Latino Association Promotes Cultural Diversity and Healthy Lifestyles

Cultural diversity. Scholarship awards. Toy drives. Career development workshops. Health promotion?

Since 1983, the San Diego County Latino Association (SDCLA) has organized events to benefit County employees and the overall community.

SDCLA will continue offering networking opportunities through mentoring, training, and other activities, but they’ll also take a step—literally—in a new direction: promoting physical activity, healthy eating and smoking cessation.

“We wanted to align ourselves with the County’s health initiative and our members will become health stewards and organize lectures, hikes and walks to improve people’s health,” said Claudia Sandoval, outgoing SDCLA president. “Lack of exercise, poor eating and smoking are critical things that affect our community. We will be seeking some of the messages of the County’s Live Well, San Diego! and bring them out to the community,” added Sandoval.

The new focus will be one of the highlights of SDCLA’s 2011 Hispanic Heritage Celebration, taking place Tuesday, October 11 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the County Administration Center-Bayside Room 1. The event is free and open to all County employees.

The event will feature a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Art Exhibit featuring altars and displays provided by County libraries and SDCLA members.

“We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and wanted to showcase Hispanic art,” concluded Sandoval, who also encouraged County employees of any race or ethnic background to become members of SDCLA. Applications are available at www.sdcla.net. There is a cost of $15 for the annual membership.

Hispanic Heritage Month—established as a week in 1968 and expanded to a month in 1988—is observed across the United States every year from September 15 to October 15. The month is designated to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Front-line Employees' Ideas Become State Law

Have you heard the old adage “that’s just the way we do things?” When you work for government at any level, many times “the way we do things” is governed by a law or regulation that you have to follow because...well, it’s the law.

But what if you thought of a better way of getting things done. What would you do?

San Diego County has a process for employees to make suggestions for changes to state laws and two different groups of Health and Human Services Agency front-line employees did just that - with great success. Their ideas came from issues that directly affect their jobs and the public they serve. They saw a better way of doing business.  Instead of settling for the status quo or getting frustrated, they got creative and passed their ideas up the chain of command.

Each year the Board of Supervisors adopts an annual legislative program that contains ideas for legislative changes that the County will sponsor (or propose).  The County’s Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs coordinates with County departments to explore sponsorship legislation, works with legislators to secure a bill author, and shepherds and manages the bill throughout the entire legislative process.

The two HHSA ideas – one that should result in quicker reporting of elder abuse and another that will decrease interruptions in benefits for aid recipients and save staff time – made that journey through the entire, year-long legislative process and were recently signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown.

The first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 718, has led to a new California law that will quite literally save lives and get more older adults out of harm’s way quicker.

HHSA’s Aging & Independence Services employees came up with a solution to the long wait times experienced by people trying to report elder abuse. The new law will allow police, doctors, bankers, social workers and other professionals mandated to report suspected elder abuse to issue a report using a secure internet site rather than using the elder abuse hotline shared with the general public.

What was happening, unfortunately, was a convergence of events that crippled the system. A recent state law added bankers to the list of mandated reporters of suspected financial abuse. This added more callers to the elder abuse hotline at a time when the state was making budget cuts to Adult Protective Services.

The result was an over-worked hotline that left callers on hold, sometimes for long periods of time. A study of county calls last year revealed nearly one out of every four callers hung up instead of waiting for an answer.

“The police, doctors and bankers are mandated reporters, required by law to report suspected elder abuse,” said Ellen Schmeding, Assistant Director, Aging & Independence Services. “We wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to make reports. Mandated reporters by and large make the most referrals (as opposed to the public at large).

“By giving them an online option to report abuse, it increases the speed at which we can respond to the most pressing cases.”

The County tried working with the state and then the California Welfare Directors Association to come up with a system, but it just wasn’t possible according to Schmeding. Instead, Aging & Independence Services turned to the CAO’s Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs to help create change through legislative action. 

The County is getting a new computer system for Adult Protective Services and the new secure online elder abuse referral will be built into that system. The general public will continue to use the elder abuse hotline but with mandated reporters using the new online system, wait times for both types of referrals should be reduced significantly.

