County Nurse Recognized for Work with Refugees

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Bonnie Copland chats wtih Ayan Mohamed during a recent refugee forum.

She says she does not work for awards or recognition. However, Bonnie Copland, Manager of the County’s Central Region Public Health Center, was one of six people recognized last night for her work with refugees.

Copland, 61, received the OceanLeaf: Health and Well-Being Award from Somali Family Service of San Diego (SFS).

“I am humbled,” said Copland, who has worked for the County Health and Human Services Agency for the past 11 years, eight of those in the City Heights community. “The work that I do, I don’t do for awards. I do it because I love working in this community.”

An estimated 30,000 Somali and other East African refugees live in San Diego County. The OceanLeaf Award was established two years ago and recognizes the accomplishments of San Diegans who have contributed to the advancement of the Somali and East African refugees in the city. 

“San Diego has the second largest population of Somali and East African refugees in the entire nation,” SFS President and CEO Ahmed Sahid said when announcing the winners. “So it’s very important that we are able to help the refugee community integrate into the larger San Diego community well. It takes combined efforts to see real progress and change happen”

Copland and her team of about 40 employees do vaccination  and sexually-transmitted disease clinic services, home visitations, and health promotion and education in City Heights on topics such as vaccinations, maternal health, tuberculosis control, and healthy eating and physical activity. The goal is to connect people with a medical provider so that they can receive appropriate services, one of the objectives of the County’s Live Well, Sand Diego! initiative. 

“Refugees have a different struggle when they get here,” said Copland. “We need to assess and understand the health beliefs that people have.”

Earlier in her career, Copland lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for 10 years. Her experience there, she said, has helped her understand the cultural and language challenges refugees face when they get here.

 “You have to be very sensitive in refugee communities on how you address certain health topics,” said Copland, who regularly attends a monthly gathering of organizations and advocates serving refugee communities in San Diego.” I try to be a bridge for the refugees.”

 

Are You Shaking Out?

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A County employee demonstrates the proper way to Drop, Cover and Hold On during an earthquake. All County employees who are able to are encouraged to practice the move during the October 18 ShakeOut drill.

Quick, what would you do if a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck right now? Do you know what to do? Now, what about your family at home, school or work?

“People tend to focus on Northern California when it comes to earthquake risk. But it is important to remember that there is a potential for a damaging and maybe devastating earthquake right here in San Diego County,” said Holly Crawford, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

San Diego has several faults in the region that could produce maximum credible quakes in the range of magnitude seven – and that’s a significant earthquake.

“The ShakeOut drill is a great opportunity for County employees to practice what they will do if they are at work when an earthquake happens,” said Crawford. “We also encourage employees to take it a step further and learn how to prepare for a disaster like this at home, so they can have peace of mind that their family is safe and has emergency provisions.”

At 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, 10/18, more than 9.3 million people are going to drop, cover and hold on at their homes, workplaces, schools or other public meeting areas to practice what experts say is the best response in an earthquake.

The drill takes just 90 seconds to do. It may seem silly, but practice helps cement the thinking process and make it instinctive. Remember, in a real earthquake, your stress levels will be high and you may forget the right thing to do. That’s why annual drills are important.

Everyone can register their families at ShakeOut.org and find interesting resources for holding a drill such audio and video recordings to play at 10:18 a.m. with earthquake sound effects and a narrator telling people what to do.

You may also find earthquake information on the ShakeOut site or on the County’s ReadySanDiego.org site..

In a recent informal employee poll on InSite, a majority of employees (864) said they did  not have an emergency plan for their family and need to visit ReadySanDiego to prepare one. Some 301 employees responded that they did have a plan.

What to do during a quake …

  • Drop, Cover and Hold On under a table or desk. The main goal is to protect your head and body from items that may fall onto you. By dropping to the ground, you keep from falling over due to the shaking.
  • If there’s nothing to get under, slide down against an interior wall and cover your head.
  • If outside, sit down in an open area away from buildings, bridges, trees, utility wires, and cover your head.
  • If driving, pull over in an open area, away from bridges, trees, electrical wires, signs.

More recommendations

Before an earthquake …

  • Secure heavy furniture or fixtures at home  to keep them from falling over and injuring someone 
  • Adhere glass or decorative items to shelves so they do not fall.
  • Create or update your Family Disaster Plan.
  • Create or update your home or work emergency supplies kit. It should last you and your family a minimum of three days.

