Policy Pulse: July 17, 2026
- ACC-OC
- 10 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring the Orange County Non-Profit Expo and Live Music by 90's cover band Diego's Garage, featuring OCTA's CEO Darrell Johnson. Splash into summer with local leaders, community changemakers, and nonprofit champions - all at Orange County's favorite waterpark!
This event is open to ACC-OC Members Only and includes complimentary full day park access for members and their families. Registration is required.
Details and additional information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, July 30th
Location: Wild Rivers Irvine
Program and Time:
10:30 am – Park opens, all guests can access the park at anytime during the day to enjoy with their families
4:30 pm – Event Check-In and Networking
5:00 pm – Welcome and Orange County Non-Profit Expo
5:30 - 7:30 – Hosted Reception Featuring 90's Cover Band Diego's Garage
*7:00-7:30 Park will be kept open an extra 30 minutes for ACC-OC guests’ exclusive access with some ride options available.
Attire: Resort/Casual (this is an outdoor, family friendly event). Please note, shoes and cover-ups required for Reception Area. A Splash Zone Area will be designated for families.
Parking: Upon arrival, please present your ticket received with registration to the Wild Rivers Parking Attendants for complimentary parking and share that you are with the ACC-OC Event. If you registered for multiple people, please share your ticket with everyone in your party if there are multiple vehicles to ensure that all receive complimentary parking. If you need your ticket resent to you, please email Lauren.
Check-In: Please check in with ACC-OC staff near the ticket area before entering the park. All guests will receive a colored wristband and lanyard badge to be identified as ACC-OC guests for complimentary park admission. Staff will be there to direct you along with directional signage throughout the park to the event space. Please indicate in your registration how many in your party will be attending under your name.
Park Access: As a reminder, guests are able to access the park as early as 10:30 am when Wild Rivers opens. If you’d like to drop off your age-appropriate children, or have a family member/caregiver attend with them, please have them check in under your name. You are welcome to come and go from the park as well leading up to the event. Families are welcome to enjoy the Park or Splash Zone during the Reception as this portion of the event is business related. Please also note that all ACC-OC guests and family members will be asked to join the reception area while the park closes at 7pm before enjoying the exclusive after hours access while the general public exits the park.
Thank You for Joining Us at the 2026 Leadership Summit & Golden Hub of Innovation Awards
Thank you to everyone who joined us on June 24th at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library for the 2026 ACC-OC Leadership Summit & Golden Hub of Innovation Awards. Together, we celebrated the leaders, partnerships, and innovative programs that are strengthening communities and improving the quality of life across Orange County.
From an inspiring conversation with Angels Baseball President Molly Jolly, meaningful networking, and recognizing this year’s outstanding Golden Hub of Innovation honorees, the evening showcased the very best of local government and the power of regional collaboration. We are grateful to our attendees, sponsors, speakers, award finalists, and volunteers for making this year’s event such a memorable success.
As we look ahead, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback helps us continue to deliver meaningful, high-quality programs that serve our members and the communities they represent.
Please take a few minutes to complete our post-event survey:
We also invite you to relive the evening by browsing and downloading event photos. Feel free to share your favorites on social media and tag ACC-OC!
Thank you again for being part of this special evening. We look forward to seeing you at future ACC-OC events!
We’re kicking off Q2 with a full lineup of programs designed to keep our members informed, connected, and ahead of the curve. Explore upcoming sessions covering key policy topics, industry insights, and unique learning opportunities.
ACC-OC BOLD Program: Understanding the Role of Housing Authorities in Solving Homelessness
ACC-OC is proud to partner with United to End Homelessness for our upcoming Webinar: Understanding the Role of Housing Authorities in Solving Homelessness. This Webinar will be held on July 29th from 12:00-1:00 PM as a BOLD Program (Better Opportunity for Learning and Development) as part of the ACC-OC Housing and Homelessness Committee, chaired by Mayor Gene Johns, City of Laguna Niguel.
July 29, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Transportation Corridor Agencies: Executive Briefing
Join our Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for our upcoming Better Opportunity for Learning and Development (BOLD) Program for an exclusive Executive Briefing with the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA).
August 20, 11:15 AM - 1:30 PM
ACC-OC 2026 Washington DC
Advocacy Trip
Be part of the ACC-OC 2025 Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip, where Orange County leaders come together to champion regional priorities at our Nation’s Capitol.
ACC-OC is proud to be the Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, connecting cities and public sector organizations with energy-saving opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Large Public Sector Program | Public Direct Install Program |
Statewide WISE Program
Want to learn more about how your city or organization can benefit?
