Oct 08, 2026 Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities

[00:05:53]

GOOD

[00:05:54]

A VERY WARM AFTERNOON, BUT COOL IN HERE.

UM, I'D

[CALL TO ORDER]

AND THE TIME IS 1 0 3.

UH, COMMISSIONERS,

[ROLL CALL]

WE CAN START WITH COMMISSIONER ADAMS HERE.

UH, YOUR NAME AND, OH, I'M SORRY.

YES.

YES.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

YOU JUMPED RIGHT IN.

GO FOR IT.

.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

I'M COMMISSIONER ADAMS. I'M AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE WITH, UH, SHORT HAIR.

I WEAR GLASSES.

I HAVE ON A BLUE, UH, DRESS SHIRT.

UM, AND YOU PRONOUNS.

HE, HIM.

AND THANK YOU FOR COMING.

HI, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ.

UH, SHORT BROWN HAIR, UH, WHITE JACKET, RED SHIRT THAT SAYS USC.

I USE A WALKING CANE, UH, TO AID WITH MOBILITY FOR VISION, UH, IMPAIRMENT, UH, AND WHITE FEMALE.

THANK YOU.

HI, I'M CHAIR.

UH, GRETCHEN SWANSON.

I'M JUST NOTING BOTH, UH, COMMISSIONER ADAMS AND GONZALEZ SAID THEY HAD SHORT HAIR.

AND FOR THOSE WHO CAN LOOK AT THEM, UM, I'M JUST POINTING IT OUT.

UH, I WAS GONNA SAY I HAD SHORT HAIR TOO.

OKAY.

SO I'M AN OLDER WHITE WOMAN WITH SHORT, CURLY HAIR.

I WEAR GLASSES.

I HAVE EARRINGS ON TODAY IN THE SHAPE OF A HEART.

AND I HAVE A BROWN TOP THAT HAS A PIN ON IT WITH, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS IN A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE DISABILITY PRIDE FLAG COLORS.

SO, WELCOME TO EVERYONE.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS CHAKA GARBE, VICE CHAIR.

I AM A AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE PRONOUN.

SHE HER WEARING A BLUE TOP AND BLACK SWEATER.

HELLO EVERYBODY.

ARTHUR ROMA, COMMISSIONER MALE HISPANIC.

UH, SENIOR MALE HISPANIC, MOSTLY DARK HAIR, GREEN AT THE SIZE, MOSTLY WHITE MUSTACHE.

TODAY I HAVE ON GRAY SLACKS AND A BLACK SHIRT.

HI, MY NAME IS ASHLEY JONES.

UH, I'M A WHITE PRESENTING FEMALE MIDLIFE.

UM, I HAVE DARK BROWN HAIR PULLED BACK INTO A PONYTAIL TODAY, AND A LIGHT BLUE TANK TOP ON WITH AMETHYST EARRINGS.

THEY'RE MY BIRTHSTONE.

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

AND FOR THE RECORD, COMMISSIONER, HOPE AND SECRETARY DEAN ARE EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING.

ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE NOT PRESENT ARE UNEXCUSED FROM THE MEETING.

ANY OBJECTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? AND WE COULD, UH, PROCEED.

UM, IF YOU'LL READ THE FIRST, UM, ITEM, WE HAVE THE

[PRESENTATIONS]

WELL, WE, UH, THANK YOU.

WE ARE SUPER, SUPER, SUPER EXCITED, UM, THAT, UH, WE HAVE THESE AWARDS.

WE DO THEM EVERY YEAR.

WE DO TWO AWARDS, AND, UM, CHAKA AND I, COMMISSIONER GARBO AND I WILL BE DO DOING THE PRESENTING.

UH, ONE OF OUR, UH, AWARDEES WILL BE COMING INTO US VIA THE INTERNET, AND ONE OF OUR AWARDEES ARE HERE IN PERSON.

SO WORK WITH US AS WE GO THROUGH THIS.

WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO MAKE THESE AWARDS.

AND WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER BECK.

THANK YOU.

IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT THE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD TO JENNIFER CUYAMA.

ALTHOUGH JENNIFER IS UNABLE TO BE WITH US IN PERSON THIS EVENING, SHE HAS SHARED

[00:10:01]

JENNIFER IS A LIFELONG DISABILITY ACTIVIST, COMMUNITY LEADER, PUBLIC SPEAKER WHO WORKS, HAS MADE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR COUNTLESS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND.

AS A WOMAN WITH A DISABILITY, SHE UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND THE BARRIER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FACE AND THE POWER OF ADVOCACY, ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION TO CREATE MEANINGFUL CHANGE FOR MANY.

FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, JENNIFER HAS DEDICATED HERSELF TO ADVANCING DISABILITY JUSTICE, AMPLIFYING UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES, AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO THRIVE.

AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DISABLED RESOURCE CENTER, SHE BRINGS ENERGY, VISION, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THIS YEAR, ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR, JENNIFER KUMA.

EVERYONE PRESENT TODAY? HAPPY NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH.

I AM VERY HONORED TO RECEIVE, UH, THIS AWARD FROM K COD, UH, AFTER BEING OF FORMER CHAIR OF THIS BODY AND THEN BEING THE ASSIGNED STAFF PERSON.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY.

UM, THIS RECOGNITION MEANS A LOT TO ME, AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL.

UH, AGAIN, THANK YOU AND HAPPY .

THIS CERTIFICATE IS GIVEN TO JENNIFER CUYAMA IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF YOUR ADVOCACY WORK AND COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING ACCESSIBILITY IN LONG BEACH.

THE CITIZEN COMMISSIONED ON DISABILITY HONORS YOU AS 2026 DISABILITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR.

WELL SAID.

AND, UH, WE'RE THRILLED THAT JENNIFER COULD COME TO US.

SHE'S AT A CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO.

BUT, UM, CAME UP WITH THIS FABULOUS IDEA.

NOW I GET TO TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WHO I THINK I'VE KNOWN FOR.

I DON'T KNOW, WHEN I MET JOHN, IT WAS PROBABLY 20 YEARS AGO.

I DON'T KNOW.

I MAKE THINGS UP, JOHN, AND THEN I GO WITH, UM, AND WITH THESE AWARDS, WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND SPOTLIGHT INDIVIDUALS THAT WITHOUT PROMPTING AND GENERALLY WITHOUT EXTERNAL SUPPORT, UPLIFT AND OFF OFFER THE, UM, ALTER THE LIVES AS THOSE IN OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITIES.

