Sign of Spring, Sign of Hope

HHSA's Jill Monroe (left) receives her Daffodil Days delivery from COB's Elizabeth Russell.

Vases of bright, yellow daffodils dot the desks of County employees and brighten the bedside tables of local cancer patients. Why daffodils?  The flowers are part of Daffodil Days, one the oldest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. Bunches of the beautiful blooms were delivered the first day of spring, Tuesday.

Employees paid $10 or more to buy the flowers during the three-month campaign which started in January. They bought the blooms for themselves, others in the office, families or donated towards Gifts of Hope. The fund helps cancer research, educational programs, services for cancer patients and their families, and yes, donates flowers anonymously to cancer patients here in our region.   

The lead coordinator for the County event, Land use/Environmental Planner Stephanie Gaines, says she was a caregiver for her mother until she passed away from lung cancer in 2006. The next year, she walked into an American Cancer Society office, told them her family history and said she’d like to volunteer. They asked if she’d heard of Daffodil Days, she said no, but throw it at me.  Now, “I make it my mission to have a Daffodil Days campaign at the County every year,” said Gaines, “It’s fun, people enjoy it, you receive something for the donation you make.”

In the past, County employees have given as much as $24,000 for the Daffodil Days campaign. In recent years, the economy has taken its toll but this year saw an uptick over last year.  Employees raised more than $12,000 – about $3,000 more than last year's total. Every little bit helps.

“You are diagnosed with cancer one day, you get up at 3 a.m. because you’re beside yourself, you don’t know what it means,” said Gaines. “You can call the Cancer Society and you can talk to them for as long as you need.” The Cancer Society’s hotline is manned by trained volunteers 24/7 and that is just one of the free programs it runs. Another involves free rides to and from treatments.

When you think about it, almost everyone is touched by cancer in some way. It is the second most com­mon cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. That is nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.

One of Stephanie’s co-workers, another Land Use Environmental Planner, shared her story. Marsha Cook was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2002. At one point, the disease collapsed her right lung. That same week, a routine mammogram brought another diagnosis, breast cancer.  

Years later, Cook is matter of fact about it. “I survived the collapsed lung and the lumpectomy took care of the breast cancer,” said Cook. “And it turned out my brother was the perfect match for me as far as a blood stem cell transplant.”

That was her only chance for a cure with the type of lymphoma she had. In 2006, she underwent the transplant and last year she marked her fifth year anniversary of being cancer-free. “That’s a wonderful milestone for a cancer survivor,” said Cook. “After five years, there is a higher survival rate.”

When Cook returned to work, her friend Stephanie asked if she’d be interested in the Daffodil Days campaign. She’s now a co-coordinator. She feels a certain affinity with others who are now undergoing cancer treatments.

“I know what it feels like,” said Cook. “I know it’s very helpful to have a wig or a hat on your head when you’ve lost all your hair from chemo.”

They both have delivered daffodils to patients. They say the patients are so grateful. If they can lift a patient’s spirits for just a little while, the two women say it’s worth it.

“The Cancer Society and their programs give people the support they need,” said Cook. “It gives some of us a way to give back in appreciation for what we’ve received.”

Putting for San Pasqual

Public Defender Community Outreach members at the first charity golf event in 2010.

For the third year in a row, a group of County employees with the Public Defender’s Office have organized a charity golf tournament and barbecue to support the foster youth who live and learn at the County’s unique San Pasqual Academy.

This year’s tournament is Friday, March 30—Cesar Chavez Day—at Riverwalk in Mission Valley.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts and Supervisor Greg Cox—both longtime supporters of San Pasqual—will be out swinging in the 18-hole friendly competition.

Public Defender Community Outreach members are hoping about 200 other golfers will join the supervisors to help meet a new fundraising goal.

“The last couple years we’ve raised $50,000, and we’re looking to double it this year,” said Frank Barone, a deputy public defender and Community Outreach board member.

The employee group works with the nonprofit Friends of the San Pasqual Academy to route the tournament money to educational and extra-curricular needs at the school in the San Pasqual Valley, east of Escondido, Barone said.

Last year, some of the $50,000 raised in the golf tournament combined with donations from several local foundations, the NFL and County funds to help realize the dream of a home football field for the San Pasqual Dragons. Before the new field, San Pasqual’s players regularly travelled to Ramona for their “home” games, making it difficult for other students to attend and get into the school spirit.

“These kids had never had a home game for as a long as they’d been in existence because they’d never had a football field,” Barone said.

