Executive Director’s Monthly Report, October 2025
SCAG 2026 Draft Public Participation Plan Available for Public Comment
The SCAG 2026 Draft Public Participation Plan (PPP) is now available for public comment. The PPP outlines SCAG's commitments to representative, accessible, and effective public and stakeholder participation in the development of its plans, programs, and initiatives. The PPP also defines audience categories, outlines methodology for conducting participation efforts, summarizes communication methods, and describes SCAG’s measures and processes for evaluating its participation efforts.
SCAG has prepared the 2026 Draft Public Participation Plan in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations that set forth SCAG’s responsibilities as a metropolitan planning organization. The 45-day public comment period for the 2026 Draft Public Participation Plan began on Sept. 22 and concludes on Nov. 7.
For more information on how to submit a comment and to view a copy of the Draft Public Participation Plan and an Executive Summary, visit the project website.
2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop Revisits the ‘Intergenerational Contract’
More than 350 people attended the 2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Revisiting the Intergenerational Contract,” on Oct. 1 to discuss the latest demographic trends for the region and explore how demographic and economic changes are influencing the traditional “intergenerational contract.” The 36th annual event was hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Highlights of the 2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop include the publication of a new report, “Highs, Lows, and Shocks: Key Housing and Economic Trends in Southern California,” by SCAG and USC demographers to provide insight into American Community Survey data released earlier in September by the U.S. Census Bureau. More info about the report is available on SCAG News.
The 2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop featured three panels and a keynote address by Dowell Myers, professor and director of the Population Dynamics Research Group at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. More information about the event program and resources available following the event are available on SCAG News.
SCAG Published Mega Event-Focused ‘Games TDM Guide’
As part of developing a regionwide LA28 Games Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategy, the Games Mobility Executives (GME) TDM Subcommittee—led by SCAG—is creating resources to support local jurisdictions and partner stakeholders in implementing TDM strategies. The first of these resources is this “Games TDM Resource Guide,” developed by the subcommittee to help agencies and organizations shape TDM approaches for the LA28 Games and other mega-events, like the World Cup. The guide will continue to evolve as planning advances, with additional resources to be developed leading up to the games. More information on SCAG's initiatives to prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games can be found on the SCAG website.
SCAG Presents Connect SoCal Implementation Update at Valley Industry Commerce Association
On Sept. 9, SCAG Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson kicked off a series of presentations on implementation of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy with a visit to the Valley Industry Commerce Association's (VICA) Transportation Committee in the San Fernando Valley. Jepson showed how Implementation Strategies from Connect SoCal 2024 can create better mobility options, more equitable communities, a cleaner environment, and a stronger economy for all Southern California residents. The VICA presentation is the first in a series of presentations scheduled over the coming months with partners in each of the six county regions.
Safe and Active Streets Working Group Recap
SCAG hosted the Safe and Active Streets Working Group (SASWG) on Sept. 24, bringing together regional partners to advance safer, walkable, and bikeable communities. The meeting highlighted:
- Community Voices for Pedestrian Safety: Go Human awardees—Latino Health Access, Office of People, and Nyeland Promise—shared creative approaches to Pedestrian Safety Month.
- Funding Opportunities: Staff provided updates on the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 and outlined new resources for local projects.
- Regional Data Insights: SCAG previewed its forthcoming Transportation Safety Regional Existing Conditions Report, scheduled for release in October, offering the latest analysis on safety trends across the SCAG region.
The SASWG continues to be a forum for sharing best practices, exploring funding programs, and providing input for the forthcoming Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
Toolbox Tuesday Explore Challenges and Opportunities for Tribal Data
On Sept. 30, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday session about how regional organizations can support Tribes and Native people to overcome the unique challenges in federal, state, and other data sets for Native Americans and Tribal communities.
The discussion, led by Brookings Institution Metro Fellow Robert Maxim, reviewed findings from a recent report co-published by SCAG and the Brookings Institution that assesses data challenges for Tribes and Native Americans in the SCAG region and nationally.
The session examined shortcomings of public data for Tribes and Native American communities, presented insights from Tribal leaders in the SCAG region about their data needs and priorities, and outlined actions that regional organizations can take to improve data quality and availability for Tribes.
Video of the session will be available soon on SCAG’s YouTube.
