Turn Concepts Into Solutions at IT Innovation Expo

An HP presentation at a previous IT Innovation event.

Hey, what’s the big idea? Come out to the Information Technology Expo on Tuesday, July 19 to discover what new technologies and solutions may greatly enhance how your department runs.

The County Technology Office along with Hewlett Packard and AT&T are hosting the annual Information Technology Innovation Expo to showcase apps, e-forms, crowd sourcing applications, online mapping platforms and other solutions that may be used to improve work efficiency, customer service and public outreach for the County.

There will be numerous expo booths showcasing both concepts and available products you can get your hands on. Stop by from 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesday at the County Operations Center to try out the tools and brainstorm ways these innovations could be applied to improve County business functions. The expo will be held in the Chambers next to the cafeteria at 5520 Overland Ave.

This year’s Innovation Day is themed around the Olympics. And in the Olympic spirit, presentation tables will be competing head-to-head for the “gold” innovation medal. However, attendees will be doing the judging for the best concepts through their mobile phones.

While it’s all about the tech, you don’t have to be a geek for it to spark good ideas for your business. Here are just some of the concepts being presented at the 2016 IT Innovation Expo.

•  Come build your own virtual reality. With “VR” goggles, it is possible to experience anything, anywhere. Explore the solar system, swim in an aquarium or journey into a patient's brain.  Imagine you are at a concert – but you are onstage with the artist. You can look at them, look at the audience, look up and down and behind you. Your smartphone tracks your head motion and allows you to turn around in all directions, to be fully immersed in the virtual reality environment. 
• The Library of Things is a service offering items –things- that may be checked out by members of the community. The criteria for checkout will be determined via a verified lending agreement form and active library card. Available items for checkout will be funded through grants and private donations. Some examples of items: GoPro, video games, projector and even musical instruments.
• ArcGIS Online is an online mapping platform that allows you to use, create, and share maps, apps, dashboards, data, analytics and more. The platform provides the means to create spatial data, perform analysis, and share spatial products and reports in a collaborative environment. The County is currently using this platform for a multitude of projects supporting emergency planning and response, public health, public safety, and general public information access. But where else can it be used?
• Mobile phones provide County employees and citizens enormous benefits, but in meetings and events, they can be a source of distraction. Rather than do the impossible and attempt to stop participants from using their phones, Sli.do does the opposite and encourages meeting and event participants to utilize their mobile devices to drive conversation and interest. With Sli.do, you can host online events and poll up to 1,000 unique participants, pull in related tweets, and present the polling data live during an event/meeting. Participants may also choose to ask questions, anonymously or named, to further drive the discussion.  

County Employee Appointed to Superior Court Bench

Presiding Judge Jeffrey B. Barton (left) swore in Frank Birchak (right) on July 6

Deputy Public Defender Frank Birchak is on the move – to the other side of the bench. Birchak, 42, was appointed to a judgeship in the San Diego County Superior Court.

Birchak, whose final day at the County was last week, spent 12 years with the Public Defender’s Office. He was first assigned to the Alternate Public Defender’s in 2004 where he represented parents and minors in cases with child victims.

In 2008, he was transferred to the downtown section of the Alternate Public Defender’s Office and soon became the division’s large-scale financial crimes specialist. He handled cases involving multimillion dollar theft and fraud.  And in 2010, his role expanded to include serious and violent felonies, and homicides with special circumstance.

Birchak was then appointed director of training for all divisions of the Public Defender’s Office in 2014. In addition, he worked on issues related to Prop. 47, police body camera evidence and Electronic Communications Privacy Act waivers.

“The hallmark of Frank’s tenure with this office has been his singular devotion to the causes of our clients and his unrelenting pursuit of excellence,” Public Defender Henry Coker said in an announcement email.

Birchak was sworn in on July 6 and started his new post Monday. He’s uncertain which court he will be assigned to—such as civil, criminal, family or juvenile court.

“It’s a new challenge and it’s really exciting,” Birchak said. “There are a lot of great judges that I’m proud to call colleagues now.”

Pokémon Go Fever Felt at County Parks and Libraries

Days after its release, Pokémon Go has already become a viral sensation—including at County facilities.

If you (or your child) have not already downloaded the app to your smartphone, here’s a rough idea of how the game works: Using your phone’s GPS, a game screen indicates the location of Pokémon fictional characters nearby. It switches your phone to camera mode and inserts images of the characters into the real-world scene you’re viewing through your camera. Then you can “catch” the Pokémon.   

Already the creatures have been spotted at County libraries, Waterfront Park and at the County Operations Center.