San Pasqual Academy is home and school for up to 184 students, ages 12 to 18, and it’s the nation’s only residential program for foster youth.

The 238-acre campus has an accredited high school, a technology and career information center, an assembly hall, recreation fields, and a swimming pool. 

Far more than just a school, the San Pasqual is a community for kids who have lacked stability in their lives. Cottages and attached apartments house students, alumni, transitional age foster youth, staff and volunteer “grandparents” who nurture and mentor the young people.

Barone said supporting the school meshes well with the Public Defender Community Outreach group’s goal of enriching the lives of local people in need.

Maybe you’re the kind of person who likes to donate to causes with a County connection. Or maybe you know someone who likes to golf who would enjoy a fun tournament that also supports foster youth at San Pasqual. Employees and all community members are invited to join the March 30 tournament, which starts at 1:30 p.m.  Players will compete in four member teams, scoring the best ball on each hole.

Registration is $135 per player and includes a golf cart, box lunch and a BBQ dinner with prizes, an awards ceremony and a charity auction. Non-golfers are invited to join the BBQ and evening festivities for $75.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.pd-outreach.org. The registration deadline is Friday, March 23.

How’s Your Weight Loss Program Going?

(L-R) Larise Baker, Kim Madigan, Lisa McAvoy, and Pam Jordan are enjoying the results of "Weight Watchers at Work."

Did you resolve to lose weight this year? Are you looking forward to bathing suit season? If your conscience is weighted (sorry) down, maybe there is help right at work.

As part of our Employee Wellness program, HR has arranged for us to participate in the Weight Watchers At Work program at County facilities where there is an interest. Informational meetings about the program are being held in six County buildings. If a minimum of 15 employees commit to the program after attending the meeting, a Weight Watchers meeting will be set up at that location, said Teresa Yerbury, Weight Watchers At Work Specialist. (See list of locations below.)

Looking for some motivation? How about four COC employees who joined the Weight Watchers At Work pilot program at the County Operations Center last August? They set a healthy goal for themselves and achieved it.

 Forty-five employees started the program and lost a total of 540 pounds as a group, said Yerbury. Four women achieved lifetime member status and many more members are close to reaching their goals.

The Weight Watchers At Work Program includes an on-site meeting where individuals are weighed, discuss how to successfully follow the plan and celebrate success. Members can also access online resources and attend additional meetings in the community for $39.95 a month.

“Honestly, people are more successful when they go to meetings,” said Yerbury. “We have found a higher success rate when you are accountable to someone else.”

Pam Jordan, who works at the Registrar of Voters, lost 29 pounds on the program which assigns a point value to foods, then gives members a food budget based on their age, height and weight.

Weight Watchers staff work with individuals to teach them healthy food choices, how to earn activity points which can be traded for food points, and help them set a realistic and healthy goal. Once you reach your goal, not only will that feel good, but you may be able to continue going to Weight Watchers meeting for free!

 “I’m definitely doing the point counting and I’m walking,” said Jordan. “What I loved about the program is that we can go to the meetings on our lunch hour. Trying to catch some time after work or on the weekend is hard with everyone’s busy schedules.”

Kim Madigan, the personal secretary to Sheriff Bill Gore, has also reached her goal weight, but she prefers not to put a number on it.

“I am at a goal that Weight Watchers recognizes as a good lifetime goal,” she said, but she is continuing with the program to try to lose a little more.

Madigan said she started out doing the Weight Watchers Online program but upgraded to the Weight Watchers At Work program so that she could discuss the program with a leader and others.

“You’re meeting with a group of women every week and so that’s a better support structure,” she said. “We’re all kind of on the same journey to feel good and look good.”

Larise Baker, who works in Human Resources, has lost 15 pounds on the plan and is also a lifetime member. She had previously been successful with the online plan years ago, but went off the plan and found herself gaining again. Baker said although she didn’t have a lot of weight to lose, it was important to her to take off the extra weight and that required a plan.

“You have these daily points and you can balance them out. If there’s something you want to eat you can sacrifice something else. It makes you more accountable for what you eat,” she said. “It’s something that helps me maintain.”

Another Human Resources employee, Lisa McAvoy, has lost 22 pounds and is also a lifetime member.

“It was really easy. I was not hungry because you can eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want, and whenever I got hungry in between my meals, I would eat fruits and vegetables,” said McAvoy. “At first it was challenging just trying to understand the food you were eating and how to make better choices. Now, it has become normal for me to maintain.”

McAvoy said the meetings are very helpful because all the members talk about what is working for them. They share low-fat food choices and recipes. She said it’s kind of like working together as a team.