AND THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

SO, JOHN OPPENHEIM, WHICH MEANS OPEN HOUSE IN GERMAN, UH, WHICH I THINK IS JUST DELIGHTFUL.

UM, HE'S AN AIR FORCE VETERAN.

UM, BUT THAT'S ONLY A SMALL PART OF HIS STORY.

UM, HE PERSONALLY, HE'S AFFABLE, DILIGENT, INFORMED, AND I THINK I'VE, WELL, I JUST SAID, I THINK I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR DECADES, BUT WILL WILL CHRONICLE THAT AT ANOTHER TIME.

HE'S AN ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS.

HE HAS WORKED ON SYSTEMIC ISSUES, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERANS WHO LIVE IN AND AROUND LONG BEACH.

THE QUESTION IS WHY, AND I THINK THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

THIS IS THE POINT AND MOTIVATES JOHN.

IT'S NOT THAT THERE AREN'T SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

I THINK HE TOTALED 132.

HE WAS ON A ROLL THE DAY I TALKED TO HIM.

BUT THERE ARE MANY, MANY, MANY SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

THE PROBLEM IS, THE RESOURCES OF THOSE SERVICES ARE NOT GETTING TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM.

AND THAT'S WHERE JOHN HAS STEPPED IN.

HE'S USED HIS TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE TO CREATE A RESOURCE NETWORK.

AND YOU CAN ALL GO TO IT.

IF YOU JUST LOOK UP LONG BEACH AREA, UM, VETERANS COLLABORATIVE, YOU CAN GO AND FIND ALL KINDS OF RESOURCES AND THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE VETERANS GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED AND THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR THEM, THEM.

AND WITH THAT INNOVATIVE THOUGHT, WE ARE SO PROUD AND HONORED TO IN INTRODUCE JOHN TO THE COMMUNITY IN A

[00:15:01]

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK A BIT, JOHN, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR YOU.

OH, GEE, THANKS GRETCHEN.

THOSE WHO KNOW ME KNOW THAT I NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT VETERANS AND THE ISSUES THEY FACE.

ONE THING THAT ALL VETERANS HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT WHEN WE JOIN THE MILITARY, WE SIGNED A BLANK CHECK THAT SAYS, YOUR LIFE, AND THEN THE GOVERNMENT OWNS YOU.

BUT FIRST, A COUPLE OF STATISTICS.

UH, AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M A SENIOR VETERAN, EVEN IF YOU CAN'T TELL, I MUST SOUND LIKE ONE.

ANYWAY.

UH, A COUPLE OF STATISTICS.

OVER 50% OF ALL VETERANS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE OVER THE AGE OF 65, AND MOST ARE VIETNAM VETERANS.

IN ADDITION, THERE'S 22 SUICIDES A DAY IN THE UNITED STATES BY VETERANS, AND ABOUT HALF OF THOSE ARE SENIORS.

SO THAT'S NOT JUST THE RECENT ONES WHO WERE IN BATTLE.

BUT BEING RECOGNIZED AS SOMEONE WHO ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

IN 1978, I VOLUNTEERED WITH MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA.

AND IN THOSE DAYS, THE STIGMA AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESS WAS REALLY BAD, EVEN WORSE THAN IT IS TODAY, WHICH IT STILL EXISTS.

BUT I FOUND MY VOICE TO ADVOCATE AND I HAVEN'T STOPPED SINCE.

AS GRETCHEN POINTED OUT RECENTLY, I MOVED INTO A SENIOR LIVING FACILITY.

AND, UH, MANY OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE EITHER WALKERS OR WHEELCHAIRS.

AND IT'S EASY TO SPOT SOMEBODY LIKE THAT AS DISABLED.

BUT I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE DISABILITIES THAT ARE NOT OBVIOUS.

THE VETERANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE PTSD ARE SUFFERING DISABILITIES, BUT YOU CAN'T SEE IT.

AS I SAID, WHEN I ENLISTED, THERE WERE NO WARS AND VIETNAM WAS JUST HEATING UP WHEN I GOT OUT.

I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO WERE DRAFTED OR ENLISTED TO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

IT'S DIFFICULT FOR MOST OF THEM TO TELL THEIR STORIES, BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO DO WANT TO SHARE.

AND SOME HAVE, BUT WHAT THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON IS THE EXPERIENCES THAT THEY HAD IN COMBAT, THE HORRORS OF WAR THAT THEY SAW ARE WITH THEM EVERY DAY.

AND WHILE THE VA AND OTHERS OFFER GOOD TREATMENT FOR PTSD, THERE'S MANY VETERANS OUT THERE WHO DO NOT WANNA PARTICIPATE OR DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THESE RESOURCES EXIST.

WHO ARE THEY? WELL, MAYBE THEY'RE YOUR NEIGHBOR, FRIEND OR RELATIVE.

MIGHT HAVE TO ASK.

SO, ANOTHER THING IS THAT MOST VETERANS ARE ASSERTIVE.

AND SOMETIMES WE COME ACROSS AS AGGRESSIVE.

UH, THERE ARE EVEN THOSE WHO SERVE VETERANS WHO ARE AFRAID TO WORK WITH THEM, WHICH JUST BLOWS ME AWAY.

UM, BUT MOST OF IT IS VERBAL.

IT'S NOT PHYSICAL.

AND, UH, GRETCHEN KNOWS THAT I'M ONE OF THOSE.

UM, BUT I'M A BORN OPTIMIST, AND I FEEL THAT WE'RE GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE VETERANS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CELEBRATE THEM MORE THAN THE THREE DAYS A YEAR THAT WE DO MEMORIAL DAY NINE 11 AND VETERANS DAY.

WE CAN ALL DO OUR PART IN HONORING THOSE WHO GAVE AND GIVE ALL THEY HAVE TO MAKE US A FREE COUNTRY.

ALL OF US HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP, AND WE DO NOT BITE.

THANK YOU.

I'LL ALL, I WILL ALSO READ THE, UH, YES.

UM, THE, UH, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, UH, IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF YOUR ADVOCACY WORK AND COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING ACCE ACCESSIBILITY IN LONG BEACH.

THE CITIZENS COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES HONORS YOU AS 2026 DISABILITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

UM, SOMEONE SLIPPED IN, UH, WHILE I WAS JAMMING AWAY HERE.

UH, VICE MAYOR YANGA.

YEAH, EXACTLY.

AND WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU MAYBE SHARE SOME THOUGHTS.

IT'S VERY RARE THAT I'M ON, ON THIS SIDE OF THE, OF THE DAYS DOING, TALKING TO MYSELF, .

