Speaking Our Stories II

Join “Speaking Our Stories II” a virtual lunch and learn where four speakers, all County employees, will touch on trauma experienced. 

The event will be held on Teams from noon to 1 p.m. on June 9 and is a collaboration  between the Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group (MEERG), African American Association of County Employees (AAACE), Pacific Islander Society of County Employees (PISCE) and the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employee Association (CSDFEA),

The lunch and learn will be moderated by Andrew Strong, director of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice.

Speakers

·         Davinder Kaur with Probation, disownment survivor

·         Dr. Keisha Clark with HHSA, Hurricane Katrina survivor

·         Tiare Hamilton with HHSA, parent of a self-harm teenager survivor

·         Wildredo Perez with HHSA, domestic violence survivor

“Our trauma can affect our mental health, and by speaking about our stories, it serves the purpose to heal or to relate with one another as often what we have experienced has been experienced by others,” MEERG stated in the promotional flyer.

Join the lunch and learn.

See the flyer below.

Recognizing Neurofibromatosis Awareness.

The County Administration Center was lit blue and green Wednesday night in recognition of Neurofibromatosis Awareness.

Help Available to Manage Your Mental Well-being

The County is aware that recent violent incidents around the country are distressing to our employees.

We offer this reminder that the Employee Assistance Program is available to provide counseling and referral services to employees and family members. There is no cost, and consultations are confidential.

Professionally trained staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are a resource for any emotional wellness concerns you may have.

Call the EAP’s toll free number at 888-777-6665 or visit the EAP website. (Sheriff’s Department sworn staff have access to their EAP provider by contacting The Counseling Team International at 800-222-9691.)

You can also discuss concerns about your mental health with your primary care doctor, and mental health benefits are available through the County’s health care plans.   

Additionally, the County provides ongoing support for emotional well-being through the Employee Wellness Program. It offers a variety of classes and events, such as meditation, yoga, and lunch & learns, focused on promoting improved mental health.

The County encourages you to make full use of any of the resources you would find helpful.   

Know the Code: Conflicts of Interest

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.  The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance. 

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

Every public servant, elected, appointed, or hired, enters into an agreement with the people: that as a public servant they will act ethically and seek to promote the public interest in the work that they do.

County employees should avoid becoming involved in activities that improperly influence their actions or job functions. This includes taking outside employment or engaging in activities where an employee’s judgment could be impaired in performing their duties for the County.

Reporting these and other potential conflicts having to do with relatives working in the same department or relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors must be disclosed so they do not compromise the County employee’s objectivity, accountability, or judgment.

If It’s Disclosed, It Can Be Managed!

Be Proactive – ask before acting. This is one of those times when it is better to ask for permission, than to have to explain what went wrong.

• Maybe you’re thinking about starting a business or doing some consulting because you’re an expert, or

• Maybe you have been invited to join a professional association or Board of Directors that may ask you to participate in fundraising for the organization, or

• Maybe you’re a newly assigned COR and you recognize a friend’s name in the list of vendors whose contracts you’ll be managing.

Ask before acting to make sure these activities and changes in circumstances do not create a conflict between your personal interests and professional responsibilities.  Remember if it’s disclosed, then it can be managed properly to avoid the conflict.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

If you have questions about Ethics & Compliance training or how to access the training and other Ethics & Compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174. 

HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Agency Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.

Join AIS Book Discussion

Aging and Independence Services is holding a book discussion this month. The book selection is “Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning” by Cathy Park Hong. The virtual event will be held on Teams from noon to 1 p.m., May 31.

RVSP by emailing wilfredo.perez@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Book Description:

Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. Part memoir and part cultural criticism, this collection is vulnerable, humorous, and provocative—and its relentless and riveting pursuit of vital questions around family and friendship, art and politics, identity and individuality, will change the way you think about our world.

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 619-343-2539,,371238938#  

Phone Conference ID: 371 238 938#

Nearly 500 Employees Participate in 38th Annual Blood Drive

“Amazing!”

Gabe Gutierrez, Program Coordinator with the Office of Strategy and Innovation, giving blood at the San Diego Blood Bank.

That is how the San Diego Blood Bank described the number of pints received and employees who participated in the County’s 38th Annual Blood Drive.

A total of 492 employees donated blood at 22 different County locations in April; 111 of those were first-time donors. According to the blood bank, one pint of blood can save three lives, meaning your donations helped to save the lives of 1,476 people.

April is not the only time County employees can donate blood. You can do it year-round.

To keep track of the number of County employees donating blood and pints donated, the San Diego Blood Bank has set up a special appointment link and code to keep track of donations.

You should use this referral link when making an appointment: www.sandiegobloodbank.org/sandiegocounty.

On the day of your appointment, you should provide this code when you check in: SDCY.

There is a critical need for blood donations, and all blood types are welcome.

The blood drive supports the Live Well San Diego vision for a region that is building better health, living safely and thriving.

Get To Know AAACE Secretary Nikki Horton

The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by a respective board who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.

Get to know African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) Secretary Nikki Horton, an operations support manager with Probation.

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: I have worked for the County of San Diego for 17 years. I have had the pleasure working for both Health and Human Services, as well as Probation.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A:  I am an operations support manager with San Diego County Probation. I manage 30 professional staff who provide administrative and operational support to our department, working closely with sworn personnel, our clients and collaborative partners.

My specific role is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the operational activities of all adult and juvenile site offices and/or facilities.

Additionally, I am responsible for formulating and implementing policy and procedures related to service operations.

Q: What’s your workplace superpower?  

A: Engaging with my co-workers, staff.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work.

A: I enjoy reading and am an avid sports fan.

• Football: Los Angeles Chargers

• Favorite Quarterback: Justin Herbert

• NBA: Los Angeles Clippers

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Equitable treatment and opportunities for the community we serve, as well as our County workforce.

Q. What is the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

A: Cultivate relationships and continue to learn, grow and strive to be the best you can be.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: I recommend employees review the D&I Digests. They provide a wealth of useful information.

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: AAACE, under President Dr. Keisha Clark, is an employee resource group for employees of the County of San Diego. Membership consists of County employees, students and members of the community with an interest in diversity and a skilled work force as well as promoting the African American culture on a local level.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

A: ERGs are important as they provide great networking opportunities for all County employees. ERGs promote personal and professional growth and assist in providing a wealth of resources in equity, diversity and inclusion.

Q: What is your ERG looking forward to this year?

A: Increasing our membership, engaging with the community and collaborating with the County in our student outreach efforts.

Also Read:

Get To Know MEERG President Mehdi Khalili

Get To Know EWA Board Member Diana Eid-Chammas

Get To Know SDCLA Secretary Alex Talaro

Get To Know LGBTQ&A ERG Board Member Ryan Trabuco

Get To Know APACE Vice President Annamarie Hernandez

Get To Know PISCE Treasurer Isobel Kinsang

Get to Know DiverseAbility ERG Secretary Valerie Prado

Get To Know VALOR Secretary Thomas Velasquez

Get to Know CSDFEA Vice President Kathleen Mendoza

Get to Know INS President Maria Whitehorse

Paying Tribute to Frontline Workers in Emergency Medical Services

The County Administration Center was lit in red, white and blue Monday night for EMS Week to pay tribute to the frontline workers in the emergency medical services field.

Recognizing National Peace Officers Memorial Day

The County Administration Center was lit in blue Sunday night for National Peace Officers Memorial Day.