Ventura County Public Health First in California to Receive National Accreditation

Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) announced today that it has achieved 5-year national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). VCPH is the first public health department in California to earn this important distinction.

The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s more than 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, VCPH underwent a voluntary rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.

"I couldn't be more proud of the VCPH team for helping us achieve this extraordinary accomplishment,” said Rigoberto Vargas, Ventura County Public Health Director.  “The accreditation process, which took more than two years to complete, is a testimony to our department’s hard work, dedication and ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.”

Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns, and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; creating safer neighborhoods; administering life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

“I want to congratulate Ventura County Public Health on receiving national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health director and state health officer.  “Accreditation is a distinction which means that the Ventura County Public Health department meets nationally accepted standards.  Many public health departments nationwide are preparing for accreditation but only a handful have actually achieved accreditation.  Ventura County is truly ahead of the pack.”

VCPH employs approximately 300 people, operates four clinics and seven Women, Infant & Children (WIC) centers and, frequently collaborates with medical providers, schools, businesses and community partners to mitigate health disparities and improve community access to care.

The national accreditation program was created collaboratively over a 10-year period by hundreds of public health practitioners working at the national, Tribal, state, and local levels. Since the program’s launch in September 2011, nearly 130 health departments have applied to PHAB for accreditation, and hundreds of public health practitioners from across the nation have been trained to serve as volunteer peer site visitors for the program.

To learn more Ventura County Public Health, visit www.vchca.org/public-health and to learn more about PHAB or sign up for the PHAB e-newsletter, visit www.phaboard.org.

Ventura County Animal Services Unveils New Pet Adoption Mobile App to Save Lives

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recently unveiled a new iPhone / iPad application (app) that includes detailed information on Ventura County’s adoptable animals, allows users to report a lost or found pet, offers the opportunity to donate to VCAS and much more.

The free app, which can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes Store, allows users to browse through photos and descriptions of the hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals currently available for adoption at VCAS’ Camarillo and Simi Valley Adoption Centers and save those they like in a “favorites” category. In addition, it contains dog and cat breed descriptions and  a pet notification feature so that interested adopters can be alerted when an animal meeting their preferences (breed, sex, color, age) becomes available for adoption or when a lost pet matching an owners description is brought in to the shelter. 

Created by the County of Ventura’s Information Technology Department, the app also includes a YouTube video instructional tutorial in both English and Spanish.  To download the VCAS app, search for "Ventura County Animal Services Pet Adoption" in the iTunes store or visit itunes.apple.com/us/app/ventura-county-animal-services/id872171923?ls=1&mt=8.

A version for Android phones will become available later this month.

Learn more about VCAS at vcas.us.

Ventura County Animal Services Competes in ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge to 8/31

From June 1 – August 31, Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is competing against 49 other animal shelters across the country for the chance to win more than $600,000 in grant funding, including a $100,000 grand prize, in the 2014 ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge. VCAS applied back in January and began the highly competitive contest selection process.

The 100K competition challenges participating shelters (with the help of their communities) to break their own records when it comes to saving the lives of homeless dogs and cats.  Each shelter’s three-month adoption numbers from 2013 will be compared to the same period in 2014 and the shelter that shows the biggest improvement will be awarded $100,000. For VCAS, this means finding homes for 2,300 animals in just 90 days.

“The ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge is an amazing opportunity for VCAS to work hand-in-hand with  the entire community to find homes for the hundreds of dogs, cats and rabbits waiting for their forever families at our two Ventura County adoption centers,” said Tara Diller, VCAS Director. “Our $100K motto is: It takes a village, we ARE a village!’”

Fostering greater community engagement plays a big part in the competition so, in an effort to get more people to visit VCAS Adoption Centers, VCAS will offer the following daily adoption specials during the first week of the 100K Challenge, June 1 – 7, 2014:

•     Senior Sunday - $30 for senior animals (5 years +) or for senior adopters (65 years +)
•     Mixed Breed Monday - Mixed breeds adopted for $35
•     $2 Off Tuesday - Adoption rates reduced by $2/per pound of the pet
•     Black or Blue Wednesday - $22 adoptions for all black, grey or blue animals
•     $30 Thursday -   All adoptions $30/animal
•     Feline Friday - Cat adoptions are only $5 / cats aged one year and older
•     Staff Favorite Saturday - Staff picks are only $25 to adopt

VCAS will continue discounted pricing on Senior Sundays, $30 Thursdays and Staff Favorite Saturdays through the August 31 end date of the competition.

Rachael Ray has long been an advocate for animals and a supporter of animal welfare groups. Her love for animals and for her pit bull, Isaboo, inspired her to create a pet food called Nutrish® to raise money for animals in need.  Ray donates the proceeds from the sale of Nutrish® to organizations like the ASPCA so they can implement programs like the $100K Challenge and support shelters and animal organizations around the country.

VCAS plans to host additional $100K Challenge events and promotions throughout the summer. For more information on the $100K Challenge, VCAS animals and VCAS volunteer opportunities, visit www.vcas.us.

City of Thousand Oaks Opens Household Hazardous Waste Facility This Month

Household Hazardous Waste Facility photo courtesy City of Thousand OaksThe City of Thousand Oaks announces the opening of its new permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive in Newbury Park.  Beginning May 30, 2014, this state-of-the-art hazardous material collection facility will be open by appointment Friday and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm for residents of Thousand Oaks and Unincorporated Ventura County areas to dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste products like paint, household cleaners, solvents, fertilizers, etc.

