On Thursday, November 7th, ACC-OC hosted a Better Learning Opportunity tour at Jamboree Housing’s Heroes Landing, a supportive housing community for veterans in Santa Ana. Through the Heroes Landing Community Collaborative, residents access wrap-around services that include the VA Long Beach Healthcare System for mental health counseling and wellness, Goodwill’s Tierney Center for Veteran Services for employment assistance, Veterans Legal Institute for pro bono legal aid, and Strength in Support for individual and family therapy, mentoring, and workshops. Heroes Landing’s holistic approach exemplifies how stable housing paired with vital services supports veterans' reintegration and long-term well-being.
At the Orange County Board of Supervisors' meeting on November 5th, ACC-OC's own Kathryn Morrison, Director of Member Services, was honored with special recognition by Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. Kathryn, alongside ACC-OC Affiliate Member, Bobby McDonald, CEO of the Black Chamber of Orange County, were celebrated for their distinguished military service and dedication to supporting veteran affairs in Orange County. This acknowledgment highlights Kathryn's unwavering commitment to serving both her country and her community, as she continues to champion the needs and well-being of veterans across the region. ACC-OC is proud to have Kathryn as part of our team, exemplifying leadership and service both within and beyond our organization.
Applications are now open for the 2025 ACC-OC Board of Directors. The ACC-OC Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction of the organization, advocating for local government issues, and ensuring the voice of Orange County cities is effectively represented. Serving on the board provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow civic leaders, contribute to regional initiatives, and help shape policy decisions that impact our cities.
We invite Member City Council Members to apply for a position on the 2025 Board of Directors. The application process is now open, and we encourage all interested councilmembers to submit their applications for eligible positions by Friday, November 8th.
Orange County Regional Holiday Mixer
Mark your calendar for ACC-OC’s Regional Holiday Reception cohosted by the League of California Cities Orange County Division, OCBC, OC Forum, Orange County Public Affairs Association, and OCTax at the Orange County Museum of Art. This event promises an evening of festive fun, networking, and holiday cheer with local leaders and partners. RSVP today!
Newly Elected Officials Orientation & Training
Save the Date for ACC-OC's 2025 Newly Elected Council Member Orientation and Training. Meet and learn from Orange County's top regional agencies and leaders and receive your AB 1234 and AB 1661 training and certificate. Plus, enjoy a vendor luncheon and reception with the 2025 ACC-OC Board of Directors Installation! More details and registration coming soon.
To find out more information about these events or to register, visit our upcoming events page!
Honor our veterans this weekend at events across Orange County! Here’s a quick guide to ceremonies and festivities our members are hosting:
Saturday, November 9
- Costa Mesa: Art of Service at Heroes Hall, OC Fairgrounds, 12-3 p.m. | Details
- Orange: Field of Valor Opening Ceremony, Handy Park, 2:30 p.m. | Details
- Yorba Linda: Patriotic Concert, Nixon Library, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Details (Registration required)
Monday, November 11
- Stanton: Veterans Day Ceremony, Veterans Park, 9-11 a.m. | Details
- Dana Point: Ceremony at Strand Vista Park, 10-11:30 a.m. | Details
- Placentia: Placentia Civic Center, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. | Details
-Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach Pier Plaza, 11 a.m. | Deatils
-Anaheim: Veterans Monument in downtown Anaheim 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Details
-Irvine: Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Details
-Laguna Niguel: Sea Country Senior and Community Center, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Details
OC Sanitation District
OC San was recently honored with the prestigious Corporate Organization Transformation Award, recognizing its outstanding operational restructuring and strategic modernization achievements. This award celebrates OC San’s dedication to excellence in public service, particularly in transforming its internal processes to serve Orange County residents better. OC San has significantly improved its organizational efficiency and service delivery through innovative programs, enhanced infrastructure, and sustainable practices. The award underscores the agency's leadership in wastewater management and environmental stewardship, setting a standard for public service in California.
For more, read the article.
City of Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa has launched “Let’s Go Costa Mesa,” a free, zero-emission rideshare service funded by a $1.5 million grant from California’s Clean Mobility Options program. Partnering with Circuit, the city will provide electric vehicle rides for local trips, improving mobility for residents, especially seniors, and supporting local businesses. The service area includes Costa Mesa’s Westside and College Park. Operated as a four-year pilot, “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” is available daily, accessible via the Ride Circuit app or phone, aiming to enhance community accessibility with eco-friendly transport.
For more, read the article.
California Public Utilites Commission
Join the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on November 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., for a webinar on new energization timelines aimed at improving wait times for electrical service connections across California. This event, spurred by Senate Bill 410 and Assembly Bill 50, will outline efforts to expedite electrical service for homes, businesses, EV chargers, and other critical loads, while enhancing transparency and accountability in utility services. CPUC staff will explain these timelines and introduce a Customer Engagement Plan designed for better transparency. The session includes a Q&A, and registration is required.
City of Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach’s Public Works Department has secured a $240,000 grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority under Measure M2’s Project X. This grant will fund the installation of 60 catch basin filter baskets citywide, designed to capture pollutants and prevent them from entering the stormwater system, ultimately protecting the ocean and local habitats. The project aligns with California’s 2030 environmental standards and reflects Huntington Beach’s proactive efforts to enhance water quality, safeguard community health, and reduce environmental impacts through sustainable infrastructure improvements.
For more, read the article.
AIM Youth Mental Health
AIM’s Youth Mental Health First Aid Program provides essential training for adults to effectively support young people facing mental health or substance use challenges. By teaching early intervention strategies, the program helps prevent serious mental health issues from developing in adolescents, ages 12-18. This skills-based training enables adults to recognize and respond to signs of distress, creating a foundation for youth to grow into mentally healthy adults. Training sessions are offered in November and December—register today!
Dates:
Saturday, November 16, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. via Zoom-Register Here
Friday, December 6, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. via Zoom- Register Here
Wednesday, December 18 & Thursday, December 19 from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom- Register Here
Transportation Corridor Agencies
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) is accepting project proposals for its Habitat Restoration and Property Acquisition Grant Program. This opportunity is open to organizations aiming to enhance natural habitats or secure land for preservation, with funding to support environmental stewardship in Orange County. Eligible projects can apply for grants to advance conservation and restoration efforts that protect regional biodiversity and enhance open spaces.
TCA will host two application workshops:
October 29, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
2. November 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2024.
Orange County Power Authority
The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) is now accepting applications for its new Community Benefit Grant Program. This program supports local nonprofits, educational institutions, and community organizations in projects that promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental education. Grants will fund initiatives that align with OCPA’s mission to foster community resilience and support sustainable development. Interested organizations can apply for funding to drive impactful projects that benefit Orange County residents.
The deadline to submit applications is November 15, 2024, with recipients being notified by January 2025.
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