Celebrating

Celebrating 

Pathways to Success 

Productivity and Quality Awards 

October 19, 2011 

Chief Executive Office 

Quality and Productivity Commission 

County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

County of Los Angeles 

Board of Supervisors 

Gloria Molina 

Supervisor, First District 

Michael D. Antonovich 

Mayor 

Supervisor, Fifth District 

Mark Ridley-Thomas 

Supervisor, Second District 

Zev Yaroslavsky 

Supervisor, Third District 

Don Knabe 

Supervisor, Fourth District 


William T Fujioka 

Chief Executive Officer

Celebrating Pathways to Success 

25th Annual 


Menu 

First Course 

California crouton, marinated plum tomatoes, grilled red onions, 

Hass avocado, baby mixed greens, and light balsamic dressing 

Assorted Rolls 

Main Entrée 

Free range chicken stuffed with ricotta and basil, three sweet peppers, 

caramelized onion jus, and baby red potatoes 

Vegetarian Option 

Portobello-porcini ravioli, market vegetables, garlic and herbs 

Dessert 

Rustic apple tart with Chantilly crème 

Fresh brewed regular and decaffeinated coffee 

and Paradise ice tea


25th Annual 


Program 

Welcome 

Stephanie Maxberry 

Quality and Productivity Network Managers’ Chair 

Elisa Vasquez 

Productivity and Quality Awards Co-Chair 

Honor Guard and Pledge of Allegiance 

Fire Department 

National Anthem 

Humberto Agurcia 


Master of Ceremonies 

Mike Dinow, LA County Channel 

Lunch 

Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Commissioner William A. Sullivan, Chair 

Quality and Productivity Commission 


Chief Executive Officer 

Supervisors’ Message 

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Mayor • 5th District 

Supervisor Gloria Molina • 1st District 

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas • 2nd District 

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky • 3rd District 

Supervisor Don Knabe • 4th District 

Commission Special Awards 

Best Application of Technology 

• Contract Management System and Contractors 

Gateway 

Community and Senior Services..............................................10 

Best Service Improvement Award 

• Every Minute Counts 

Department of Health Services/Harbor-UCLA with Emergency 

Medical Services Agency.........................................................11 

Best Teamwork Award 

• Los Angeles County Rave Task Force 

Department of Public Health with Department of Health Services, 

Sheriff’s Department, City of Los Angeles Fire Department, 

Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles Memorial 

Coliseum...................................................................................12 

County Image Enhancement Award 

• Power Lunch 

Los Angeles Superior Court.....................................................13 

Mega Million Dollar Award 

• Groundwater Recharge 

Department of Public Works.....................................................14 

Performance Measurement Award 

• Contract Dashboard 

Office of Auditor-Controller.......................................................15 

Personal Best Award 

• Nursing Overtime and Registry Improvements - 

Aurea Jamora, RN 

Department of Health Services/Olive View- 

UCLA Medical Center...............................................................16 

Plain Language Award 

• Effective Public Notification: Cheaper and Better 

Department of Regional Planning.............................................17 

Productivity Enhancement Award 

• APD & PD Wi-Fi at Clara Shortridge-Foltz Court 

Office of Alternate Public Defender with Office of Public 

Defender and Information Systems Advisory Body..................18 

Commission Top Ten Awards 

• Paystub Viewer – The Hub of E-Stub 

Office of Auditor-Controller............................................................22 

• Coroner Collaborates to Release Cold Case 

Evidence 

Department of Coroner with Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles 

Police Department.........................................................................23 

• Victim Impact Program 

Office of District Attorney...............................................................24 

• A Redesigned Laboratory Saves Money 

Department of Health Services/Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Service 

Ambulatory Care Center................................................................25 

• Countywide Fitness Challenge 

Department of Human Resources with Department of Parks and 

Recreation.....................................................................................26 

• Juvenile Hall Discharge Process 

Probation Department with Department of Health Services and 

Department of Mental Health........................................................27 

• Health Awareness Program – High School STD 

Testing 

Department of Public Health.........................................................28 

• The Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort 

Department of Public Works with Sheriff’s Department and Fire 

Department....................................................................................29 

• Cadre of Administrative Resource Personnel (CARP) 

Sheriff’s Department......................................................................30 

• Going Green with ePitchess 

Sheriff’s Department with Office of Public Defender, Office of 

County Counsel, Office of Alternate Public Defender and Civil 

Service Commission......................................................................31 

Commission Grand Awards 

• Bronze Eagle Award 

• Silver Eagle Award 

• Gold Eagle Award 

Closing Remarks 

Commissioner William A. Sullivan, Chair


25th Annual 


Message from the Chief Executive Officer 


Congratulations to the Productivity and Quality award winners and to the Commission on your 

25th anniversary celebration. Recognizing the outstanding dedication and teamwork that went 

into developing these award-winning projects is our way of rewarding you for your hard work 

and innovation. These projects prove what we can do when we work together to test fresh ideas, identify 

efficiencies and produce impressive results. 

