The deadline to register to vote in the November 4, 2008 general election is October 20, 2008.  Consider what you can do to help others cast their votes.  For example, you can make voter registration cards available at your office for clients, employees, residents and community members.  All the information you need is available at www.ocvote.com.

Scott Darrell, Executive Director and Roseanne Kotzer, Education & Outreach Project Manager, were invited to attend Mission Hospital’s first Community Benefit Program to create an Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The meeting’s objectives were to:  1. Build shared understanding, energy and focus around affordable homes in priority neighborhoods 2. Start to learn and apply evidence-based information 3. Start to draft a three year strategic plan/tree diagram for initiative 4. Identify next steps to complete and manage the strategic plan. 

George Avila, Healthy Communities Manager, Mission Hospital, opened the meeting and introduced the hospital’s consultant, Cathy Kinney, from Kinney Associates who led the day’s activities.  The committee hopes to capitalize on the group’s housing and community expertise to eventually increase the production of affordable homes throughout South Orange County

CalOptima (Orange County’s Medi-Cal provider) sponsored a “Community Alliances” conference on June 19, 2008. The county-wide collaborative conference focused on current health-related issues and challenges. The opening session was a panel discussion led by representatives of the Orange County Social Services Agency, CalOptima, The Coalition of Community Clinics and the Orange County Health Care Agency/MSI.Late morning offered several “break-out” sessions for the participants. The Kennedy Commission’s Senior Project Manager, Cesar Covarrubias, presented one of the sessions titled, “Prescription for Health: Affordable Housing Options”. 

Another Kennedy Commission staff member, Roseanne Kotzer, Education & Outreach Project Manager was the Keynote luncheon speaker. Roseanne presented a talk on “Getting Rid of What You Haven’t Got: We’re Okay Just the Way We Are” to a crowd of 250 attendees. The message urged participants to stay focused on their own goals, dreams and ambitions in spite of the daunting personal, economic and global challenges facing us all.

Roseanne spoke again on July 10, 2008 to the Housing Committee of the Senior Citizen’s Advisory Council. The committee has been a staple of the council for many years as advocates and supporters of affordable homes for seniors.  The PowerPoint presentation focused on the current Housing Element cycle, advocacy approaches and the effect that the housing market has on seniors in general and on those in Orange County, specifically.

Roseanne met with representatives from CalOptima who are beginning a Homeless Initiative to identify and reach the homeless in their client base.  She was able to give them many contacts and organizations throughout the county that they could include in their study process.

June and July will be busy months for the Kennedy Commission Education and Outreach department.  In June, the Commission will provide a workshop and keynote address at the Community Alliances Conference in Westminster. The Conference will be held at the Rose Center, (14140 All American Way) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  CalOptima hosts this health care related conference that includes a luncheon speaker and individual workshops. To register for the Conference and get more information contact CalOptima: chernandez@caloptima.org. Hurry and register before all of the spots are taken!

The Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council (SCAC) has become an Orange County institution. It is allied with the Office on Aging (Area Agency on Aging) in Santa Ana and represents the interests of thousands of Orange County seniors on issues of housing, transportation, legislation and health/nutrition. It advises the Board of Supervisors, Community Services Agency and the Office on Aging (OoA) on matters affecting older adults, networks with service providers, and advocates on behalf of the elderly.

The Kennedy Commission has been invited to address the Council on July 10, 2008 at their monthly meeting.  The topic will be “Affordable Home Options 2008”.  For more information on this event contact the Senior Citizens’ Council at (714) 567-7500 or at www.officeonaging.ocgov.com.

The Kennedy Commission will also provide an educational workshop to the housing coordinators from LOMCO (Living Opportunities Management Company) on June 13, 2008 in Long Beach.

To request a specific training session for your organization, get information or to view a list of available sessions, please contact Roseanne Kotzer at roseannek@kennedycommission.org

Community Education and Training
The Kennedy Commission works with a variety of community partners to create and present training sessions for agency staff and community members. We have worked with Camino Health Center staff in San Juan Capistrano, Mental Health Services Act staff and community members in Orange County, and currently with Riverside County HHOPE program. Our goal is to provide the community with training and educational programs that respond to the most current needs.For more information, please contact Roseanne Kotzer.

The following Kennedy Commission training topics are available for the Spring and Summer of 2008. Each topic can be designed to reflect individual preferences. Other topics are available upon request.

Affordable Housing (for staff, agency or community members)

• Policy Design and Development
• Land Usage
• Housing Element (2006-2014) Issues
• What is Affordable Housing?
• Communicating Your Message (Public Speaking and Marketing Materials)
• Child Care and Affordable Housing
• Credit Recovery/Budgeting
• First-time Home Buyers 2008
• Renting/Leasing Resources and Strategies
• Tenants Rights
• Types of Loans
• Preparation for Housing Interviews and Writing Applications
• Resources

Leadership and Personal Empowerment (for staff, agency or community members)

• Self presentation review and tools for improvement (interviewing, public speaking, written documents, attire)
• Team-building exercises
• Life Skills
• Meeting Primer 101 (types of meetings, facilitating meetings, member roles and responsibilities)
• Advanced meetings 400 (group dynamics, task development, delegation, developing board relationships)
• Mentoring emerging leaders
• Working with city/county/state government staff and officials
• Handling Stress or “Letting Go of What You Haven’t Got”
• Communicating Your Message
• Board Development

Management (agency and staff)

• Staff Development and Retention Techniques
• Customer Service Best Practices
• Creating/Maintaining Professional Boundaries
• Supervisory Challenges/Solutions
• Dealing with Difficult Behaviors/Tools for Change
• Conflict Resolution Techniques
• Cultural Competency 2008

For more information or to schedule a training session, please contact Roseanne Kotzer.