More information on local hazardous waste disposal options at THIS LINK or visit the City's GoGreen website at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Road Closure Information for Amgen Tour of California in Thousand Oaks May 17-18

Motorists are urged to plan ahead this weekend as the vehicular traffic through the east end of Thousand Oaks will be heavier than normal. The city will be hosting Stage 8 (the final stage of the race) of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California Bike Race. The race will consist of three 21 mile circuits and three 4.5 mile circuits.

On Saturday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m., parts of Townsgate Road and Village Glen Road will be closed to set up the course. The race will begin and end on Townsgate Road between Westlake Blvd and Lakeview Canyon Road. This area will remain closed until Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 p.m.

The race is scheduled to start just before 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. There will be rolling closures along the race route. The race is expected to end around 12:00 p.m.

The following streets will be affected. See maps below or visit www.toaks.org/living/amgen_tour_of_california/homepage/default.asp

• Lakeview Canyon Road at Agoura Road
• Westlake Blvd from Townsgate Road to Carlisle Road
• Triunfo Canyon Rd. from Three Springs Drive to Westlake Blvd.
• HARD CLOSURES during race: Westlake Blvd. southbound at Potrero Rd., and Westlake Blvd. northbound at Agoura Rd./Hampshire Rd. - then expanding to Triunfo Canyon Rd. during the small circuit.

Start/finish line area and 3 lap final finish route around Westlake Lake!Stage 8 course map

During this time, the Thousand Oaks Police Department urges motorists to use extreme caution in an around the affected area. There will be a large number of cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Please plan ahead and use alternative routes if possible.

To promote the safety of the riders and spectators, we ask that any suspicious persons or items along the race route be reported immediately to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654- 9511 or by calling 911. We would like to remind residents, “If you see something say something.”

Department of Navy Temporarily Suspends Public Visits to San Miguel Island

On Friday, April 18th, Naval Base Ventura County issued the following press release regarding San Miguel Island, the westernmost of the Channel Islands.

Effectively immediately, public visits to San Miguel Island (SMI), part of the Channel Islands National Park (CINP), are temporarily suspended.

Due to safety concerns, the Department of the Navy, which is the land owner at SMI and is represented locally by Naval Base Ventura County, has asked the National Parks Service via the CINP Superintendent's office to halt all recreational visits to the island.

The island was used as part of a bombing range during and after World War II. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety while the Navy conducts a risk assessment and, if necessary, clean-up at the island. The length of the closure will depend on the risk assessment findings, but the island will likely not reopen to visitors this year.

"The Navy is dedicated to the conservation of our national resources, of which the Channel Islands are a unique and critical piece," said Capt. Larry Vasquez, NBVC's commanding officer. "But the safety and wellbeing of NPS personnel and those who visit San Miguel Island are our highest concern. We are working closely with our federal partners to ensure the park is a safe and inviting place to visit."

For more information regarding Naval Base Ventura County, please call the NBVC public affairs office at 805-989-9234.

For more information about National Parks Service programs at CINP, call the NPS public information office at 805-658-5725.

The National Park Service issued the following press release:

In the interest of public safety, the U.S. Navy is closing San Miguel Island until further notice due to recent concerns of possible unexploded ordnance. San Miguel Island was an active bombing range from WWII through the 1970s.

San Miguel Island is owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed by the National Park Service under a memorandum of agreement. Pursuant to the Authority of the Superintendent under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 section 1.5 (a)(1)&(2) and section 2.1(a)(2) San Miguel Island is closed to all public entry.

More on the Channel Islands National Park.

Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands Boat Rides with Island Packers

City of Calabasas to Host Delegation of Special Olympics Athletes in 2015

The City of Calabasas will serve as a host city for a delegation of Special Olympics athletes before the opening of the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

About 7,000 participants from 170 nations will compete in more than 20 sports between July 25 and Aug. 2 next year at arenas including USC and UCLA. Among the competitions are aquatics, gymnastics, kayaking, basketball and soccer.

Calabasas will be one of 100 Southern California cities participating in a four-day pre-games celebration— hailing athletes from around the globe.

Host towns are responsible for providing accommodations, meals, activities and local transportation for the athletes and their sponsors.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/special-olympics.html to find information about volunteering and  sponsorship opportunities.

Santa Paula Rotary Announces Cancellation of 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Paula Rotary recently announced the cancellation of the 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch "due to actions taken by the University of California and the Hansen Trust Advisory Board" Approximately 20,000 people visit the patch each year.

Hay mazes at the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in a previous year.

According to the press release, the Santa Paula Pumpkin Patch Committee attempted to work with the Hansen Trust to permit the Pumpkin Patch to run for an additional transitional year while a new venue was sought. But "UC chose to discriminate against the Rotary Club by establishing new conditions and barriers which are not uniformly applied to other UC campuses and property throughout the state, or even at the Hansen Trust, making it impossible for the Rotary operated Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch to continue" according to the Rotary. More background on the situation at www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com/information.html.

To justify its actions, UC/Hansen Trust stated that the professional exhibits provided by the Resource Conservation District, United Water Conservation District, Limoneira, CoLab, Calavo, the Cattleman’s Association, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Associates Insectary, FFA petting area & Briggs 4-H seed exhibit were of poor quality and no educational value. The educational hayride script and school program, developed by Hansen Trust staff, were also deemed educationally meaningless.  Interestingly, 63% of the people visiting the Pumpkin Patch last year (a significantly higher number than the total visiting the farm for the entire remaining 11 months of the year) said they learned something new about agriculture during their visit.

To learn more, visit www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com. The Rotary Club of Santa Paula encourages the public to share your thoughts about the actions taken by UC and the Hansen Trust with Ms. Janet Napolitano, President, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607 or President@ucop.edu.