Orange County board spotlights adoption, homelessness and hunger programs and upcoming housing count

The Orange County Board of Supervisors opened its Nov. 18 meeting by recognizing Adoption Awareness Month and Homelessness & Hunger Awareness Month, highlighting county social‑service work, community food distributions and efforts to preserve housing assistance for people at risk of losing vouchers.

Lon English, division director for Children and Family Services at the county Social Services Agency, described post‑adoption assistance that helps adoptees and biological relatives access documents and reconnect. "Thanks to our social workers' efforts, the 2 were successfully connected," English said, describing a recent sibling reunification.

Chair Chaffee and supervisors commended adoptive families and noted the foster system's size in the county. English and the chair said hundreds of adoptions were finalized in the last year; English told the board that 334 adoptions were finalized last year and that nearly 2,000 children remain in the foster system.

The meeting also featured a series of presentations and partner remarks on homelessness and food insecurity. Chair Chaffee invited representatives from United Across Borders and HIS House to the dais and announced a Thanksgiving food distribution at Fulton Community Church in Fullerton this weekend.

"Homelessness and hunger continues to be a growing issue in the county affecting far too many families," Chair Chaffee said, and he urged residents to support local food drives and providers.

Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who led a longer presentation, cited the county's most recent point‑in‑time results and local investments. "Our 24 20 24 point‑in‑time count showed that, over 7,300 people here in our county are experiencing homelessness," Sarmiento said, calling that a 28% increase from 2022. He urged preserving the county's continuum of care and asked for a memorandum of understanding among county departments to coordinate outreach and enforcement around encampments.

Doug Beck, director of the Office of Care Coordination, described the county's role in the 2026 point‑in‑time count and in aligning local, state and federal funding to support placements and navigation services. "It's incredibly important that we represent and we are able to count all of the people that need help and assistance in getting housing here in Orange County," Beck said.

Supervisors and county leaders also cited recent and planned investments: board members noted CalOptima food‑security grants and an expansion of a street‑medicine program that county speakers said reached new neighborhoods. At the same time, multiple presenters emphasized prevention and shelter options that can be stood up more quickly while permanent supportive housing is developed.

The recognitions concluded with board thanks to nonprofit partners and a request that residents both seek help if they need it and volunteer if they can.

The board moved on to its regular agenda and consent items; staff briefings and the public hearing on the Orange County Housing Authority plan followed later in the meeting.