Updating the Flu Fighters

Are there any new types of influenza? What viruses are included in this year’s flu vaccine? How is influenza activity monitored?

These are some of the many issues County Senior Epidemiologist Jeff Johnson addresses  at the Kick the Flu Summit, an annual event for nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers—the flu fighters.

Organized by the San Diego Immunization Coalition for the past eight years, the summit takes place one week before the County officially kicks off its flu vaccination campaign, which began today.

“I am very excited to give an update heading into the flu season,” said Johnson, who has worked with the County Health and Human Services Agency for the past 14 years.

Johnson and two other epidemiologists monitor influenza activity throughout the year and provide weekly reports during flu season. How do they do it?

The County has a network of dozens of sentinel sites where doctors voluntarily report positive influenza cases. That’s how Pandemic H1N1 was discovered in San Diego in April 2009.

Johnson and his team also look at emergency room activity related to influenza, as well as severe cases of flu in people who were hospitalized or died because of the flu.

What flu activity is being seen at the moment? Through last week, there had been a total of 28 influenza cases and no deaths since July 1. That is considered normal for this time of year. More than half of those cases were Influenza A, one of the major types expected to be seen this flu season. The other flu viruses expected are Pandemic H1N1 and Influenza B. This year’s vaccine offers protection against all three flu strains.

A new type of swine flu (H3N2v) that was detected in the United States this summer and received extensive media attention is not expected in the region. While there have been more than 300 cases in other states, the virus has not been detected in California. H3N2v is acquired from direct exposure to infected pigs or swine.

“Surveillance is a very important tool we use,” said Johnson, who has already gotten his flu shot. “We must remain vigilant for emergent strains of flu.”

The ROV Wants You!

Yes, that would be you! Here’s your chance to deck yourself out in red, white and blue and work the polls for the presidential general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. 

The Registrar of Voters (ROV) is recruiting poll workers now and says County employees stand out amongst all their volunteers. That’s because they already do a great job serving the public on a daily basis and naturally that carries over to working the polls. 

While Election Day is still weeks away, keep in mind that the ROV needs 5,000 poll workers for up to 1,650 polling places in the County.  

If you’re pretty good with gadgets and computers, you could become a touch screen inspector. If you speak Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino or Spanish, you could help voters with any questions they may have about the voting process in their own language.    

Other positions range from clerk to assistant inspector to precinct inspector.   

Poll workers receive a stipend ranging from $75 to $175 depending on the assignment and if you’re bilingual, you’ll receive an additional $15 if you’re assigned to give language assistance to voters. Poll workers can be assigned to neighborhoods other than their own.

Interested poll workers must be U.S. citizens, registered or eligible to be registered voters in the state of California and have transportation to the assigned polling location. Depending on the job assignment, you may need access to the Internet for online training and attend a two-hour class. The training schedule will go out October 3.

It’s easy to apply, and if you have any questions, you can read these FAQs or call 858-694-3419 or email: Jean.Vukotich@sdcounty.ca.gov.

As the ROV says, the future is now… be a part of it!

Language assistance is need in these locations:

Del Dios – Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino

Oceanside – Vietnamese, Filipino

Encinitas – Chinese

San Marcos – Vietnamese

Vista – Vietnamese

Chula Vista – Filipino, Vietnamese

Rolando Redwood – Vietnamese

City Heights – Vietnamese

Nestor – Vietnamese

San Ysidro – Vietnamese

South Park – Vietnamese

Clairemont – Spanish, Vietnamese

Linda Vista – Vietnamese

Pacific Beach – English

Rancho Peñasquitos – Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese

Mira Mesa – Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese

Pomerado –Vietnamese, English

University North (UTC, UCSD area) - English

University South (University City) – English

Del Mar – English

Encanto – Vietnamese, Filipino, Spanish

Paradise Hills – Filipino, Spanish

Poway – Chinese

Lemon Grove – Vietnamese, Spanish

Spring Valley – Filipino, Spanish

Ramona – Spanish

Jamul – Spanish

Campo – Spanish

Potrero – Spanish

El Cajon – Vietnamese, Filipino, Spanish

La Mesa – Vietnamese, Spanish

Lakeside – Filipino

Santee – Spanish

Driving to Work on Auto-Pilot?

If you’re heading to the County Administration Center (CAC) Monday, watch out or you may suddenly see a fence at your front bumper! That’s right, if you stick to the same old parking routine you’re used to, you may have to throw your car into reverse, whip out that new parking pass and find your new space.

And that’s all to the good. The new fencing going up in the north and south parking lots this weekend and the re-striping on the north lot are all signs that the long awaited Waterfront Park is finally becoming a reality. In fact, the groundbreaking for the historic event takes place Tuesday, but that’s another story. (Stay tuned!)

