You are invited to join us for Los Angeles County’s 4^th annual GIS Day! 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 9:00am to 3:30pm Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Headquarters 900 S. Fremont Ave Alhambra, CA 91803

The plastic bag ban in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County only began July 1, 2011, as a result of changes in County Ordinance Title 12, Environmental Protection, County Code Section 1, Chapter 12.85. Many of the grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores no longer provide plastic carry-out bags to customers when shopping, but provide recyclable paper bags for $0.10 per bag. Households that receive CalFresh benefits must not be charged the bag usage fee. For those of us who shop in the affected areas, one significant thing we can do to avoid being charged the bag usage fee, is to bring our reusable bags to the stores every time we shop, and ask our friends and relatives to do the same.

You are invited to join us for Los Angeles County’s 3^rd GIS Day!  GIS Day is a free event that highlights the use of geospatial technologies in the County, cities, and other government agencies in LA County. Our past 2 events were great successes, attracting an estimated 1,000 people to see the power of GIS.  You can see videos and slideshows from last year here: http://gis.lacounty.gov/gisday

This year’s event is titled Discovering LA County through GIS. We are reaching out to County residents, government employees, and students to show them how county and city governments use GIS to make better decisions. We are also inviting colleges to showcase their programs in GIS for folks who want to learn more.   Please find both a “Save the Date” and a Flyer attached with more information. 

GIS Day will showcase more than 30 agencies, and include lectures, demonstrations, a map gallery, games, and activities focused on showing what we are doing with GIS.

Please see the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to learn more about presenting, along with the GIS Day layout and the parking plan.  As well, please visit our GIS Day site: http://gis.lacounty.gov/gisday 

We look forward to seeing you!

Save the Date! GIS Day is November 18

As successful as this event was during its debut last year, it promises to be bigger and better this year.  Hosted by Los Angeles County, many departments, private industry, local colleges, universities, and some cities, will take part in GIS Day 2009. 

GIS Day is a global event which takes place every third Wednesday of November, as part of the National Geographic Society's Geography Awareness Week.  GIS Day’s main focus is on educating the public about geographic information systems (GIS) technologies and how they are being used to solve issues dealing with safety, environment, efficiency, and economic impact of financial markets around the world.  In addition, Los Angeles County uses maps for planning, tracking, responding, analyzing, comparing, routing, visualizing, to understanding our work and constituents.

Come learn more at this year's GIS Day!  DPSS will be part of this fantastic event, along with other departmental GIS groups.  Come see how County managers are strategically using GIS to make informed decisions that support productivity in their departments.  Find out how County GIS groups cooperate to benefit all.  

This year's event marks its eleventh anniversary and the County's second year of participation.  It will feature speeches by County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County Chief Executive Officer Bill Fujioka, booths showcasing departmental GIS projects, GIS demonstrations, a series of short presentations, a map gallery and special games and activities.

See you there!

Where:                   Civic center Mall of the Hall of Administration

500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012

When:                    November 18, 2009            9:30 am to 3:30 pm

GIS Day 2009 web site.

GIS Day flyer.

Save the Date! GIS Day is November 19

Maps are at the heart of many of our County services and are often created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  We use maps for planning, tracking, responding, analyzing, comparing, routing, visualizing, to understanding our work and constituents, and our world.

Learn more on this year's GIS Day!  DPSS will be taking part of this fantastic event along with many County GIS groups.  Come see how County managers are strategically using GIS to make informed decisions, to support productivity, and improve efficiency in their departments.  Find out how County GIS groups cooperate to benefit all. 

Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society's Geography Awareness Week (November 17?21 this year), GIS Day is a global event that celebrates geographic information system technology, which uses geography to bring countless benefits to the world. This year's event marks its tenth anniversary and will feature demonstrations, a map gallery and special games and activities. 

See you there!

Where:         Civic center Mall of the Hall of Administration

500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012

When:           November 19, 2008  10 am to 2:30 pm

The County has concluded contract negotiations with the selected proposer, prepared the final contract documents, and received a Letter of Intent from the selected proposer stating that it will execute the contract following the completion of County's protest process with non-selected proposers and the approval of the contract by the Board of Supervisors.

Each non-selected proposer which submitted an intent to request a Proposed Contractor Selection Review may submit a request for Proposed Contractor Selection Review as instructed by County. County conducts the Proposed Contractor Selection Review for each non-selected proposer which requested such a review as instructed by County, and issues a decision. Following the Proposed Contractor Selection Review, each non-selected proposer may submit a request for review by the County Panel Review as instructed by County. County Review Panel conducts review for each non-selected proposer which requested such a review as instructed by County. County Review Panel report released. DPSS files negotiated contract for Board of Supervisors approval.