To learn more about the Weight Watchers At Work Program, the County is holding informational meetings from noon to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

• Health Service Complex in the San Diego Conference Room, 3851 Rosecrans St. in San Diego, on Wednesday, March 21
• County Operations Annex in the DPLU Hearing Room, 5201 Ruffin Road in San Diego, on Thursday, March 22
• East County Regional Center in the Jury Lounge, 250 E. Main St. in El Cajon, on Friday, March 23
• North County Regional Center in the Jury Lounge, 325 S. Melrose Dr. in Vista on Friday, March 23
• County Administration Center in the Bayside III room, 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego, on Tuesday, March 27
• Hall of Justice in Room 363B, 330 W. Broadway in San Diego, on Wednesday, March 28

Social Worker Honored for Volunteer Efforts

The Jay Hoxie Award is given annually to a San Diego County social worker who volunteers their time in the community after work hours. The award was presented Wednesday during the annual social worker appreciation event. From left, Kerry Hoxie, Jay Hoxie’s mother; Elvin Gonzalez, this year’s Hoxie Award winner; and Debra Zanders-Willis, Director, HHSA Child Welfare Services.There are many adjectives to describe social workers: caring, kind, compassionate, giving, dedicated, nurturing…the list could go on and on.

To reward the social worker who embodies these qualities in the community – outside of work - each year the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Child Welfare department gives the Jay Hoxie Award to one deserving person. This year the award went to Elvin Gonzales.

Gonzalez traveled to Haiti to help rebuild their infrastructure; collected clothes, beds and cribs and started ‘The Closet’ project in his church for needy families; created a “Birthday Box” with gift cards and party supplies so foster children could celebrate birthdays; collects school supplies and food for soup kitchens in Mexico; and runs in the Rivers of Hope Foundation’s 5K race to raise money for foster children.

The other nominees for the award were Gisella Aguilar, Lauren Davenport, Will Durning, Rodney Bates, Laura Quintanilla, Adrianna Alvarez and Francesca Ruble.

“The Jay Hoxie award is presented every year to an employee that demonstrates a compassionate commitment to others by volunteering in the community,” said Debra Zanders-Willis, CWS Director.

This award has been presented to an employee every year for the last 22 years during national Social Workers Appreciation Month. It is named after employee Jay Hoxie, who died in a tragic car accident in 1990.

County News Center has an in-depth look at the Child Welfare Services operation focusing on one protective services worker.

County Probation’s Research Director Honored for Study

  

County Probation’s Dr.  Natalie Pearl has been honored by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) for her study on a tool our Probation Department uses to help predict juvenile offenders’ risk of further trouble.

Dr. Pearl, Probation’s Director of Research, received the 2011 “Sam Houston State University” award at the professional association’s annual conference, held in San Diego last week.

The award goes to one person who publishes an article that enlightens the profession with “new information and insight into the operation, effectiveness or future of,” community corrections, according to APPA.

Dr. Pearl’s research on the “San Diego Risk and Resiliency Checkup” was published in the  industry publication Federal Probation, so it may indeed influence juvenile supervision nationwide.

The study has certainly already influenced our Probation Department. Based on Dr. Pearl’s research, the department has refined the way it uses the Risk and Resiliency Checkup to decide what level of “community supervision” a particular teen on probation needs.

The Checkup is 60-item survey of the risk factors and the positive influences in a young person’s life. Pearl’s research confirmed that the assessment is effective in predicting a juvenile’s risk of reoffending.  But it also found that certain items on the survey were even more predictive than others.

“Delinquency factors,” as a group, turn out to be particularly powerful predictors of whether or not a youth will commit another crime.

Delinquency factors include things like prior arrests, whether there is significant crime in the child’s neighborhood, whether the latest offense came while the youngster was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a history of fights or assaults and a lack of community support, positive adult relationships and structured activities.

The research was so compelling, the Probation Department decided to use just the delinquency score to determine what level of supervision a young person should get in the community. Other items on the Risk and Resiliency Checkup are used to make a case plan to fit each individual youth.

The study wasn’t the first time Dr. Pearl has shaped the way the Probation does things. Departmental leaders say that, in her five years with the Probation, she’s been “indispensible” in steering the department towards evidence-based practices.

Employees Take Advantage of Free Health Screenings

A nurse calls the next employee for a health screening at the CAC.

Veronica Preciado knew she was overdue for a checkup.  So when free health screenings were offered at the County Administration Center Tuesday, the Treasurer/Tax Collector employee made sure to pay a visit.

