Join CSDFEA’s Administrative Analyst Workshops

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The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees’ Association is hosting a series of Administrative Analyst workshops this September.

The first workshop (Sept. 12) will be an Introduction on the Administrative Analyst series and the second workshop (Sept. 27) will be a panel discussion featuring current Administrative Analysts. Both sessions are 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will be on MS Teams.

These workshops are free for CSDFEA Employee Resource Group members and $5 fee for non-members.

Register now. One registration is needed to attend both workshops.

See the flyer below.

First Employee Resource Group Celebrates 40 Years

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SDCLA members at Chollas Lake HIke in 2015.

The County’s first Employee Resource Group (ERG) will be celebrating its 40-year anniversary on Sept. 29.

San Diego County Latino Association (SDCLA) is a dynamic group that promotes professional excellence, leadership, and awareness of Latino cultures, while serving as a strategic partner for community achievement and the County’s success.

Daniel Izaguirre, the president of SDCLA, said the most significant change that he’s seen over the years is the progress through leadership and membership of the organization.

“To have the first Latina chairwoman for the Board of Supervisors only begins to show where we are at and how far we can go,” Izaguirre said. “There is a bright future ahead and it will be incredible seeing our Gen Z-team take leadership to the next level.”

In 1983, The San Diego Union wrote the article featured below about a group of Hispanic County employees coming together to form SDCLA out of a need to help the County keep, promote and recruit more Latino employees.

Yolanda Rinaldo, who was the group’s interim president at the time, said about 40 Hispanic County employees decided to form the group “in response to the need for an improved communication system for Latinos in County government and from a deep concern about the recent losses of key Latino employees in the County.”

Throughout the years, SDCLA was featured in other Latino community newspapers, as well.

San Diego Union writes article about county’s first lATINO eMPLOYEE rESOURCE gROUP IN 1983.

SDCLA’s collaboration with the County’s 11 other ERG organizations has also grown. This includes the very popular Administrative Analyst Prep Series, Book Club events, Live Well San Diego 5k, ERG holiday mixer, summer bonfires and hikes.

Alexandra Talaro, the vice-president of SDCLA, said in the earlier years a great importance was placed on recruiting interested and talented Latino employees to join County public service.

“We've witnessed a transformation in the composition of the workforce, aligning more closely with the diverse communities we serve as County employees,” Talaro said. “Now, our ERG encompasses not only County employees, but also community members and proprietors of small businesses.”

sdcla mEMBERS AND fAMILY AT cHICANO pARK FOR “wALK THE bLOCK” EVENT IN 2021.

SDCLA looks forward to continuing this collaboration effort for many years to come.

“Now more than ever we are one team who have different demographics we represent,” Izaguirre said. “By enriching people to our culture erases the unknown and fear of who we are and how we can all help one another achieve success.” 

Employee Resource Groups are an important resource to the County and to their respective members. If you would like to become a member, click here.

What’s Post-Traumatic Growth?

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By the Trauma-Informed System Integration team at the County of San Diego

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes after experiencing trauma. It can lead to personal development, greater appreciation for life, increased empathy and resilience, and a sense of purpose.

PTG is not linear and not everyone who experiences trauma will necessarily experience growth.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and expressive writing can foster PTG, and social support is critical.

PTG highlights human resilience and provides hope that positive outcomes can arise from trauma.

By promoting PTG, we can help individuals move beyond the negative impacts of trauma and toward personal growth.

Be a Part of Something Big

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As little as $2 from each paycheck can add up to thousands in donations to the community. Join your colleagues in supporting the County Employees’ Charitable Organization. Donations to CECO help local non-profits and some of our own employees.

Earlier this year, CECO distributed $110,252 in grants to 68 local nonprofit programs and the Employee Crisis Fund at its annual awards breakfast. Your money has helped buy the following items and much, much more:

Pie chart with donations

  • hygiene items and towels for Think Dignity, an organization serving people experiencing homelessness

  • school supplies for the BIPOC Support Foundation’s after school and summer program

  • wheelchairs for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which serves adults with developmental disabilities over 50

  • microchips for the Friends of the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility

  • pins and frames for The Elizabeth Hospice’s veterans’ program

  • mattresses and bedding sets for the YMCA of San Diego County

  • laundry detergent, diapers and lotion for Jewish Family Services of San Diego

  • sports equipment including racquets and goggles for Access Youth Academy, an organization serving underserved youth

  • dental equipment and supplies for Cura Smiles Free Community Dental Clinic, a free dental clinic

  • a freezer for Operation Promise, a food and pet food pantry and diaper bank

  • a portable Bluetooth speaker for I Love a Clean San Diego

And that’s just naming a few from this year! Since forming in 1956, CECO has given more than $7 million back to San Diego County.