This year, departments reported $395,152,158 in estimated annual benefits, including $250,868,180 in 

cost avoidance, $139,356,776 in cost savings and $4,927,202 in revenue. As we share these achievements 

with other agencies, service delivery, productivity and cost benefits will continue to grow. 

“Celebrating Pathways to Success” not only recognizes how well departments are improving quality, it 

highlights how well the Commission has identified the top award-winning projects over the past 25 years. 

We are fortunate to have this team of dedicated commissioners who continue to reward staff for their 

outstanding approaches to problem solving. 

Thank you for attending the Productivity and Quality Awards event and congratulations to the Commission 

on their 25th anniversary of the awards program. 

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they 

want until you show it to them.” 

Steve Jobs


25th Annual 


Message from the Chair 

of the Quality and Productivity Commission 

Commissioner William A. Sullivan 

Welcome to the 25th Productivity and Quality Awards celebration. For 25 years, the Commission 

has recognized more than 3,400 projects resulting in estimated cost benefits of $3.6 billion. 

These impressive results are because of the hard work and dedication of our finest employees 

who are committed to providing quality service to the public. 

Today, we honor 74 projects from 25 departments. The innovative approaches to improve services and 

cost savings are impressive. We salute all the departments and project teams for their commitment to 

quality and productivity. 

As always, competition was strong and selection as a Top Ten or Special Award winner is a well-deserved 

honor. These extraordinary projects become County best practices and are shared with departments and 

other government agencies. Some projects receive State and National awards and become groundbreaking 

practices around the country. 

Thank you to the County employees who have worked diligently to make this celebration possible. The 

Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Office, the Quality and Productivity Commissioners, Productivity 

Managers, and corporate sponsors play a vital role in contributing to the success of this premier recognition 

event. We especially want to thank the project teams. Their vision and commitment to excellence made these 

award-winning programs possible. These champions typify our theme, “Celebrating Pathways to Success.” 

Enjoy our 25th Productivity and Quality Awards anniversary and congratulations to our award-winning teams. 

In 1981, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich created the Productivity Program for the County 

of Los Angeles in response to the increasing demands for County services during the time of 

restriction on revenue generation and spending. He pointed out that the goal of the Committee 

was to make the County government more efficient and more economical.


25th Annual 



QPMN Co-Chair 

Community and 

Senior Services 

Cheryl Guinn 

PQA Co-Chair 

Rancho Los Amigos National 

Rehabilitation Center 

Elisa Vasquez 

PQA Co-Chair 

Community Development 

Commission/Housing Authority 

Message from the Productivity Managers’ Network (QPMN) 

Stephanie Maxberry, Productivity Network Chair 

Cheryl Guinn and Elisa Vasquez, Awards Committee Co-Chairs 

Congratulations and thank you to the 2011 Productivity Managers. This was a highly successful 

year. Your commitment, enthusiasm, energy and talent continue to strengthen quality and 

productivity within each department. The Quality and Productivity Commission, Commission 

staff and Productivity Managers are a winning team. Together we launched a WebEx pilot project, 

explored alternative meeting formats, identified new ways to encourage programs, and promoted 

quality and productivity. 

Entries in the annual Productivity and Quality Awards programs highlight the outstanding projects 

underway in the County of Los Angeles. The entries demonstrate to all that county employees are 

innovative and creative and continually strive to provide efficient, effective, high quality services 

to the public. The impact of these projects is impressive, with significant cost benefits and service 

enhancements to the County. 

Productivity is everyone’s business, especially ours. With the leadership of the Commissioners and 

support of Commission staff, there is no other team that can match the success of the Quality and 

Productivity Managers’ Network. 