Find information on ReadySanDiego.org.

Employees may also consider downloading our newest emergency app which has a mobile version of the family disaster plan and includes tips on what to do in eight kinds of disasters including earthquakes. It’s free and available at SDCountyEmergency.com.

After an earthquake …

  • Check yourself and then others for injuries.
  • Administer first aid if needed.
  • Check for fires and other hazards such as gas leaks.
  • If electricity is out, listen for updates on your battery-powered radio.

Ethics Hotline and Website Available to Employees

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Doing the right thing has always been a priority at the County. It’s even reflected in our seal, “The noblest motive is the public good.”

Promoting an ethical workplace just got more convenient, too.

Employees who suspect fraud, waste, abuse or other questionable activity can report it anytime by calling the County’s Ethics Hotline (1-866-549-0004) or filling out a form online. Calls and complaints are confidential and can be made anonymously. Both the hotline and online forms are operated by independent, third party provider, The Network, and are back-up options if an employee either feels uncomfortable going to a supervisor, manager, Departmental Human Resources Officer or to the Office of Internal Affairs or their attempts to do so were unsuccessful. Existing Compliance and Office of Internal Affairs hotlines were recently combined to create an updated Ethics Hotline, which launched Sept. 18. The online reporting form is a new feature.

Both are part of the County’s Integrity in Action Program, which gives employees the tools and resources they need to conduct business ethically, honestly and in compliance with the law and County policies. Through the program, the County recently updated its Code of Ethics and created a Statement of Values.

So, what types of issues should be reported?

  •   Accounting Irregularities
  •   Theft of County resources
  •   Record falsification
  •   Intentional misuse of County equipment or property
  •   Violations of the County’s Code of Ethics
  •   Payroll fraud or time abuse
  •   Contractor and procurement improprieties
  •   Bribes and kickbacks
  •   Inappropriate use of procurement credit cards
  •   Gross mismanagement of resources
  •   Conflict of interest
  •   Other unethical or improper activities
  •   Health and safety violations

For more information, visit the InSite’s Ethics Hotline website.

County Latino Association Honors Ekard’s ‘Dedication to Diversity’

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CAO Walt Ekard accepts a new leadership award in his name from the San Diego County Latino Association Wednesday. The award was presented by Luis Monteagudo, a member of the association and Amber Tarrac, the association's president.

The San Diego County Latino Association praised CAO Walt Ekard Wednesday for his leadership and commitment to diversity with a new, annual award named after the well-respected top administrator.

The “Walt F. Ekard Leadership Award” will go each year to a County employee or a member of the association who “champions the cause of leadership and diversity.” Ekard, who plans to step down in December after 13 years as the County’s top administrator, said he was deeply honored by the recognition. He initially joked that he was “speechless—and that’s rare.” 

In accepting the award at the association’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Ekard said one of the great things he’d been able to do in his job was see what a diverse workforce looks like, the value of it and “how that helps us in our governance.”

“It’s been eye opening to some degree to see how much value that we should place in diversity of the workforce,” he said.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts and Vice Chairman Greg Cox also presented the association with a proclamation honoring Hispanic Heritage Month as Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

In presenting Ekard with his award, association member Luis Monteagudo, who serves as Cox’s Director of Communications, said diversity is sometimes used as a buzzword.

“Walt has not only talked the talk,” he said. "He has walked the walk.”

Monteagudo said Ekard had been a longtime member of the association, paying dues, attending events and supporting scholarship events.

“More importantly, he has taken his own time as head of the County, to meet with people, with employees, and encourage them to improve themselves,” Monteagudo said. “He really has championed diversity.”

Association President Amber Tarrac, who serves as a Policy Advisor for Supervisor Dianne Jacob, read aloud a quote by César E. Chávez engraved in the award: “If a leader cannot give it all, he cannot expect his people to give anything.”

Members also recognized numerous promotions within their ranks, national awards won by County departments and enjoyed food donated by Latino-owned businesses and supporters, as well as music and cultural exhibits in Bayside Rooms 1 and 2 of the County Administration Center.

Promoting Health Around the World

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Most people go on vacation to take a break from work. Sheila Rinker went to the Dominican Republic to continue her work: keeping people healthy.

