Focused on Disability Employment Triumphs

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By the ERG Council

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This month we focus on disability employment triumphs, as well as note there are learning opportunities.

The DiverseAbility Employee Resource Group in collaboration with other ERGs and County departments will be engaging in activities to help educate ourselves and others on disability employment issues and demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive work culture. These efforts include lunch and learns, participation in Jobtoberfest and a book club discussion. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.

This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month’stheme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” It reflects how important it is for people with disabilities to have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. From the U.S. Department of Labor:

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM.

We value all perspectives. As the ERG Council, we hope to connect and support each other throughout the year by sharing resources, our experiences and our interests.

The County of San Diego offers several resources including trainings for diversity and inclusion and accessibility, ergonomic assessments and an employee assistance programs (EAP). The County’s EAP can be reached by phone 888-777-6665 or online using Company Name “COSD”. (Please note Sheriff’s Department sworn staff has access to their EAP by contacting The Counseling Team International at 800-222-9691.)

For instance, search in LMS for:

  • disability basics

  • diversity and inclusion

  • mental health

Or, through the Help Me kNow Hub (Software Coaching) on InSite:

  • Get Started and Explore - Accessibility Features

  • Overview of Accessibility Settings Based On The User's Ability

  • Find Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers

Other resources for celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month:

Books suggested for book club discussion:

October Is Filipino American History Month

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October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM). It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Filipino-Americans including their role in the California Farm Labor Movement, U.S. military, healthcare industry, and many other fields and industries.

As per the President of the United States, “Filipino Americans are an essential part of our Nation’s strength and diversity, a living reminder of the courage of immigrants and a growing force in our civic movements and engagement.”

To celebrate FAHM, the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employee Association has put together FAHM Bingo of October Activities. CSDFEA invites employees to play with a friends and see who gets to bingo first!

The employee resource group added that it’s a great opportunity to learn more about American history.

Join SDCLA’s Leadership Conversation for Hispanic Heritage Month

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In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group will host a second “Leadership Conversation Lunch and Learn” on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Speakers are Migell Acosta, director of County Library; Alethea Arguilez, executive director of First 5 Commission of San Diego; and Elizabeth Hernandez, acting director of Public Health Services.

The ERG will hold the virtual event from noon to 1 p.m. on Teams.

For questions, email sdcla@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Check Your Mood Day Goes Virtual

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Annually, the County of San Diego hosts Check Your Mood Day to engage and encourage San Diegans to monitor and assess their mental well-being, as well as raise awareness about behavioral health resources. This year’s event will be held virtually on Oct. 7, in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day.

Learn more about Check Your Mood Day.

In addition, the County’s Employee Assistance Program can be reached by phone 888-777-6665 or online using Company Name “COSD”. (Please note Sheriff’s Department sworn staff has access to their EAP by contacting The Counseling Team International at 800-222-9691.)

Email, Teams Outage Planned Thursday Night

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Outlook email, Teams, SharePoint and other Microsoft applications will be unavailable Thursday night between 10 and 11:30 p.m. while changes are made to the login screens you will see on workstations and mobile devices.

The updates are being done in advance of a two-step verification process that will enhance security for remote and off-network users accessing the County network. That will take place over the next several months with additional communications to come.

CAO Message: Your Work, Your Stories - Our Annual Report

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

You all do so much, and there’s been so much change recently, it’s hard to get your arms around it all. If only there was a way to sum up your hard work in one snazzy little package.

Well, guess what – there is! I’m proud to roll out the County’s 2020-21 Annual Report.

It’s a great survey of our actions and accomplishments over a remarkable stretch of time. Anyone who wants to quickly get a feel for the breadth of our activities can find it here. 

The core of the report is the highlight stories, built around 10 priority areas in the Board-directed Framework for the Future. While COVID-19 still loomed large over all our lives, and continues to be a daily focus for many of our employees, we kept up tremendous progress in other areas. The report reflects that. Justice reform. Sustainability. Racial equity. Behavioral health. Things that can’t wait out a pandemic and demand our attention.

Rather than go into more details, I invite you to visit and spend a few minutes clicking around and reading. You can take in a lot with a skim, and besides the stories, it’s sprinkled with loads of facts and figures about our operations. If you ever find yourself trying to explain to family or friends what the County does, you may want to point them here.

To be sure, it doesn’t cover everything. We do too much to ever be that comprehensive. Even if we weren’t able to squeeze you into our group picture, know your contributions are recognized and valued. 

What we do as an organization really is remarkable. You all play a part in this, so this is your story. Our story. I hope you all take as much pride in our collective achievements as I do. Thank you for everything you do that enables us to share this with the world.

Celebrate National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11

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The LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group invites you to celebrate National Coming Out Day (NCOD) virtually! NCOD has been celebrated since the 1980’s and encourages folks to “come out” and live openly as a LGBTQ individual. The day can also be a reminder to “come out” as an ally to the LGBTQ community and pledge your support for equality.

Five ways to celebrate NCOD virtually:

  1. Take The Pledge. Use the ally or out pledge cards below (or in the links) to show your support as an ally or as LGBTQ. Display them in your workspace, or better yet – snap a selfie and email a pic to angela.jackson-llamas@sdcounty.ca.gov by 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7 to be featured on their social media posts and InSite. See the gallery!

  2. Start a Conversation. Share the news that NCOD happens every October and use it as an conversation starter with colleagues, friends, or family.

  3. Show Off Your Pronouns. In alignment with the County’s Pronoun Policy, add your pronouns to your email signature, or elsewhere your name is displayed.

  4. Share Your Story. If your department has a newsletter or bulletin, ask the coordinator if you can submit content for NCOD and explain why its important to you to be out in the workplace. You can also share your story on a blog, social media, or a journal.

  5. Join. If you are not a member of the LGBTQ&A ERG, consider joining them or volunteer your time with another LGBTQ-serving organization

Committing to Customer Service

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National Customer Service Week is not just about customers. It’s about you! National Customer Service Week is celebrated annually at the beginning of October and it is all about recognizing the County departments and employees that demonstrate HEART, even through the tough times—like the libraries that transformed into COVID testing sites, County Parks bringing nature to you, and one department that provided excellent customer service to a hairy, slobbery, snuggle monster during the pandemic.

National Customer Service Week is also about our continued commitment to using a positive approach to provide positive experiences. Here are four online training opportunities for you to advance your skills: