YEAR END HIGHLIGHTS

About the LACDA

In 1982, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors consolidated three entities – the Housing Authority, the Community Development Department, and the Redevelopment Agency – to form the Community Development Commission (CDC). On May 16, 2019, the agency was officially rebranded as the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). The LACDA is part of the County family, but an independent agency, not a County Department.

The Board of Supervisors currently serves as the Commissioners of the LACDA – setting policy for the agency. The Board of Commissioners receives input from the agency's Housing Advisory Committee, which meets monthly at various locations throughout the County. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations on matters that will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval, including Section 8 and public housing policies and procedures.

The LACDA’s core pillars include affordable housing, and community and economic development. The agency’s wide-ranging programs benefit residents and business owners in the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas and in various incorporated cities that participate in different programs. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, more than one million of the County’s nearly ten million residents live in unincorporated areas.

Over 70% of the LACDA’s funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide subsidized housing, housing development and preservation, community development, and economic development within Los Angeles County.

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Who We Are

STAFFING

The LACDA administers a flexible at-will personnel structure, utilizing a combination of regular and contract positions to meet service demands and respond to new funding opportunities and challenges. The LACDA had 610 budgeted positions for FY 2019-20, an increase of 30 positions from FY 2018-19.

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Emilio Salas, Acting Executive Director
Kathy Thomas, Acting Deputy Executive Director
Davon Barbour, Director, Community and Economic Development
Elisa Vasquez, Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Lynn Katano, Director, Housing Investment and Finance
Matthew Fortini, Director, Finance and Budget
Rebecca Yee, Acting Director, Administrative Services
Tracie Mann, Director, Housing Assistance
Twima Early, Director, Housing Operations

MISSION

We Build Better Lives & Better Neighborhoods

VISION

We provide innovative programs that position the agency to end generational poverty and homelessness, encourage community development, and empower Los Angeles County residents and businesses to reach their full potential.

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Budget

The LACDA’s FY 2019-20 budget totaled $648,615,000, an increase of $92,885,900, or 17%, from the final approved FY 2018-19 budget. The increase was primarily due to additional allocations for Federal rental assistance programs, Measure H funds for Homeless Initiative Strategy B4, continuation of the Magic Johnson Park construction project, and Affordable Housing Trust Fund. These increases were slightly offset by a decrease in Capital Funds for Housing Operations, due to the completion of several rehabilitation projects.

The budget consisted primarily of Federal funding provided by HUD for housing and community development programs. Over half of the budget is in support of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing Programs for low-income families, seniors, the disabled, and veterans. Local revenue sources included County funds, public housing rental income, and other grants received in support of housing.

FUNDING SOURCE	AMOUNT
Rent Revenue	$14,329,200
Operating Subsidy	$8,732,500
Housing Choice Voucher	$340,225,800
Capital Fund	$8,377,000
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)	$30,600,700
Loan Collection Principle and Interest	$6,453,400
Sound Attenuation Grants	$10,622,100
State/County Revenue	$176,246,600
Fees and Charges	$989,900
Interest Earnings	$5,456,800
Section 8 Reserves	0
General Fund Reserves	$3,800,300
Other Resources	$4,732,100
Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program	$9,542,200
Other Federal Grants	$23,329,800
Other Income	$5,176,600
TOTAL	$648,615,000

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Accolades

2020 NAHRO Achievement Awards

South Whittier Library

Modernized Space for Public Housing Youth

Automated Library Services in Public Housing

Newly Operated Health Clinic in Public Housing

Public Housing Youth Take Fight in the Aviation Industry

June 2020

2020 NACo Achievement Awards

Newly Operated Health Clinic in Public Housing

Family Reunification Housing Subsidy Program

Public Housing Youth Take Fight in the Aviation Industry

May 2020

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada

FY 2019-20 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

March 2020

NCDA Audrey Nelson Awards

Covina Senior and Community Center

January 2020

33rd Annual Productivity and Quality Awards

Family Reunification Housing Subsidy

After the Woolsey Fire, Applied Recovery Planning

Blueprint for a HIP Approach to Housing

August 2019

2019 APEX Award

2017-18 Year End Highlights

August 2019

2019 NAHRO Awards of Excellence

Liberty Community Plaza

August 2019

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By The Numbers

As an agency, We Build Better Lives & Better Neighborhoods by dedicating time and resources to respond to the needs of Los Angeles County renters, homeowners, businesses, and communities. Here are a few examples of what the agency was able to accomplish in FY 2019-20.