“I haven’t done anything like this in a long time,” she said.  “You can just come out on your break, so it’s convenient.”

The screenings are done in a mobile health vehicle that’s making nine stops at County facilities this month.  Check out the full schedule of dates and locations.  Nurses can check your blood pressure, measure your height and weight, calculate your body mass index, and check your blood sugar.  You’ll get results on the spot.

Kaiser Permanente is providing the screenings, but employees with any health insurance are welcome to participate.  Those with Kaiser can have the screening results automatically added into their patient records.  If you have Anthem Blue Cross, you can enter the results into a self-assessment on their website.

The vehicle has two exam rooms and the screening takes about 10 minutes.  You’re encouraged to make a reservation by calling (619) 641-4194 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Walk-ins are accepted.  But during Tuesday’s stop at the CAC,  there was a long enough wait that many employees who showed up made a reservation to come back later in the day.  When you go, make sure you bring your County ID badge.

The screenings are no substitute for a full physical.  But even if you’re good about making those routine doctor’s visits, it’s always worthwhile to keep tabs on key health indicators. 

“There are times when incidents come up,” said Esperanza Gregorio, a Human Resources employee.  “Instead of waiting, you can take advantage of this right away.”

County Nature Center Featured on National Magazine’s Cover

When the story is environmentally-friendly design, sell it with the County of San Diego’s San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center. 

That’s the strategy for publishers of Parks & Recreation, a magazine for parks professionals around the country.  The County’s award-winning center is featured on the cover of the March issue.

And while the headline is “Green is Gold,” you should know that when it comes to LEED certification, the center is platinum – the highest rating possible. 

The article itself focuses on green building in general, with only a brief mention of our County.  You can read the whole story, but here’s the part you’re probably most interested in:

“In San Diego County, California’s first LEED Platinum park building, the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, serves a dual role in teaching about nature while helping to conserve natural resources. Situated in a 975-acre ecological reserve, the nature center offers public environmental education while at the same providing a living lesson in energy and water conservation. For example, solar panels on the building have generated 65 percent of the building’s power since it opened in 2009, saving the equivalent to 16.4 tons of carbon dioxide, according to Amy Harbert, County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.”

You can watch a video about the center below.  Please note, when the video was made, the center was LEED gold.  It was later upgraded to platinum. 

DEH Earns Environmental Award; Chief Named to Presidential Advisory Board

The Department of Environmental Health Hazardous Materials Division racked up a couple of impressive honors recently, winning a state environmental achievement award and having Chief Mike Vizzier invited to join a presidential advisory council.

Vizzier accepted the invitation to join the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Good Neighbor Environmental Board, which means that for at least the next two years Vizzier’s expertise will not only help counsel 1600 Pacific Highway, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — yup, the White House.

The 30-member board was created in 1992 to advise the president and Congress about environmental and infrastructure issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Vizzier, who has also worked for years as part of the Border 2012 Program, said he was honored by the invitation and eager to get started.

But Vizzier was more excited by the “Secretary’s Environmental Achievement Award 2012”  that was presented to the County’s Hazardous Materials Division by California EPA at a statewide conference in February.

“This one was a real thrill,” Vizzier said, “because they don’t give it out every year and it’s not one that you nominate yourself for.”

San Diego County’s Hazardous Materials Division was designated as the sole agency to manage and regulate hazardous materials and wastes for the county (including its cities) in 1996. They monitor everything from gas stations to industrial businesses, medical and biotechnology firms to businesses like dry cleaners. EPA officials said the County had shown award-winning leadership by, among other things, developing and administering a web-based inspector training course that teaches inspectors around the state how to monitor above-ground petroleum storage tanks. EPA officials also praised the County’s division for working with local elementary, middle and high schools to promote careers in environmental health;  for working with the U.S.-Mexico Border Enforcement Task Force; advocating and supporting state efforts on electronic reporting; and for creating an outreach program that tracks the 10 most common hazardous material and waste violations — as a way to educate and prevent future violations.

Vizzier credited the County’s leadership, from the Board down, for the honor, because they encourage departments “to go out and do something special.”

“I feel this is an award for San Diego County, really,” Vizzier said. “This is a direct outcome of our General Management System (GMS) and the leadership of the County.”

What’s in a Name?

Despite its name, the San Diego County Public Law Library isn’t part of the County’s library system at all. It’s an independent public agency, but the County owns the building, pays for the utilities and selects several Law Library Board members. Why? You need to go back to the 19^thcentury to find the answer.

