Los Angeles County Puts Annual Report Online

Los Angeles County released its annual report Thursday, using a web-based format that includes videos of county leaders, graphic representations of county spending and links that allow sharing of content on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

In the past, the county published the report on paper and printed just a few thousand copies, a fraction of the number needed to share the information with the county's more than 10 million residents.

County officials said the new format allows everyone with access to a computer can see information on every county department and watch videos of county workers -- like rescue helicopter crews and hospital trauma teams -- in action.

"Oftentimes, folks will say, 'I don't use county services because I'm not on welfare, I have my own health-care services, I live in a city with its own police department,' but the County of L.A. touches the fiber of every single life," said county Chief Executive Officer William Fujioka.

The report's home page offers statistics highlighting the reach of a county that, if it were a state, would be the eighth largest in population and, if it were a country, would be the 20th largest economy in the world.

According to the report, in the county's 2010-11 fiscal year, it:

-- employed 90,000 people and managed a budget of $24 billion;

-- provided health-care services to almost 700,000 people, including 270,000 trauma visits;

-- operated one of the largest flood-control systems in the world, including 14 major dams;

-- welcomed more than 21 million people to county parks and 70 million visitors to county beaches;

-- managed the nation's largest jail system, with more than 18,000 daily inmates;

-- responded to 302,960 emergency medical and 911 calls, including 8,242 fires and 12,686 ocean and boat rescues;

-- provided monthly Medi-Cal coverage to about 2.09 million adults and children and monthly cash assistance to about 526,000 individuals;

-- investigated more than 69,000 cases of suspected child abuse and neglect, involving more than 150,000 children;

-- maintained more than 3,218 miles of major roads and local streets in unincorporated areas and 1,014 miles in 16 contract cities;

-- issued 52,079 new marriage licenses and performed 11,177 civil services;

-- circulated more than 16 million books and other material through its public library system;

-- provided mental health services to more than 250,000 people; and

-- handled the adoptions of more than 1,550 children.

The full report can be found at www.lacountyannualreport.com.