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S A, A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME, AND IT WILL BE FROM, FROM HERE ON ON.

AS YOU MIGHT

[00:20:01]

SO MY LAST MEETING ON THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE IN DECEMBER.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

I HEARD YOU IN THE BEGINNING DESCRIBING YOURSELVES AS TO WHAT YOU ARE.

UH, MALE, HISPANIC, WHITE MUSTACHE.

A LITTLE LONG, A LITTLE LIKE A CHU TYPE THING.

UH, SALT AND PEPPER HAIR.

IT USED TO BE BLACK, IT USED TO BE SHORT.

BUT WITH MY PENDING IN RETIREMENT, I DECIDED I'M GONNA LET MY HAIR GROW.

SO I HAVE BACK IN THAT PONYTAIL.

UH, LATER YOU'LL BE SEEING ME IN THE MIRROR DRIVING THE VAN.

AND I WENT BACK AND RUN RETRO TO MY MAD MO DAYS.

SO I'LL BE, UH, I'LL BE OUT THERE, LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT FOR THAT, FOR THAT MAN, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT ANYWAY, THE REASON I'M HERE IS THAT WE HAD A MEETING ON TUESDAY THAT BROUGHT UP THE AIRPORTS OF WHY THIS COMMISSION EXISTS.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO, TO STATE THAT THERE WAS A VERY CONTENTIOUS, VERY CONTROVERSIAL, VERY HEATED DISCUSSION THAT TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, TUESDAY EVENING.

DURING THE COURSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT, THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY THAT STEPPED UP TO THE PODIUM AND POINTED ME OUT AND SAID, MIKE MAYORGA, I SEE THAT YOU, I'M SORRY.

I'M ON YOUR, YOUR PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, BUT YOU'RE TAKING OUT SPACE.

WHY DON'T YOU MOVE OVER AND LET SOMEBODY ELSE TAKE YOUR SPOT? I REFLECTED ON THAT, AND IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN I WAS NEWLY ELECTED AND PEOPLE THOUGHT WOULD SEE ME, AND THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? AND I WOULD TELL THEM, I BELONG.

HERE.

GO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

THERE'S GOTTA BE ANOTHER CONFERENCE.

THERE'S GOTTA BE ANOTHER, UH, UH, MEETING TAKING PLACE.

THERE'S A MEETING FOR TRUSTEES, PRESIDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

I LOOKED THAT PERSON IN THE EYE, AND I SAID, VERY SLOWLY AND DELIBERATELY, I BELONG HERE.

AND WITH THAT, HE STARED AT ME AND WAS SORT OF PERPLEXED.

DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

SOMEBODY FINALLY CAME UP TO HIM AND WHISPERED IN HIS EAR AND TOLD HIM WHO I WAS.

AND WHEN HE REALIZED WHO HE WAS TALKING TO, HE MEOWED OUT.

AND I SENT THAT ME INTO A CIRCLE AND WENT, INTRODUCED ME AROUND.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE MY RESPONSE TO THAT YOUNG LADY WAS, I BELONG HERE.

I, BECAUSE AS I HAVE THIS TO, TO, TO THINK AND MAKE DECISIONS, AS LONG AS I HAVE THIS TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY, I BELONG WHERE I WANNA BE.

AND I'M NOT TAKING ANYBODY'S SPOT.

I'M TAKING MY SPOT.

IT'S MEANT FOR ME.

AND IF I WANT TO LEAVE IT, THAT'S MY CHOICE.

NOT YOURS, NOT YOURS, NOT YOURS.

MINE.

I DECIDE WHETHER I WANNA VOTE OR NOT.

AND THIS COMMISSION DOES PRECISELY THAT.

IT SAYS YOU HAVE VALUE, YOU HAVE MEANING.

YOU HAVE SO TO CONTRIBUTE EVERY DAY TO THE CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH, TO THIS COMMISSION.

AND I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT.

WE HAVE TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE IN KNOW ROOM.

YOU'RE RECOGNIZING JOHN HEIMER AND, AND JENNIFER , WHO USED TO WORK FOR THE CITY.

TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE ADVOCATES FOR YOUR, FOR THE DISABILITY DISABLE COMMUNITY, AND WHO KNEW A LOT OF GOOD WORK FOR YOUR, FOR THE, FOR THE COMMISSION.

SO THE, THE LONG STORY SHORT, WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT REGARDLESS OF YOUR AGE, YOUR VISIBILITY OR ABILITY, THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN, YOUR NATIONAL ORIGIN, YOUR RELIGION OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, IF YOU CHOOSE TO BE SOMEWHERE YOU BELONG AND YOU BELONG THERE.

AND NOT, NOT NOBODY, DON'T LET NOBODY TELL YOU DON'T.

BECAUSE YOU DO.

YOU HAVE MEANING, YOU HAVE PURPOSE, AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE.

SO WITH THAT, I WANNA JUST, I HAVE TWO CERTIFICATES HERE, ONE FOR JOHN AND ONE FOR JENNIFER IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE TO THIS GREAT COMMISSION.

AND PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND CONTINUE TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UM, EXCELLENT.

I THINK WHAT IF, IF IT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY, WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IS TAKE A PHOTO, UH, WITH OUR, UH, AWARDEES OR THEIR SURROGATES WITH THE, UM, RECOGNITION.

WE HAVE FLOWERS FOR JOHN.

WE KNEW THAT JENNIFER WOULD NOT BE HERE.

UH, SHE'LL GET THEM LATER.

AND THEN I HAVE SOME DISABILITY

[00:25:01]

YEAH.

SO EVERYONE CAN COME UP FOR THE PHOTO.

WHO WANTS TO STAND, UM, IN SUPPORT OF, UH, JENNIFER AND JOHN.

SO YOUR GUESTS, PEOPLE THAT KNOW THEM, PEOPLE WHO COLLABORATE WITH THE DRC.

YEAH.

COME ON UP.

WE'RE ALL GOOD.

WE'RE MOVING.

I, YOU DON'T SEE US YET, BUT WE'RE MOVING.

UM, AND DOING MY SHOULDER.

YEAH.

YEAH.

DON'T,

[00:30:43]

AND THAT'S, UH, TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE.

AND WHILE THEY'RE WALKING OUT, THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE SCUTTLEBUTT ABOUT THESE PINS.

UH, I WILL, UH, WE'LL NEED TO ORDER SOME MORE.

UM, AND I THINK THAT'S COOL.

SO, UH, THAT'S ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO.

UM, SO, UH, NEXT AGENDA ITEM YES.

CHAIR ITEM ONE.