More than 100 years ago, the California State Legislature told every county to create a law library so the public could learn the law. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance 57 on June 10, 1891 and the law library was born.

The County must provide the building, maintenance and utilities. The courts must give a percentage of civil court filing fees, and that money along with funds raised by the library, pays for books, computers and staff.  

The courts also select several judges for the Law Library Board, so both the state and the County have ties to the library, but they don’t actually run it.

That puts the agency in an interesting position. As Director John Adkins puts it, if the Law Library takes money from the state and the County, what does it give back? Adkins says he works hard at creating great partnerships so that people know what they do and have a true understanding of where those dollars are going. For example, the library worked with the Department of Child Support Services which used its Vista branch for a case resolution meeting, making good use of the branch on a Saturday when it’s closed to the public.

“We’re quasi,” says Adkins, “so I want to be at the table.” As far as the County is concerned, the library falls under the Public Safety Group. Adkins says he’s been invited to share what the agency has to offer in meetings with the group’s department heads. The Public Defender’s Office already uses the Law Library as a resource. As you would expect, about half of the visitors are lawyers from all over the County. The other half?  Regular folks like you and me.

It’s the only public law library in San Diego County, and it’s the second-largest in the state on par with Orange County. “This is the central hub for all free legal resources. We have all the printed materials, they’re all updated… we have the legal databases” said  Adkins. “It is free for folks. It is a legal research haven for people who want to do a little research. This is the place to be.”

Visitors can choose any one of four locations, downtown at 1105 Front Street and branches in Vista, Chula Vista and El Cajon. A good number of them have the same intention – how to beat a traffic ticket. Others want to represent themselves in court or simply have an interest in the law. The library’s collection contains 350,000 volumes. Recently, General Services managed the refurbishing of the downtown branch from the inside out. The renovation forced the branch to close its doors for a year. Donations covered the $4.25 million remodel which made dramatic changes in the electrical, I-T and plumbing systems plus some desperately needed cosmetic changes. “It was scary. It was dark and it was creepy and it didn’t smell good, and yeah it’s right next to the jail. It’s still right next to the jail… but now we want to show people how beautiful it is,” said Adkins. “People do walk in and say wow.”   

The interior went from dark and unwelcoming to light, bright, and airy with glass walls and red splashes of color. No institutional green or blue here. On the exterior, 12 new windows were cut into the granite for a timeless look that blends in with the rest of the block.

It’s now open, and Adkins says it’s there for everybody. He points out the law touches us in many ways. From that traffic ticket to the neighbor’s tree that seems to be encroaching on your property to much more serious matters.  

“People come in here in desperate conditions. They’re getting kicked out of their apartment or trying to save their kids or adopt somebody,” said Adkins. “All of that stuff happens right here.”

Amidst the quiet drama, staff members do what they can to help visitors find what they need. Sometimes they hear back on how it all worked out.  “It’s so wonderful when people come back and tell us their stories and how if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t have had that outcome,” said Adkins. “It’s very heartwarming.”

While access to the materials at the branches is free, anyone who wants to borrow materials must pay a fee. Legal forms are available and reference librarians can help you find them. No, they will not fill them out or give you legal advice. Typewriters are available in the Main and North County branches but on a first come, first serve basis. Yes, you read that correctly. Typewriters are still needed to fill out all of those legal forms. The branches all have computers for public use and free wireless access as well. For more information, visit www.sdcpll.org.

And now you know, while the official name is the San Diego County Public Law Library, it’s exactly what the State Legislature intended all those years ago. The library’s motto says it all Law Made Public for All San Diego County.

Chance the Dog, Animal Control Officer Reunite for Magazine Cover

Keep your eyes peeled for the March issue of San Diego Pets. It’s out starting March 2, and you can pick it up at various points around town where your find other free circulars. (Sometimes they’re found on fourth floor of the CAC, by the cafeteria.)

As you see, the monthly magazine’s cover is a huge photo of County Animal Control Officer Gina Raygosa and Chance the dog. Raygosa is the animal control officer who aided Chance when he was found critically injured with a bullet wound on the Viejas Reservation a couple weeks ago. (More coverage of Chance’s saga here.)

Raygosa and Chance were reunited for the first time for the photo shoot. The pictures pop with joy, and they’ve captured the essence of the entire department, says Supervising Animal Care attendant Tiffany Shields.

“This is why we in the Department of Animal Services do what we do every day, for the chance to make a difference in the life of animal,” Shields says.