SCAG Launches New Future Leaders Initiative
SCAG recently announced the Future Leaders Initiative (FLI). This six-month civic leadership pilot program is for young adults interested in building an understanding of how regional and local governments collaborate for long-term change and impact. Program participants, ages 18-24 representing each county in the region, will explore planning principles and their impact on both the present and the future of Southern California. By creating an accessible pipeline for young adults to deepen knowledge and leadership skills through direct engagement with local leaders and professionals, SCAG will cultivate a cohort of 24 new thoughtful civic leaders and local voices shaping the SCAG region. FLI applications will open on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Read more about the program on SCAG News.
SCAG Go Human Presents at the AMPO 2025 Conference
SCAG Go Human staff presented at the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Annual Conference on Sept. 17 in a session titled “Complete Streets Lending Libraries: MPO Resources for Pop-Up Projects.” Alongside colleagues from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), SCAG shared about traffic safety demonstrations and the creative materials that MPOs and peer organizations can design to implement and launch vibrant lending library program to demonstrate traffic safety improvements. SCAG and the NJTPA provided an overview of their respective lending libraries and shared how these programs help communities test and actualize their visions and goals for creating safer, more accessible streets.
SCAG Go Human Partnership Highlights for Pedestrian Safety Month
To celebrate California Pedestrian Safety Month in September, SCAG Go Human supported 14 traffic safety and community engagement events and demonstration projects across the region. Go Human supported three Kit of Parts temporary safety demonstration projects and 11 traffic safety events, with five events, including helmet distributions, across the SCAG region.
Kit of Parts demonstrations included:
- Bike Ventura’s Bike Rodeo in Ventura.
- City of Adelanto’s Movies in the Park.
- 2025 Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
Traffic safety events included:
- Walk Bike Glendale’s Glendale Moves!
- Traffic Safety Day in Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health PLACE Program (Policies for Livable, Active Communities and Environments)'s Parks After Dark summer events.
- CicLAvia: South Central Meets Watts event.
- Yolanda Davis-Overstreet Consulting & Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative: Biking While Black Summer Screening in Los Angeles.
- Walk n Rollers' Bike Safety Riding Series.
- Reach Out's “Cruise Thru Summer” in Jurupa Valley.
- Santa Ana Active Streets Bike Rodeo.
- Los Amigos de la Comunidad, Inc.'s End of Summer Celebration in Brawley.
- Day One Inc.'s Resiliency Studio in Los Angeles.
- Public Matters' Boo-Boo Bandage Brigade Bonanza in Los Angeles.
- Nyeland Promise's Nyeland Acres Pedestrian Safety Event in Ventura.
Together, these events showcased communities across Southern California using Go Human’s resources to strengthen safety, celebrate active transportation, and bring people together.
Assemblymember Solache Presents to LCMC
Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache (D-Lakewood) addressed the September meeting of the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee (LCMC) to share insights from his first year in the State Legislature. During his presentation, Assemblymember Solache, a former chair of the LCMC, covered controversial bills, bipartisan efforts, cap-and-invest reauthorization, and higher education. A video of the September LCMC meeting is available on the SCAG website.
SCAG Updates Simi Valley City Council
In September, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise presented an overview of SCAG to the Simi Valley City Council, explaining SCAG’s programs, priorities, and organizational structure. SCAG presents to city councils as a membership benefit on request.
Joint Coordination Meeting of SBCAG and SCAG
SCAG recently hosted a joint coordination meeting with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments at SCAG’s Ventura County Regional Office. Board leadership and executive staff from both agencies came together to share updates on projects and programs and discussed future partnership opportunities. SCAG coordinates meetings with neighboring metropolitan planning organizations to share agency updates and develop partnership opportunities.
SCAG Represented at Annual Mobility 21 Summit
SCAG recently participated in the 24th Annual Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. This year’s theme, “The Power of Partnership,” was a reminder of SCAG’s work to foster collaboration across our large and diverse region. As members of Mobility 21’s Board of Directors, SCAG has enjoyed participating at this annual summit for the past 24 years.
SCAG Energy and Environment Committee Chair Rick Denison was a panelist on “Chairs’ Roundtable: Power of Partnership.” SCAG’s Executive Director Kome Ajise was also involved in several panels throughout the day, including “Forward Olympics: Regional Readiness through Partnerships,” “AI Unleashed: Benefits and Risks in Transportation and the Workforce,” and the “CEOs Chart the Path Forward.”
Talking Issues Podcast Appearance
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise was featured on an episode of the Talking Issues Podcast with Curt Pringle, former mayor of Anaheim and speaker of the California State Assembly. The conversation touched on regional housing and transportation issues, how Southern California can build more of what is needed, and the future of the SCAG region. The full episode is available on the Curt Pringle and Associates YouTube channel as well as on their website.