2011 Quality and Productivity Manager’s Network 

Executive Committee 

Stephanie Maxberry (Community and Senior Services), Network Managers’ Chair 

Jennifer Coultas (Child Support Services), 1st Vice-Chair 

Kirk Shelton (Consumer Affairs), Training and Education Co-Chair 

Elizabeth Mendez (Parks and Recreation), Training and Education Co-Chair 

Cheryl Guinn (Health Services), PQA Co-Chair 

Elisa Vasquez (Community Development Commission/Housing Authority), PQA Co-Chair 

Marian Hall (Human Resources), Productivity Investment Board Advisory Committee


25th Annual 


2011 Quality and Productivity Managers’ Network 

Alycia Araya 

Department of Agricultural 

Commissioner/Weights & Measures 

Gary Baucum 

Robert Meneses* 

Office of Alternate Public Defender 

Evelina Villa 

Department of Animal Care & Control 

and Control 

Renan Hidalgo 

Judy Chao* 

Mayra Ortega* 

Office of Assessor 

Michelle Day 

Dulce Maycumber* 

Office of Auditor-Controller 

Walter Popoff 

Stefan Popescu* 

Department of Beaches & Harbors 

Robin Guerrero 

Executive Office, Board of Supervisors 

Victoria Pipkin-Lane 

Peter Papadakis* 


Gregory Melendez 

Chief Information Office 

Jennifer Coultas 

Child Support Services Department 

Tricia J. Denson 

Department of Children and Family 

Services 


Department of Community & Senior 

Services 

Elisa Vasquez 

Community Development Commission/ 

Housing Authority 

Tim Bissell 

Kirk Shelton* 

Department of Consumer Affairs 

Sarah Ahonima 

Marianne Oliva* 

Department of Coroner 

Brenda Washington 

Veritta Smith* 

Office of County Counsel 

Priscilla Cruz 

Herlinda Galvan* 

District Attorney 

David Richardson 


Gerardo Pinedo 

Department of Health Services- 

Administration 

Yvette Ruiz 

Department of Health Services-Harbor- 

UCLA Medical Center 

Mark Wycislak 

Department of Health Services- 

LAC+USC Health Care Network 

Carla Nino 

Department of Health Services-Valley 

Care Olive View Medical Center and 

High Desert Health System 

Cheryl Guinn 

Keisha Belmaster* 

Department of Health Services-Rancho 

Los Amigos National Rehabilitation 

Center 

Marian Hall 

Amy Clarke* 

Department of Human Resources 

Felix Basadre 

Information Systems Advisory Body 

Linda Estrada 

Celina Ortiz* 

Internal Services Department 

Mary Hearn 

Sylvia White-Irby* 

Los Angeles Superior Court 

Kumar Menon 

Department of Mental Health 

Rose Bueta 

Karla Gutierrez* 

Department of Military and Veterans’ 

Affairs 

Ann Rowland 

Museum of Art 

Leonard M. Navarro 

Museum of Natural History 

 

Elizabeth Mendez 

Monica Pollacia* 

Department of Parks and Recreation 

Gina Byrnes 

Probation Department 

Joanne Rotstein 

Sung Lee* 

Office of Public Defender 

Dawn Jacobson 

Catherine Mak* 

Department of Public Health 

Ken Kramer 

Public Library 

Larry Oghenekohwo 

Jean Chang* 

Department of Public Social Services 

Bob Spencer 

Emma Ayala* 

Department of Public Works 

Hsiao-Ching Chen 

Ania G. Onley* 

Department of Regional Planning 

Ann Smith 

Margaret Palacios* 

Department of Registrar-Recorder/ 

County Clerk 

Victor C. Rampulla 

Glen Joe* 

Sheriff’s Department 

Sandra Pina-Barbee 

Office of Treasurer and Tax Collector 

Board of Supervisors Productivity 

Board Deputies 

Louisa Ollague 

1st Supervisorial District 

Vincent Harris 

2nd Supervisorial District 

Alisa Katz 

3rd Supervisorial District 

Cheryl Burnett 

4th Supervisorial District 

Kathryn Barger-Leibrich 

5th Supervisorial District 

*Alternates


25th Annual 


Master of Ceremonies 

Mike Dinow 

LA County Channel Anchor 

CableTV@lacounty.gov 

Mike Dinow is the anchor and host of LA Now, the County Channel’s weekly news show. He’s an Emmynominated 

journalist who has anchored and reported at television stations around the country, from 

California to Florida. With nearly two decades of broadcast and cable experience, Mike is best known 

for his pleasant demeanor and stellar reputation as an on-air personality. 

Mike was born and raised in Los Angeles County. His dream to pursue a television career began at Cal State 

Northridge, where he majored in Broadcast Journalism. He blended his affinity for sports and his aptitude as a 

communicator to commence his career as a television sports director. Mike later worked as an evening News 

Anchor in cities like Palm Springs and Reno, and as a Reporter for stations such as KCBS and KCAL here in Los 

Angeles and San Diego 6 News. 

When he isn’t out covering and reporting news around Southern California, you can find him on the links enjoying 

his favorite pastime, golf.


25th Annual 


Commission 

Special Award Winners


25th Annual 


Special Award Winner 

Best Application of Technology Award 

Shows a significant service quality or productivity improvement from the use of recent technological advances 

Contract Management System and Contractors Gateway 

Community and Senior Services 

Community and Senior Services (CSS) executes 500+ contracts or amendments annually for 100 

contractors. These contractors, primarily non-profits, provide program services including senior 

meals and supportive services, youth and adult employment and training, adult protective services, 

dispute resolution and supportive services to American Indian populations in Los Angeles County. 

The success of these programs depends on executing contracts seamlessly. Contract challenges: inconsistency 

in language among contracts; formatting issues; as well as extracting information manually. CSS developed 

the first automated Contract Management System to address these issues. This System allows for electronically 

generated contracts, thereby eliminating formatting issues and inconsistency in language. It allows CSS 

to exchange and extract information in a more efficient manner by reducing the number of man hours 

or staff time revising contracts. This results in better customer service and increased productivity, saving 

approximately $300,000 annually. 

