CAO Message: A Thank-You to Our Veterans and to Everyone Supporting Them
/A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer
County Team,
Service before self.
That’s one of the core values that’s guided my County career. It’s one embodied by the many veterans in our community and among our co-workers.
As we head into the Veterans Day holiday, I want to take a moment to recognize those who have served our country, and to talk about County efforts to help our local veterans and bring more of them into our ranks.
First of all, thank you, veterans. Through your sacrifices and devotion to duty, you have preserved our freedoms and fundamental ways of life. I would ask everyone to pause and make the words “thank you for your service” ring true for our veterans.
We have right around 1,000 veterans working for the County currently, about 5.7% of our employees. Our region is home to nearly a quarter million veterans, and we are committed to having the County’s workforce reflect and represent our community.
Our Board recently approved an initiative for us to raise those numbers and expand our recruitment. We will be strengthening our work across departments and with groups outside the County to achieve these goals.
Veterans come to us having demonstrated the kind of qualities we value in our employees: selflessness, honor, resiliency, dedication to others, a can-do spirit. They are ready to contribute to our mission of serving our customers. Getting more veterans to choose the County for their post-military career will make our organization stronger.
We do want to confirm our records about veterans in our workforce and make sure we’re not missing anyone. If you are a veteran, please contact your departmental human resources officer to verify that your military status is up to date.
Let me add a few words of appreciation for our County workers who have a member of the military in the family. Your loved ones are away for extended periods, and many of you take on extra duties caring for those around you. We recognize it’s tough, and we support you in supporting those who serve.
I’ll switch here to praise County staff who work on behalf of this region’s veterans, a large population with diverse needs and complex challenges. Our Office of Military and Veterans Affairs has a lead role in this area. They provide veterans and military families information about the benefits they have earned, help them navigate the system, and can step up as their advocate. They serve thousands of San Diegans each month.
Our County Library has partnered with OMVA to provide video conferencing stations so that veterans can get services without traveling to offices in person. Seven branches now have Vet Connect available.
It’s an unfortunate fact of military life that many who serve wind up with lasting trauma, and we’re all aware many of our veterans face a variety of struggles. For more than a decade, our public safety departments have collaborated on a Veterans Treatment Court, getting vets the help they need so they can once again contribute to society. And the County has long provided services at Stand Down, an annual event assisting homeless veterans.
I’d remind everyone as well about VALOR, our employee resource group supporting veterans. It’s there to provide a sense of community and resources for those with military service.
And whether you’re a veteran yourself or just want to show that kind of fitness and stamina, this Saturday is Parks’ Warrior Hike up El Cajon Mountain. The hikes are held twice a year, around Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as tribute to those serving in our military.
Everyone enjoy your holiday, and let’s all do so with gratitude for those who have protected our freedoms. Thank you again to our veterans for everything you’ve done for our County, your community, our country.
