers.
This online portal encourages students to begin their application process without needing to make an in-person appointment at the VSO. To make college students aware of the new tool, the VSO promoted the new portal via marketed outreach to college campuses, VSO’s public website, and a virtual training session. The virtual training session was recorded and linked onto VSO’s website for learning and awareness.
As a result, the VSO assisted 877 college students who used the new online system and successfully applied for College Tuition Waivers leading to a tuition savings of over $5.4 million.
The Workforce & Economic Development Division offers the Veterans Employment Program (VEP) and includes VEAP, a WIOA-funded grant. VEAP ensures active-duty military, Veterans, and their eligible dependents receive priority of service to obtain employment/ training.
VEAP provides outreach, recruitment, and skills assessments to target veterans with significant barriers to employment, including but not limited to separated service members who have been unemployed 27 or more weeks within the previous 12 months, active-duty members within 180 days of their separation from service, veterans with disabilities, and veterans experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.
By enrolling in VEAP, a Veteran client completed career exploration activities, attended five intensive workforce AJCC workshops, and participated in the ACT WorkKeys Essential Skills Course to prepare him for civilian workforce culture. The client is now gainfully employed and earning $77,000/ year.
To provide refuge and care for animals, foster the human-animal bond, and promote safety in our community.
• Increase outreach opportunities and continue to implement innovative marketing ideas to help place shelter pets including traditionally long-stay animals into loving homes quicker.
• Form new partnerships to provide resources to pet owners needing support so they may continue caring for their pets.
• Expand & promote public education to provide learning opportunities about responsible pet ownership and disaster preparedness.
Fun
• Veterinary Services
• Licensing Services
• Community Outreach & Education
• Customer Service
• Shelter Services
• Pet Owners
• Potential Pet Adopters
• Field Operations
• Emergency Response
• Communications/Marketing
• Facilities/Safety
• Business Support
• Residents of 14 Contract Cities & County Unincorporated Area
• Students
• Residents of All Ages & Economic Status
OCAC took in 14,687 animals, all of which were examined and received care during their stay.
Our in-house clinic performed over 4,500 surgeries to spay/ neuter and improve pet health including but not limited to wound care (abscesses/ lacerations), mass removals, enucleations, hernia repair, dental care, and more.
Community Outreach Team partnered with other shelters and rescues to help place 5,000 animals.
*Numbers reflected are for 2022 CY.
Took in
14,687 animals
82.06% save rate 94.16% for dogs 73.63% for cats Received a NACo Achievement Award for “Adoption By Appointment: Making Safe and Speedy Pet Adoptions a Priority.”
Worked as a team of animal experts to give animals new opportunities:
• Field services drove 27 dogs to a partner agency in Idaho.
• 100 cats were transported by plane to Washington.
• Responded, cared for, and ultimately adopted out 170 birds from a hoarding case.
*Numbers reflected are for 2022 CY.
OC Animal Care Shelter
Telephone
Website/Email
Adoption Events
Community Education
Quarterly Meetings
Pet Food
Pantry
Low-Cost
Vaccine Clinics
Pet Expos
Field Response
The Family Furst Drive-Thru Pet Pantry distributed over 85 tons of pet food, feeding over 9,000 pets.
Since its inception, the program has grown to serve people from across Orange County and beyond.
Not only does the event draw a significant crowd of those needing resources, but it also brings the community together through volunteerism. From high school students to large corporations, volunteers come together every month to help those in need.
Without partnership, the Pet Pantry would not be possible. Generous donations have been provided by the OC Board of Supervisors, Greater Good Charities, Helen Sanders Cat Paws, Irvine Animal Care Center, LA Animal Services, Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, Nature’s Select Pet Food, Noble Friends, OC Public Library, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, San Diego Humane Society, Smitten with Kittens, and Stadium Nissan.
OC Animal Care remains committed to providing resources to keeping our furry friends and their owners together.
“I can’t thank you enough for making this available! When I have pets that could be in a shelter or at a rescue that is bursting at the seams [sic], the food I receive helps tremendously!”
– Facebook Comment from Pet Owner33,694 invoices processed
1,008 full-time positions; 54 recruitments completed
6,201 IT service calls
2,676 work orders processed
completion for IIPP training 12,237 volunteers
inspections completed
training hours completed 63,716 volunteer hours
574 contracts for $125.3 M processed
4,389 requisitions for over $222.8 M processed
$802.2 M annual budget managed
# of positions 1,134
Dollars Spent on Expenditures (Millions)
Dollars Made in Revenue by Category (Millions)
9% of Total County Expenditures
1% of Total Net County Cost (Budgeted) Net County Cost (Actual): $5.1 M Net County
$6.6 M
OCCR has learned the key ingredient in our recipe for success is our employees.
As we strive to connect people with the resources of our libraries and parks, housing assistance and veterans’ benefits, we understand connection is made by each individual staff member and how they show up daily for the residents of Orange County. The satisfaction they feel when a lost pet is reunited with its family or a homebound senior is delivered a warm meal, makes us proud of the people who represent OCCR.
If asked what’s next, we’d point to keeping these connections going. Our commitment to serving our community gets stronger each year.
Looking ahead promises new opportunities to build on the sustainability of our programs, services, and facilities so children can learn, residents can recreate, and people can thrive in our County. We will continue to invest in our staff so they can focus on connecting with the patrons we serve.
People