One of the first steps toward this 11-acre bay front civic treasure is building a 250-space public underground parking garage on the CAC’s south side. The current lot will be closed Monday and all of the public and disabled parking spaces will move to the north lot. Some employees will move their cars to different spaces in the north lot, but most of us will be checking out our new parking digs off site at either the Cedar Street/Kettner Blvd. lot or at Lane Field located south of the CAC at 900 W. Broadway. 

Shuttles will run between Lane Field and the CAC Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shuttle stops are marked on a map contained in the waterfront project update here. The CAC’s East Plaza entrance will reopen after several upgrades in the area. Meantime, the current entrances on the north and south side of the building will remain open.   

In addition to the fencing, re-striping and shuttle stops, you may also see some parking pay stations at the north lot. You’ll know them by the solar panels they’re sporting. Don’t worry about the pay stations, they don’t affect employees. The CAC lot will be used after 6 p.m., weekends and holidays for paid public parking. ABM Parking/Five Star will manage the lot at those times.

If you work on the weekends, you can use a special area in the north lot marked as assigned staff 24-hour parking not to be confused with reserved parking set aside for County officials.

If you will be working late, you can bring your vehicle over from the Cedar/Kettner or the Lane Field lot after 5 p.m. and use any open space in the staff 24-hour parking area.

So what if you don’t work at the CAC, but you occasionally have business here? You can park your County car at a meter on the city street. County vehicles are exempt from paying meters. Personal cars are not. Another option is to park in the public parking areas if the meeting will be less than 3 hours. 

For more information about the CAC parking plans and the waterfront park project itself, visit General Service’s website.     

Top ‘Thrive Across America’ Performers Recognized with Awards

County Wellness Coordinator William Erese recognizes Yvette Maclean as a top female performer in the Thrive Across America program. She received an insulated lunch bag. Maclean has lost more than 60 pounds since last year by working out at the gym everyday and eating healthier foods. She hopes to lose another 50 pounds.

They’re running, swimming and dancing. A lot. 

The goal was to get moving and County employees participating in Thrive Across America have logged more than 2.2 million minutes of exercise since the activity program began in mid-July. Employees can exercise in a long list of different ways under the program rules and then log in their activity time online. 

Last week, the Department of Human Resources gave awards to top performing teams and individuals for the first six weeks of the program. A total of 28 teams and 20 individuals were recognized and awarded with Thrive Across America themed T-shirts and insulated lunch bags. Both were light green colored and decorated with the wording, “Thrive,” in white. The program runs through September and is offered in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, one of the County’s health care providers.

To view a complete list of the top performers, click here.

Another round of awards will go to the overall top performers after the program comes to an end, said William Erese, wellness coordinator in the Department of Human Resources. Erese is coordinating the Thrive Across America program and also participating in it himself.

A total of 1,455 County employees are participating in Thrive Across America, with the vast majority actively engaged, logging in their times three or four times a week, Erese said. As of Thursday, participants had logged a total of 2,245,232 minutes of activity, which Erese said is the equivalent of walking around the earth almost two times. Among the activities that count towards exercise time: aerobics, badminton, bouldering, kickboxing, fencing, fly fishing, figure skating, jogging, horseback riding, running, kayaking, mountain biking, yoga, zumba, swimming, surfing and tai chi.

Individuals can still join the program, but the deadline has passed for teams to join. Erese said the County expects to offer the program again next year.

For more information, visit www.thriveacrossamerica.com or look at the “Employee Wellness Program” section on InSite.

County Offers Employees Transit Benefit

Employees may be eligible for public transportation reimbursement

With construction set to begin soon on the County Administration Center’s Waterfront Park, many employees will have to change the way they park —and where they park — each day. Starting Sept. 24, the CAC’s South Lot will close, requiring many employees to park at offsite lots.

Did you know you may be eligible for a reimbursement for using public transportation? It might be a good time to consider (or reconsider) the County’s policy. For details, view the complete DHR Transit Pass Reimbursement Policy # 802 or Transportation Reimbursement Administrative Code Sec. 495. For more specifics, you can also look at the Memoranda of Agreement for your bargaining unit.

Starting Sept. 24, many CAC employees must begin parking at Lane Field, a lot located a half mile south of the CAC at 900 W. Broadway. Other employees must shift to a lot at the intersection of Cedar Street and Kettner Blvd., while some will be able to continue to park at the CAC. Shuttles will circulate between the CAC and the lots.

For more information, talk to your supervisor, Departmental Human Resources Officer or Labor Relations.

