Leading Children’s Nonprofit President and Deputy Attorney General Appointed as Newest Commissioners
SANTA ANA, Calif. – April 2018 – The Children and Families Commission of Orange County announced today the appointment of two new Commissioners: United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County (UCP-OC) President and CEO Ramin Baschshi, MD and Deputy Attorney General and Lifesteps Children and Family Services Board President Peggy Huang.
Members of the nine-person board are appointed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
“A critical part of the Commission’s ability to support children and strengthen the resources available to them are the individuals that serve on the Commission,” said Kimberly Goll, the Commission’s executive director. “Our mission requires a rare blend of passion, compassion and know-how, and both of our new Commission members have demonstrated all of these during their distinguished careers in Orange County.”
Baschshi joins the Commission to serve in its Healthy Children and Early Intervention category. As a medical doctor, hospital administrator and children’s charity leader, Baschshi has long been committed to improving the wellbeing of the community, with a particular focus on children’s health and development. She currently serves as President and CEO of UCP-OC, a leading nonprofit providing early intervention to children with developmental disabilities and delays in Orange County. Prior to this position, Baschshi served as COO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.
Huang also joins the Commission to serve in its Healthy Children and Early Intervention category. Huang has more than 10 years experience as the Deputy Attorney General in the California Attorney General’s Office of Criminal Appeals, Trial and Writs where she represents abused and neglected children. She also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Lifesteps Children and Family Services, a statewide organization that provides early intervention services for children ages 0 to 3.
In addition to the two new Commissioner appointments, the Board of Supervisors reappointed Sandra Pierce, Director of Little Friends Preschool in Yorba Linda, in the Early Education and Early Intervention category, and Dr. Maria Minon, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), in the Healthy Children and Early Intervention Category at the March 27, 2018 meeting.
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County Commissioners administer the program funds that are consistent with the mission, goals and objectives of the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
About the Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. In fiscal year 2016/17, the Commission allocated more than $24 million to fund programs for young children. Children ages 0-5 received 1.8 million services. Funds help pay for early education, pediatric primary and specialty health care, children’s dental, homeless prevention, and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age 5 and their families. The Commission’s vision is that all children are healthy and ready to learn. For more information, please visit www.first5oc.org.