December Awards

HCD Designated High Performer Status

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Nov. 22 awarded the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) High Performer status, a designation given to housing authorities who have met stringent performance measures. The High Performer status allows HCD to be considered for a higher funding level for 2012, specifically for development, financing and modernization of public housing. HCD owns and operates four public housing sites, all located within the city of Chula Vista.

TOBY Award - James R. Mills Building (Trolley Towers)

The James R. Mills Building was awarded The Building of the Year (TOBY) for 2011 for the government category by the Building Owners and Managers Association. The County and MTS occupy the building, which also serves as a main transit hub. The award recognizes excellence in building operations, property management, energy and water cost saving upgrades. Utility usage is expected to be reduced by 15 percent. The award is the most comprehensive and prominent award in the local real estate industry. 

Local Heroes Test Their Culinary Skills at San Diego County Library

The Viejas, Imperial Beach, and Alpine Fire Stations took part in two culinary battles at San Diego County Library in November. The first battle took place at the Imperial Beach Branch November 16 as the crews competed in a chili cook-off.  Sixty-nine customers tasted the results and voted for their favorite chili, with the blue ribbon going to the Viejas Fire Station crew. On November 22, the crews visited the Alpine Library for an “Iron Chef” type competition. The mystery ingredient was peanut butter and customers watched the crews create their dishes on site. The Viejas Fire Station won first place again making them the Firehouse Cook-Off Champions. While the cooking contests were fun they also allowed the fire crews to tell the community what they do on the job. Plans are in the works for another cook-off next year.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

Edgemoor Sweeps Honors from State Association

Demonstrating leadership and quality service, Edgemoor staff members received a number of appointments and awards from the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF). CAHF provides leadership, advocacy and education for health-care professionals, working to ensure patient placement at the most appropriate and cost-effective level, while promoting excellence and integrity.

On November 15, Nancy Beecham, director of nursing, was elected to be the CAHF Not for Profit Conference Chair for the next two years. She is the first registered nurse to be elected to the CAHF Board, outside of the Nurse Council Chair position. Hernandez Johnson, executive housekeeper, was selected as one of CAHF’s facility superstars for 2011. He was one of only twenty individuals selected from 1,200 facilities to receive this award that recognizes employees who have ten or more years of service and have dedicated their lives to long-term care. And Merlyn Trinidad, nurse supervisor, was nominated to be CAHF’s Nurse of the Year for her professional dedication to the field.

Additionally, Edgemoor’s No-Calorie Flavored Water for Hydration and Med Pass project was nominated for CAHF’s Excellence in Programming Award. This award recognizes individual facilities for superior achievement in key areas of long-term care, such as activity programs, community involvement, family involvement, quality assurance, resident councils, special services and staff development.  

HHSA Programs Recognized by The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Raising the Locals’ Voice project highlighted three County health initiatives among the top 15 projects nationwide. These three Health and Human Services Agency efforts are the Nutrition Security Plan, the Bridges to Employment in the Healthcare Industry and the North County Video Interviewing Project. 

The Nutrition Security Plan was highlighted as a creative way to advance nutrition and health through CalFresh (Food Stamps program) involving multiple strategies and partners that altogether contributed to more than 50,000 new participants. Recognized as a unique collaboration to train welfare recipients and low-income adults for health-related professions, the Bridges to Employment in the Healthcare Industry project was highlighted because it enhances the prospects for this population to find better and stable employment. Finally, the North County Video Interviewing Project was featured as a unique way to bring local services to isolated, rural populations by determining eligibility and providing referrals through video interviews conducted at community sites.  These HHSA initiatives will be among those shared at APHSA sponsored summits and in policy documents for years to come.   

LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Accreditation

On November 2 the Department of Parks and Recreation became the first county parks system in California to receive CAPRA accreditation from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). The department worked for 18 months to put together a detailed and comprehensive plan to answer the 144 standards set forth in the accreditation guidelines. Parks and Recreation received the NRPA Accreditation Boards approval with a perfect score, meeting all 144 standards.

PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP

District Attorney’s Office Honored for Workplace Excellence

The San Diego Society for Human Resource Management honored the District Attorney’s Office with an excellence award for the fourth year in a row. The office earned the award for innovative planning that allowed the office to reduce its workforce by ten percent while maintaining quality of service to the public. The honors were announced at a ceremony Nov. 9.

PSG and HHSA join Supervisor Cox at CSAC presentation on 211

The County’s success in using 211 San Diego – a free, 24-hour information hotline and database – was highlighted during a presentation at the California State Association of Counties conference in San Francisco Nov. 29. The presentation was given by Supervisor Greg Cox, 211 Chief Executive Officer John Ohanian, Public Safety Group DCAO Ron Lane and Health and Human Services Agency Director Nick Macchione. They gave details about how the County works with 211 to connect residents to much-needed services and assistance, such as the CalFresh program. 211 is also critical during emergencies, providing a resource for the public to get up-to-date disaster and recovery information.