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ORGANIZATIONAL CHART FY 2019-20

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Overview

Each fiscal year presents unique challenges to public agencies across the nation. In general, agencies can forecast budgetary shortages and assess the increasing need for services and level or diminishing resources. While difficult to navigate, these scenarios are usually considered as part of the LACDA’s strategic planning; however, FY 2019-20 has truly been unlike any other the agency, the County, or the nation has ever faced.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LACDA was forced to quickly re-evaluate its way of doing business to protect the health and safety of its staff and clients. In mid-March 2020, the LACDA began redirecting its operations to allow a majority of its employees to telework and limit the number of staff reporting to administrative offices. Dedicated phone lines, email addresses, and electronic communication protocols were established to ensure that the level of customer service provided to participants, partners, and peers, did not suffer. The LACDA’s Information Technology staff were integral in rapidly securing and implementing infrastructure and safeguards needed to accommodate staff with remote work stations and virtual meeting software, while also troubleshooting issues with employees’ personal devices, so as to effectively transition to remote work environments.

While staff responded to the evolving circumstances, their dedication to continuing service provision and operations was nothing short of incredible. Agency leadership and staff exemplified the characteristics that make the LACDA great: compassion for public housing residents to help prepare them for the uncertainty developing, empathy for voucher holders left searching for housing with new barriers to overcome, and dedication to help struggling businesses that were forced to close their doors find a way to reopen.

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Public Housing Residents

Distributing the Necessities

The LACDA procured for and distributed nearly 6,000 rolls of toilet paper to its public housing sites to help provide residents with some of the necessities that were hard to find.

Food Distribution

Through partnerships with local community organizations, LACDA staff set up grab and go lunch stations, and rolled up their sleeves to make deliveries of food baskets to the most vulnerable residents. The agency is proud to have provided thousands of meals to public housing homes since the pandemic began.

Keeping Residents Healthy and Connected

In partnership with T-Mobile and Blue Marble Health, the LACDA secured 200 Android phones that included a health app featuring in-home workouts, to encourage older adult public housing residents to stay active and connected with friends and family while at home.

Onsite COVID-19 Testing

With the increase of positive cases proliferating throughout California, the LACDA partnered with Central Neighborhood Health Foundation and Ready Responders to administer COVID-19 testing at multiple public housing sites. Testing was performed using minimal contact through a supervised self-administered nasal swab at no cost to residents. The LACDA is proud to do its part to keep County public housing residents informed and safe.

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County Businesses

LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS RECOVERY PROGRAM

Small Business Recovery Loan Program

$20,000 loan for small businesses funded by the EDA
333 loans funded; valued at over $2.5 million

Transit-Oriented Communities Small Business Program

$20,000 loan for small businesses funded in partnership with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
94 loans funded; valued at $710,000

Fourth District COVID-19 Business Relief Grant

$5,000 micro-enterprise grant for businesses in the Fourth District Funded by the Fourth Supervisorial District
86 grants executed; valued at $430,000

LOOKING AHEAD

As businesses continue to navigate their way through the COVID-19 pandemic, the LACDA is committed to providing support and resources to help owners preserve their business and find a way to reopen their doors.

LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund

Launching in July 2020, the County and the City of Los Angeles will partner to create the LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The fund will offer loan and grant resources to micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profits. The LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund is estimated to provide $60 million to Los Angeles County businesses through multiple rounds of funding.

EDA Grant

The LACDA was invited to apply for funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to administer a revolving loan fund that extends credit to small businesses in Los Angeles County and augments existing business recovery assistance programs to prevent job losses and closure. The LACDA will use this funding to assist eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 offering loans for working capital, equipment, and inventory needs.

Disproportionately Impacted Businesses

The LACDA will invest in disproportionally impacted businesses which, through not fault of their own, have been required to remain closed due to State or local public health orders. The LACDA will offer supportive funding to businesses such as child care providers, breweries, wineries, and family entertainment centers.