The second successful legislative proposal came from front-line public assistance workers. Assembly Bill 959 will allow CalWORKS recipients a one-month grace period to address problems and restore discontinued benefits without filling out a new application.

HHSA Director Nick Macchione estimates the change will save an estimated 270 hours of staff time per month and ensure that clients don’t experience an unneeded interruption in benefits.

The fact that two of the County’s legislative priorities have now been signed into law is impressive given the odds. And the workers who took the initiative to verbalize their ideas are applauded for their efforts. The CAO’s Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs works year-round to make County business more efficient – for staff and customers – through legislative change. 

“More than two-thousand bills were introduced in the state Legislature this year, only hundreds of them made it through the process and to the Governor’s desk, and even fewer actually get signed into law,” said Geoff Patnoe, Director of the Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs.  “HHSA’s legislative team, the leadership within Aging & Independence Services and the Agency’s Strategic Office of Planning and Support, County Counsel and our Sacramento lobbyists all share in this success.  However, the biggest kudos are for the front-line county employees who had an idea for a legislative change to improve a service and shared it.”

If you have an idea for a legislative change that is needed to make your job better, work with your department and group to contact the Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Doctor Creates Training to Battle Bullying

Dr. Marie Green (right) has a background in family medicine. During a County internship, she developed an anti-bullying curriculum.

Some children and adolescents may view their bullying as “just messing around.” But, to Dr. Marie Green, bullying is a serious issue that impacts  individuals, schools, communities and families. And she wanted to do something about it.

How does a pediatrician with 2,000 patients in Northern California end up in San Diego working on bullying, a topic many consider a social issue?

Born in Haiti, Green left her home country in 1990 due to the political turmoil. She moved to Mexico City and later to New York to continue studying medicine. Along the way, she married her husband, who is in the Marine Corps. Together they have been stationed in several places across the U.S. while she continued her education by earning a master’s degree in Public Health.

In Stockton, she worked for a nonprofit organization where she served nearly 2,000 patients, but Green still wanted to work in public health. Green did some research and discovered a California State program that focuses on preventive medicine and places applicants in public health departments throughout the state. Dr. Wilma Wooten, the San Diego County Public Health Officer, was a perfect fit because she has practiced family and preventive medicine.

Hello San Diego County!

Green came here planning to join the fight against obesity, but soon found a different passion:  putting an end to bullying. She said we can help stop bullying by learning to communicate better.

“Children who are being bullied need to talk to their parents,” said Green. “Bullying is not just a school issue. It’s a family issue. It’s a community issue.”

“I wanted to find out why some children get bullied but not others,” she added.

Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm that can affect a child’s physical and emotional well-being.  There are multiple kinds of bullying: verbal (name-calling, teasing), social (rumor-spreading, social exclusion) and physical (hitting, punching, and shoving.) There is also cyber bullying, where youths use the internet, mobile phone or other technology to do harm.

Bullying typically involves an imbalance of power. The perpetrators use their power to control or harm others and the victims usually don’t have the power to defend themselves.

“Kids teasing each other…can lead to them being vulnerable as adults, creating a cycle of violence and vulnerability,” said Green.

During her 12 months here, Green created a curriculum about bullying that has now been used to educate foster parents and will be used to train County social workers. Her state-paid internship ends  in October.

“I would like it to go further,” she said, adding that while she is happy the attitude towards bullying is changing, it won’t disappear completely until people show more empathy towards one another.

“Things that should makes us cry, we laugh about,” said Green. “We need to teach kids to have more empathy for others. If we see something that is wrong, we need to say and do something.”

She would like to stay in this area after her internship is over.

“I love San Diego,” she said. “My husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan…and if I find an opportunity, I’ll stay here.”

Deputy Probation Officer Puts Emergency Training Into Action and Saves Co-worker

Deputy Probation Officer Esmerelda Solorzano (left) was able to save fellow DPO Shirletta Watkins' life with the Heimlech maneuver.

Every two years, Deputy Probation Officer Esmerelda Solorzano goes in for required CPR/First Aid recertification training, but she had never needed it - until this past August when she saved the life of a co-worker who was choking on some almonds.

