BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: “I like to call this ‘No Wrong Door,’” said Andrew Do, Orange County Supervisor, First District. “In county offices, when someone asks for help, they might be told that they are in the wrong department.”
BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: “I like to call this ‘No Wrong Door,’” said Andrew Do, Orange County Supervisor, First District. “In county offices, when someone asks for help, they might be told that they are in the wrong department.”
“At our new annex in Westminster, the staff is expected to find the phone number or which office to send a constituent," he added. "We have a referral form for each person. Our staff keeps one and the client gets one. The staff calls back later as a follow up. If help is not provided more than a few times, then I am notified so I can follow up with the department head or elected official."
The new site, called Orange County Community Services Center, is at 15496 Magnolia St., Westminster, across the parking lot from another county satellite office. Both offices are open to all Orange County residents. The convenience of traveling to Westminster, instead of Santa Ana, will be especially helpful for north and west county residents.
“The office was handling 1,400 cases per month. We opened the new office on March 31 and are now handling 1,900 cases in the same period,” Do said. “I have a vision for this and worked with the director of community services. We needed a satellite office; I call it a clearinghouse.”
“When we talk about low-income ethnic areas, the moms have responsibilities. They don’t have a lot of time, or are not able to drive to Santa Ana,” added Do. “It’s not just convenience, but access. They can make a short drive, take the bus, or walk to here to get help.”
The new location has staff members who speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Experience has shown that, once people visit the center, they learn to trust and are able to get services or report problems.
“There is a stigma in the Asian community, but over time, they are coming to accept mental health help. Also, young moms with a baby who is not talking, come here for help. I do outreach through articles and open houses to let people know about the services we offer,” said Do. “We help with babies, the elderly, help make homes safer and more. We have a community room that seats 40-50 people, that non-profits can reserve for free to hold orientations, trainings, etc.”
A tour of the facility showed offices for staff members who help with CalOptima, public health, housing, seniors, and more.
“CalOptima is personal health including insurance, MediCal, Medicaid and more. The Health Care Agency,” said Do, “is more public health such as epidemics, environmental, behavioral and mental health.”
“The housing office helps with low income affordable housing. The Office of Aging helps with all senior services.”
Whether residents come to the older office or the new one, they will be directed to the correct department for assistance. In response to the huge caseload, the older office now handles welfare and food stamp assistance, while the new office handles most everything else.
In addition, county services are available through the satellite sites for passports, marriage licenses, birth certificates. The new office holds educational seminars each month on many topics. Contact the office for dates and topics.
Residents are welcome to drop in for assistance, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both offices are located at the shopping center located at the corner of Magnolia and McFadden.