RECOMMENDATION

[1. 26-56356 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Disabilities meeting of Thursday, September 10, 2026.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

I, UH, CAN I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND MOTION? I'LL SECOND.

IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ.

IS THAT CORRECT? JONES? DID YOU, DID YOU MOVE MAKE ASHLEY? THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER JONES.

AND I'M SORRY I DIDN'T CAPTURE THE SECOND ROMO.

COMMISSIONER ROMO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OKAY.

WE HAVE, SO IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

UM, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, UM, OR CORRECTIONS? ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN PERSON OR ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM.

AND IF IN ZOOM, PLEASE USE THE RAISE HAND FEATURE NOW, OR DIAL STAR NINE IF CALLING IN, IS THIS FOR, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MINUTES? YES.

YES.

I DON'T AGREE THAT THE PUBLIC COMMENT MEETINGS WERE REDUCED OR, OH, YOU'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT.

OKAY.

UH, YES.

WE'RE CURRENTLY REFERRING TO, UH, THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026 FOR NON AGENDA.

THANK YOU.

SORRY.

OKAY.

WE HAD THAT CLARIFIED.

THERE'LL BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, UM, AND SEEING NONE IN ZOOM CHAIR.

OKAY.

SO, UM, IF YOU'LL CALL THE VOTE COMMISSIONER ADAMS AYE.

COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER JONES.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER ROMO.

AYE.

VICE CHAIR? GAR AYE.

CHAIR SWANSON.

AYE.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

ITEM

[2. 26-56357 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation from the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) regarding employment services and resources for individuals with disabilities.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

MAY I HAVE A MOTION? AND SECOND, ALL MOTION I SECOND.

IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR GARBE.

GREAT.

UM, MAYBE HAVE THE PRESENTATION AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

UM, YES.

UM, WE'RE RECOGNIZING OCTOBER, HIS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, AND WE'RE CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS, TALENTS, AND VALUE OF PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE.

SO, THANK YOU ALL.

WE ALL SHOW UP TO WORK EVERY DAY.

UM, AND MY NAME IS CARMEN RE AND I'M HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUE WENDY, REPRESENTING, UH, THE LONG BEACH WORKFORCE INNOVATION NETWORK.

UM, WE ARE PROUD TO WORK ALONGSIDE A HARDWORKING DEPARTMENT AND TEAM OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO SHOW UP EVERY DAY COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND HELPING INDIVIDUALS, UM, INCLUDING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS.

[00:35:02]

OUR ROLE IS TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECT THEM WITH RESOURCES TO MOVE FORWARD.

UH, TOWARDS THE END OF OUR PRESENTATION, WE'LL BE INTRODUCING SOME OF OUR SPECIALIZED PARTNERS AND HIGHLIGHTING HOW COLLABORATION HELPS US BETTER SERVE INDIVIDUALS.

UM, WE WILL BE INTRODUCING LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR PARTNERS FROM DISABLED RESOURCE CENTER.

AND I WILL TURN IT OUT TO MY COLLEAGUE, WENDY, TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF OUR GENERAL CAREER SERVICES AND HOW LB WIND SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THEIR CAREER JOURNEYS.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

HI AGAIN.

MY NAME IS WENDY KAKA.

I AM ONE OF THE CAREER SPECIALISTS HERE AT LONG, OR I GUESS AT OUR CENTER, LONG BEACH WIND, UH, THE ADULT CAREER SERVICES CENTER, UM, AND DISABILITY COORDINATOR.

I'VE BEEN WORKING IN WORKFORCE SERVICES FOR OVER 15, 17, 20 YEARS, MANY YEARS.

UM, AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND OUR EMPLOYERS IN PROVIDING THIS FEDERAL GRANT THAT, UM, WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT TODAY.

UM, SO WE, UM, OPERATE AND ADMINISTER A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM CALLED WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES ACT.

AND IT PROVIDES DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SERVICES, UM, IN EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.

UM, SO OUR FIRST LEVEL SERVICE, AND WE SERVE ALL, ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO COME IN AND UTILIZE OUR CENTER.

SO OUR, THE GRANT SERVES OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE, UM, INTENSIVE SERVICES, TRAINING SERVICES.

BUT FIRST, UM, OUR FIRST SERVICES ARE LIKE BASIC SERVICES TO, UM, WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

UM, I GUESS FIRST IS THE PRIORITY OF SERVICE.

UM, AND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO, UM, HAVE, UM, I'M SORRY, , UH, PRIORITY OF SERVICE, UM, INDIVIDUALS WITH, UH, THAT ARE LOW INCOME INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES VETERANS.

UM, SO ADULTS AND, UM, YOUTH THAT WE PROVIDE, UH, THESE SERVICES TO.

UM, SO WE DO HAVE OUR TWO CENTERS, UM, THE YOUTH ADULT SERVICES CENTER AND, UM, AT, UM, THE AIRPORT PROS DRIVE, UM, NEAR THE AIRPORT.

AND THEN THE YOUTH CENTER IS OVER ON WILLOW AND MAGNOLIA.

UM, LET'S SEE, GONNA THE NEXT SERVICES.

SO OUR FIRST LEVEL SERVICE IS BASIC SERVICES COMING INTO OUR CENTER.

WE HAVE, UH, COMPUTER LAB WORKSHOPS THAT ARE SKILL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS THAT PROVIDE, UM, TOPICS ON RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEWING SKILLS, UM, SERVICES, UH, ON OLDER WORKERS.

UH, BUT THE INDIVIDUALS CAN COME IN AND CONDUCT THEIR JOB SEARCH, UTILIZE OUR COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, COPIERS, AND REALLY HAVE A GOOD FOCUS ON THEIR JOB SEARCH AND USE THE INTERNET THAT'S THERE.

UM, AND ALONG WITH ANY STAFF THAT MAYBE NEED, UH, ASSISTANCE.

AND PART OF, UM, OUR GRANT IS, UM, HAVING PARTNERS, UM, WITH US.

UM, SO THE EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS LOCATED ON SITE WITH US.

WE PARTNER WITH, UH, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S, UH, DEPARTMENT OF RE, UH, REHABILITATION CENTER CENTER.

AND THEY COME AND PROVIDE, UH, SERVICES AND PRESENT ON THEIR, UM, PROGRAMS. LET'S SEE.

AND, UM, OH, SO THIS IS A VIDEO, UM, THAT WE WON'T PLAY, BUT THIS IS JUST AGAIN, AGAIN, OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES, AND THEN WE'LL GET INTO THE, UM, OTHER SERVICES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

CARMEN? MM-HMM .