Contact Marlene Barraza at (mbarraza@accoc.org) to schedule a meeting or ask questions! |
City of Los Alamitos
2026 Mayor’s Ball “Capital Chic” with Mayor Doby presented by UWS, benefitting the Los Alamitos Community Foundation.
The City of Los Alamitos invites the community to attend the 2026 Mayor’s Ball, “Capital Chic” with Mayor Tanya Doby, presented by Universal Waste Systems (UWS) on Saturday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m., at the Los Alamitos Community Center. This inaugural event benefits the Los Alamitos Community Foundation and will bring together residents, business leaders, elected officials, and community partners for an unforgettable evening of style, entetainment, and civic celebration.
City of Mission Viejo
Continuing Mission Viejo’s yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the City will host its summer ritual Symphony in the Cities and Prelude in the Park on Saturday, August 8.
With a “let freedom ring” theme, the fun begins at 4 pm at Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way.
During the Prelude in the Park, guests of all ages can enjoy delectable food from a variety of food trucks, live music and dancing, community booths with activities as well as games to play with friends and family. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase.
The Symphony in the Cities concert presented by Pacific Symphony begins at 7 pm. Starting at 1 pm, guests are welcome to set up blankets and chairs.
Southern California Edison
Edison International’s 2025 Sustainability Report highlights how Southern California Edison (SCE) is working to build a safer, more reliable and more resilient energy future for our communities. The report outlines investments in grid modernization, wildfire mitigation, clean energy, cybersecurity and workforce development, all aimed at meeting California’s growing energy needs while supporting affordability and reliability. We expect electricity demand to grow significantly over the next decade and plans to invest in infrastructure that can support increased electrification, economic growth and community resilience.
The report also showcases SCE’s progress toward supporting clean air, including delivering at least 60% carbon-free electricity to customers in 2025 and continuing investments in energy storage, electrification and grid modernization. These efforts are designed to support growing energy demand, improve reliability and help keep the transition to clean energy affordable for customers and communities.
City of Irvine
Irvine has launched a $42 million expansion project at the city’s William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center that will add more space for swimming and having fun in the water.
Located between Heritage Community Park and Irvine High School, the aquatics facility already houses two competition pools and a smaller teaching pool.
The city plans to build a new Olympic-sized competition pool, along with a splash pad for children ages 2 to 12 and a NinjaCross obstacle course. A new parking lot will be constructed along Walnut Avenue to accommodate the additional services.
Transportation Corridor Agencies
Highlights from the Joint San Joaquin Hills and Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies May Board Meeting.
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Boards July 2026 Meeting Highlights have been published.
OC State of the County
The State of the County Luncheon is an annual event bringing together Orange County elected officials, public sector employees, business people and residents.
The goal of the luncheon will be to explore the past, current and future state of the County through presentations made by an esteemed panel of County officials.
The event is open to the public.
CalOptima Health
Every two years, Orange County conducts the federally required Point In Time (PIT) Count to measure homelessness, partnering with all 34 cities, service providers, law enforcement and volunteers. The PIT Count was completed nationwide in late January and Orange County’s 2026 Point In Time Summary was released on May 18. The 2026 results show a 13.7% overall decrease in homelessness since 2024, including a 26.6% drop in unsheltered homelessness. While many factors influence these trends, the reductions reflect the impact of Orange County’s System of Care in helping thousands secure stable housing or avoid homelessness. CalOptima Health supported the 2026 PIT count through a grant to the Orange County Office of Care Coordination. Additionally, Dr. Kelly Bruno-Nelson, CalOptima Health's Executive Director of Medi-Cal/CalAIM, serves on both the Orange County Commission to Address Homelessness and the Orange County Continuum of Care Board, which oversees the execution of the PIT Count.
California Climate Investments
Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program
Grants to California communities and organizations to support projects that reduce the impacts of extreme heat and build long-term community resilience. Funding is intended for initiatives such as urban greening, cooling centers, heat mitigation strategies, and community-driven planning efforts that prioritize vulnerable populations. Projects should align with climate equity goals and deliver measurable environmental and public health benefits.
Upcoming Funding
Community Resilience Centers Program
California Strategic Growth Council
$55 million available for planning and implementation of neighborhood resilience centers that provide shelter and resources during climate emergencies.
Applications are now Open!
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program
Resilience & Disaster Preparedness Grant
Grants to states, tribes, and local governments across the United States to support infrastructure projects that strengthen community resilience against natural disasters. Funding is intended for initiatives that reduce wildfire and climate risks, enhance public safety, and deliver long-term, measurable risk reduction through proactive planning and mitigation efforts.
Application Deadline: July 23, 2026
Department of Housing and Community Development
Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2023 PLHA NOFA
This program provides long-term funding to support affordable housing, homeless prevention programs, and other housing-related projects. Funds are allocated based on California jurisdictions’ housing needs.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2027
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