Rinker spent one week in the Caribbean island where she gave de-worming medication to about 350 children and some adults. Rinker went there with two other nurses and four nursing students from San Diego as a volunteer for Children of the Nations International, which works in “poverty-stricken areas of the world to provide care for orphaned and destitute children.”

While in the Dominican Republic, the group spent their time educating children on good hygiene practices and adults on how to obtain safe drinking water.

“It’s really rewarding to be able to go and work with children and families and just remind them, educate them on good practices to keep them safe and healthy,” said Rinker, a County public health nurse, explaining that she originally wanted to go to Haiti, but went to the Dominican Republic because the clinic there was more established.

“It’s quite a thing when you are able to see changes, even if they are small. It’s great to watch the kids show you how to wash your hands properly. They are sharing it with their parents and their siblings,” added Rinker, who did get to work with children in communities at the Haitian and Dominican Republic border.

Rinker, 35, worked as a County social worker and human services specialist for eight years before deciding to take a break to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She got her degree from Cal State University San Marcos and returned to work as a social worker in February of this year.

 

In July, she transferred to Oceanside when a position with the County’s Nurse -Family Partnership became available. The Nurse-Family Partnership program pairs a first-time mom with a registered nurse, who makes regular home visits throughout the pregnancy and until the child’s second birthday.

 

“I always wanted to be a nurse, but circumstances in my life prevented that,” said Rinker, adding that “I really like the program that I work in right now. I think they are doing wonderful things and I am proud of it.”

This is not the first time Rinker has worked with children and communities in impoverished countries. On a trip to the tiny African nation of Lesotho, she worked with HIV and Tuberculosis patients, as well as pregnant women in community clinics and villages.

“I have always been interested in international nursing. Their methods and the way they carry out nursing is very different,” Rinker explained. “Sometimes they are not able to do things because of lack of supplies.”

Is another working vacation on the horizon?

“I would like to go back to Haiti,” Rinker said.  “It’s a great way to combine the two things I love which are nursing and travelling.”

Caught - Wearing "I'm Committed to Safety" Wristbands

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Have you been wearing your "I'm Committed...to Safety" wristband? A WSSH safety team spotted these employees sporting the accessory on Tuesday. In recognition of their efforts to help spread the safety message, the employees got gift cards for Subway sandwiches. That's on top of reaping the rewards of being more safety conscious.

Employees are encouraged to wear the wristband anytime, but especially on Tuesdays, because more workplace injuries occur on that day than any other.

Elinor Weed of Agriculture, Weights and Measures 

Bonnie Wheeler, Ian Hudson and Ruth "Tracy" Ellis of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

Edith Heaton and Mazen Stevens of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

AWM's Cameron Guyot, Charles Gross, Tim Breuninger, Colleen Carr, Linda Feeley and Vince Acosta.

Armando Belenzo and Belinda Rushton of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

Saiqa Javed, Stasi Redding, Gemma Bilog, Suzanne Raymond, Jose Arriaga, Marco Mares, Nestor Silva, Nick Basinski and Abdel Amador, all from AWM.

 AWM's Ruth "Tracy" Ellis

 

 

Employees Can Enroll in HR Benefits Starting Monday

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New health care options available during open enrollment Oct. 1-22

Employees will have some new health care benefits to choose from when open enrollment begins Monday.

In addition to the four health insurance plans now available, providers Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente are each offering a new “high-deductible” health plan. Under these new plans, monthly premiums will cost less, but employees will pay higher deductibles. A video summarizing the new plans is available on the Open Enrollment website.

Employees can use new Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with the high-deductible plans which will allow them put pre-taxable income in an account for health-related expenses. These accounts, which will be provided by Wells Fargo Bank, are similar to the Flexible Spending Accounts that have long been used, but with some additional benefits.

Account balances can roll over from one year to the next rather than clearing at the end of each calendar year. Employees can also earn interest on their account balances and deduct money for medical, dental, vision care and for prescriptions using a debit card.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) will still be available to employees, but with some changes. The IRS is now capping the amount employees can put into their FSA health care account at $2,500 out-of-pocket, which is half of the current $5,000 dollar maximum. Those with excess Flex Credits can contribute up to $5,000 to an FSA, again with a maximum of $2,500 out-of-pocket.  

Charts that compare all of the benefits are available for review here.

A new tool called a Medical Plan Cost Estimator is also available that allows employees to estimate how much they would pay annually under different scenarios.

For more information on open enrollment and the County’s benefits, visit the Open Enrollment website.