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, WENDY.

UM, AND WENDY PROVIDES SUCH GREAT EXPERTISE.

UM, I ALWAYS LOOK, UH, TOWARDS HER FOR ANY GUIDANCE.

UH, SHE HAS BEEN WITH THE TEAM FOR LIKE 17 YEARS DIMENSION, UH, BUT WE CONTINUE TO GROW AT THE DEPARTMENT.

AND PROVIDING VIRTUAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLATFORMS IS SOMETHING THAT WE, UH, PROVIDE AT OUR CENTERS.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW TOOLS TO INNOVATE, WAYS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, AND HELP INDIVIDUALS EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS.

UM, WE HAVE, UM, A TOOL CALLED WINGSPAN AND TRANSFER, AND ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE COULD COME TO OUR CENTERS AND THEY COULD USE VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS IF YOU'RE EVER

[00:40:01]

AND, UH, WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY TO INTRODUCE CAREERS TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS.

AND, UM, WE ALSO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL CAREER SERVICES.

UM, AND THE, THIS LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT.

IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

EVERYONE COMES TO US WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, DIFFERENT GOALS AND CHALLENGES, AND WE HELP INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFY THEIR STRENGTHS.

UM, SO WE HAVE A VARIETY OF JOB SKILLS WORKSHOPS THAT ARE, UH, HELD WEEKLY.

UH, OUR DEPARTMENT PUTS TOGETHER A MONTHLY JOB SKILLS CALENDAR, FREE FOR ALL, UH, NO WHEEL ENROLLMENT NEEDED.

AND THIS COULD BE A YOUNG PERSON, AN ADULT JUST DROPPING BY TO ONE OF OUR CENTERS.

AND AI IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT PART OF WORKFORCE.

SO AT LB WIN, WE'RE EMBRACING INNOVATION RATHER THAN GETTING LEFT BEHIND.

UM, OUR OWN STAFF ARE LEARNING HOW TO USE THESE TOOLS.

AND, UH, KEEPING UP WITH HUMAN CONNECTION AT THE CENTER, UM, CONTINUES TO BE OUR MAIN GOAL.

UM, TECHNOLOGY COULD SUPPORT OUR PROCESS.

UH, BUT OUR STAFF EXPERTISE, JUST LIKE WENDY, 17 YEARS IN WORKFORCE AT LB WIN, UM, AND ALL OF OUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND INDIVIDUALIZED GUIDANCE IS WHAT MAKES OUR CAREER SERVICES SUCCESSFUL.

AND CONTINUING ON, WE ALSO HAVE, OH, I THINK I HIT BACK, UM, MANY DIFFERENT TRAINING SERVICES.

AND WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND CONNECT ELIGIBLE, UM, INDIVIDUALS TO PATHWAYS THAT COULD INCLUDE, UM, ON THE JOB TRAINING, UH, WORK-BASED LEARNING.

AND WE ALSO HAVE THESE REALLY COOL INDIVIDUALIZED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ACCOUNTS.

SO SCHOLARSHIPS THAT, UH, MEMBERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, ADULTS, YOUNG PEOPLE, UM, IF THEY QUALIFY UNDER WIOA, THEY COULD RECEIVE UP TO $7,500.

SO OUR TEAM, UM, CONTINUES TO PROMOTE, UM, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE CAREER GROWTH, UM, TO, UM, CONNECT TO, UM, RECOGNIZED, UH, CREDENTIALS, UM, THAT ARE STATE APPROVED.

AND THESE ARE JUST SAMPLES OF OUR, UH, HIGH WAGE, HIGH DEMANDS INDUSTRIES HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.

UM, WE HAVE HEALTHCARE, ANYTHING RELATED TO THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, UM, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

UM, OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEW LABOR, LABOR MARKET, AND DOING OUR BEST TO INFORM THE PUBLIC WITH WHAT ARE THE NEW CAREERS COMING TO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.

AND, UM, CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THEM.

AND THIS IS WHY THESE $7,500 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO, TO OUR DEPARTMENT.

AND, UM, UM, IN-HOUSE.

I ALSO WANNA DO A SHOUT OUT TO MY DEPARTMENT THAT INTERNALLY WE LEAD, UH, YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND MANY OTHER PROGRAMMING SUCH AS, UH, SPACE SPEECH, YOUTH CAMP, URBAN PLANNING, UH, FIRE CORE, UM, OUR PUBLIC SERVICE CORPS, UH, PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE TO GO INTO, UH, CREDENTIALS THAT ARE, UM, HIGH WAGE, HIGH DEMAND.

AND I'M GONNA CONTINUE ON TO, UM, OUR NEXT SLIDE.

AND WE CAN'T DO THIS WORK ALONE.

UH, WE HAVE A VERY HARDWORKING TEAM OF BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT SERVICES, AND I ALSO WANNA DO A SHOUT OUT TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS.

UM, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES IS HERE AND, UH, PROMOTING JUST ALL THE SERVICES THAT WE DO.

IT, IT TAKES A FULL TEAM TO, UM, UM, TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS RUNNING.

AND WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND HIRE AND, UH, CREATE JOB FAIRS.

AND, UM, OUR TEAM USUALLY IS THE FIRST TO COORDINATE ANY, UH, REEMPLOYMENT RESOURCES OR, UM, WHEN LAYOFFS HAPPEN IN OUR CITY.

UM, OUR TEAM IS THE, THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING.

UM, SO LOTS OF, LOTS OF WORK, LOTS OF COORDINATION THAT REQUIRES TO, UM, TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO, TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND, UM, I WILL BE ENDING WITH OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND REFERRALS.

UM, IT'S SUPER CRITICAL WHEN THE WORK THAT WE DO, UM, EVERY DAY.

I HAVE VERY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES FROM OUR YOUTH AND ADULTS, AND I CAN'T DO THIS WORK ALONE.

MY DEPARTMENT CAN'T DO THIS WORK ALONE.

AND THAT'S WHY PARTNERSHIPS AND REFERRALS HELPS US, UM, CONNECT RESOURCES AND BETTER SERVE OUR AND CUSTOMERS.

AND THIS IS WHERE OUR, UH, PARTNERS, UH, LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, UH, YOUTH EMPLOYMENT TEAM IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE AWESOME COLLABORATION THAT WE DO.

AND I WILL GIVE THEM THE FLOOR TO HIGHLIGHT A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER.

THE PICTURE, YES.

HOW YOU GUYS DOING TODAY?

[00:45:01]

I'M GREAT.