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County Renters

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program provided up to $1,000 per month, for three months, to property owners on behalf of an income-eligible household. Funded by the Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Relief funds, the Program was able to assist 777 eligible applicants.

Virtual Rent Relief Division

The LACDA formed a team of more than 30 LACDA employees to join a Virtual Rent Relief Division dedicated to working directly with renters and property owners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to promote housing stability. This will be the first time that a temporary virtual division has been created at LACDA, which will manage caseloads internally, approve and process all rent payments, and provide eligible households with rent relief.

LOOKING AHEAD

Rent Relief Program

The LACDA understands the overwhelming challenges facing County renters and is prepared to administer a series of rent relief programs designed to assist renters that have faced job loss or other financial shortfalls leaving them unable to pay their rent and property owners that are unable to collect rent and have no other options to pay their property mortgages. The County will invest over $100 million to ensure that renters can stay in their homes and property owners can collect their much needed rent payments.

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Formerly Homeless

Section 8 Leasing

The LACDA remained dedicated to leasing units for families experiencing homelessness. The agency streamlined the application process to allow for electronic submissions, making it possible to expedite the housing search process. During these challenging times, 983 families have been leased through LACDA housing subsidy programs.

LOOKING AHEAD

Project Homekey

On July 16, 2020, the State of California will release $600 million in grant funding to local public entities, including cities, counties, or other local public entities, to purchase and rehabilitate housing, including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing.

Of the $600 million in Homekey grant funds, $550 million is derived from the State's direct allocation of the Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds (CRF), and $50 million is derived from the State's General Fund.

The LACDA expects to assist Los Angeles County with ensuring successful proposals are submitted to the State to secure 17 properties that will provide interim housing for 18-24 months with the goal of then converting them to permanent supportive housing sites.

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LACDA Employees

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution

LACDA staff members assembled over 500 employee PPE bags and more than 100 vehicle safety buckets. The effort included preparing safety checklists for fleet vehicles and coordinating the distribution of PPE to promote employee safety.

LACDA+ Rescue Team Newsletter

To help keep employees connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the LACDA created the electronic LACDA+ Rescue Team newsletter. The LACDA understood the need to keep employees informed of peer activities and new programmatic initiatives while working remotely. Since April 2020, 11 issues of the newsletter have been issued conveying stories that reflect the LACDA’s mission to Build Better Lives & Better Neighborhoods. The newsletter has been a successful platform to keep LACDA employees connected, while working apart.

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Building for the Community

In June 2020, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), the LACDA completed refurbishment of the Los Nietos Community and Senior Center, located in the Los Nietos community of unincorporated South Whittier. The County invested $5.9 million, funded by Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, to remodel the existing senior center and convert the previously existing library into an expanded community and senior center.

Refurbishment of the center included new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, a new unisex restroom that allows for caretakers to assist senior guests, and upgrades to the kitchen. The space previously occupied by the library was converted into a community center with a main entry lobby, administrative offices, art room, classroom, community room, an internet café, fitness room, and more. The exterior of the building received storefront glazing, lighting, signage, a fitness patio, and new drought-tolerant landscaping.

The refurbished Los Nietos Community and Senior Center enhances the benefits offered to the South Whittier community with a range of educational, social and recreational activities. The LACDA is proud to have played a part in preserving and improving this valuable community asset.

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Covina Senior and Community Center

On July 31, 2019, the LACDA joined Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Mayor John King and Council members of the City of Covina, and other project partners to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the City’s new Senior and Community Center. Located at Kelby Park, the single-story wood frame building will provide services, events, and activities for the residents of the Covina community.

Nearly half of the building is dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors through a variety of services such as nutrition, health information, recreation classes, life-long-learning opportunities, and special events. To complement the services, the Center includes a kitchen, fitness center, multipurpose rooms, classrooms, and courtyard. The LACDA provided more than $693,000 in CDBG funds and $2.5 million from the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, leveraged with $5.2 million in City funding to finance the demolition, design, and construction of the new Center.

The City of Covina has partnered with the LACDA to deliver CDBG-funded projects and programs to their residents for more than 40 years.

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Continuing Outreach

During FY 2019-20, the LACDA continued its extensive outreach campaign to property owners Countywide in hopes of securing housing for the most vulnerable populations facing or experiencing homelessness. Having attended 48 outreach events in the fiscal year, the LACDA used these opportunities to explain the program benefits face-to-face to potential participants.