Her efforts earned her a Chief’s Award from her department and the eternal gratitude of fellow DPO Shirletta Watkins.

The incident happened just before 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the Adult Field Services office on Ohio Street in North Park. Most of their co-workers had already gone home for the day. Solorzano was getting ready to leave as well, when she heard a loud noise that made her run into the next work area. The noise turned out to be Watkins who was trying unsuccessfully to gasp for breath.

“It was the scariest moment of my life,” Watkins said.

Unable to breathe, she truly wondered whether she was going to die and she tried desperately to communicate her predicament to her co-workers.

Watkins gestured to her throat and nodded when asked if she was choking. Deputy Probation Officer Bernita Lacy also ran over and assisted Solorzano in trying to assess the situation. When they couldn’t get Watkins to cough on her own, Watkins grabbed another co-worker’s hand and tried to put it around her stomach.

Solorzano realized she had to act fast and do a Heimlich maneuver before Watkins lost consciousness.

“I don’t remember it all. I think I was just on automatic, going on adrenaline,” Solorzano said.  “She (Watkins) turned around, she was ready.”

Lacy acted as a spotter and kept telling Solorzano to do it again and again until finally the food became dislodged after about the seventh abdominal thrust.

Watkins said although she certainly was grateful, she also couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at the end of it all. Yet, she doesn’t mind talking about it because it demonstrates the importance of Heimlich maneuver training.

Solorzano, whose last certification class was in April, said you never get to practice doing a Heimlich maneuver because you don’t want to hurt someone in class. Consequently, you never really know if the abdominal thrusts are too hard or not hard enough.

Yet in those moments, Solorzano didn’t have time to analyze or hesitate.  Watkins said she would advise anyone in Solorzano’s position to put as much pressure as they can into the abdominal thrusts to force whatever object is lodged in someone’s throat to come out.

“I would rather someone hurt me to save my life, then to be too soft and let me die,” Watkins said.

learn more about choking emergencies and training

Probation Dog Ready to Chase Balls Instead of Bad Guys

Despite his sweet demeanor, this white lab has a serious job, and his name provides a clue about his duties with Probation’s East County Gang Task Force.

Kilo is retiring his super-sniffing skills after nine years on the team, working alongside his handler, Deputy Probation Officer Mike Anderson, on searches and operations. Anderson said Kilo’s playful nature helps the dog detect drugs and money that human smell and sight might miss.

“He thinks it’s just a game of hide and seek. He thinks I hide it, and he has to find it,” said Anderson.

 It’s a game that’s produced impressive results. Over the years, Kilo has found: a seizure of 2,121 pounds of marijuana; more than three pounds of methamphetamine; 236 grams of cocaine; and more than $215,000 in cash.

Kilo has also participated in many demonstrations to help the public understand how narcotic-detecting canines do their jobs and the dangers of drug use.

To honor his service, the Probation Department recognized Kilo at the recent Chief’s Awards and the lucky canine received an engraved jar full of dog biscuits.

Kilo will continue to live with Anderson and his family but he will be missed around the office, said Anderson.

“He’s just a big teddy bear. Every time he’s in the office, he just wants to play with everyone.”

Val Wood Appointed Chief Deputy Recorder/County Clerk

San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Ernie Dronenburg announced today that he has appointed Val Wood as Chief Deputy Recorder/County Clerk.

"Val comes to us from Washington State where she had over 25 years experience in government records management, recording, and information technology," said Dronenburg. "She has held positions as the King County Deputy Director of Records and Licensing Services in Seattle, Washington, Deputy State Archivist and Director of Corporations and Charities under Washington’s Secretary of State, Sam Reed, and as Recording Manager in two Washington counties. In addition, Ms. Wood has held information technology positions in both the public and private sector." continued Dronenburg.

Ms. Wood earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Information Technology from the University of Washington. She is also a Certified Archivist and a Director for the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators.

"Val is excited to join our team and lead the Recorder/Clerk staff," said Dronenburg. "As I continue to improve customer service and increase efficiencies, Val’s public and private sector experience in recording, records management, and information technology will be invaluable," stated Dronenburg.

