Find a Child Care Specialist You Can Trust With This New Tool

Need some help finding child care you can trust? The County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help! They offer a ZIP-code online search tool of child care providers as well as a phone consultation with an EAP work life specialist. You can contact EAP and speak to someone that will provide you additional support by searching for local child care providers. 

An EAP representative will do the research and within 48 hours you’ll have a list meeting your family’s needs. The representative will confirm a host of details, including availability, price, hours of operation, extracurricular activities and any other details you may be interested in receiving.

Child care consultants can also search for a variety of resources for children with disabilities and offer resources for emergency back-up care. The Parenting section has information for parents and caregivers of all different experience levels and kids of all different ages. They offer advice on everything from raising your child’s self-esteem to keeping backseat chaos to a minimum.

There’s also an Adoption module that offers tips and information for all stages of the process.

Child care consultants can help parents consider the care options available and choose the one that best suits your family’s needs.

If there are any changes in your child care needs, you’re eligible to make changes and even start or stop contributions to a dependent care flexible spending account.

If you want to obtain a background check on your preferred provider, Imperative offers a number of criminal background investigation packages available at a discount. Pricing on the background screening service ranges from $70 to $270.

For more information on the County’s Employee Assistance Program, please call 888-777-6665.

Join the Ready DSW Team And Play an Important Role in Emergencies

Ready DSW team members train in an Emergency Services drill in the Emergency Operations Center.

As County employees, we are all Disaster Service Workers. We also know that during emergencies we may be asked to help in ways that are not be part of our regular duties. While this can present challenges, it is also an opportunity to learn new things and to be a meaningful part of the County’s response and recovery efforts. You can enhance that opportunity even more by joining the Ready DSW Team!

Members of the Ready DSW Team will have the chance to learn about County departments and to apply skills and knowledge that they may not use in their current job. Additionally, there are opportunities to meet with other County workers from throughout the enterprise and work with the public.

If selected for a position with the Ready DSW Team, you may be invited to an in-person training and/or to take part in emergency drills involving your position. But don’t worry! You won’t be graded on this, and duty checklists will be provided.

You will be paid your normal rate and could possibly be asked to work a different schedule if you are open to that possibility.

It is important to note, that your supervisor may volunteer your department to help in the response or recovery efforts of a local disaster, if the County is lacking pre-trained people to fill those roles. So, you may still be called to help outside your regular role, but you likely won’t be able to choose what positions you want to fulfil at that time.

If the Ready DSW Team sounds like something you would like to be a part of and you have a particular interest, you can sign up in advance and take position-specific Learning Management System training online to prepare you for your new role should you be called. The trainings are comprehensive in both response and recovery, quick and follow a storyboard format. The goal is to have a more prepared DSW team on the front lines or behind the scenes of a local emergency so that both response and recovery efforts to begin immediately. To take advantage of this opportunity, scan the QR code to pull up the application and see specific positions. Before filling out the application, you will need to seek approval from your manager to make sure you can be spared from your current position.

A workforce that is well-trained and knowledgeable in recovery and response skills prior to a disaster will reduce the overall recovery timeline and make San Diego County more resilient.

Get Free Mental Health Counseling

If you are feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed, help is available. The County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help you navigate life’s challenges. Take advantage of the confidential counseling and referral services offered through our EAP.

Professionally trained staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer a broad range of services, including managing stress, finding work-life balance, parenting and eldercare issues, and wellness benefits.

Both in-office and video-based counseling sessions are available to you and your family at no cost and they are confidential. (Please note: Sheriff’s Department sworn staff have access to their EAP provider by contacting The Counseling Team International at 800-222-9691.)

Here’s how to make an EAP counseling session appointment:

• Call the EAP’s toll free number at 888-777-6665.

• A representative will tell you more about therapy options, including video visits on your personal computer, smartphone or tablet using LiveHealth Online.

• If video visits are right for you, the EAP representative will give you details about how to schedule a visit, as well as a special coupon code that is entered online that allows all visits to be provided at no cost.

• You can select a therapist that’s right for you by reviewing the therapist’s background and qualifications before selecting a convenient appointment time.

• You will receive a confirmation email once you have scheduled a visit.

• The EAP video visit will last about 45 minutes and the therapist can set up future visits if needed.

For free and confidential assistance, call EAP at 888-777-6665 or visit EAPcosd.

ERGs Put Down Roots

In celebration of Earth Day 2023, County employee resource group members and volunteers joined park staff to plant approximately 15 trees at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve on Saturday, April 22. The tree planting event was hosted by the Emerging Workforce Association and the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees.

Blue for Denim Day

The County Administration Center was lit Wednesday night for Denim Day, a campaign in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Advocating for Autism Awareness

Heather Mitchell, a crime prevention specialist, proudly shares this picture with her twins Ava (left) and Mia (right), 12, modeling the Sheriff Department’s first Autism Awareness t-shirt which they helped design. April is Autism Awareness Month and Ava was diagnosed with it as a toddler.

Mitchell and her girls are advocates for other children with autism. They have helped bring deputy presentations to their school to help their classmates with autism or other social and learning challenges build friendships with deputies and reduce the fear of seeing a uniform.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

See more of Your View photos.

Recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month

The County Administration Center was lit Tuesday night for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Join Fireside Chat on Mentorship and Mental Health

Each of us views the world we live in through a unique lens. In a culture that seems more divided than ever before, our ability to empathize with one another and to view the world through someone else’s lens — is integral to finding healing and a path forward.

Join a “fireside” chat on mentorship and mental health from noon to 1 p.m., May 19. This event will feature Behavioral Health Services Director Dr. Luke Bergmann and Sheriff Capt. Nancy Blanco discussing how prioritizing mental health can help with career progression and personal growth.

The Emerging Workforce Association employee resource group will moderate the chat.

These quarterly sessions are moderated conversations with County leadership on the secrets to their career success and are held in partnership with the County’s DHR Equity Diversity and Inclusion team.

Join in the discussion in one of two ways:

1. Register to get an automated calendar link. (Open in Edge.)

2. Save the following information to join on May 19.

   Join on Teams
   Or call in (audio only) 619-343-2539, with Meeting ID 255 744 824.

See the flyer below.

41,313 lbs. of Waste Was Collected Thanks to You!

Almost 400 employees cleaned out their garages and sheds and headed to the County Operations Center recently for a household hazardous and electronic waste collection event. The Department of Environmental Health and Quality event was a perfect way to kick off Earth Month.

If you missed the event, don't worry. You can still find events and information about recycling and sustainability on the County’s Earth month website. 

And, don't miss the Earth Day Fair at the County Operations Center on Friday, April 21. There will be tree plantings, recycling activities, touch tables, electric vehicle displays, touch tables and a scavenger hunt in the community garden.

Support SDCLA and Cheer on the Padres

Join the San Diego County Latino Association for a Mexican Heritage Celebration during the June 23 Padres game against the Nationals.

Tickets for the game at Petco Park are first come, first served and sell out fast.

Price includes a limited-edition Padres hat, donation to a local community group and a ticket to the game.

Purchase tickets now for $40.50 plus fees.

If you have questions, contact sdcla@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.