For example, on September 28, 2019, the LACDA deployed its Homeless Incentive Program (HIP) team to attend the Veteran Stand Down event at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in West Hollywood. The event brought together more than 30 organizations offering veterans and seniors free services and referrals on various topics, including veteran benefits and enrollment, CalVets benefits, education opportunities, housing, legal aid, employment, medical services, mental health, and social services. Similarly, the HIP team also attended the Inner City Law Center’s Homeful.LA Weekend 2 End Homelessness (W2EH) event in Reseda on October 4-6, 2019. The W2EH event featured donation drives, speakers, and shelter and permanent supportive housing tours. At each event, the LACDA offered resources to attendees on securing stable housing and incentives for landlords willing to rent to a homeless veteran.

The LACDA values such opportunities to explain the incentives and safeguards established to make renting to formerly homeless persons a success. By creating a relationship with prospective property owners during outreach events, the LACDA was able to acquire over 1,700 units to match with the hard-to-house population. The efforts resulted in 1,276 families/individuals finding a place to call home.

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Lead Remediation Efforts

The LACDA is committed to ensuring that Los Angeles County residents, including its own public housing residents, are able to raise their families in homes that are safe, and free of any hazardous elements that could have lifelong effects on their health. Through the support of local and Federal resources, the LACDA was proud to undertake the following lead remediation efforts during FY 2019-20.

Lead Free Homes LA Program

The LACDA, in partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), launched the Lead Free Homes LA, a program intended to mitigate the lead-based paint hazards from homes surrounding the Exide Technologies Battery Recycling Facility. Lead Free Homes LA serves residents in pre-1978 properties where there are children under the age of six, or pregnant women regularly in the home. Targeted communities include portions of unincorporated East Los Angeles and the cities of Los Angeles, Bell, Maywood, Commerce, Huntington Park and Vernon.

Since launching in August 2019, the LACDA has received and processed 105 applications, approximately half of which had their properties tested for lead-based paint hazards, with 77% of homes testing positive for lead toxicity.

The Lead Free Homes LA Program has and will continue to, decrease the greatest source of lead poisoning in our County, strengthening our collaborative mission to protect and improve the health and well-being of Los Angeles County residents.

Lead-Based Paint Guard

On August 29, 2019, the LACDA celebrated the award of a $1 million Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund Grant. The awarded funds will help rehabilitate the interior and exterior of units at the Carmelitos Public Housing Community. This will positively impact 194 children under the age of six living at this community. Throughout the years, the LACDA has taken aggressive measures to ensure that its properties are safe for its residents; with HUD’s support, the agency can enhance its efforts to maintain a healthy living environment.

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New Program For Property Owners

On January 1, 2020, the LACDA launched a new business model called Open Doors, which centers around providing an enhanced customer services experience for property owners. Through Open Doors, the LACDA is working to encourage more owners to participate in its rental assistance programs in order to increase the number of families who are able to utilize their vouchers. Since the program’s inception in January 2020, 278 property owners have signed up and received sign on bonuses.

Open Doors is a collaborative effort between the LACDA and Los Angeles County to offer property owners with an increased level of customer service. The program benefits property owners financially and provides enhanced customer services, while increasing the number of rental units available to subsidized families in Los Angeles County’s highly competitive rental housing market. Property owner assurances include sign on bonuses, vacancy loss payments, damage mitigation, and a direct line of communication with dedicated LACDA staff.

Property owners are an essential partner in the LACDA’s fight to end and prevent homelessness. The LACDA plans to do all it can to make business with property owners quick, simple, and enjoyable with Open Doors.

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No Place Like Home

On July 1, 2016, Governor Brown signed legislation enacting the No Place Like Home (NPLH) Program with the purpose of dedicating up to $2 billion in bond proceeds to invest in the development of permanent supportive housing for persons in need of mental health services and who are experiencing homelessness, chronic homelessness, or are at risk of chronic homelessness. This unique program feature allowed Los Angeles County to be designated as an “Alternative Process County” which means the County can allocate NPLH funds based on local needs and local guidelines. The County designated the LACDA as the County’s agent for administration of the NPLH funding.

It was a challenging journey that spanned over three years, but the LACDA, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), successfully brought the NPLH Program to fruition in the County of Los Angeles. As a result, in September 2019, a previously unimaginable $397 million was made available to fund the development of 60 affordable housing projects throughout the County of Los Angeles.

As of June 2020, five projects of the 60 projects have begun construction using over $34 million in funding for the development of 269 units restricted to NPLH-eligible households, with four units reserved for onsite managers: PATH Villas at South Gate, Kensington Homes in Lancaster, and Rose Apartments, Cadence, and HiFi Collective all located in the City of Los Angeles. The funded projects are expected to help meet the housing needs of their communities, provide local economic development opportunities during construction, and assist in the alleviation of local blighting conditions.

While the $397 million is jumpstarting the agency's activity, over the life of the Program, the LACDA expects to administer approximately $700 million in total for supportive housing projects that serve one of our most vulnerable populations.

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Capital Improvements With No Relocation

In FY 2019-20, the LACDA successfully completed its Nueva Maravilla Re-Pipe Project, on time and under budget!

The Nueva Maravilla Public Housing Development consists of 504 residential units and was built in 1943. In recent years, the copper potable water piping systems servicing 354 of the family units started to experience “pinhole” leaks. Addressing the problem meant replacing the pipes, which involved cutting into walls and ceilings, and the subsequent restoration of the damaged walls and ceiling. This inevitably meant disrupting and relocating the occupants, during the process.

Estimated to cost $10 million to complete the project, the LACDA explored creative ways to complete a full re-pipe, while ensuring the comfort of its residents and considering overall costs. The solution was the ePIPE® system, a lead-free, leak-free, in-place pipe restoration process. The LACDA compared the ePIPE process to a traditional re-pipe, utilizing a contractor, third party consultant, and independent lab. The test confirmed that this solution would not only address the leaks, it would actually remove any trace of lead in the water. It was a win-win!

Utilizing the ePIPE process for the restoration of the water pipes in the seven-unit building was completed over two days, with no resident displacement and with minimal wall or ceiling intrusion. A re-pipe for a similar seven-unit apartment using other methods would have involved relocating the residents for 14 days.

The Nueva Maravilla Re-Pipe Project was not only completed for half the estimated cost, but also in a third of the projected schedule, with zero change orders, which is unheard of in construction projects.

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Work Readiness Grant For Public Housing Residents

On February 14, 2020, the LACDA was honored to welcome HUD Secretary Ben Carson to the Carmelitos Public Housing Community in the City of Long Beach.

The Secretary’s visit was in conjunction with an announcement from HUD that the LACDA was a recipient of a four-year $1.8 million Jobs-Plus Initiative (Jobs-Plus) Program grant for Carmelitos. The Jobs-Plus Program seeks to develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement technology skills, and financial literacy for public housing residents. HUD’s rigorous evaluation of the Jobs-Plus Program has demonstrated that it produces lasting increases in tenant wages, where residents earned an average of $1,141 more annually than they would have earned without participation in the program.

With support from the Jobs-Plus Program and in partnership with the Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network, Long Beach City College, New Opportunities Organization, University of California Cooperative Extension, Long Beach Unified School District Head Start, YMCA Greater Long Beach, Cottonwood Church, and Los Angeles Community Development Foundation, the LACDA has used the grant to effectively support its residents on their path to self-sufficiency, specifically by meeting the employment, training, and supportive service needs of over 1,778 Carmelitos residents, of which over 657 are non-disabled, ages 18-65, who can overcome barriers to employment through this program.

The LACDA maintains and manages 3,229 public and affordable units located at 68 sites throughout Los Angeles County. Carmelitos is one of its largest properties with 713 units onsite.

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Hope Starts With A Home

On December 19, 2019, the LACDA celebrated the grand opening of the East Rancho Apartments.

East Rancho Apartments offers affordable housing for young adults who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. The development is a 10-bedroom residence with onsite amenities, including shared kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.

Prior to the construction of East Rancho Apartments, the property was vacant land acquired by the LACDA with CDBG funds. In 2014, the LACDA donated the land for the development of affordable housing.

East Rancho Apartments residents are provided supportive services, including case management, mental health, substance use disorder, education, and employment services to assist residents towards their goal of recovery and independent living.