I'M ALWAYS GREAT.

SO, MY NAME'S ANTHONY BARDA.

UM, I AM AT THE CAREER DEVELOPER AT, UH, CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I AM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT NETWORK, WHICH IS A PART OF THE, LET ME GET THIS CORRECT.

IT IS PART OF THE STUDENT SUPPORTIVE SERVICE OFFICE AT WSD SERVING, UH, MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE STUDENTS WE SERVE HAVE IEPS OR 5 0 4 OR VERIFIED DISABILITY.

UM, THE FUTURE SER SUPPORT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT WE, UM, OFFER ARE PAID INTERNSHIPS.

THIS INTERNS CAN GET UP TO 120, UM, INTERNSHIP HOURS.

WE PROVIDE CAREER EXPLORATION GUIDANCE.

UM, MOST OF OUR STUDENTS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO OR HAVE AN INKLING, UM, OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

WE DIVE A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, SPEAK ABOUT EDUCATION, UM, POSSIBLE PAY, YOU KNOW, UM, GROWTH WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, WORKPLACE READINESS TRAINING.

UH, WE GO ON FIELD TRIPS, WE DO, UH, WORKPLACE TOURS, AS WELL AS, UM, GIVING THEM THOSE INTERNSHIPS, UM, WORKPLACE LEARNING INSTRUCTION ON SELF-ADVOCACY.

MY FAVORITE QUESTION IS WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT.

AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT, BUT I'M LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT? AND THEY'RE LIKE, OH, I, I KIND OF DON'T LIKE TO ANSWER THAT ONE.

I WAS LIKE, BUT THAT KIND OF GUIDES YOU ON WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO, UM, AND NOT WANT TO, UM, KIND OF PURSUE THAT, UM, BECAUSE I LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

SO, UH, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

UM, WE KIND OF GO OVER WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, WHERE THEY WANT TO GO AFTER.

TYPICALLY IT'S LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE.

SOMETIMES IT'S CAL STATE LONG BEACH, BUT I TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO VENTURE OUT, UM, SHORT TERM TRAINING, UM, UM, LIKE LB WAN, AS WELL AS, UH, EXPLORING OUT LIKE MORE OF LIKE A TRADE SCHOOL, UM, LIKE, UH, SAN PEDRO HARBOR OCCUPATIONAL CENTER.

SO WE SERVE OVER, UM, OR WE PROVIDED OVER A HUNDRED PAID INTERNSHIPS WITH THE 90 PER 94% APPROVAL RATING FOR THOSE STUDENT INTERNS.

UM, WE SERVE THOUSANDS OF L-B-U-S-D STUDENTS, UM, ANNUALLY.

AND THEN WE CREATED THE TRANSITION SHIP WEBSITE FOR STUDENT AND FAMILIES.

UM, AND THEN WE HOST A MOCK INTERVIEW EVENT EVERY SPRING AT ALL SIX, UH, COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS WHERE WE GO OVER 11 TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS THAT AN ENTRY LEVEL OF STUDENT WILL ENCOUNTER.

UM, THAT ONE IS VERY FUN.

UM, I GET TO GO TO THE OTHER CAMPUSES, MEET NEW STUDENTS, UM, AND THEN PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE MY STUDENTS, UM, ARE A LITTLE BIT, UM, EVERY CAMPUS HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE, UM, ISSUES AND BARRIERS.

AND BECAUSE I AM HERE SPEAKING, I GET TO SPEAK ABOUT CABRILLO.

SO I WORK AT CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, I'M IN ROOM FOUR 10.

UM, MY FOCUS IS TO GET AS MUCH MONEY INTO MY STUDENTS' POCKETS.

SO I GET CREATIVE.

I TRY TO, UM, LEAN ON MY, UM, MY SUPPORT.

UM, AND I TRY TO PROVIDE THEM AS MANY WORKSHOPS, YOU KNOW, FIELD TRIPS, UM, ANYTHING THAT WILL PAY THEM, BECAUSE 25% OF OUR STUDENTS, UM, LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

SO, UM, MY GOAL IS TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS FOR THEM AS I CAN, UM, AND EDUCATE THEM ALONG THE WAY AND, UM, SUPPORT THEM, YOU KNOW, AS THEY TRANSITION.

SO, THAT'S IT FOR ME.

THANK YOU, ANTHONY.

UM, NEXT I'M PROUD TO INTRODUCE OUR PARTNERS FROM THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER, UH, GINO AND MATEO, OUR SERVICE DOG.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.

MY NAME IS GINO ELLIOT.

I AM A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY, AN ARMY VETERAN, A FORMER CAREGIVER FOR BOTH MY PARENTS AND THE OWNER OF AQUATIC INSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT, LLCA VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS HERE BASED IN LONG BEACH.

NOW, THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE GIVEN ME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON DISABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, ACCESSIBILITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

I'M ALSO PROUD TO BE AFFILIATED WITH THE DISABLED RESOURCES CENTER, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AT DISABLED RESOURCE CENTER, WE BELIEVE THAT DISABILITY DOES NOT DIMINISH A PERSON'S VALUE, POTENTIAL, OR CONTRIBUTION.

OUR FOCUS IS NOT ON LIMITATIONS, BUT ON OPPORTUNITIES.

EVERY DAY.

WE WORK TO HELP INDIVIDUALS GAIN THE, GAIN, THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND DIRECT THEIR OWN LIVES.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES I SHARE IS THIS, INDEPENDENCE IS NOT ABOUT DOING EVERYTHING ALONE.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND ACCESS TO SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS THROUGH ADVOCACY, PEER SUPPORT, INFORMATION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES, INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

DRC HELPS

[00:50:01]

ANOTHER PRINCIPLE THAT GUIDES OUR WORK IS WE DO NOT SPEAK FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

WE HELP ENSURE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD.

AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I ALSO SEE DISABILITY FOR THE PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE NOT ONLY RECIPIENTS OF SERVICES.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE EMPLOYEES, ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS OWNERS, VOLUNTEERS, TAXPAYERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND INNOVATORS.

WHEN BARRIERS ARE REMOVED AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE EXPENDED, EXPANDED, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES STRENGTHEN OUR WORKFORCE, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS DRC PROVIDE IS A HOPE THROUGH CONNECTION.

SOMETIMES THE MOST POWERFUL SUPPORT COMES FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS TRAVELED A SIMILAR JOURNEY AND CAN SAY, I'VE BEEN THERE.

AND YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS TOO.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION, AND NOT SIMPLY DISABILITY ISSUES.