10


25th Annual 



Best Service Improvement Award 

Recognizes best improvement in service 

Every Minute Counts 

Department of Health Services/Harbor-UCLA with Emergency Medical Services Agency 

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (HUCLA) transports over 100 infants a year to the Neo-natal Intensive 

Care Unit. An ambulance is booked within 5 minutes of the call from the transferring hospital. 

To meet the goal “out-the-door-time” of 35 minutes, the ambulance has to be at HUCLA in 30 

minutes. 

Despite efforts to reduce time delays, the goal was only met 12% of the time in July 2008. In response, 

management teams from Patient Transportation and Ambulance Services and HUCLA met, to identify 

specific problem areas and solutions. Together, they improved compliance to 61%. The ambulance service 

has become so reliable that they have been able to provide delivery-room resuscitation. Ninety percent of 

infants require very little assistance at birth. However, it is the outcomes of the other 10% which can be 

associated with costly problems, physical and emotional, that last a lifetime. HUCLA understands that every 

minute counts, exemplified by their efforts and success in reducing arrival times for transport. 

11


25th Annual 



Best Teamwork Award 

Reflects application of the most innovative and creative cooperation 

between agencies or departments or across County functions 

Los Angeles County Rave Task Force 

Department of Public Health with Department of Health Services, Sheriff’s Department, 

City of Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles 

Memorial Coliseum 

Electronic music is now considered mainstream music, popular with teens and young adults. While 

drug use may occur at any music event, electronic music events (raves) are often synonymous 

with ecstasy and other drug use. At the 2010 Electric Daisy Carnival, hundreds of attendees were 

arrested and many others sent to hospital emergency rooms. A 15-year old attendee died from ecstasy related 

intoxication. 

The Board of Supervisors, by a motion by Supervisors Yaroslavsky and Knabe, instructed the Departments 

of Public Health and Health Services to convene a Rave Task Force to make recommendations to improve 

the public health and safety at these events. The recommendations were adopted as general policy for all 

electronic music festivals in the County. Numerous strategies have been implemented to improve the health 

and safety at these events, as well as increasing education and awareness on the dangers of ecstasy use and 

other drugs. The increased health and safety resulted in a reduction in the number of arrests and transports 

to the Emergency Room. 

12


25th Annual 



County Image Enhancement Award 

Promotes a positive image of County employees 

Power Lunch 

Los Angeles Superior Court 

The Los Angeles Superior Court launched the Power Lunch to provide students with experiential 

learning about the justice system and exposure to positive role models, such as judges, attorneys, 

law enforcement, and court staff. Engaging underserved students in the learning process encourages 

them to attend and finish school. 

Power Lunch programs are now implemented throughout the County. The Court has forged dynamic 

partnerships with: Women Lawyers of Los Angeles, the South Asian Bar Association, the Los Angeles 

County Bar Association Barristers, the Langston Bar Association, the Mexican American Bar Association, 

and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers. A California State Bar Foundation grant and donations from 

partners cover the costs of the program. Superior Court donates in-kind staff and judicial support. 

Since 2007, approximately 900 students have participated in the program. In addition to providing meaningful 

education about the justice system, the Power Lunch Program is designed to “plant a legal seed” in the minds 

of young people. Power Lunch expands the career consciousness of economically depressed students. 

13


25th Annual 



Mega Million Dollar Award 

The top program who reported the most cost savings, cost avoidance, and/or revenue generated 

Groundwater Recharge 


Approximately one-third of the water supply in Los Angeles County comes from groundwater. 

To avert a critical water supply crisis, artificial groundwater recharge, in which surface water is 

captured and infiltrated into the groundwater table, was an economically feasible alternative to 

protect the aquifers. 

The operation and maintenance of 27 groundwater recharge facilities and 14 dams is vital to the water 

supply and flood protection. In addition, other sources of water such as the Colorado River and State Water 

Project, and reclaimed water can be recharged in the Los Angeles Aquifers when water is available. Close 

coordination between government and local agencies is required to capitalize on storm water capture. 

Public Works’ Water Resources Division actively provides flood management, while balancing groundwater 

recharge activities to help ensure the integrity of the groundwater aquifers and local sustainability of the 

water supply. 

The Groundwater Recharge Group recently achieved new efficiencies in their efforts with a 40% increase in 

recharge above the average annual recharge, resulting in an annual benefit of $236,600,000. 

14


25th Annual 



Performance Measurement 

Recognizes successful systems of measurement in delivering quality services 

Contract Dashboard 


Los Angeles County is engaged in over 7,000 active materials and service contracts totaling 

approximately $15 billion. Given the volume and dollars at stake, contract administration is a high 

priority with the Board of Supervisors. 

In 2010, the Auditor-Controller introduced the Contract Dashboard. It is a reporting tool that provides 

a colorful, eye-catching, and informative graphical presentation of County departments’ contract 

administration. With the Contract Dashboard and reports, managers have convenient access to key fiscal, 

budget and statistical information. The information is well defined, organized, and easy to filter for analysis. 