They Like Us, They Really Like Us!

County employees: Stand up and take a bow!

Judges for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) have honored San Diego County with eight awards for innovation in County government, the greatest number of CSAC awards ever won by the County. The most prestigious honor, the California Counties Innovation Award, was given to San Diego County for reforming In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). CSAC also selected the County for two Challenge awards and five Merit awards.

“In these tough economic times where everyone is trying to do more with less, this type of recognition is a great honor for San Diego County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn. “I am very proud of what we can do. CSAC looks for unique programs that can be easily replicated by other counties.” 

In-Home Supportive Services helps seniors and disabled individuals by providing assistance with meals, grooming, house-cleaning, laundry and shopping. These services allow residents to continue living in their own homes.

Reform efforts involved conducting criminal background checks, surprise home visits to make sure residents were getting the required services, fraud training for staff members and a new document scanning system to improve record-keeping and documentation. In the first fiscal year after implementation, the program realized $24 million in savings. 

Here are the other winners:  

Challenge Award for Camp Connect San Diego, a camp that brings together siblings separated while in foster care.

Challenge Award for Free Foreclosure Prevention HOME Clinics, a free program offered at County libraries which provides education and counseling for people facing bankruptcy.

Merit Award for “Engaging Non-Custodial Parents” Video Series. The video is posted on the Child Support Services website and allows non-custodial parents to educate themselves on the child support process. Staff members save about 15 minutes per interview with non-custodial parents and the additional time allows them to focus on the specifics of their case instead of the general process.

Merit Award for Improving Regional GIS Data Exchange. A new computer script gives GIS improved reliability in the flow of information between it and the San Diego Geographic Information Source or SanGIS, a partnership with the City of San Diego. The implementation of the computer script cut the number of network outages to zero and saved $34,440 in the first year.

Merit Award for the Responsible Pet Ownership (rePO) Program. This is a program for animal owners who have been cited for minor violations. The program educates the owners and saves time, money in court costs and reduces recidivism. 

Merit Award for Senior Expo: Protect Yourself and Your Wallet, a program which teaches seniors how to protect themselves from physical and financial abuse.  

Merit Award for Integrated Fire Suppression/Storm water Compliance Program. The use of diffuser/filter systems allows the County to test building fire sprinklers and fire pump systems in a safe and effective manner and has saved the County $190,000 since August, 2008.

Board Adopts Redistricting Ordinance

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a redistricting ordinance that sets new boundaries for the County’s five supervisorial districts.

The new districts will guide County supervisor elections starting in 2012. The boundaries will be in place through late 2021.

The redistricting ordinance is culmination of a public process that began in January. Over the months, the Board of Supervisors considered direct public testimony and the recommendations of an advisory committee.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Greg Cox called it a “long process,” but a job well done.

“I’d like to take a moment to thank all the community representatives who took the time to attend meetings,” Cox said. He also thanked the advisory committee, and County staff. 

Most residents will find their districts haven’t changed, but some communities have shifted. For example, La Jolla moves from District 3 to District 4; 4S Ranch and Fairbanks Ranch, formerly in District 5, will now be in District 3. The new map, with all changes, will be available for viewing on the County’s redistricting website later today.

The new boundaries also give District 1 in the South Bay a majority of Latino and black voters for the first time.

Redistricting is done every ten years following a federal Census to balance populations in voting districts.  This year the county grew, so the Board of Supervisors needed to divide the region into five districts of equal population of about 619,063 people apiece. 

State law charges county supervisors with drawing the new boundaries.

In January, San Diego County Supervisors appointed the five-person Redistricting Advisory Committee to gather public input and recommend proposed redistricting plans. Supporting public participation was a redistricting website that helped people follow the process, view proposed plans, submit their own plans or send a suggestion.

The advisory committee met 14 times, with night meetings in each district. Incorporating public input from the meetings, the website and letters, the committee ultimately forwarded three proposals for the Board to consider.

In late June, the Board agreed unanimously on one of those proposals. But at that June 28 meeting, the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial County submitted a brand-new plan for consideration.