Tag your Pokémon finds at County locations with #SanDiegoCounty. If you’re at a County park, don’t let your enthusiasm take you off the trail. 

Probation Staff Rally Around Sick Co-worker

Probation Officer Barry Calabrese, center, is flanked by Probation officer Art Mejia and Brian Day.

Supervising Probation Officer Barry Calabrese is at work most days at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility. Several co-workers take it upon themselves to check up on him several times during the day to make sure he is hydrated and getting some nutrition.

That’s because Calabrese has terminal kidney cancer.

“I go to work as much as I possibly can. I like my job and I like the people I work with. It’s a very supportive job. The people I work with make it a supportive place,” says Calabrese, 53, who has been with the department for 17 years. “Probation is a family and I truly mean it. I don’t just say this lightly.”

Calabrese says after receiving his diagnosis from his doctor in early 2015, he went to his supervisor and stepped down from his job as acting division chief for medical reasons. His doctor had given him just two to three months to live without treatment, he says. He has sought the best treatment available since that time, including a trial at the City of Hope in Los Angeles. At that time, many of his co-workers pledged they would take time off to drive him back and forth to Los Angeles, but recently his doctor told him the treatment was no longer working for him.

“It’s just kind of an emotional roller coaster for most of us here,” said Mindy McCartney, division chief for East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, of Calabrese’s health. “But he’s amazing because he’s so strong and positive. He comes to work and he works every bit as hard even when he’s in pain or not feeling 100 percent. Nothing has changed as far as his work ethic.”

Early on, McCartney says she and a small group of Probation staff who are close to Calabrese got together after work and made a plan of what they wanted to do for him and his family. They have since held various barbecue lunch fundraisers, a “blueBarry” pancake breakfast fundraiser, and sold T-shirts, rubber bracelets, and window stickers in support of him.

Retired Senior Probation Officer Delmont McClain, officers Claudia Legorreta and Julie Abdala model the BC style T-shirts made for Calabrese at a recent bbq lunch.She says it has brought their department together in many ways because Probation offices are spread out throughout the County, but many from all around make it a point to come out to East Mesa to have lunch together and raise money for Calabrese.

Through the San Diego Probation Officers Association, they set up an account for Calabrese. They have also donated portions of sales for a Dodgers-Padres game. The POA helped sponsor the recent American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and formed a team of up to 50 Probation staff for the 24-hour walkathon, says Ernie Susi, POA president.

Part of the Relay for Life Probation team that walked in for Calabrese and other Probation family members.He notes that while Calabrese’s fight with cancer initially inspired the team, they learned that several other Probation staff are also going through similar battles, and they walked in their honor as well.

Ultimately, they raised approximately $5,800 for cancer research, Susi says.

The walkathon was held from 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25 through 10 a.m. Sunday, June 26 at a Chula Vista elementary school. This year’s theme was Star Wars, so the Probation team had T-shirts made up that said “Stop Cancer. May the Cure Be With You.  Probation Strong,” said Susi. Others showed up in their “BC” T-shirts to support Calabrese.

Deputy Probation Officer Kelley Breman, who has been touched by cancer, designed this cardboard car for one of the legs of the walk-a-thon.Calabrese attended the event and says the amount of support is “tremendous” and he is overwhelmed by his co-workers’ generosity and kindness to him and his family.

“The department has helped me have a positive outlook,” he says.

Calabrese says he stays positive because he believes it helps him in his cancer fight, and he adds, his alternative is to be miserable and then no one would want to be around him.

Calabrese and his daughter Megan attended the Relay for Life event in support of the team.

Yet, he is also matter-of-fact about his health and says the last four months have been especially tough as the treatments are no longer helping to alleviate his symptoms and he has lost considerable weight.

“It is what it is,” he says of his diagnosis. “A lot of people are going through this. You can’t be afraid to die. I’m good with God and me and my family. The good thing with cancer is you have time to get things in order. The people in Orlando they didn’t have time.”

Another group shot of the Relay for Life team who walked to raise money for cancer research.He says he can’t imagine how other people who are battling cancer can cope without support from their family and friends.

“If I had a regular office job where no one was supportive of me, I’d probably be home on medical leave,” he says.

Summer Slam Salad Winners Announced

Mercedes Neder making her Watermelon Surprise

Ten employees participated in the Grand Summer Slam Salad Cook-Off at the County Operations Center Plaza last month in an effort to become the County’s top (salad) chef.

The contestants used fresh produce provided by the Farmers Market Stand and had 30 minutes to “shop” and prepare their delicious dishes in the live showdown. The scrumptious summer salads were judged on taste and presentation.