The dashboard quickly alerts managers to conditions that will put their departments in violation of County 

policies such as retroactive contracts and overspending. 

The Contract Dashboard promotes accuracy, accountability, control, and operational efficiency. It puts 

managers in the driver’s seat and on the pathway of successful contract administration. 

15


25th Annual 



Personal Best Award 

Recognizes an innovative and creative individual achievement 

Nursing Overtime and Registry Improvement 

Department of Health Services/Olive View-UCLA Medical Center 

Aurea Jamora 

Aurea Jamora, RN, successfully reduced nursing staff overtime and registry usage at Olive View- 

UCLA Medical Center. Doing so amid the countywide hiring freeze was a daunting and complex 

undertaking, especially with the State mandated nursing staff to patient ratios. Her actions required 

an innovative, delicate balancing act to ensure compliance with all regulatory agency requirements. 

Ms. Jamora conducted monthly staffing analyses that changed the process for filling nursing staff vacancies. 

Recruitment was expedited in areas with the highest overtime and registry use. By consistently modeling a 

positive attitude, Ms. Jamora demonstrated that the goals were achievable. She provided practical tools, and 

developed a plan on how to achieve the goals, making it easy for the staff to follow. 

Ms. Jamora’s plan resulted in reducing overtime costs by 68.8% in fiscal year 2010-11. This program 

achieved an overall annual cost savings of $3,625,072. 

16


25th Annual 



Plain Language Award 

Recognizes a project that best exemplifies the benefits of Plain Language 

Effective Public Notification: Cheaper and Better 


Public notification and participation is an integral part of the land use planning process. Many people 

throw away important government notices because they looked like junk mail. The department 

developed a new public notice which presents information in a clear, concise manner on a bright yellow 

postcard. It allows the public to quickly determine whether the notice contains important information. 

The new process also improves service. Previously, preparing and mailing the required public notices was 

costly, time-consuming and not user-friendly. Applicants had to provide mailing lists and maps, which often 

expired while waiting for the hearing. Now the department has complete control of the notification process, 

while the applicants are relieved of having to provide and update mailing addresses, labels, and maps. 

This project is an employee suggestion from a clerical staff member as a result of the Countywide Efficiency 

Initiative. 

17


25th Annual 



Productivity Enhancement Award 

Recognizes a project that improves efficiency, promotes effectiveness, 

and shows increased productivity in the workplace 

APD & PD Wi-Fi at Clara Shortridge-Foltz Court 

Office of Alternate Public Defender with Office of Public Defender and 

Information Systems Advisory Body 

Alternate Public Defender (APD) and Public Defender (PD) attorney staff spend a substantial part of 

each day in court waiting for their cases to be handled. This “down time” is mostly unproductive. Staff 

believed that substantial increases in productivity could be made if attorneys could work on laptops 

and access the Internet and their department proprietary systems while in court and away from the office. 

The APD and PD, in collaboration with the Information Systems Advisory Body, selected the Clara Shortridge- 

Foltz Criminal Justice Center for a pilot project. Funding was provided by the Information Technology Fund to 

purchase laptops and for the Internal Services Department to provide Wi-Fi connectivity at the courthouse. 

Attorney time once spent waiting in court is now recovered, improving staff productivity and quality of 

service. This project generates annual cost savings of approximately $725,000 in actual APD and PD attorney 

staff reductions. 

18


25th Annual 


Commission 

Top Ten Award Winners 

21


25th Annual 


Top Ten Award Winner 

Paystub Viewer – The Hub of E-Stub 


Over the years, the County spent significant resources to print, handle, and distribute employee 

paychecks and deposit authorizations. Each payroll cycle, the County calculates pay for 101,000 

employees. Departments pick up the paychecks and deposit authorizations, and then manually sort, 

verify, and distribute them. Paystubs are also used to send important messages to employees. However, the 

hardcopy paystub can display only one announcement at a time. 

The Paystub Viewer and electronic statement and paystub (eStub) are designed to promote employee selfservice, 

reduce the expense and effort to print, and eliminate hardcopy documents. In addition, announcements 

are enhanced with a pop-up screen that provides for multiple countywide announcements. 

Benefits include: easy and convenient access for employees; a substantial reduction in departmental time 

and effort spent handling and distributing paystubs; paperless and multiple “Announcements” feature; and 

increased cost savings, estimated at $490,205.28. 

22


25th Annual 



Department of Coroner Collaborates 

to Release Cold Case Evidence 

Department of Coroner with Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department 

Over the years, the Coroner has collected and maintained evidence on over 60,000 homicide cases. 

This evidence belongs to the investigating law enforcement agency with their respective crime 

laboratories having analytical responsibility. 

