An Amazing Journey

Jose's aide Robert; Jose Gildo, the proud graduate; and Rachael Chavez, the San Diego County California Children Services physical therapist

It's the sort of story they make movies out of in Hollywood: after being confined to a wheelchair for more than five years, 17-year-old Jose Gildo was able to physically walk his graduation ceremony with the assistance of a walking device. The journey to this moment wasn't easy.

Gildo was diagnosed with Lesch–Nyhan syndrome as an infant. The disease is characterized by severe self-mutilating behaviors and poor muscle control. Jose requires protective gear during all waking hours to prevent damage from self-mutilation as well as restraints at night time.

In the fall of 2010, Rachael Chavez, a physical therapist with San Diego County’s California Children Services (CCS) Medical Therapist Program, began working with Jose during weekly treatment sessions to try to find a way to improve Jose’s quality of life.  Rachael incurred many risks to her own body in working with a young adult with this severe uncontrollable motor disturbance, but she was dedicated to helping Jose move about on his own again.

Like a good Hollywood drama, there were tense moments right up until the end. Chavez said new parts for Gildo's walking device arrived the day before the graduation ceremony. She was working on outfitting and adjusting the parts right up to the minutes before graduation began.

“It was so exciting for me, and I was so proud to see him accomplish this and walk at graduation. He worked so hard and accomplished every challenge I gave him,” Chavez said. “The original goal didn’t involve him walking at graduation, but to see him work for that and attain it just made me so proud of him.”

Jose is now a graduate of Sweetwater Union High School.

Ramona Grasslands Preserve Open to the Public

The completion of this trail marks the first time the public has had access to the Ramona Grasslands Preserve and is also a celebration of the success of years of effort to aquire and protect the unique lands that comprise the open space.

Safety Stickler

The art and popularity of tattooing has come a long way. That includes the knowledge of how to keep people safe when they get tattooed. See how the County of San Diego works with tattoo artists and the public to protect everyone that gets "inked!"

Bed Bugs Beware! Housing Inspectors Will Find You

The purpose of the housing program is to ensure safe housing in regulated areas of the County. To accomplish this, the Food and Housing Division enforces state laws pertaining to sanitation, maintenance, ventilation, and occupancy.

Over two thousand housing sites are regulated, including 77,000 apartment, condominium, and hotel units. In addition, there are 30 jails and detention facilities such as the downtown jail, juvenile hall, and medium security camps in the mountains that do fire prevention work with the Forestry Department. County staff conduct yearly inspections of all of these housing establishments and detention facilities, including inspections conducted in accordance with complaint investigations.

Patrolling the Pools

Unless you're going to learn how to inspect pools and carry around testing equipment, you have to trust that a public pool is clean and safe when you jump in. Thanks to the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health, your trust is backed up with the knowledge that inspections take place year-round. If a pool doesn't make the grade, it's shut down.

Housing and Community Development provides a path to self sufficiency

When single mother Terisha Taylor lost her job with Fed-Ex several years ago, things got really tough. She couldn’t find another job that supported her family and paid the rent. Homelessness loomed.

But these days, Taylor’s fully employed as a Wal-Mart supervisor, and she’s studying for the LSAT with plans to go to law school.

She credits County staff and programs with helping her regain her financial independence.

“Wow, I’m not on any kind of (government assistance) program now,” Taylor recently marveled.

The first step was Section 8, or federal rental assistance for very low income families, which helped Taylor and her family avoid the streets. The County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), helps low-income families find safe, decent and affordable housing, thus creating a stable housing platform and a path to self sufficiency.

Stable housing allowed Taylor to earn a college degree, work part-time and provide her family the basics. But she was still just scraping by.

The County’s Family Self Sufficiency program finally helped change that. The voluntary program requires participants to meet with HCD staff and develop a step-by-step plan for becoming financially independent, once and for all. Participants commit to the plan in a signed contract.

“Overall, it forced me to make goals,” Taylor said.

The program also connects participants with relevant training. Taylor took a consumer credit and financial planning class.

Sticking to her goals, Taylor found a job as a supervisor at Wal-Mart and worked her way up from managing 20 people to managing 100. In a couple years, she earned enough to move out of the “very-low-income” bracket and become truly self-sufficient.

The program ultimately saves the public money, said Kelly Duffek, the Chief of Rental Assistance with HCD, because it helps people find and stay on a path to self-sufficiency.

“Not only does this program help families, but it benefits the taxpayers by reducing the number of people dependent on subsidies,” she said.

Thousands Descend on Juvenile Hall

Probation officers show juveniles the clothes they would be required to wear at Juvenile Hall.Thousands of young people lined up, looked straight ahead and obeyed all orders today in what is just a glimpse of life for a detainee at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.

San Diego County’s Probation Department held its annual Open House, offering an opportunity to learn firsthand about the juvenile justice system, from a hearing in juvenile court through a stay at the detention facility. The experience was an eye-opener for many who attended.

 “We want to help kids and their parents understand that there are serious consequences to illegal behavior,” said Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins. “We work with the community to provide a variety of programs and services for detained juveniles to help them get back on track, but we would prefer that they never enter the system in the first place.”

Families at the Open House were also able to get information for young people who may be facing challenges at a resource fair featuring 50 booths hosted by Probation groups and partner organizations.  Almost 3,200 people attended today’s Open House. Tours were provided from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Probation Department provides a safe and secure environment for minors arrested and detained in San Diego County at its juvenile facilities. Last fiscal year, 6,342 juveniles spent at least one day in custody at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, with an average daily attendance of 282 juveniles.

For more information about the Probation Department and its juvenile programs, please visit www.sdcounty.ca.gov/probation. 

Microchip Your Four-legged Loved One

There's something that goes on at the three San Diego County Animal Shelters that you probably weren't aware of. It's a weekly thing and people are coming in for the savings. For more information, visit www.sddac.com.

Health, School Officals: "No Proof, No School"

A new California state law goes into effect July 1st, 2011 requiring all 7th through 12th graders show proof of whooping cough immunization.

Students should see their primary care physician to obtain their vaccinations. Uninsured children may obtain the vaccine through one of our County's Public Health Centers.

Growing Your Garden 101

The County of San Diego has launched regional garden centers for residents to learn how to garden. It's part of Healthy Works, a countywide initiative promoting wellness and addressing the nationwide obesity epidemic.

There are five garden centers around the County.

When the classes are scheduled, you will be able to find them at http://www.healthyworks.org/healthy-foods/school-and-community-gardens.