In light of recent developments concerning the federal, State, and County budgets, the declining economic conditions, and the need for pricing clarifications, on January 8, 2009, the County released Addendum Number Nine to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS) Request for Proposals (RFP # ESD 07-02) which requires each Proposer to resubmit Proposal Section 20 (Pricing Schedule Forms) of the Price Proposal, as well as Proposal Section 12 (Certification of Compliance), by February 9, 2009. 

This submission shall replace the existing Proposal Section 12 (Certification of Compliance) and Proposal Section 20 (Pricing Schedule Forms) submitted by a Proposer for all purposes.  This submission shall not change any other portion of a proposal, including, without limitation, the Management/Technical Proposal.  RFP sections and appendices updated by Addendum Number Nine and the associated transmittal letter are posted on the LEADER Replacement System Project website at:

http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/RFP.cfm

NOTE:  The Diligence Library contains information on the existing systems, including the LEADER Agreement and GEARS Agreement, which include current maintenance costs of these systems: 

http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/LRS_RFP/diligence_library.cfm

WOW!! Toy Loan is happy to announce its’ 6^th Grand Opening for 2011. The Grand Opening took place at John Mack Elementary School on March 17, 2011 in the City of Los Angeles. As the clock struck 1:30 p.m., the children anxiously gathered around as their afternoon assembly was about to commence. Toy Loan Director, Marcia Benitez, Toy Loan Coordinator, Erica Moya, and Assistant Toy Loan Coordinator, Heather Gardner, briefly explained the program as the children cautiously listened. After the presentation, the children gazed with excitement and anticipation as they lined up to receive their free toy.

On a warm and sunny Saturday morning near Downtown Los Angeles, the fountain in Echo Park Lake was spraying a cool mist all across the horizon. The ducks didn't seem to mind the splash of refreshment as they playfully swam in a zig-zag across the lake. Even the volunteers setting up for the event at 7:00 a.m. had welcoming grins toward the breezy wetness.

The 31^st Annual Lotus Festival was held on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008 and Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was there to represent the Department of Public Social Services on Saturday. Hundreds of children from all over Los Angeles and even from parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands stopped by the Toy Loan booth to receive small toy giveaways as the parents were educated on the benefits of the Toy Loan Program. Although the focus of Toy Loan was to make the children happy, the festival was aimed at educating the community on the culture of some of our neighbors here in Los Angeles.

The lotus flower is significant to the Asian cultures as a symbol of rebirth, purity and life. The festival is held in July when the lotus flower blooms. Echo Park Lake was selected as the site for the event due to its central location of local Asian and Pacific Islander communities and because it houses the largest lotus bed in the United States. The festival was originally named "The Day of the Lotus", and the purpose was to promote an awareness and understanding of the contributions by the Asian and Pacific Islander people to our culture and to the local and surrounding communities.

All-in-all, this was another successful event for Toy Loan and for the kids of L.A. County. The proof was in the huge smiles on the children's faces as they happily skipped away from the Toy Loan booth with their toys.

On Saturday, February 23, 2008, Toy Loan & Volunteer Services will be once again on Skid Row (Towne Ave between 6th & 5th) helping to serve a hot meal to almost 3,000 expected individuals and families at this event. Please join us for another great opportunity to serve. Contact your Office Volunteer Liaison or Rafael Navarro, Departmental Volunteer Coordinator for more information (213) 744-4348.Last Years Event:

On a cool yet sunny day in mid-February, 112 hard-working individuals stood in line waiting for plates of food so they could serve others, prepared and handed out "goody bags" to all who came by and even cooked up a storm as they tried to keep up with the fast-paced demand of feeding 3,500 hungry citizens of Los Angeles. Toy Loan & Volunteer Services was hard at work at the "Friends Serving Friends, Annual Homeless Feed," sponsored by Mothers-In-Action and the Brotherhood Crusade. Many DPSS volunteers were happily helping out other vendors at their booths doing various different duties.

Everything was on schedule, working like clockwork, all booths were running full speed ahead, but one. Unfortunately the most anticipated booth, by both children and adults, the cotton candy and popcorn booth, was empty. The owner of the booth had to run to another event and her staff that was scheduled to run the booth had called in sick. It looked like no one would be enjoying popcorn or cotton candy.

Just then five DPSS volunteers stepped up and offered their help. Federico Mora and Eric Carter from Wilshire Special, Carolyn Johnson from Medi-Cal Outstation East, Am Demeissie from GAIN Region III and Genesse Menjivar, an employee's daughter all agreed to man the booth until all the "honored guests" were happily satisfied with their share of the warm, crunchy, yellow, air-popped kernels and the sugary, soft, pastel-colored cotton candy that melts in your mouth.