With the advent of DNA technology, a renewed interest in analyzing cold case evidence arose. Newly formed 

Cold Case Units from police agencies throughout the County began inundating the Coroner’s Evidence 

Control Unit (ECU) with inquiries. Evidence was booked under coroner case numbers, which was not linked 

to the investigating agency, and was stored by evidence type rather than by case. 

The ECU was challenged with re-organizing, inventorying, notifying and releasing thousands of items of 

evidence to over 140 law enforcement agencies. The solution required intense collaboration with City and 

County agencies, as well as recruiting volunteer help. In the past 24 months, this multiagency cooperation has 

resulted in approximately 41,000 cases processed and murder/rape cases solved, some as old as 30 years. 

23


25th Annual 



Victim Impact Program 

Office of District Attorney 

Prior to 2000, cases prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office went through the hands of various 

prosecutors, requiring them to re-tell the story of their victimization, and feeling re-traumatized by a 

system that did not seem to offer support or foster recovery. 

The Victim Impact Program (VIP) is comprised of specially trained prosecutors who vertically prosecute 

cases involving the most vulnerable crime victims. A primary goal was to minimize the number of prosecutors 

the victim would interact with from filing to case disposition in a manner that was ethical, supportive, and 

sensitive. Through VIP, one prosecutor has the primary responsibility for handling a case from the time of 

filing through sentencing. Victims are supported through the effective leveraging of existing resources in 

areas of law enforcement, county, community and non-profit support, and other expert services. 

In 2010, 10,643 cases were identified as VIP cases. As a result of the extraordinary efforts, the District 

Attorney has improved its services and support to the victims of crimes. 

24


25th Annual 



A Redesigned Laboratory Saves Money 

Department of Health Services/Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center 

Upon the closure of Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center in August 2007 and the conversion 

of the Medical Center into a Multi Service Ambulatory Care Center, the laboratory was downsized 

from 130 full time equivalents to 50. 

With long turnaround times, leading to low satisfaction and delay in patient care, inefficient operation and 

processes, the laboratory management addressed the problem by using Lean Six Sigma principles and by 

centralizing into one core laboratory instead of multiple departments. 

The management team standardized the specimen processing through automation, cross-trained staff, and 

automated result verification. They are now a centralized laboratory for other Department of Health Services 

facilities. Benefits include improved efficiency, faster turnaround time (in spite of an increase in volume), 

enhanced staff productivity, and satisfaction, resulting in an estimated annual cost savings of $748,150. 

25


25th Annual 



Countywide Fitness Challenge 

Department of Human Resources with Department of Parks and Recreation 

In response to disturbing employee obesity and diabetes trends that have led to increasing healthcare 

costs, Human Resources, in collaboration with Parks and Recreation, created and launched a groundbreaking 

new wellness program - The Countywide Fitness Challenge. The program featured Parks’ 

“Play for Life!” - a campaign that encourages the public to get active at County parks. 

The Countywide Fitness Challenge combined physical activities held at park facilities and local farmers markets, 

encouraging employees and their families to get active in their spare time. The events included biometric 

screenings and activities such as hiking, swim and sun safety, nutritional guidance, Boot Camp, Yoga and more. 

As a result of the program, 6,441 employees from 36 departments lost a collective 11.4 tons of weight. 

Robust wellness campaigns such as The Countywide Fitness Challenge benefit employers in many ways. 

Healthy employees tend to be more productive, have lower healthcare costs, lower rates of absenteeism, and 

lower workers compensation claims. More importantly, quality of life is improved. 

26


25th Annual 



Juvenile Hall Discharge Process 

Probation Department with Department of Health Services 

and Department of Mental Health 

The Probation Department recognized a gap in the continuity of care for youth who were released 

from juvenile hall. This contributed to a high rate of recidivism. They identified a means to bridge 

this gap by providing a Juvenile Hall Discharge Process. 

Previously, the parents, guardians, and the youth themselves were responsible for obtaining information relating 

to care. They had to ensure that they had the prescribed medications or follow-up care for ongoing medical or 

mental health treatment. Often, they did not obtain all necessary documentation, including of documentation 

of education, that would help the youth re-enter their community schools after release from juvenile hall. 

The Probation Department developed a new plan to ensure continuity of care for youth released from juvenile 

hall. Each youth is assigned a Discharge Coordinator who ensures they receive medical, mental health, and 

educational records upon discharge. The goal is to reduce recidivism and help them remain at home with 

their parent or guardian. 

27


25th Annual 



Health Awareness Program – High School STD Testing 


Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted diseases that cause serious complications. Young 

people are disproportionately affected but may not seek testing due to lack of knowledge and limited 

access to testing. 

The vision of this program was to improve health and awareness of these diseases in a Los Angeles high school 

by offering an education, testing and treatment program. The objectives were to determine the feasibility of 

such a program and to estimate the rates of infection. The challenge was to create and implement an education 

and confidential testing and treatment program to almost 2,000 students that was acceptable to students, parents, 

and staff, while complying with education and health codes plus cause minimal disruption to the school. 