Help CECO provide greater support to local nonprofits and County employees and retirees in need. Make a one-time or reoccurring donation or encourage another person to support CECO. Be a part of something big.

There’s three easy ways to give: donate through PayPal, set up a reoccurring donation or through automatic payroll deductions.

 

Watch: ISN ERG Accepts Proclamation

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The Board of Supervisors awarded the Indigenous Sovereign Nations Employee Resource Group, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the California Native American Legislative Caucus a proclamation on Tuesday for their outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the citizens. In addition, Aug. 29 was declared “California Native American Day” throughout San Diego County.

CAO Message: Gender and Use of Restrooms at County Facilities

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

County colleagues,

At a County-hosted Pride event earlier this summer, one topic that came up concerned gender-neutral restrooms at County facilities – those for employees and for the public.

Specifically: What are we doing to make people aware of policies around restroom usage? And what are we doing when it comes to building design?

It was not the first conversation the County has had around this aspect of inclusivity. But it prompted me to address the topic with all of you.   

Let’s start with where we are. We have nearly 1,700 restrooms at County-owned and -leased facilities, serving both the public and employees. These include 782 gender-neutral restrooms and 901 restrooms designated for women or men.  

Under federal, state and local law, people can choose a restroom based on their gender identity or gender expression, or use a restroom identified as all-gender.

To be clear: County employees and visitors to County facilities are welcome to use the restroom facilities that most closely align with their gender identity or gender expression. No questions asked. 

But there is more we need to do to increase access at our facilities. So I have directed the Department of General Services to take these steps:

  • Review, revise, or establish County policies related to restroom access.

  • Socialize current and any new guidelines.

  • Determine the feasibility of pilot construction projects to increase gender-neutral or universal restrooms within existing facilities.

  • Study the feasibility of incorporating gender-neutral or universal restrooms into new construction design standards.

Since community is always at the heart of our work, community outreach including employee engagement will be a key component of these efforts.   

I want to thank the County staff that put together the event that led to my message today: members of our LGBTQ & Allies Employee Resource Group; Human Resources’ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Team; and the Planning and Development Services D&I committee. It included a talk by San Diego Pride’s executive director, Fernando Zweifach López Jr., and a panel discussion with LGBTQIA+ County employees. Watch a recording.

Two principles emerged from that discussion. Equity requires intentional consideration. And our workforce is one of our biggest assets.  

Those principles shaped what I’ve shared here. We will best serve our residents when all our employees feel a sense of belonging, and I believe these steps will move us toward that vision.

TLCC Receives CSAC Challenge Award at Board Meeting

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The County of San Diego Translation, Language, and Culture Connection (TLCC) Workgroup received the California State Association of Counties Challenge Award during today's Board of Supervisors meeting. This award recognizes their dedicated efforts in strengthening language access throughout the enterprise.

The CSAC Challenge Awards “recognize the innovative and creative spirit of our California Counties as they find new, effective and cost-saving ways to provide programs and services to their citizens.” 

Launched in July 2020, TLCC serves as a County-wide resource for guidance on developing culturally sensitive, accurately translated, trauma-informed, and accessible communications for multilingual, diverse San Diego communities.

“Emerging during the height of the pandemic, the TLCC started as a translation best practice hub. It has transformed into a space that supports and guides staff in improving other communication methods, like ensuring materials resonate with diverse communities, including culture, language, and lived experience,” said TLCC Tri-chair Justine Kozo, chief regional community coordinator for the Health and Human Services Agency’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC).

The group is comprised of over 100 employees, representing departments across the enterprise and all four business groups with varying expertise in linguistic translation, communications, cultural sensitivity, health equity, and community engagement. Since its formation, TLCC has elevated translation and communication priorities, informed county-wide translation processes, developed trainings and guidelines, and shaped Board policy on the development and implementation of a County-wide equitable and inclusive language strategy.

The TLCC is co-chaired by Kozo, County Language Services Manager José A. Álvarez and Elizabeth Bustos, HHSA agency equity liaison. HSEC provides support to the TLCC with coordination and logistics. If interested in joining the TLCC, please contact Cassandra Muñiz at cassandra.muniz1@sdcounty.ca.gov.

For more information and resources about the County’s translation and interpretation services, visit Language Services: Inclusive & Equitable Communications.

Your View: It's Yeti's Day!

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It's Detector Dog Yeti Day in San Diego County. The Board of Supervisors recognized Yeti for protecting our environment and being such a hard-working dog. Yeti and the pest detection team were awarded a proclamation. The dogs are trained to inspect packages in delivery facilities.

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. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Recognizes HCDS Employee

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Housing and Community Development Services Caseworker Reina Chiong was recently recognized for her involvement in an annual cultural festival.

Chiong is a company dancer and board president of Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center, which hosted its 36th annual Philippine Cultural Arts Festival in Balboa Park on Aug. 26.

Read the article.