Confronting the Woolsey Fire—and preparing for the future The Woolsey Fire started on November 8, 2018 and burned for 13 days before it was contained. This was an unprecedented, fast-moving brush fire, 14 miles wide, with a footprint of 150 square miles, driven by gusts of up to 70 mph—the most destructive fire L.A. County has ever seen. Three canyons…

L.A. County unites to confront opioid crisis Los Angeles County departments are joining together to confront the opioid epidemic, which claims 500 lives in the county every year. From the Sheriff's Department to Public Health, in hospital emergency rooms and in the Coroner's office, county programs are addressing the crisis with innovation and compassion. Need help? Call 1-844-804-7500.

More mobile showers for those in need The Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to expand a program that provides showers, hot meals, health screenings and more to people experiencing homelessness. The mobile shower program started at two locations—Whittier Narrows Recreation Area and unincorporated East Pasadena—with help from the Departments of Public Health, Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles…

After-hours fun at L.A. County parks An L.A. County recreational program is turning parks into after-hours fun zones. Parks After Dark started small but now is bringing music, sports and more to 33 parks countywide. All those free nighttime recreational, health and wellness opportunities add up to less crime and stronger communities. The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found…

County invests $402 million to combat homelessness Jamal Dunn joined L.A. County Supervisors in discussing progress made since passage of Measure H. Dunn is formerly homeless but now lives in the Fiesta Apartments in North Hollywood, where supportive services let him focus on his health as he confronts multiple sclerosis. Building on an array of promising successes, the Los Angeles…

Terrence Pierre, one of more than 1,000 new employees being hired by nonprofit organizations with Measure H funds to expand homeless services, is a man on a mission. As a member of LAHSA's Homeless Engagement Team, he works the streets of Skid Row, engaging people without homes and transporting them across the county to much-needed services—"hospital, shelter, food, whatever they…

This short documentary offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at some of the most committed medical professionals anywhere, as they go about their rounds helping a uniquely underserved population: inmates in the nation's largest county-run correctional system. Their values-driven approach to healthcare is making a profound difference in the lives of individuals and the families and communities to which they will…

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department and other county departments mobilized recently as part of a three-day statewide enforcement sweep called Operation Reclaim and Rebuild. The mission: to rescue victims of human trafficking and arrest the pimps and johns who exploit them. This video photo gallery captures some key moments in the operation as it unfolded. The effort resulted in…

Fall under the spell of Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted: Forest of Light interactive nighttime show. Tickets are sold out, but you can still experience this wintry wonderland through our video photo gallery.

In the hills above Malibu, an old-school juvenile probation camp has been transformed into a cutting edge rehabilitation facility called Campus Kilpatrick. As the first group of young people finishes their rehabilitative and educational program, this video goes behind the scenes of the new facility and introduces some of the people who are bringing the innovative approach known as the…

Local Assistance Center Opening for residents impacted by wildfires The County and City of Los Angeles are jointly opening a Local Assistance Center on December 12-16. This one-stop shop provides individuals, families and business owners impacted by the recent fires information on services and assistance from government agencies, utility companies and non-profits. The center will operate Tues.-Fri. (noon-8:00 pm) and Sat. (8:00…

Millions of people depend on Los Angeles County, and Los Angeles County is meeting the challenge in bold and innovative ways. Guided by priorities established by the Board of Supervisors, the County is raising the bar on what local government can achieve—and on how effectively it can deliver results. Here’s what progress looks like.

Measure H funding is boosting outreach to the homeless. Over the next decade, millions of dollars are expected to flow into outreach programs countywide, thanks to the voter-approved sales tax to combat homelessness. This video photo gallery shows some of the frontline work now taking place. As outreach workers from LA Family Housing fanned out recently in the Northeast San…