THEY ARE COMMUNITY ISSUES.

A COMMUNITY IS STRONGEST WHEN EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE, CONTRIBUTE, AND BELONG.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS NAVIGATED DISABILITY, SERVED AS A CAREGIVER, AND OPERATE A BUSINESS, I KNOW THE SUCCESS IS RARELY ACHIEVED ALONE.

IT COMES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, RESOURCES, DETERMINATION, AND SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATIONS THAT BELIEVE IN PEOPLE'S POTENTIAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH THIS THOUGHT.

DISABLED RESOURCE CENTER DOES MORE THAN PROVIDE SERVICES.

WE HELP CREATE PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE, INCLUSION, DIGNITY, AND OPPORTUNITY.

OUR GOAL IS NOT TO CREATE DEPENDENCE, BUT TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE THE LIVES THEY CHOOSE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE, AND THE COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, GINO.

I DO WANT TO, UH, CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS.

THERE'S MANY OTHER PARTNERS THAT COULDN'T JOIN US TODAY, AND WE WOULD BE HERE ALL DAY.

UM, BUT I ALSO WANNA DO A, UM, A SHOUT OUT TO COMMISSIONER GRETCHEN AND ARLIS, WHO, UM, JOINED US FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS TO OUR ORIENTATIONS AT LB WYN YOUTH CENTER.

AND, UH, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE, OUR APPLICATION, UM, ASKS, DO YOU HAVE A DISABILITY? AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR, UM, YOUNG PEOPLE.

ADULTS ARE NOT DISCLOSING.

AND, UM, THERE'S, THERE'S JUST MORE INFORMATION NEEDED, UM, FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO DISCLOSE IN ADULTS.

SO, THANK YOU GRETCHEN, AND OUR LIST FOR CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OUR TEAM AND COLLABORATE TO, UM, WORK TOWARDS, UM, JUST CREATING A SPACE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS CAN, CAN DISCLOSE THAT, UM, AND FEEL COMFORTABLE TO SAY THAT I HAVE A DISABILITY.

SO, THANK YOU.

UM, MY FINAL REMARKS IS THAT, UH, THIS WORK IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE PROGRAM OR DEPARTMENT.

IT'S ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE WHO WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS, RECOGNIZING THE BARRIERS THEY MAY FACE AND WORKING TOWARDS TO CREATE PATHWAYS FORWARD.

UM, AT LB WIN, WE CONTINUE TO INNOVATE, LEARN, AND COLLABORATE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR RESIDENTS, WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT.

UH, WE STRENGTHEN NOT ONLY INDIVIDUALS, BUT THE ENTIRE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR WORK WITH YOU TODAY, AND THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS WHO MAKE THIS WORK POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU.

AND I COULD LEAVE IT OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT HAPPENS, BUT WE ARE OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

UH, UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE HAVE A LITTLE KIND OF PROCEDURE THAT WE USE HERE.

SO, UH, THE FIRST IS THAT, UM, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

UM, THE, UH, NEXT STEP IS, ARE THERE ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS? NOT DISCUSSION POINTS, BUT JUST ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY.

UM, WE'LL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN PERSON OR ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM TWO, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM.

AND IF IN ZOOM, PLEASE USE A RAISE HAND FEATURE NOW, OR DIAL STAR NINE IF CALLING IN, SEEING NONE IN PERSON AND IN ZOOM, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY.

SO WE TAKE IT BACK, UH, TO THE COMMISSION.

UM, ANY DISCUSSION REFLECTIONS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE? YES, I THANK YOU, UH, CHAIRPERSON, THAT'S WATSON.

I DEFINITELY, UM, SO ENLIGHT, APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.

IT WAS GREAT.

AND I HAD A QUESTION TO SEE.

I'M LOOKING AT YOUR POWERPOINT, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY CONTACT TO REACH OUT TO YOU OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO I HAVE A BUSINESS CARD GIVE TO YOU IF I GIVE TO YOU AFTER THE MEETING OR BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

[00:55:01]

UM, DEFINITELY WE NEED THIS MORE TO BE PROMOTED TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE YOUTH AND FOR THE KIDS.

UM, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, LIKE I HEARD YOU MENTION ABOUT, UM, A LOT OF YOUNG TEENAGER KIDS DON'T, UM, HAVE OR WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE DISABILITIES AND THEIR, THEIR CONCERNS.

UM, SO SOME OF US THAT WORK WITH KIDS OR COMMUNITIES, WE CAN PROBABLY HELP OUT WITH THAT AND KIND OF BE LIKE A PATHWAY, ESPECIALLY WITH CABRILLO HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT.

SO I'D LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOU GUYS.

SO THAT WAS MY FIRST QUESTION.

THE SECOND ONE, I KNOW ANTHONY, YOU PRESENTED AND YOU WAS GOING OVER YOUR KIND OF A GOOD OVERVIEW AND YOU HAD SOME STATS.

ARE YOU ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH US AND MAYBE PUT THAT TOGETHER AND EMAIL IT TO OUR COORDINATOR AND WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION? 'CAUSE THAT WAS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION THAT YOU HAD IN YOUR PRESENTATION.

AND, UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE SOME DOCUMENTATION ON THAT.

THAT'D BE GOOD TO SHARE.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

UM, MY BOSS IS THE SMARTER ONE, SO I'LL HAVE HIM PUT THE EMAIL TOGETHER AND SEND IT OVER TO YOU.

I'LL, I'LL GET YOUR BUSINESS CARD.

OKAY.

OKAY.

APPRECIATE I GIVE IT TO YOU.

COOL.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S UP.

OKAY.

OTHER COMMISSIONERS? WELL, I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS AND REMARKS.

UM, DUE TO A'S, UM, CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, I WAS DELIGHTED TO SPEND SOME TIME AT THE YOUTH CENTER ON WILLOW.

UM, I POINTED OUT TO EVERYONE WHO'S IN THE CAR WHEN I GO BY NOW.

TOTALLY COOL PLACE.

JUST GO IN THERE, SAY HELLO, THE DOOR'S OPEN, THEY'RE OPEN.

I LOVE THAT.

UH, NO BARRIERS.

AND THERE ARE TWO THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN MY MIND, AND I HOPE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF, UM, A LONG-TERM INTERACTION BETWEEN ALL THE RESOURCES, THE LB WIN INITIATIVE PROGRAM, BUT ALL THESE PARTNERS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE, UM, THAT'S WAY OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF K COD.

WE, WE DON'T DO, WE DO, WE DON'T DO THAT.

BUT WE CAN DO SOME THINGS.

