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Listen to Past Tele-Town Halls

   

 

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, I hosted Teleconference Town Halls to provide residents of my district with a forum to express their concerns and learn about the virus as well as any resources and services available to them. Our primary goal was to help residents and their loved ones stay as safe and healthy as possible during the crisis by limiting large, in-person gatherings. To download a recording or locate any of the resources discussed in past tele-town halls, please see below.

Past Tele-Town Halls

Knowledge to Help Afford College

Thursday, October 14, 2021

I hosted a town hall discussion with an expert speaker from the California Student Opportunity & Access Program (Cal-SOAP). Cal-SOAP provided answers to help you and your incoming college student make a game plan to take advantage of all of the various financial resources available. We delved into grant opportunities, scholarships, the FAFSA application, how to cost-compare different college options, and more.

I was joined by:

Linda Doughty • Director, California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 townhallThursday, September 30, 2021
 
I hosted a town hall discussion with the experts on aging from Carlsbad-based nonprofit Senior Life Source. Their professionals joined me to answer your questions about how to prepare your family to care for you, how to assist you with handling your assets, and how to hold difficult discussions with family members on things like housing changes or choosing between in-home care vs. long term care communities. I was joined by: 
 
  • Lisa Rill Ph.D. • Executive Director, Senior Life Source
  • Ted Lange CFP • Founder, Senior Life Source
  • Carole Lindsey • Founder, Senior Life Source & Executive Director at Superior Home Care Services, Inc.
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 

townhallTuesday, May 4, 2021
 
I hosted a town hall discussion with local health experts and medical professionals  to work through some of the most pressing questions people have when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. We touched on efficacy, safety, side-effects, the FDA approval process, acccess issues for hard-to-reach communities, the prospect of vaccinating children, and much more, I was joined by: 
 
  • Dr. Sujana Gunta • Director of Pediatric Services Vista Community Clinic
  • Dr. Sarah Fatland • Chief Medical Officer, Vista Community Clinic
  • Arcela Nuñes Alvarez • Executive Director, Universidad Popular
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

   
 
Thursday, December 3, 2020
 
I hosted a town hall discussion on applying for college and how to pay for higher education. I was joined by professionals in admissions and financial aid who provided parents and guardians with some tips for what to look out for as their high schooler is going through the process, and some advice to students as they navigate different application requirements. We discussed financial aid availability and explore scholarship opportunities available to students from a variety of backgrounds. I was joined by: 
 
  • Donna San Miguel | CSUSM Executive Director of Recruitment & Outreach 
  • Edwin Chikukwa | California Student Aid Commission Cash for College Program
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 

 

   

 

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Have you ever thought about serving the public on a state commission or board? Whether it'sclean air, public lands, jobs, or even a profession like dentistry, there are all kinds of opportunities to help make an impact on a variety of issues, gain professional experience, and serve the public.

I partnered with the Office of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and some current members of state boards and commissions to host a panel discussion on everything you need to know about serving on a commission or a board. 

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 

 

   

 

Thursday, October 15, 2020

I hosted a tele-town hall discussion on child and adolescent wellness in the context of the impacts of COVID-19 with Kelly Motadel MD, MPH, our Child Health Officer for the County of San Diego. 

The discussion touched on many common questions and concerns parents have on their child’s wellness and how it impacts their growth, their resiliency, and the health of their caregivers as well. Our discussion offers parents, guardians, and caregivers some tips and strategies for how to support children’s mental and physical well-being during this time.

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 

 

 
 
   

 

Thursday, September 17, 2020

I hosted a tele-town hall discussion with the Presidents of MiraCosta Community College and Cal State San Marcos. I was pleased to be joined by: 
 
- Dr. Sunita Cooke, Ph.D. | President of MiraCosta Community College District
- Dr. Ellen J. Neufeldt, Ed.D. | President of California State University San Maros
 
The discussion focused on how both campuses have been adjusting to the circumstances of the pandemic as certain in-person classes return for the fall semester. We also talked about how pandemic adjustments are affecting students’ career planning and what both institutions are doing to equip them for success post-college despite these disruptions.
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 
 

Thursday, August 5, 2020

I hosted a tele-town hall discussion with two county public officials about San Diego County’s T3 strategy of Test, Trace, and Treat for combating the spread of COVID-19 and strategies are being used to contain the virus at this point in the pandemic. I was pleased to be joined by: 
 
• Nick Macchione | Director of San Diego County’s Health and Human Services, Main Architect of County's "T3" Strategy
• Dr. Paul Gothold | Superintendent of San Diego County Office of Education
 
We talked about how experts in epidemiology, public health, and intensive care are working to bring the virus under control and get San Diego County off of the state’s watch list. The discussion also touched on how the county and the state are interacting to make complicated back-to-school decisions that prioritize safety for all while striving to meet the needs of students. 
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 
 

 

   

 

Thursday, July 30, 2020

I hosted a tele-town hall discussion with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara about resources available to small businesses during the pandemic and insurance-related issues. Our discussion went in depth on how businesses can access relief and strategies for navigating the difficulties of this pandemic economy. 