Compass Cards can have value added then be used as a ticket for buses, Trolley, Sprinter or Coaster. They can be reloaded online. 

It's Free Flu Shot Time

Yup, it’s still hot outside and it sure doesn’t feel like fall — or flu season — is on the way. But it is!

And that means it’s time for County employees to protect themselves by taking advantage of free flu shots.

Starting today and running through Sept. 28, any County employee can get a free flu shot just by showing their County ID at one of 13 clinics scheduled for several County facilities by our Human Resources’ Benefits Division.

You don’t have to pre-register and you don’t have to make any appointment.

Last year, 5,230 County employees received free flu shots. Don’t miss out!

Here’s the list to see when and where you can get your free flu shot: 

• Friday , Sept. 7 — 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  Road Station 15, Division #1,
  11970 Singer Lane, Spring Valley
  
  
• Tuesday, Sept. 11 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  Medical Examiner/Forensic Center, County Operations Center
  5570 Overland Ave, San Diego
  
  
• Wednesday, Sept. 12 — 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  County Administration Center, Bayside Room 1
  1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego
  
  
• Thursday, Sept. 13 — 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  North Inland Regional Center, Executive Conference Room
  600 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido
  
  
• Friday, Sept. 14 — 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  County Roads, Division #2 Headquarters, Training Room
  1579 Osage Street, San Marcos
  Monday, Sept. 17 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  HHSA Rosecrans Health Services Complex, Coronado Room
  3851 Rosecrans St., San Diego
  
  
• Tuesday, Sept. 18 — 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  North Coastal HHSA, Child Welfare Services, Training Room
  1320 Union Plaza Court, Oceanside
  
  
• Friday, Sept. 21 — 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  North County Regional Center, Room 1A108
  325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista
  
  
• Monday, Sept. 24 — 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM & 2:00 to 4:00 PM
  Edgemoor Hospital, Multi Purpose Conference Room
  655 Park Center Drive, Santee
  
  
• Tuesday, Sept. 25 — 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  County Operations Annex,  Tunnel Area
  5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego
  
  
• Wednesday, Sept. 26 — 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  South Bay Regional Center, Law Library
  500 3^rd Ave., Chula Vista
  
  
• Thursday, Sept. 27 — 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  Hall of Justice, Room 363A/B
  330 W. Broadway, San Diego
  
  
• Friday, Sept 28 — 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
  East County Regional Center,  Jury Lounge
  250 E. Main St., El Cajon

For additional information, contact the Human Resources Benefits Division at (888) 550-2203.

Children's Mental Health Chief 'Knighted' by Community Group

Yael Koenig, right, HHSA Children's Mental Health chief, receives the Sir Henry Tarke award from Henry Tarke, left. The award is presented to a public administrator who makes a difference for children and families who receive services from publicly funded agencies.The San Diego Family & Youth Roundtable has its own version of the famous Knights of the Roundtable and Yael Koenig, chief of HHSA’s Children’s Mental Health, was recently given the elite honor of being knighted by the local organization.

The group inducted Yael into their local Knights of the Roundtable when they presented her with the Sir Henry Tarke Award, presented to a public administrator who makes a difference for children and families who receive services from publicly funded agencies.

Those honored have contributed to ensuring public services are responsive to the needs of the families, youth, and children they serve, and have proven to show compassion and kindness to those they serve.

If the name sounds familiar, it is because the award was created last year, in honor of the former Assistant Deputy Director of Children’s Mental Health, Henry Tarke. Tarke was on hand to present the award to Yael, who will in turn, present to next year’s winner. One of the duties of being a knight is the responsibility to review nominations and select the next year’s winners.

The San Diego Family & Youth Roundtable is an independent family- and youth-led organization, run by and for families and youth who have received services from public funded agencies that serve children and families. Their goal is to promote excellence in these agencies by building partnerships with them to enhance their policies, programs and practices.

According to legend, the Knights of the Roundtable are known to be the most noble and chivalrous of all knights, with the table itself a symbol of equality and brotherhood, allowing for each person to be at equal seating. The Family & Youth Roundtable’s awards are given to four “Knights” each year. In addition to the public administrator category, awards are given to a family/youth leader, a community-based organization, and a researcher.

Waterfront Park Parking Plans

Work will soon begin on the Waterfront Park around the CAC, and it will have a big impact on parking. Watch the video to learn what will happen during each of the phases.

DEH Employee is Again King of the Castles

The sand sculpture Awaiting Fate created by the IB Posse. The team's captain is Department of Environmental Health's Leonard Gonzales.

The IB Posse was no longer on its home turf, but the team led by Environmental Health’s Leonard Gonzalez was still at the top of its sandcastle building game.

