Check Mate! Kids Learn the Game at Library
/CTN.org profiles a program for kids at the Library's Santee branch.
CTN.org profiles a program for kids at the Library's Santee branch.
Send your vacation - or staycation - photos to County News and we will include them in a slideshow in September!
Email your best photo, one that really captures your trip, along with the location where it was shot and who is pictured to CountyNews@sdcounty.ca.gov.
The County Health and Human Services Agency and military officials today are launching a new Web site to help veterans and their families access mental health counseling, emergency housing, and employment assistance.
The Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members is a state-of-the-art site that serves as a one-stop-shop for veterans, National Guard, reservists, active duty personnel, and their families to learn about services and organizations that can help them.
The site is being announced this afternoon during an event at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park, attended by Supervisor Bill Horn, HHSA Director Nick Macchione and Director of HHSA's Mental Health Services Alfredo Aguirre.
Over the next two years, about 1.5 million veterans from across the country are expected to return home. A recent study conducted by the Rand Corporation found that about 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans report suffering from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Only about half of those sought help.
Fear of rejection and discrimination often prevents people with a mental illness from accessing needed mental health services. One out of every five Americans is diagnosed with a mental disorder every year. A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. Information on the Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members Web site is offered in 11 languages. People suffering from a mental illness can access services by calling the County’s 24-hour, multi-lingual Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339.
CTN.org profiles a local family struggling to pay their mortgage, and shows how the County is helping through a free foreclosure clinic at the library.
Animal Services Deputy Director Laurie Joniaux with one of the dogs available for adoption through the nonprofit Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP).Pet owners facing tough financial times can get free food and services for their animals this summer thanks to the generosity of local readers.
“Our ‘Read for a Reason’ program gives readers a way to connect with those in need by earning rewards to benefit local pets,” said José Aponte, Director of the County Library.
“The program is in its fourth year, and it is rewarding to see how people are using their love of reading to make a difference in people’s and pets’ lives.”
Kids can sign up for the “Read for a Reason” program online. They track the hours they read on the site, working toward goals set for their age group.
For each person who registers, Hills Science Diet will donate a pound of pet food. It will be given to customers of the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP) Neuter Scooter, which provides services throughout the County, including a visit to the Lakeside library branch on June 29. More than 20 pet owners made appointments at the event to have their animals spayed or neutered before heading home with a free bag of food.Cute little dogs and reading - a great match.
Even those who can’t participate in the Read for a Reason program can still help by contributing to the Library’s pet food drive. Collection bins are located at all branches through the end of July. The food will be given to San Diego Food Bank and The Pet Food Bank.
The County Department of Animal Services will help deliver donated pet food to the organizations and will also have collection bins at its three shelters: the Central Shelter at 5480 Gaines Street in San Diego; the North Shelter at 2481 Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad; and the South Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita.
For a list of the Library’s branch locations, visit www.sdcl.org.
It's the return of the much-loved summer business casual dress code.
Yes, our Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard has once again declared July, August and September as "Cool Summer Days in the County."
Thanks, Walt!
Until Sept. 30, the County’s business casual attire policy, normally in place only on Fridays, will be extended to apply to every workday.
But, Walt says, "if you are scheduled for meetings or other activities that require business attire, I would expect that you will dress in an appropriate manner."
Have nerves of steel? How about a stomach of steel?
You'll have a chance to get up close and very personal with a variety of insects this weekend, when the County's Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures and Quail Botanical Gardens and Lloyd Pest Control host the Annual Insect and Garden Festival at Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas.
County Entomologist David Kellum will be on hand to answer questions about and introduce visitors to insects. Insects will be available for holding, and for the brave, tasting.
There will also be crafts for children, bug collecting, gardening information and live animal demonstrations. “Regular food” will be offered for sale on site as well.
Children 12 and under are admitted free. Admission fees for adults are $12. For students, seniors and active duty military, admission is $8. Dollar-off coupons are available online at the Quail Botanical Gardens Web site at www.qbgardens.com, under “Events,” or by visiting County Agriculture, Weights, and Measures’ Web site at www.sdcawm.org.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12
WHERE: 230 Quail Gardens Drive at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas
County Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard appointed Henry C. Coker to the position of Public Defender, officials announced today.
Since 1996, Coker has been the Chief Deputy of Branch Offices for the County Public Defender’s Office. In this position, he supervised all branches of the Public Defender’s Office, which includes approximately 100 attorneys. Prior to that, Coker worked for the Public Defender’s Office as a trial attorney, Felony Team leader, and the head of the Child Advocacy Division.
Former Public Defender Steve Carroll is retiring after 22 years of service to the County.
"Henry's got a strong background as a trial attorney, community leader, and administrator - just the experience this office needs. As a Chief Deputy with the Public Defender's Office for over a decade, Henry's managed all of the branch offices, including the dependency program,” Ekard said.
"He's got unique skills and a collaborative spirit and I know he's going to serve the County well."
Before joining the County, Coker worked as a Senior Personnel Analyst in the Human Resources Department at the UCSD Medical Center where he managed 1500 employees. Coker began his career teaching English and literature at a high school in North Carolina.
Coker earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature and has a master’s degree in educational administration. His law degree is from the Thomas Jefferson College of Law in San Diego.
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