I was joined by:
 
  • Ricardo Lara | California Insurance Commissioner   
  • Jamye Pritchett Solorzano | Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration 
  • Xiomara Peña | California Program Director, Small Business Majority 
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

 

 

   
 
Thursday, July 9, 2020
 
I hosted a tele-town hall discussion about Wildfire Preparedness & Emergency Planning. Our discussion went in depth on the dangers of fire season in North County and what you can do to make sure you household is prepared. I was joined by some experts in fire safety and emergency response as well as a representative from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). We touched on the issues of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and how these events may be complicated by factors realted to the ongoing pandemic. 
 
I was joined by:
 
-Doug Huls | Senior Emergency Services Coordinator, CalOES
-Augie Ghio | Director of Emergency Management, SDG&E
-Sean Mahoney | Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross
-David Harrison | Assistant Director of Emergency Services | City of Carlsbad
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

I hosted a tele-town hall about workforce training & certification programs and their increasingly important role in an adaptive COVID-19 economy. 

The discussion went in depth on the services, programs, and various resources available to individuals or business owners who are looking at retraining their employees and need assistance in order to do so. I was joined by: 
 
- Andy Hall | Chief Impact Officer, San Diego Workforce Partnership
- Linda Kurokawa | Executive Director, Community Education & Workforce Development at MiraCosta College
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

Thursday, May 21, 2020

I hosted a teleconference town hall discussion with Secretary of State Alex Padilla and two local census professionals about the status of the 2020 Census and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the get-out-the-count effort. Topics covered will included what’s at stake for California in this year’s census, why a complete count is important to ensuring North County San Diego gets its fair share of resources, and how census methods have been adapted during the pandemic. I was pleased to be joined by:
  • Alex Padilla | California Secretary of State
  • Connie Hernandez | Regional Program Manager for Region 10, San Diego & Imperial Counties
  • Dr. Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez | Co-Founder/Co-Director, Universidad Popular
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

I hosted a teleconference town hall discussion about COVID-19 scams with San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan and Deputy DA Brendan McHugh. 

We talked about social security and IRS scams, price gouging, phishing e-mails, and other common types of financial fraud to look out for. We'll also talked about the sure signs of fraud and where you can report fraudulent activity if you believe you may have been the victim of one of these attempts. 

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 
Thursday, May 7, 2020
 
I hosted a discussion on how parents and guardians can support students during COVID-19 with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, two local educators, and a child psychologist. We addressed some of the major questions and concerns we've been hearing from parents and guardians. As more information becomes available on the plan for schools, we will make sure to host another forum to keep parents and guardians informed and empowered to keep their children on track.
 
I was joined by:
  • Tony Thurmond | California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Colleen Hervey | President, Ninth District PTA
  • Kristina Hohmann | Education Specialist, Oceanside Unified School District
  • Dr. Anne Bird | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, UCSD Health 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

I hosted a teleconference town hall discussion with some experts about what our county, state, and local organizations are doing to help older adults maintain both mental and physical well-being during this period of change and uncertainty. I was joined by:
 
• Kimberly Gallo | Aging & Independence Services Director, County of San Diego
• Christina Selder | Government & Community Relations Manager, Serving Seniors
• Dr. Steve Huege | Geriatric Psychiatrist, UC San Diego Health
 
You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.
 

Thursday, April 23, 2020

I hosted a teleconference town hall focusing on all of the various forms of financial relief available to our North County small businesses at this time. My guests offered their expertise and answered questions about small business assistance during this crisis. I was joined by:

  • Congressman Mike Levin
  •  California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
  •  Daniel Fitzgerald | Associate Regional Director, San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

I moderated a conversation with a panel of local San Diego County public health and medical professionals about the latest medical advice on the coronavirus and what we can all do to stay healthy. My panel of experts included:

  • Dr. William T. Tseng, AAMD Kaiser Permanente
  • Dr. David Folsom, MD from UC San Diego Health
  • Caroline Smith from the County Office of Strategy & Intergovernmental Affairs

You can listen to an audio recording of our discussion or download a copy.