OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement Following Board of Supervisors Meeting Where the Board Voted on First 5 OC Appointments, Fifth District and County Grants, Public Health Protection at OC Landfills and More.
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following Board action on First 5 OC appointments, Fifth District and county grants, public health protection at Prima Deshecha and other landfills, and more.
Item #10 (Chair Chaffee) At-Large Nomination(s) for Appointment(s) to the Children & Families Commission: The Board appointed three individuals to the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, also known as First 5 Orange County, for terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028, including the reappointment of Vice Chair Katrina Foley’s nominee, Irene Salazar, in the Education Category. The Board also reappointed Jackie Filbeck in the Health Category and Allyson Muniz Damikolas as the Health Category Alternate. First 5 Orange County funds and supports programs that help young children enter school healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
“Irene Salazar brings nearly 20 years of leadership in WIC, health education and outreach, helping advance nutrition, equity, and parent engagement for young children and underserved families across Orange County. She knows this work, she knows these families, and she will continue making a difference,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Item #18 (CEO) Grant Applications/Awards Report: The Board voted unanimously to accept more than $16 million in grant funding.
- Health Care Agency
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program – $3,652,182.00
- Forensic Conditional Release Program – $2,493,421.26
- Tuberculosis Control Local Assistance Funds – $1,012,550.00
- Local Enforcement Agency Grant (LEA) Cycle 37 – $47,270.00
- OC Community Resources
- OC Community Resources – FY 2026-27 Aging and Disability Resource Connection Program – $728,350.00
- Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: Jackson Aisle TRA 2024 Renewal Project and #1 Consolidated Continuum of Care TRA 2024 Renewal Project – $6,799,977.00
- Sheriff-Coroner – FY25 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) - Formula Grant Program – $537,360.00
- John Wayne Airport – Earthquake Early Warning Implementation Program for Airports – $450,000.00
- District Attorney – Criminal Restitution Compact Program – $335,367.00
“These grants reflect a continued investment in both prevention and stability, protecting children from the lifelong impacts of lead exposure while expanding housing support for our most vulnerable residents,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program reduces exposure through outreach and case management, while the Continuum of Care funding supports more than 200 households with housing and services – improving public health and housing stability across Orange County.”
Item #22 (OC Waste & Recycling) Approve Contract for Operations & Maintenance of Groundwater Extraction Systems: The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on the approval of the contract with Civil Environmental Survey Group, Inc. to provide operation and maintenance services of groundwater extraction and liquid conveyance systems to support landfill operations and maintain compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
“This contract helps keep essential groundwater extraction and liquid conveyance systems running safely at Prima Deshecha and four closed landfill sites,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “These systems play a critical role in preventing contaminated groundwater from reaching our water supply, while supporting environmental monitoring and strict compliance standards. Protecting groundwater is protecting public health. This work accomplishes both.”
In addition, Vice Chair Foley released statements in recognition of the following resolutions presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting:
Resolution recognizing May 6-12, 2026 as "National Nurses Week"
“Orange County residents need our nurses. In 2022, I met with UCI and CalOptima leadership to discuss nursing shortages. Our discussion turned to action, resulting in a $5 million investment into UCI’s NURSE-OC program — offering externships to 60 students and residences to six graduate students pursuing licenses as family or mental health nurse practitioners,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Vice Chair Foley continued, “Last week, the Department of Education ruled to exclude nursing from the definition of 'professional degree’ programs under the finalized federal graduate loan borrowing limits. As the number of nurses nationwide dwindles and programs intended to encourage growth disappear, Orange County programs step in to fill a void created by the federal government. We urge the President and Congress to rectify this misguided approach and recognize the power of nurses.”
Resolution recognizing May as "Foster Care Awareness Week"
“We recognize Foster Care Awareness Month by lifting up children, families, and caregivers. In 2025, 3,155 OC children entered foster care – 242 of which originate from the Fifth District. Since early 2023, my office has partnered with Project Foster to provide more than 3,500 new duffle bags to foster youth in Orange County. Each case provides vulnerable kids with belongings to call their own. Children deserve stability and reassurance, and a community who show up with compassion,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley.
Resolution recognizing May 4 - 8, 2026 as "Mental Health Awareness Month"
“Despite federal and state cuts, Orange County continues to grow our system of mental health services and leads with community-based care,” said vice Chair Katrina Foley. This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month, ‘More good days, together,’ reflects the importance of seeking help for yourself as well as showing up for others in your community.”
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA),
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board,
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern,
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills,
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Urban Counties Caucus