The top 5 finishers for the 2016 Summer Slam Salad Contest were:

• 1^st Place: Mercedes Neder, Probation
• 2^nd Place: Virginia Exner, Human Resources
• 3^rd Place: Kevin Till, Edgemoor
• 4^th Place: Ieecha Harvey, California Children’s Services
• 5^th Place: Daniel Cajina, Access Center

Mercedes Neder, an administrative analyst, took first place with her mouthwatering Watermelon Surprise recipe. The flavorful salad is full of butter lettuce and juicy fruits, and then topped with a summery dressing and colorful garnishes. The dish is great for any picnic or summer dinner party. And if the summer heat is not enough for you, Neder offers a spicy option to bring more zest to the award-winning dish.

So do something sweet for your friends and family--bring this summery salad to your next get-together.

Virginia Exner making her Gondola Garden Delight recipe.

Mercedes’ Watermelon Surprise

Ingredients:

• Several butter lettuce leaves
• Pinch of basil
• 1 nectarine
• 1 mango
• ½ inch slice of pineapple
• 12 strawberries
• 3 tablespoons watermelon jelly
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• Handful of almonds
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• ¼ yellow bell pepper
• Optional: chopped jalapeño and a grate of ginger 

Directions:

1. Chop butter lettuce and basil. Add to large bowl.
2. Add cubed nectarine, mango and watermelon.
3. Add sliced pineapple.
4. Add quartered strawberries.
5. In separate bowl mix watermelon jelly and apple cider vinegar to make dressing. To kick it up a bit add finely choppedToss on salad mix.
6. Garnish with almonds, feta cheese and diced yellow peppers.

 Contestant Kevin Till makes a fruit-filled salad.

Probation Officer Honored for Dedication

San Diego County Chief Probation Officer Adolfo Gonzales (left) congratulates Probation Officer David Pittman at the San Diego Police Officers Association award ceremony.

San Diego County Chief Probation Officer Adolfo Gonzales (left) congratulates Probation Officer David Pittman at the San Diego Police Officers Association award ceremony. No matter the hour or day, he can be counted on to answer his work cell phone when it comes to the 40 to 50 offenders in his caseload. It is also not uncommon for Officer David Pittman to be invited to and attend treatment program graduation ceremonies for offenders under his supervision.

Pittman, 54, works in the Post Release Offender Division as part of its community supervision unit in the North County region. He has been with Probation for nearly five years and is co-located with Oceanside and Carlsbad police departments, working closely with those officers and monitoring offenders with extensive and sophisticated criminal histories.

He was recently honored by the San Diego Police Officers Association at its Peace Officer of the Year ceremony in which they select and honor an officer from every law enforcement agency.

“Officer Pittman sets himself apart as a leader across units and divisions. Many of his peers recognize him as an authority for casework matters, as well as field work,” said Supervising Probation Officer Fernando Uribe. “He is a mentor and an inspiration to many, including his supervisor.” 

He adds that officers often consult with Pittman for his field tactical knowledge which stems from an extensive professional career and training at the state level where he served as an instructor and in specialized field operation teams.

Pittman has provided training to other agencies’ sworn and non-sworn staff on general probation practices, as well as the intricacies of AB 109. 

His professionalism and dedication is also noted by the offenders he works with and his approach to their rehabilitation plans.

“I have seen firsthand the pride and appreciation in the smiles displayed by the offenders when they see Officer Pittman present during those ceremonies.  Simply put, perhaps in a life with not many achievements, they want to share their success with their PO,” said Uribe.

In Touch – Our County All-Stars

This month, San Diego will have a moment in the national spotlight when Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game comes to town. It’s the first time the Padres have played host since 1992. The sport’s top players will be here, and it’s a thrill for fans to see all that talent gathered in one place.

I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest baseball fan. But all the hoopla and tradition and attention is a lot of fun.

And what I can really relate to is a celebration of the best of the best. Recognition of outstanding performance plays an essential role in our organization. It’s one of the five parts in our General Management System that we use to run the County.

So in the spirit of the game, I’d like to name a few of our own “County All-Stars.” Some heavy hitters recognized throughout the year that I want to bring back out for a bow.

Before I dive in, I’ll note that there’s that other big July event in San Diego: Comic-Con. If that’s more your thing, you just go ahead and substitute “superhero” for “All-Star.” Onto our lineup.

Each year, the Deputy District Attorneys Association recognizes outstanding prosecutors. This past year, they named five: David Grapilon, Marisa Di Tillio, Michelle Ialeggio, Scott Pirrello and Kristie Nikoletich. These dedicated people spend their days – long days – digging into the details of the most horrifying stories you can imagine. Murders, child torture, organized crime, elder abuse. Public safety is our top priority at the County, and the tenacious and tireless work of these prosecutors in bringing criminals to justice is making us safer.

