PLACE Program
Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention
LA County Department of Public Health
695 S. Vermont Avenue, South Tower, 14th Floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90005


PLACE stands for Policies for Livable Active Communities and Environments

Jean Armbruster, MA
Director
jarmbruster@ph.lacounty.gov

Jean Armbruster, MA, is the Director of the PLACE Program (Policies from Livable, Active Communities and Environments) at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.  The program’s mission is to foster policy change that supports the development of safe, healthy, active environments for all Los Angeles County residents.  PLACE makes grants and provides technical assistance to cities and communities to promote the development of policies such as bicycle and pedestrian master plans, complete streets, and safe routes to schools plans.  Ms. Armbruster received her undergraduate degree from Colorado College and her Master of Arts from California State University, Long Beach. She loves hiking and walking her dog in the Santa Monica Mountains. 

Louisa Franco, MPH
Policy Analyst
lfranco@ph.lacounty.gov

Louisa Franco, MPH, is policy analyst with the PLACE Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She specializes on the public health impact of bicycle and pedestrian oriented policies and has a growing interest in air quality issues. Louisa often provides public health input on general plans, specific plans and master plans. She received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology from UCSB and received her Master’s degree in Public Health from UCLA. She enjoys running and bicycling around town.

Gayle Haberman, MPH
Policy Analyst
ghaberman@ph.lacounty.gov

Gayle Haberman, MPH, is a policy analyst with the PLACE Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Prior to working with the PLACE Program, she developed the five-year plan for Public Health’s Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Program, and worked on policies to decrease childhood obesity. Before coming to the County, Gayle worked in the nonprofit sector for 15 years. Among other endeavors, she co-founded an organization that trained low-income women to establish their own business cooperatives. Gayle is forcing herself to attend a weekly pilates mat class to develop muscles her body has never seen.

Erica Halchak, MPH
Assistant Policy Analyst
ehalchak@ph.lacounty.gov

Erica Halchak is an assistant policy analyst with the PLACE Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her Master’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Sustainability at UCLA. Prior to her work with the PLACE program, Erica interned as a Tobacco Policy Advocate at the American Lung Association of California. In her free time she enjoys running, yoga, and going to the beach.

Jessica Lim, MS
Policy Analyst
jeslim@ph.lacounty.gov

Jessica Lim, MS, is a policy analyst with the PLACE Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her Master of Science in Health and Social Behavior from the Harvard School of Public Health. Prior to her work with the PLACE Program, Jessica was the Director of Asian and Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance. She is still passionate about promoting cultural competency and wellness for underserved populations. In her free time, she plays tennis and volunteers with international students.

Uyen Ngo
Intern
ungo@ph.lacounty.gov

Uyen Ngo is an intern with the PLACE Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health at UCLA in the Environmental Health Sciences Department with interests in sustainability and urban planning. In addition to PLACE, she works part time as the mentorship director for the Laurel Foundation, a non-profit organization working with children living with HIV/AIDS. Uyen loves volunteering as a Laurel Foundation camp counselor, martial arts and any excuse to cook or bake.