It is the dedication and self-less acts of volunteers such as these men and women that represent the ideals that DPSS strives for. On a daily basis our employees exemplify the values of the Department's mission statement, "To Enrich Lives Through Effective and Caring Service." It is only occasionally that we are able to publicly recognize the ones that stand out, such as the people mentioned above. With our deepest gratitude, we thank each and every one that volunteers for our DPSS Volunteer Services events.

Lend a 'Helping Hand'?Participate in DPSS' Adopt-A-Family Program

Bring joy to someone's life this holiday season and become a sponsor in the Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) Adopt-A-Family program. Each year, this heartfelt and longstanding tradition continues to bring smiles to hundreds of needy families served by DPSS.

L.A. County staff, individuals, groups, community members, and local businesses can all participate in this joyous and gratifying event (as sponsors). Sponsors are provided with the "adoptee's" contact information along with their "wish list" of requested items. These items range from grocery items, clothing, gift wishes, or toy requests. The 'Spirit of Giving' is contagious and numerous volunteers who in past years have participated in this program have voiced this heartfelt sentiment. Volunteers so enjoy participating in the program that some gather together family, friends, and co-workers and hold "gift basket parties" where each person contributes items and their personal touch to the specially prepared holiday baskets. This activity is fun for the volunteers and a delight for the beneficiaries to receive!

The Adopt-A-Family program's continued success can be attributed to the hundreds of volunteers that see the program as a worthwhile endeavor and generously donate their time and gifts. Los Angeles is fortunate to have caring people sharing and bringing joy to those in need.

The Adopt-a-Family program is the gift that can be enjoyed and cherished year-round by the Adoptee and the Sponsor alike. If you, a group of co-workers, family members, or friends are looking to make a difference this Holiday Season, the Adopt-A-Family is the program for you. Choose to make a difference in someone's life this holiday season and keep the spirit of effective and caring service alive. To get started call Rafael Navarro, DPSS Volunteer Services Program Coordinator, at (213) 744-4348 no later than Thursday, November 29, 2007.

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is assessing the feasibility of releasing a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contract providing: (1) (a) system management/operations and telecommunications, and (b) application software modifications and/or enhancements associated with legal and policy changes, for the Los Angeles Eligibility, Automated Determination, Evaluation and Reporting (LEADER) System; and (2) taking over the existing vendor's contractual obligations, including assisting the County in data conversion from the LEADER System to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS).

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to help DPSS determine the level of interest in the vendor community with regard to the possible release of an RFP for a contract to provide the above referenced goods and services. We are asking that you respond to this RFI by September 15, 2008, indicating your company's willingness to respond to a possible future RFP.

Please be aware that this RFI is unrelated to the LEADER Replacement System (LRS) Request for Proposals (RFP).

The DPSS Calendar on the DPSS Portal has been enhanced to allow events to include links to related web content.  The web page used to add events to the calendar has been changed to a tabbed format to support the additional fields required to add links to an event.  Up to 20 links can be included on the initial event creation with the abilitity to include additional links with each event update.  Future enhancements will allow staff to upload documents to be included with the event entry.

The current recession is resulting in a steep rise in the General Relief (GR) caseload, which is demonstrating the need to develop a comprehensive plan to reform the GR Program in order to reduce homelessness and reduce the number of indigent adults who rely on the GR Program. Reforming the GR Program must be at the heart of the County's effort to prevent and reduce homelessness among individuals, since at least half of homeless individuals in the County are General Relief participants. Currently, there are over 80,000 participants receiving GR assistance, of whom approximately 49,000 are considered either temporarily or permanently unemployable, constituting about 61% of the caseload. We estimate that as many as 60% of participants receiving GR are homeless.

On April 21, 2009, on a motion by Supervisor Knabe, the Board instructed the Chief Executive Office (CEO), in collaboration with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and consultation with County Counsel, to report back on program design for a potential General Relief Program that will better assist participants toward greater self-sufficiency. The expectation is that these individuals would be able to transition off of County assistance, including more targeted efforts to increase the number of participants who receive early SSI approvals and opportunities to prepare for employment, using housing subsidies and case management as a possible alternative to cash payments.

In response to the Board's motion, DPSS committed to constitute an Multi-agency Workgroup consisting of DPSS, CEO, DHS, other County Departments' staff and community advocates to outline an approach to redesign the GR Program. Through this Workgroup, we intend to develop an action plan to redesign the GR Program to better address the increasing need to reduce homelessness, increase employment, and transition GR participants to State/federal assistance programs.

By the end of September 2009, we will provide the Board with the final response, which will include the recommendations set forth by this workgroup.