Several speakers supporting the ACLU’s plan urged the Board to reshape District 1 so that it included a majority of black and Hispanic voters.

The Board of Supervisors directed staff and County Counsel to evaluate the ACLU plan.  At the next meeting, County Counsel told the Board that it would be possible to draw a new map with a majority of black and Latino voters in District 1 that also kept most of the features of the Redistricting Advisory Committee’s proposed plan.   

The Board of Supervisors unanimously directed staff to create such a plan and ultimately adopted it Tuesday.

What You Like About Fall

On the first day of autumn, we're asking County employees their favorite things about the season.

Autumn is my favorite season.  One of the most spectacular sights I’ve ever seen was from the back seat window of a single engine plane while flying over northern Ohio in October.  The colors of yellow, green, orange, red & brown were a sight to behold.

Joyce Easterman, HHSA

I like the leaves turning orange.

Vangie Carino, HHSA

I love the autumn colors; the leaves falling from the trees, the different weather climates, baking goodies when it’s too cold to be outside.

Yolanda Moeller, HHSA

I like that Idyllwild and Julian beckon and provide a multitude of sensory experiences!

Anne Fitzgerald, HHSA

It’s the changing of the leaves
The cold chill in the mornings
The smells of baking cookies, pumpkin pie, soups
The family gatherings, FOOTBALL!
Field trip to Julian
The romance of it all, I love Fall….it’s my favorite season!

Pearl Luciani-Howard, SDCERA

Autumn…
I celebrate my birthday
Start of school season
Memories of my first kiss after raking a pile of leaves and jumping in
Crisp air and the smell of burning wood
New TV shows
My mom’s delicious chili and now my own recipe
An extra hour of sleep
Many holidays and lots of family time

Jackie Collins, Communications

The drama in the skies…amazing cloud formations!

Angela Ryan, ARCC

My favorite season hands down!  It’s right between the fun-packed summer days and the jam-packed month of December.  I always feel like I have a new lease on life, love pumpkin anything. a time for reflection and of course giving thanks.  There’s a calmness and color about fall that I embrace.

Selinda Hurtado-Miller, Civil Service Commission

Well, I often notice heavier traffic on my way to work when fall begins but that just allows me more time to listen to Bob Marley :)  Fall means Charger football and Padre playoff games (sometimes).  I tend to go to bed earlier which means I get up earlier and actually catch a sunrise which at times can be really beautiful.  Hiking at many of our awesome San Diego spots becomes much more enjoyable during the cooler fall weather.

Richard Larrabee, HHSA

I like fall because of its distinctive atmosphere transition-- from the busy, hot summer into a gentle, cool weather.   The changing autumn foliage never fails to amaze me! It makes me realize that nature has its timeless trend and abundance; from daring colors to stylish array of flowers; from harvest time to festivities.   I also like the way stores and houses accessorize with orange, yellow, brown, red, burgundy, green and yellow.  I also think that autumn is the perfect time to take pleasure in dressing up.  Imagine the layers and assortments of clothing one can wear.  But best of all, I like fall because it leads me to my most favorite season of all and I will reserve the bright ideas for later.

Ma Carmen Saline, HHSA

The Wind.  I grew up in San Bernardino so the summers were hot & then the thunderstorms came around August. Around October we’d get the winds that came with cooler weather plus they smelled like fall. There is something wonderful about Southern California fall winds.

Mary Hammond, Probation

Fall for me is a introduction to beloved holidays where it seems that everyone is on one accord.  I love the color of nature as it prepares for the winter (especially Christmas).  I also love the weather because it reminds of favorite childhood memories of school days, football, and of course, the holidays!

Pendeza Lawrence, HHSA

I like that fall is a time of new beginnings.  Traditionally, fall was a time when school started, new teachers, new classes, new projects.  Now it is still a time that begs for change.  For me, fall is a time to start something that will make me a better person.

Nancy Page, HHSA

I love getting all bundled up and going to the Charger game.  We make a whole day of it – getting to the stadium early, doing a little tailgating, watching the team warm-up.  It is a great family day for us.

