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Clubhouse members ask Orange County to replace investigator, cite reprisals and favoritism at Claravida program
Summary
Members and participants of the Camino de Vida (Claravida) mental health clubhouse told supervisors they continue to experience arbitrary suspensions, reprisals and favoritism and asked that the investigator assigned by the county be replaced because she has not engaged with complainants.
Participants and members of Camino de Vida Claravida, a mental‑health clubhouse program, asked the board to replace an investigator the county assigned to look into complaints about staff conduct and alleged reprisals.
“She has done absolutely nothing. I urge you to please replace her with someone who will do what you have asked and make the necessary changes,” one speaker said, describing long delays and continued suspensions of members who protested workplace conditions.
Speakers, addressing Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and the board, described alleged arbitrary suspensions, favoritism, threats and reprisals at the clubhouse. Juan Chavez and another speaker said they met with county staff who assigned an investigator named Anna Urieta, but the investigator had not met with complainants or taken visible corrective steps, they said. The speakers asked for a different investigator who they said would be objective, patient and committed to improving conditions in the clubhouse.
Why it matters: Clubhouse programs are intended to provide safe, stable environments for people with mental‑health needs. Speakers told the board they fear a loss of trust and ongoing harm to members if county oversight is ineffective.
What the board did: The concerns were raised during public comment; no formal board action or staff response was recorded at the time.
Clarifying details: Speakers used the name “Camino de Vida Claravida” for the program, referenced an investigator named Anna Urieta and asked that the county assign a replacement investigator with “patience, tolerance, and a clear understanding” of clubhouse needs.