The LACDA’s investments in Los Angeles County’s affordable housing production activities varies from pre-development financing to in this case, the donation of a usable property, something often hard to come across in Los Angeles County’s dense geographic region. The LACDA was honored to help the young adults living at East Rancho Apartments end 2019 with hope and a new home.

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From Concept To Housing Campus

Kensington Campus, a community designed to house, employ, and rehabilitate the homeless population in the City of Lancaster, successfully leased 100 units with assistance from the LACDA during FY 2019-20. The development is located on a 14-acre site, consisting of 102 one-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing, 156 beds for bridge housing, 24-hour wraparound services, and an enterprise job creation and entrepreneurial facility.

The strategic layout of Kensington Campus was designed to maximize the full potential of its features and better serve residents. The supportive housing units are divided among four townships to enable customization of programs; beds for bridge housing are placed in three structures for sufficient privacy needs, and supportive services are at a central location of the campus for easy accessibility. In addition, non-residential supportive service spaces are available, including a communal kitchen, an outdoor amphitheater, medical clinic, and a mental health therapy building.

The exertion made to establish the development required private, public, and non-profit partnerships. The People Concern, one of the largest non-profit social service agencies in Los Angeles County, offers intensive case management services and encourages practices of self-sufficiency. The LACDA took the lead in providing residents with housing assistance by applying project-based vouchers to 100 units.

As homelessness remains a daunting concern in Los Angeles County, the LACDA has made the well-being of Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable populations a top priority.

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Worklife Reimagined

The LACDA, like many other Los Angeles County Departments, was forced to change its operation quickly due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in the agency’s history, approximately 440 staff, which represents approximately 80% of the workforce, had to transition to teleworking from home with minimal interruption to day-to-day operations.

As of mid-March, when staff began teleworking, the LACDA had the capacity to support only 20% of its staff on its existing virtual environment. Therefore, an emergency procurement was made to purchase additional laptops and increase virtual desktop licenses by 64% to accommodate the remaining staff that needed to telework.

With the new equipment and licenses secured, and the need to ensure that each staff person was set up to maintain productivity, the LACDA’s Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure and Desktop Support team worked evenings, weekends, and even on a holiday to set up the virtual environment. They expanded the current network by adding new accounts and assisting staff members on how to connect to their newly assigned virtual desktop. With the addition of over 200 remote users, the LACDA network was able to handle the increased capacity without affecting the staff’s daily work productivity. The telework project was rolled out seamlessly and in record time. IT accomplished the goal of having over 80% of accounts for teleworking up and running, with room for adding new accounts, in just three weeks.

For many of the staff, this was their first-time teleworking and did not know what to expect. IT support was available via phone, email, and virtual assistance to answer questions, address connectivity issues, and help set up the new tools needed to interact and conduct virtual meetings with colleagues via Teams, Skype, and ShoreTel.

The telework project exemplified the agency’s ability to adapt and the staff’s ability to provide excellent customer service to their peers.

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Trained and Ready To Serve

In June 2020, the LACDA participated in a week-long Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training hosted by the City of Alhambra Fire Department. Twenty seven employees were trained in effective communication during times of crisis, disaster preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, fire safety, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Having employees regularly trained on the appropriate steps to take in the event of a disaster in their own neighborhood, or should a fellow employee experience an emergency situation, prepares the CERT member to size up the situation and begin performing the skills he/she learned to minimize further loss of life and property until they are relieved by the appropriate emergency responders.

Conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, CERT training added to employees’ preparedness to serve their peers and be ready to volunteer as Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), if called upon for service by the County of Los Angeles. As public employees, LACDA employees are DSWs. Instances during which a DSW may be called upon to help include public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In an emergency, non-essential public employees (those that are not required for continuity of operations) may be released from their usual duties so that they can be reassigned to assist any agency or organization carrying out its emergency response duties. From March 2020 through June 2020, 10 LACDA employees were called upon to volunteer to assist Los Angeles County in various operations.

As emergency situations ranging from earthquakes or workplace accidents to unprecedented public health emergencies like COVID-19 emerge, the LACDA remains committed to ensuring that its employees are trained, prepared, and ready to jump in as needed.

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• Date: January 2017
• Client: Window
• Category: Photography

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