No additional funds were available to support the program. Staff achieved their objectives by collaborating 

with partners, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, and working flexibly, often outside the usual 

roles. The program educated 1,800 students and tested over 1,100. All 48 students found to be infected were 

treated. Approximately 90% of students who tested and completed a survey said that they were more likely 

to test in the future as a result of the program. Lessons learned can be used in future testing programs. 

28


25th Annual 



The Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort 

Department of Public Works with Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department 

In fall 2009, massive wildfires ravaged the Angeles National Forest, including the Station Fire which 

spread to become the biggest wildfire in the County’s history. In the aftermath, Public Works raced 

to repair damaged facilities and prepare for a resulting new threat — storm season’s mudslides and 

debris flows. 

As the lead agency in disaster recovery efforts, the Department developed the Coordinated Agency Recovery 

Effort (C.A.R.E.) using the combined talents of communications specialists from many agencies, including 

the Sheriff and Fire Departments. C.A.R.E. became one of the most comprehensive outreach campaigns 

in the County’s history. Its mission was to keep civic officials, residents, and the media fully apprised 

of fire recovery efforts, flood control/debris flow preparations, storm-related mountain road closures, and 

emergency response with timely and factual information. 

As a result, there was extensive and supportive media coverage of activities throughout the winter season, 

and, most importantly, no loss of life or injuries and little property damage despite several severe storm 

events. With its proactive approach to media and community outreach, C.A.R.E. set the standard for County 

communications efforts in the future. 

29


25th Annual 



Cadre of Administrative Resource Personnel 


In early 2010, caught within a perfect storm of significant budget curtailments, manpower shortages, 

and overtime costs, the Sheriff’s Department (LASD) was moving in a direction of possible impacts 

on main mission services. Sheriff Baca directed that a staffing model be implemented to minimize 

public safety impact and avoid potential job losses. What resulted was an innovative and creative solution 

to the management of overtime, resulting in actual real dollar budgetary savings. 

Cadre of Administrative Reserve Personnel (CARP) focused on saving overtime funds by requiring 

administrative and support personnel to adjust their schedules to staff core service vacancies formerly 

filled by the use of overtime. The program has saved over $40 million since March 2010 and has allowed 

LASD to meet its budgetary curtailment of $96 million annually, while still providing a necessary level 

of public safety services. 

As the program took shape, Sheriff Baca himself CARPed as a patrol deputy, an escort deputy at Men’s 

Central Jail and the Inmate Reception Center, and as security for passengers along the Metro Rail System. 

30


25th Annual 



Going Green with ePitchess 

Sheriff’s Department with Office of Public Defender, Office of County Counsel, 

Office of Alternate Public Defender, and Civil Service Commission 

The antiquated practice of personal delivery of Pitchess Motions (a legal document, from the Public 

Defender to the Sheriff) was costly, time consuming, and inefficient. Between 2004 and 2009, the 

number of motions being filed had nearly tripled and was continuing to rise. In 2009, the two agencies 

collaborated and created a system that could deliver the motions electronically while maintaining the integrity 

of the judicial process. After a successful pilot program, the agencies received a grant to purchase necessary 

equipment for program expansion. 

The program was expanded to include 14 of the busiest courthouses in the County from Lancaster to Pomona, 

and is now also being used by the Alternate Public Defender’s Office and Civil Service Commission. The 

program was also expanded to the LAPD and the L. A. City Attorney’s Office in 2011. The new process 

eliminates the need for an investigator to hand deliver two copies of what is commonly a 50 - 70 page paper 

document, enhances timeliness by immediate delivery, and increases accountability and tracking. 

Benefits include elimination of paper and toner costs, reduction of mileage costs, and the redirection of staff 

hours previously spent processing and delivering motions, with an estimated annual savings of $68,300. 

31

Special Merit 

Commission Plaque 

Award Winners 

Traditional 

Commission Plaque 

Award Winners 

Commission 

Certificates of Recognition 

Award Winners 

33


25th Annual 


Special Merit Plaque Winners 

Distinguishes meritorious accomplishment of special projects or programs that successfully fulfill 

departmental and County objectives 

Auditor Report Central: Internet Tax Reports 


La Placita Homeless Outreach Project 

Community and Senior Services with Department of Public Social Services 

and Department of Mental Health 

Every Woman Counts – MLK MACC Breast Program 

Department of Health Services/Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center 

Breast Cancer Patient Navigation System 


LAC+USC & RLANRC Comprehensive Epilepsy Program 

Department of Health Services/LAC+USC Health Care Network 

and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center 

Telecommunications Carrier Invoice Validation 


Jump Start: Family Fun & Fitness Boot Camp 

Department of Parks and Recreation 

PD Electronic Document Management System 

Office of Public Defender with Information Systems Advisory Body 

New Test for TB within Refugee and Immigrant Health Program 


Preventing Cervical Cancer in STD Clinic Patients 

Department of Public Health with Department of Health Services 

Single Use Bag Reduction & Recycling Program 


34


25th Annual 


Traditional Plaque Winners 

Recognizes commendable achievements in public service. 

