[Supv. Antonovich] – In his first speech as Mayor of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Mayor Michael D. Antonovich promised to work closely with the new board colleagues, the sheriff and county departments to build upon past achievements while  improving and enhancing foster care, public safety, municipal services, streamlining government, enhancing interdepartmental communication and establishing greater accountability.

“While 2015 presents numerous challenges it also provides many opportunities to build upon past successes and chart new trails,” said Mayor Antonovich.

The Board of Supervisors serves as the “Mayor and City Council” for the 134 unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County with more than 1.5 million residents.

Children’s Services

• Expand dental health programs and promote healthy behaviors that will serve to reduce childhood obesity and the health risks associated with unhealthy lifestyles
• Build upon the county’s emancipated youth employment program by challenging our 88 cities, sanitation districts, school districts, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metrolink, AQMD, Southern California Association of Governments, the ports and other government agencies and the business community to initiate similar employment programs for emancipated foster youth countywide.
• Strengthen the countywide safety net to protect children at risk of abuse and neglect through improved information-sharing; reinvigoration of the service integration branch; and improved training for qualified social workers.
• Adequately staff DCFS offices.
• Work with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the Workforce Investment Board to provide additional training for foster youth with a focus on vocational education and S-T-E-M (science-technology-engineering-math) programs.
• Increase opportunities for youth at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

Public Safety

• Enhance public safety and accountability working with law enforcement to address the recurrent problems of realignment.
• Collaborate with Sheriff Jim McDonnell to implement the new jail plan which will also include treatment for the incarcerated mentally ill.
• Complete the implementation of the remaining recommendations of the Citizens Commission on Jail Violence and improve jail conditions as a whole.
• Continue successful law enforcement programs such as DISARM.
• Increase patrols in unincorporated areas.

Governance and Efficiency

• Improve governance by enhancing our partnerships with the quality and productivity commission and the economy and efficiency commission to achieve future county savings and further streamline our government.
• Reform the governance structure to break down silos, enhance interdepartmental communication and establish greater accountability.

Economic Growth

• Encourage economic growth and development to achieve regional economic vitality and create an environment where business can thrive.
• Support local economic development efforts with national and international partners to bring new businesses to the county as done with BYD electric bus and car manufacturer and railcar manufacturer Kinkisharyo.
• Support inland ports to relieve truck congestion; expanding traffic synchronization; and supporting a regional network of airports including Palmdale, Ontario, Bob Hope and LAX.
• Streamline the county permitting and procurement processes thru technology and e-government, and provide incentives for small businesses to be competitive.
• Create additional employment opportunities for veterans.
• Make Los Angeles County an employer of choice where employee productivity is enhanced thru training and improved workplace programs.

Emergency Services

• Enhance earthquake preparedness
• Add several in-service emergency vehicles to enhance the fire department in fire suppression, emergency medical services and urban search and rescue.

Health and Mental Health Services

• Improve access to critical trauma care by establishing a trauma center in the San Gabriel Valley

• Fully implement Laura’s Law to significantly improve the lives of participants, reduce incarceration and homelessness, and enhance public safety.
• Advocate for mental health programs and laws that provide for individualized care, with emphasis on the homeless and veterans.
• Ensure the Los Angeles homeless services agency and the CEO homeless programs are coordinated.
• Coordinate a cost effective and efficient system of services from the departments of health services, mental health, and public health.
• Expand oral health programs and promoting healthy behaviors that will serve to reduce childhood obesity and the significant health risks associated with the unhealthy lifestyles of the youth.

Animal Shelters

• Improve the condition of all animal shelters throughout the county.