They walked away with the People’s Choice Award at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Championship this past weekend at downtown’s B Street Pier. The contest was the region’s leading event of its type this year, with financial troubles forcing cancellation of the annual competition in Imperial Beach. The IB Posse won that contest several times.

Details of the sand sculpture.Working on the pier had its advantages and disadvantages, Gonzales said. On one side, there was no tide to contend with. But the sand had to be brought in and it had a very different consistency from what they normally use on the beach.

“The sand on the pier had different properties because it had soils built into it. It gave us trouble because it didn’t act the way as beach sand,” Gonzales said.  But he said it held together better when it dried, which gave them additional freedom.

“You’re able to get higher design like arches,” he explained.

The four-person team spent 16 hours over two days completing their entry, titled Awaiting Fate. It depicts an Aztec couple embracing as they anticipate a cataclysmic event for their culture. Gonzales said the work pulled together a few different themes.

“We wanted to do a little bit more of a classical art display, more like what you’d see in a European fountain. But we also wanted to tie it back to our continent,” Gonzales said.  “Also because we have the San Diego State Aztecs here. It was a bit of a play with our own culture.”   

Child Support Services Celebrating National Recognition

Here at the County, constant improvement is a mantra. But it’s never easy to make dramatic improvements across an entire department. 

That’s why Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) staff members took a few minutes last Thursday to enjoy some ice cream to celebrate and feel proud at the news they’d won the 2012 award for “Most Improved” county child support services department in the entire United States.  

The honor comes from the National Child Support Enforcement Agency, and while our DCSS staff knew darn well the department had made some remarkable improvements, it felt good to be noticed!

“For staff, the award is validation of a multi-year effort to try new approaches and remake our public image and even our internal philosophy,” Child Support Services Director Jeff Grissom said. “The department’s overarching goal was to be more successful in collecting child support payments—and it’s taken a flexible and creative effort by the whole department to move towards that goal—and we’re not done yet!”

Comparing the numbers from 2008 to today tell part of the story: Overall collections have increased by nearly $7 million in the last three years—­­­and of course that's during the worst economy since the depression. The percentage of child support cases with a payments made within 60 days of the case opening went from just 8 percent to 43 percent.

In the child support world, non-custodial parents make monthly court ordered child support payments through a state clearinghouse, which then distributes the support to the custodial parent. Child Support Services both establishes and enforces these court orders. The amount of support is determined according to a statewide formula that takes into account the income and visitation arrangements of both parents.           

John Rosenthal, the department’s child support manager for community relations, said a big part of improving the department’s success in collecting child support from non-custodial parents meant approaching cases differently and becoming more engaged with the non-custodial parent early in the case.

“The general perception had been that child support was biased against the noncustodial parent, the majority of whom are fathers,” Rosenthal said. “The common thinking was we were out to ’nail’ noncustodial parents for the most money we could get out of them. And maybe that was the case in years past.”

A few years ago, the department made a major shift to assigning a case to an individual caseworker who oversaw it for most of the child support process. Previously, case participants had to deal with different staff members, dependent upon where the case was in the process and what function needed to be performed. The department also put an emphasis on making meaningful contact with the non-custodial parent, even before an order was ever drafted, in order to get accurate information about the parent’s financial circumstances, and to give the non custodial parent information about the child support system—the non-custodial parent’s obligations, how to change the child support order with changing circumstances, and the serious penalties for non-payment.

“We find we’re much more effective in securing consistent financial and health insurance support for children if we engage both parents to get an accurate order from the get-go,” Rosenthal said. “We try to work with non-custodial parents; we show them a video describing the child support process; we meet with them and go through what to expect; we try to get agreement from all parties on an amount so they do not have to settle the matter through a court hearing.”

Some staff members changed their hours to work later and have better success in making initial contact with the non-custodial parent in the evening.

Employees changing their roles, changing the way they see themselves, changing their daily tasks, and changing the public perception of the department—this was all a serious undertaking for Child Support Services, and it didn’t happen all at once, Rosenthal said. But the results show it has been worthwhile.

In addition to the national honor as most improved, San Diego DCSS was this year recognized as both the Top Performing and Most Improved county of its size in the State of California Department of Child Support Services.

Currently, of the six largest counties in the state, San Diego County has the best success rate in collecting child support.  

“It’s been slow change, both in terms of our staff adapting to the new structure, to seeing themselves in the role as a resource for both parents, and in terms of changing our public perception,” Rosenthal said. “But I think we’re seeing real progress based on the response of non-custodial parents as we engage them in the process, and from custodial parents who are receiving payments on a more consistent basis.”