AND, UH, TWO THINGS COME TO MIND IN LISTENING TO, UM, PARTICULARLY THE SCHOOL L-B-U-S-D AND WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE.

UM, THE CONNECTION AT LB WIN AND THEN GO OUT TO DRC.

AND SO, AND THEN YOU HAVE MANY MORE COLLABORATORS, RIGHT? IS THAT SUFFICIENT? SOMEONE WAS SAYING, UH, I THINK CARMEN WAS SAYING IT'S IT'S BIGGER THAN US.

YES.

BUT IS THAT SUFFICIENT TO TAKE US FORWARD? IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE? AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT THAT AND COMMUNICATE BACK TO US IN SOME DELIBERATIVE FORM SO THAT WE CAN UPLIFT THAT.

SO, I, I DON'T EXPECT AN ANSWER RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

I'D LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE ALL THE PIECES ARE THERE.

LIKE, I'M INTERESTED IN THE DATA, THE LONG TERM DATA, AND DA DA DA, DA, DA.

YEAH.

WELL, LET'S, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THEN WE CAN LOOK AT HOW DA DATA REFLECTS IT.

THE OTHER PART WAS WHEN I WAS THERE AND ARLA WAS THERE, THERE'S SO MUCH ACTIVITY IN THE YOUTHS.

I MEAN, I WAS, UM, STUNNED, FRANKLY, I, I THINK, I KNOW I'M, I'M GONNA SHOW MY AGE BIAS, BUT TEENAGERS, YOU KNOW, JUST KINDA, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY WAS ALIVE, ASKING QUESTIONS, CURIOUS, UH, WANNA DO.

AND LIKE MANY IN THAT AGE ARE KIND OF LOST TO THE NEXT STEP.

AND I, I WAS THERE, I KNOW ON THAT VERY APPROPRIATE RESPONSES.

YET THEY ARE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE A DISABILITY.

AND, UH, THAT'S A HUGE DISCONNECT.

SO FROM MY ANGLE AND HERE ON CAPE COD, THERE'S A BIG DEAL THERE.

SO WE HAVE ALL THESE, JUST LIKE WHAT JOHN'S WORKED ON FOR YEARS, THERE ARE ALL THESE SERVICES, ALL THESE AVENUES PEOPLE CAN TAKE.

BUT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET INTO THAT PATHWAY, GET INTO HAVING A SUPPORT, HAVING A MENTOR, GETTING INTO A CLASS, UH, I SAW, UH, STUDENTS, INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLE WITH NOT ONLY WHAT THEY SAY, 'CAUSE THEY HAVE TO DESCRIBE IT, BUT HOW THEY SAY IT.

A AND THAT'S WAY IN ADVANCE OF GETTING INTO AN INTERVIEW SITUATION.

SO

[01:00:01]

AND I CERTAINLY WISH YOU WELL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR CITY SHOULD BE REPRESENTING.

AND I THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERS THAT CAME HERE.

UM, ANY OTHER THOUGHTS? WELL, YES, I'M COMMISSIONER ADAMS. UM, I, I, AND THAT'S GREAT, GREAT EXPLANATION.

UH, CHAIRPERSON, CHAIR, WOMAN, UM, SWANSON.

THE OTHER PART TO THAT IS I THINK YOU HAVE, LIKE, I WORK WITH A LOT OF KIDS FROM 10, 11 TO 12-YEAR-OLD.

AND SOMETIMES WITH AN ORGANIZATION LIKE YOU HAVE, WHEN YOU GET TO A KID THAT'S ALREADY IN 12TH GRADE OR 11TH GRADE, IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE AT ANY TIME.

BUT IF YOU GET 'EM AT 10-YEAR-OLD, 11-YEAR-OLD, AND THEY KNOW ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, BY THE TIME THEY GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'LL BE PREPARED FOR GETTING AN INTERNSHIP JOB AND BEING READY FOR THAT.

SO MY MIND IS ALREADY SPINNING RIGHT NOW TO ALL THE KIDS I WORK WITH AT, AT THAT AGE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CAREER PATH AND BE READY FOR WHAT YOU'RE PRESENTING, WHAT YOU'RE PROVIDING.

SO WHEN THEY GET TO THAT 14, 15, 16-YEAR-OLD AGE, THEY CAN ALREADY KNOW ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU'RE TRAINING FOR THEM GETTING READY FOR THEIR CAREER.

SO I THINK GOING TO THE, THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, IT'D BE REALLY IMPACTFUL FOR WHAT YOU'RE TRAINING NOW AND GET 'EM READY FOR YOUR PROGRAM.

SO THAT'S, JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT TO THE THOUGHT PROCESS.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ADAMS. UM, ANY CLOSING REMARKS ON OUR PRESENTERS? WELL, WELL DONE AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY.

WE WILL, UM, CALL FOR THE VOTE.

COMMISSIONER ADAMS AYE.

COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER JONES.

AYE.

COMMISSIONER ROMO.

AYE.

VICE CHAIR? GARBE AYE.

CHAIR SWANSON.

AYE.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

OKAY.

UH, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

ITEM

[3. 26-56358 Recommendation to discuss anticipated Ad Hoc Committees for upcoming projects; and, if appropriate, take action to create Ad Hoc Committees.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

AND IF APPROPRIATE, TAKE ACTION TO CREATE AD HOC COMMITTEES.

UM, MAY I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON THIS MOTION? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COMMISSIONER JONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ.

UM, SO, UM, THE FLOOR IS OURS.

COMMISSIONERS.

OKAY, I'M GONNA GO.

UM, SO I'M, AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF VIA THE BROWN ACT AND OTHERWISE, BUT I'M FINDING CHALLENGES, UM, WITHIN OUR COMMUNICATION RELATIVE TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, MEANING, RIGHT, LIKE WE'RE USING WORK EMAILS, NOT EVERYONE'S CHECKING THEIR WORK EMAIL ON THE WEEKEND.

UM, WHAT KIND OF ITEMS DO WE HAVE IF WE'RE TABLING, WHAT SUPPLIES DO WE NOT HAVE? UM, AND SO I'M THINKING WHAT WOULD BE GOOD IS TO KIND OF FORMALIZE, HAVE SOME KIND OF LIKE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AD HOC COMMITTEE SO WE CAN KIND OF OUTLINE WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT EXTERNAL EVENTS.

UM, AND HOW BEST TO KIND OF FLOW COMMUNICATION THROUGH IN TERMS OF LIKE SCHEDULING FOR TIMEFRAMES FOR WHO'S GONNA BE THERE.