The County has long stressed using the power of technology to make us more efficient. We highlight successes with IT Innovator awards. Nominations last year included things like a centralized system for controlling energy use at multiple County facilities, a tool that lets nurseries schedule agricultural inspections online, and the use of tablets to assess accessibility at polling places.

The IT Innovators of the Year were John Taylor and Leah Taylor – no, they’re not related – who came up with an app for Agriculture, Weights and Measures pest collectors. It lets them map where they find invasive insects on a smartphone, rather than using paper logs. A tip of the cap to John, Leah and everyone working on ways we can take advantage of new technology.

Who wants to wade into tense domestic situations and make judgment calls that could radically change people’s lives? That’s what social workers do – every day. Some of them somehow find the energy to keep giving to the community once their work day is done. Each year, a social worker receives the Jay Hoxie Award in recognition of their commitment to volunteer service. The most recent winner was Brent McCloud, who does volunteer work with at-risk youth in Mexico, as a coach in Escondido, in a juvenile diversion program, with the homeless, and more. Again, that’s on top of his job! Four additional nominees for the award were Cesia Alvarado, Brittany Alanis, Leticia Abrego and Monica Bonilla. You want to talk community engagement – these folks are really showing us the meaning of thrive!

Did you make a “colorful choice” or “dare to stair” this past year? Thousands of employees have participated in the fantastic variety of activities offered in our Employee Wellness Program. Of people who joined at least six of the programs, 77 were chosen as Wellness Champions. These employees are setting a great example and we’d all do well to – literally, maybe – follow in their footsteps. A quick shout-out as well to Wellness Coordinator William Erese for putting these activities together and making the path to better health fun.

Fact of life for a big public agency: we regularly get sued or threatened with legal action. County Counsel is there to defend us, and we couldn’t ask for a better team of lawyers. The office’s George Brewster recently got the San Diego County Bar Association’s award for Outstanding Service by a Public Attorney. That was for both his work here, overseeing civil lawsuits and claims, and a variety of service in the community, including advocacy for the developmentally disabled and affordable housing. Just one attorney gets the award each year, so it’s quite an honor for George, and we’re lucky to have him.        

I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see the way our Customer Experience Initiative has taken off and everyone showing their commitment to HEART. Even though it emphasizes direct and immediate recognition at the department level, we did want to recognize examples of customer service excellence at the County level. So we came up with the HEART of Service award. The first winner was a group of 18 people from Child Support Services who launched a program that regularly puts caseworkers at several library branches, even into early evening hours. It’s difficult for many of their customers to get to Child Support’s central office. Having options on location makes it much more convenient for parents, which ultimately makes the department’s work to support children more effective.

OK, that’s just a very few of the outstanding performances I see from our County workers, daily, all year long. You’ve heard athletes say in a million post-game interviews: it was a team effort. That’s the story for us as well. I’m glad to give a much-deserved spotlight to a few people here, but I know they’re part of, and supported by, a much bigger team. Another day, other people will come up big and make our highlight reel. We’ll celebrate their successes because they’re our success.

Giving out 17,000+ high-fives just isn’t going to work in person, but I’m sending you each a virtual one here. Thanks for all you do to help the team – and let’s play ball!

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We Need to Talk... About Mental Health

What Inspires You?

Employees Encourage Others to 'Love Your Brain'

June was Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. To help bring awareness to the cause, some employees set up a variety of activities to encourage brain health. The following was submitted by employees of the North Central Family Resource Center.

Since June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, the NCe Live Well Committee went “purple” to support and honor our relatives and/or friends who have been affected by the cause.

NCE Live Well Committee constructed a wall in a common walking area that included some facts about Alzheimer’s from ALZ.org and we laid out cards for people to complete to show why they went purple for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness.

We also had North Central FRC complete mental workouts in order to “love your brain” by completing a crossword puzzle from for a chance to win a prize and just challenge themselves!

“Did you Know?!” fact sheets were also sent to the office that included sources from alz.org on what type of foods to eat to boost your brain health and tips and information on “10 Ways to Love Your Brain.” This also included how to achieve key lifestyle habits not only for your brain, but for your overall wellbeing.

We are very proud of this project and learned a lot about brain health!

Audacious! Employee Treks 222-mile Trail in 7 Days

Eric Gerhardt had let himself down. He was falling behind in one of his goals: to hike the John Muir Trail straight through in just one week without re-stocking on his supplies.