Shauna Rooney, HHSA

I appreciate fall because of the change in atmospheric conditions. As an avid hobbyist photographer, sunrise and sunsets seem to be so much crisper versus the previous season.  Also San Diego usually gets some different weather conditions during fall, which makes for some interesting photos. I also enjoy cooler temperatures! Oh, one last thing, I know that I will be smoking a couple of turkeys on Thanksgiving Day in my smoker. Yummy!

Pete Jacovino, ARCC

Fall is football and pumpkin spice lattes.
It’s scarves and boots and nights by the fire.
Fall is a perfect cold chill in the air and hot chili for dinner.
Fall is gold, burnt orange and yellow leaves.
Fall is hot chocolate, early dark nights, and time with family.
Fall is my favorite season.

Holly Crawford, Communications

I love the smell of wood smoke from my neighborhood fireplaces especially on crisp mornings.

Mikee Ritter, HHSA

When Fall comes – the air seems crisper and cleaner.   Trees become pieces of art turning multicolored and more breathtaking.  And fun holidays such as Halloween (my absolute favorite) and Thanksgiving happen!  Costume parties and family gatherings!  And best of all – it’s cool enough to wear the wonderful long sleeves and sweaters that hide so many flaws!!

Pauline Thomas, HHSA

Having grown up back East, I love the fall.  There’s nothing better than having crispness in the air and crunchy leaves under foot.  One of my favorite chores was to rake leaves into a large pile and jump into it, scattering leaves everywhere!

Barbara Crane, ARCC

I get a special “feeling” every Fall, it’s hard to describe but it’s a feeling of excitement, of new beginnings, a chance to start clean.  Fall also makes me feel like nesting a little, getting my house in order in readiness for the Winter.  The chill in the air makes me want to be cozy and warm with a hot chocolate and good friends.  I love the Fall, it is my favorite season.

Tracy Watkins, General Services

This is my favorite time of year. I love the color of the sunsets, the colors of autumn, the breezy cooler temperatures, pumpkin pie, Halloween, etc.  I could go on and on; I love it all!

Cassandra A. Tena, Human Resources

The things I love about the fall are the homemade soups I can start making, like Abondigas (meatball soup), Caldo de Res or Pollo (beef or chicken soup), and oh! Sunday mornings waking up to the smell of Menudo (tripe soup with hominy) or Pozole (pork soup with hominy) watching the leaves fall and wind blow out the kitchen window, then snuggling up on the couch for a good movie. 

Kim Preciado, HHSA, Human Resources

I love seeing hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins on a farm.  It is so bright and picturesque. 

Imelda Holst, HHSA

Preparing Ahead of an Emergency

An "evacuee" gets their blood pressure checked by a Public Health Nurse during a mock emergency shelter drill conducted Thursday by the County's Office of Emergency Services and Health and Human Services Agency.Spending time in an emergency evacuation shelter is not something anyone wants to do. But in the event of an emergency, you might not have a choice.

If you do have to go to an emergency shelter, you may be frantic and stressed, having left your home – sometimes at a moment’s notice – not knowing what you’ll find when you eventually return home. Everyone else at the shelter is in a similar situation to you. There could be hundreds or even thousands of your fellow neighbors and friends at your local shelter.

San Diego County is hoping to lower residents’ stress levels by training staff to run an efficient, organized emergency shelter.

On Thursday morning, County staff from the Office of Emergency Services and the Health and Human Services Agency’s Public Health Services conducted an emergency shelter drill to train staff to open and manage safe shelters during emergencies.

“This gives you the opportunity to find out about all the operations that go into running a shelter,” Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Officer told the Public Health Services staff before the drill began. “This exposure to the nuts and bolts of setting up and running a shelter is a wonderful opportunity.”

Dozens of participants were broken into groups and received their instructions from the drill coordinators. Some were assigned to nursing stations; others greeted and registered “evacuees.” Some displayed their acting chops by playing residents who arrived at the shelter with various ailments from rashes and head lice to broken limbs and respiratory problems.

This drill was just one of the numerous emergency drills conducted by the County every year to be sure our region is prepared in the event of any sort of disaster.

During a disaster, you can find shelter locations at www.sdcountyemergency.com or by calling 2-1-1.