The Power of Technology Transformation 

Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors 

Reduction of Urgent Care Cycle Time 

Department of Health Services/High Desert Health System 

A Community Ed Model in an Urban Academic Emergency Department 

Department of Health Services/LAC+USC Health Care Network 

Patient Safety through Medical Records Merging 


“Roll Around the Ranch” Health & Wellness Fair 

Department of Health Services/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center 

Interpretation for Rancho Speech Therapy Patients 

Department of Health Services/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center 

Patient Safety: Electronic Sign-Out System 


ISD Green Building Program 


Mental Health Services - Online Provider Directory 

Department of Mental Health 

Electronic Document Management System 


Building Permit Viewer 


Submit and Track Your Vote-by-Mail Application Online 

Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk 

Law Enforcement Automated Pawn System 


35


25th Annual 



Recognizes projects deserving honorable mention. 

City of Bell Assistance Project 


Net County Costs Report Automation 


State Registered Warrants Special Deposits 

Office of Auditor-Controller with Office of Treasurer and Tax Collector 

Beach Machine for Gulf Coast Recovery 

Department of Beaches and Harbors 

APS Training Project: State Standardized Training 


Harmony Information System for APS 


Social Assistance Management Systems (SAMS) 


Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults 


Map It! – L.A. County Housing Programs Map 

Community Development Commission/Housing Authority with Internal Services Department 

DHS Employee Self Service and Time Collection Help Desk 

Department of Health Services 

Implementing Lab & X-Ray Paperless Requests 

Department of Health Services/H. Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center 

Cancer Barriers – No More 

Health Services/Harbor-UCLA Medical Center 

Wrong ID Can Be Wrong Surgery 

Health Services/Harbor-UCLA Medical Center 

Emergency Room Utilization Improvements 

Health Services/High Desert Health System 

Reducing Cost of Specialty Bed Rentals 

Health Services/LAC+USC Health Care Network 

Cost Effectiveness of Hospitalist Service 


36


25th Annual 



Women’s Health Summit Implementation Initiative 


TB Cohort Review in Los Angeles County 


In-Home Supportive Services Documentation Guide 


Report a Violation 


Annual Women’s Leadership Conference Series 


Stormwater Best Management Practices 


Z-NET Public for Online Zoning Information 


Recorder Mail Processing 


RRCC/CSUN MPA – Partnering for Education Success 


New Citizen Registration Program 


City of Bell: Rebuilding Confidence in Democracy 


CPR and First Aid Training 


Redistricting Essentials Workshop 


State of the Department Program 


Plastic Industrial Theft Task Force 

Sheriff 

37

Sponsors 

Benefit Service Center, Inc. 

International Benefit Consulting Group 

City of Commerce Flowers 

Coalition of County Unions 

Fickewirth and Associates 

L.A. County Channel 

Océ North America, A Canon Group Company 

Xerox Company 

Acknowledgements 


CEO Graphic Arts Unit 

CEO Photography Unit 

CEO Cable and Telecommunications 

Honor Guard, Fire Department 

Humberto Agurcia, Fire Department 

Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs 

39


25th Annual 


40


25th Annual 


City of 

Commerce 

Flowers 

Artistic Floral Arrangements 

Exotic Specialists 

323-265-4377 

323-263-1400 

2340 S. Atlantic Blvd. 

City of Commerce, CA 90040 

41


25th Annual 


Congratulations 

to our union members 

for their creativity 

in making the County work well. 

AFSCME DC 36 ALADS CAPE 

IUOE Local 501 CIR LA/OCBTC 

Firefighters Local 1014 LACOLA AFSCME Local 685 

UAPD 

42


25th Annual 


Fickewirth & Associates 

salutes the winners of the 

Productivity and Quality 

Awards 2011 and 

The County of Los Angeles’ 

Quality and Productivity 

Commission 

43

Watch the L.A. County Channel! 

44


25th Annual 


45


25th Annual 


Congratulations to the 

Productivity and Quality 

Award Winners! 

Xerox 

shares your commitment 

to excellence. 

46

County of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission 

Jacki Bacharach Viggo Butler Ron Galperin Rodney C. Gibson Evelyn Gutierrez 

Nancy G. Harris 

William Sullivan 

Chair 

Jaclyn Tilley Hill 

Chair Emeritus 

Raymond G. 

Hemann 

Huasha L. Liu 

Edward McIntyre 

Gerald Nadler 

Patricia D. Johnson 

1st Vice-Chair 

Algird G. Leiga 

2nd Vice-Chair 

Bud Treece 

William C. Waddell Jospeh P. Wetzler Ruth A. Wong 

Executive Director 

Mary Savinar 

Program Manager 

Laura Perez 

Program Support

http:/qpc.co.la.ca.us

Celebrating

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?