PerkAlert: Save on Back-to-School Clothes

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It’s time to head back to school, and we have a smart deal for County employees. Find discounted shoes, clothes, backpacks and other supplies on PerkSpot.

Get 15 percent off Roxy and Quicksilver apparel, 20 percent off backpacks at eBags, 30 percent off Sketchers and more retailers on PerkSpot. Plus, you can even take $7 off orders of $70 or more at Target.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through hundreds of service providers and retailers, from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.

EAP Now Offers Video Visits with Therapists

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The County’s Employee Assistance Program is now offering a convenient new way for you and your dependents to have a face-to-face session with a therapist. The new web-based video visit service is easy to use, similar to Skype or Facetime, but meets medical security requirements.

Scheduling a video visit is easy. In most cases, you can make an appointment to see a therapist within four days or less. (Appointments are subject to availability of a therapist.) 

Online counselors assist with issues related to work/life balance such as:

  • Parenting

  • Relationships

  • Managing stress

  • Eldercare issues

How to make your first online EAP visit?

  • Call your EAP toll free number 888-777-6665 and request a video session.

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

  • If the 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.

  • The coupon code is entered on the site and allows all visits to be provided at no cost.

  • You can review a therapist’s background and qualifications and select the time for the appointment.

  • 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 neeed.

How many video visits do I get?

You get up to eight sessions per problem occurrence—the same number of video sessions as in-person visits.

What are the technology requirements?

All you need is a webcam or smartphone with camera and high-speed internet connection. You can use a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

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

Learn While You Lunch in September

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Interested in learning how to cook a new, healthy dish? What about understanding how to better manage your stress? The County Employee Wellness Program has a handful of classes for you in September to help you on your journey to health.

There are six Lunch and Learns coming up next month. You can find the class you want inside LMS.

Once you’re logged into LMS, search for the title of the class you would like to attend. When registering for a Lunch and Learn class, please note each class has been scheduled, based on geographical County sites. For further assistance contact the Department of Human Resources – Employee Wellness Program.

See the Total Solar Eclipse Gallery

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The solar eclipse was captivating on Monday. The moon blocked the sun’s face for the first total eclipse visible in the United States since 1979. Many County libraries hosted viewing parties and many more County employees headed outdoors and to the windows with glasses to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon.

See the gallery online and send in your own eclipse photos to be added.

HHSA Employee Hits the High Notes - Again and Again and Again

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Mercedes Martin-RayaThe next time you stand up for the national anthem at a sporting event or military ceremony in San Diego, you might just be treated to the singing talents of one of your fellow County employees.

Mercedes Martin-Raya, an HHSA protective services worker, has been performing the Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful at events for several years and the invitations to sing just keep coming.

She recently performed at a Padres game. She’s also sung for the Chargers, at Olympic qualifying events in San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan Capistrano as well as naval retirement and chief petty officer pinning ceremonies on local military bases.

Despite performing in front of tens of thousands and having done it for years, Mercedes still gets nervous every time.

“I get terrified,” she said. “Especially when I sang at the Padres game. My nervousness goes away when I hit that first note, but before that I’m shaking so much I can barely control it.

“Sometimes we have to push through our fear to do what we love.”

She got her start singing when she was “forced” into voice lessons by her father when she was 12.

“I absolutely hated it,” Mercedes said.

She attended a performing arts school for 12 years and was trained in classical voice techniques.

“Right out of high school I auditioned for the San Diego County Fair and the Del Mar National,” she said.

She’s sung at the Del Mar National, an Olympic qualifying event, for 12 straight years now and has also sung at the Del Mar International (with Olympians from all over the world) for six years.

In all, she sings at about 12-15 events a year. It’s a good thing then that the Star-Spangled Banner is Mercedes’ favorite song. And she’s a purist. She likes the song just the way it is.

“I hate it when people change it. No one does it justice when you try to change it. The song is perfect,” she said. “I don’t fluff it or put a bunch of riffs in there. That’s not my style.”

Her favorite part of the song is hitting that last note and then that little silent moment before the crowd erupts in applause.

“It’s great to know you’ve brought joy to people for two minutes.”

She’s hoping the recent Padres game was a turning point for her.

“I’m hoping to be invited back for more games,” she said. “And I just got a call from San Diego State.

“And I have my dad to thank for making me do it.”

County Prepares for Potential Labor Action

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Labor negotiations are never fun.  And when agreements cannot be reached they add to the stress and anxiety of our entire workforce. SEIU represents approximately 10,000 hardworking County employees.  I respect SEIU’s legal authority to speak on behalf of their represented bargaining units.

As SEIU’s strike vote continues, the County is working diligently to put continuity of operations plans in place to ensure the public is served in the event of any future labor action.  There may be delays and inconveniences to the public but we are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our residents will be protected and county services will remain open for business.  SEIU has agreed to provide us 10-day notice of calling for a strike so that critical life/safety employees can be identified to ensure they fulfill their employment responsibilities to protect the public.  Thank you all.

We remain hopeful that the County and SEIU will come to agreement soon.  Meanwhile, please know that the work you do is very important and your dedication to public service is evident every day.  Thank you for your patience and your continued hard work during these unsettling times.  

 

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Tech Tools Showcased at County Innovation Expo

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Employees tried out new tech tools such as virtual reality goggles, 3D printers, robotic devices and applications at “Innovation by Design” at the County Operations Tuesday. The annual expo is meant to expose County staff to technology that could possibly improve or streamline their business in some way.

The County’s Technology Office, DXC Technology (formerly Hewlett Packard), and its partner AT&T hosted the event.

There’s still an opportunity for you to geek out over the products presented at the expo. They’re listed below, along with links for product information, including potential benefits and uses.

  • Let customers immerse themselves in another world with Oculus Rift Virtual Reality.
  • Learn how Alexa, the intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon, can be used as an office assistant.
  • Measure and display air quality data with low-cost monitoring sensors.
  • iLobby Visitor Management is a tool that lets visitors sign in digitally, takes their picture, prints visitor badges, digitally notifies staff of their arrival and prints out a visitor activity report at the end of the day.
  • Ozobot is an educational toy robot that teaches STEM and coding.
  • Scan documents, receipts and invoices using your smartphone camera and save them directly and securely as a PDF in a cloud file management system with PicPage Scanning app.
  • SnapComms Employee Messaging is a communications software used to push notifications to employees on any device including desktop computers.
  • PowerApps templates aim to make it easy to build basic mobile business apps.

  • Try 3D printers at one of 12 San Diego County Library branches. For just $0.15 per gram of filament, Library cardholders can bring their ideas to life.
  • PlayAway Launchpads are fun and educational tablets preloaded with learning apps for children of all ages. The tablets will soon be available for checkout at libraries.
  • Easily check out eBooks and eAudiobooks to your computer, tablet, smartphone or eReader through OverDrive.
  • Online High School offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma online.
  • The Internet of Things is a term to describe web connections in everyday objects, so that they can relay data. Jumpstart your projectswith an IoT starter kit.
  • Develop applications rapidly, securely, and cost effectively Microsoft’s Dynamics 365.
  • Mobile Damage Assessment is a survey tool that allows field inspectors the ability to quickly estimate damages.