I  N  F  O  R  M  A  T  I  O  N

The Los Angeles County Service Planning Area 5 Council shall be a partnership with all aspects of our community; committed to identifying issues, concerns, needs and resources of children, youth and families, identifying and engaging all available community resources in developing specific plans that can best serve our community.

Facts about the SPA 5 Council

The Service Planning Area 5 (West Region) council is a public/private community partnership that is designed to: 1) help bridge the gap between services and community needs and, 2) strengthen community capacity.

Demographic Information

SPA 5 Population Profile
SPA 5 2006 Scorecard
SPA 5 Cities Map

Workplan

SPA 5 2006-2007 Workplan

Rewards

The hard work and commitment of the council's elected members is all about coordinating and improving quality of services. The continuous discussion between the county and SPA council representatives is developing a promising collaboration.
Benchmarks and Milestones
1997 The Service Planning Area 5 Interim Council is formed.
1998 Conveners are appointed by CPC.
October 1998 The SPA 5 Interim Council hires a part time coordinator.
1998 5A Committee is formed, the first among the councils.
1998 The SPA 5 Interim Council applies for certification by CPC.
May 1999 The SPA 5 Interim Council completes its guidelines.
June 1999 The SPA 5 Interim Council held its first election.
January 2000 The first retreat to develop a plan of action occurs.
January 2000 The workplan for year 2000-2001 is developed.
February 2000 The SPA 5 Council is certified.
2000 - 2001 Neighborhood Service Centers develop a plan for county services at identified sites.
2000 – 2001 Child Care Committee and Health Insurance Enrollment Task Force have organized public forums/trainings.
1999 – 2001 The council participates in various survey and community-input events conducted by CPC, IOG and county departments.
February 2001 The council joins Long-Term Family Self-Sufficiency Project 41.

County Representatives to the SPA 5 Council

Department of Children and Family Services
Helen Maxwell
Richard Miyake

Department of Public Social Services
Bari Banks
Americo Garza

Department of Health Services
Farimah Fiali

Department of LA County Office of Education
Evelyn Moore

Department of LA County Public Library
Laura Frakes

Department of Mental Health
Patrice Grant
Karen Williams

Department of Probation
Paul Vinetz
Curtis McClendon

Conveners

Richard Pancost, Convener
Michi Okano, Co-Convener
Helen Maxwell, Co-Convener

Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees

Community Engagement Committee

Leadership & Membership Development Committee 

Events Committee

Meeting Information
The SPA5 General Council Meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of every month from 3:00-5:00pm. Please call the SPA5 office more details.*

*The times and locations of committee meetings are subject to change. Please contact SPA5 office for updated information.

Meeting Agendas

General Council Meeting Agenda, January 18, 2007
General Council Meeting Agenda, November 16, 2006
General Council Agenda, October 19, 2006

Meeting Minutes

Executive Committee Meeting, December 5, 2006
Executive Committee Meeting, November 7, 2006
Executive Committee Meeting, October 5, 2006
General Council Meeting Minutes, November 16, 2006
General Council Meeting Minutes, October 19, 2006
General Council Meeting Minutes, August 17, 2006

Community Engagement Committee Minutes, December 13, 2006

Personal Growth

By participating in the SPA 5 Council, you can:

  • Achieve personal growth and learn/improve leadership skills
  • Gain knowledge about components of region-wide planning
  • Access information about new programs/projects on the county level
  • Form collaborations to increase your chances for funds
  • Strengthen your standing in the professional community

Primary Contacts

Tara Chaffee Robinson 
SPA5 Council Coordinator
Career Planning Center
13160 Mindanao Way
Suite 240
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: 310-309-6000 x215
Fax: 310-309-6032
Email: trobinson@cpc-spa5.org 

Ileana Abreu
SPA5 Community Organizer
Career Planning Center
13160 Mindanao Way
Suite 240
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: 310-309-6000 x208
Fax: 310-309-6032
Email: iabreu@cpc-spa5.org 

Important Information

SPA 5 Newsletter: English or Spanish

Free COFI (Community Organizing & Family Issues) Workshop Starting February 2007 

Leadership & Development Committee Meeting Dates

Community Engagement Committee Meeting Dates

Events Committee Meeting Dates

Workgroups and Committees (Coming soon!)

Convener Roles and Responsibilities

SPA 5 Guidelines 2004

Other important information coming soon!

Experience the satisfaction of helping children and their families with what they need most, when they need it most.