Meeting with County Supervisor Barger

On September 18, Meow Meow Foundation (MMF) principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas and board member Liliana Coronado discussed the absence of California day camp licensing with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and her staff.

Barger said she only became aware that day camps were not licensed while preparing for the meeting. She pledged that she will discuss the matter with fellow Supervisors at their next meeting. Barger also invited MMF principals to testify about the matter at a forthcoming county supervisors meeting.

Barger’s Health and Legislative Affairs Deputy Erick Matos said he will engage county health department officials about current protocol regarding camp oversight. Matos said he is also exploring follow-up measures specific to Summerkids camp in Altadena where Roxie Forbes drowned on June 28.

Both Barger and Matos said they will further explore why California health department lobbying groups, including the California Health Executives Association of California, have opposed camp licensing for well over a decade. Barger said she did not believe that opposition was financially-driven.

According to her website, Barger serves the residents of Los Angeles County’s 5th Supervisorial District — the county’s largest — spanning 2,800 square miles, which includes 22 cities and 70 unincorporated communities in the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Crescenta, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys.

Her county career as chief policy advisor on health, mental health, social services and children’s issues is especially important as MMF legislation for ensuring the health and safety of tens of thousands of California day campers.

Barger said she is committed to keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe. She has worked with state and federal leaders and county district attorney, sheriff and other law enforcement agencies to implement laws and public safety initiatives.