To the average person, this goal might seem lofty, nearly unattainable. But to the Housing and Community Development IT analyst, the challenge of it is what’s so fun.

“Everyone approaches a long-distance hike for his or her own reasons, and with a different set of standards or personal rules,” Gerhardt said. “There is an acronym hikers often reference during long-distance hikes, HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike).”

So that’s what he did. After completing the John Muir Trail two years ago in 9.5 days, with a pit stop in Mammoth Lakes that included a night in a hotel, the avid hiker recently set out to achieve his original audacious goal – and did it. He trekked the 222-mile trail solo in just seven days. Or six days, 21 hours, if you want to get technical.

“The official JMT is 211 miles and runs from the Mt. Whitney Summit to Yosemite Valley,” he said. “However, the Whitney Summit is 10.5 miles from the Whitney Portal Trailhead so most people just include these miles in the JMT total – there is no tram to the top of Whitney.”

This time around, though, there was no resupplying and no hotel nights.

For those looking in, the most grueling part might seem like the 51-pound pack he carried (it weighed 30 pounds at the end of the trip). But for Gerhardt, the hardest part was actually the snow. In fact, it was so treacherous that the 11-year County employee almost turned back after the first day of his May 30-June 5 trip.

The Muir Hut, located on the John Muir Trail

“Ideally, you would get over the pass just as the snow began to soften from the warming day,” Gerhardt said. ”Too early and it’s icy and dangerous. Too late and you’re post-holing (sinking into the snow with each step), sometimes up to your waist – post-holing is extremely tiring.”

Because of his aggressive schedule, Gerhardt needed to go over two passes on most days. This meant going over one in the morning, which was ideal, and one in the afternoon, which was not.

“These afternoon passes tested my physical stamina and mental drive to go on. The third and seventh days were probably the toughest. I would sink into the snow about six inches on good steps and three feet on bad ones – exhausting,” he said. “There were also sections of flat trail following the contour line along a mountain slope that was made much more difficult with continual snow drifts of three to six feet deep. Instead of walking a level path, I’d have to climb up and over these drifts while trying to avoid sliding down the slope.”

While the experienced hiker pushed through the snow, the solitude wasn’t lost on him. He was grateful for the quiet alone time and said it was a challenge to talk to other hikers when he came across them.

“Going alone, I get to make all decisions without compromise or collaboration… This level of independence really appeals to me in the outdoors,” Gerhardt said.

By night four of the journey, Gerhardt was starting to get behind schedule and knew he had to hike to make up some lost miles.

“As I lay in my tent that night, I wasn’t sure it was possible to cover the nearly 80 miles between me and Yosemite Valley in two days. But I found motivation in two places. One - I had worked really hard to cover the 140-plus miles behind me and didn’t want to waste that effort. And two - I was ready to get back home and eat some hot food.”

Gerhardt wound up waking at 3 a.m. and hiking 35 miles on day six. On day seven, he woke at 2 a.m. and hiked 43 miles. He finished the journey at 11 p.m. on day seven.

Though the short trip was “certainly an audacious goal” for Gerhardt, he said it came with years of careful planning and the ability to adapt – perhaps an insider tip for us and our own audacious goals.

“The process of achieving the goal started many years ago. I needed to develop the necessary skills and build a level of experience,” he said. “Once on the trail, I had to be adaptable… Finally, I had to motivate myself and really push my limits to stay within the timeframe I had set for myself.”

Gerhardt has more upcoming hiking challenges planned, including a long trail in New Zealand and hiking each of the 11 peaks in California over 14,000 feet.

Just for fun - records kept by Gerhardt during the hike:

Day 1 (May 30):

• Started hiking at 1:40 a.m.; ended at 4:22 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 21.8

• Passes/summits: Whitney, Trail Crest

Day 2 (May 31):

• Started hiking at 4:20 a.m.; ended at 8:35 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 29

• Passes/summits: Forester, Glen

Day 3 (June 1):

• Started hiking at 4:33 a.m.; ended at 8:24 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 27

• Passes/summits: Pinchot, Mather

Day 4 (June 2):

• Started hiking at 3:30 a.m.; ended 9:10 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 35.5

• Passes/summits: Muir

Day 5 (June 3):

• Started hiking at 5:55 a.m.; ended at 7:47 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 26.3

• Passes/summits: Seldon, Bear Ridge, Silver

Day 6 (June 4):

• Started hiking at 3:17 a.m.; ended hiking at 8:30 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 34.7

• Passes/summits: none

Day 7 (June 5):

• Started hiking 2:13 a.m.; ended at 11 p.m.

• Miles hiked: 43

• Passes/summits: Island, Donohue, Cathedral

PerkSpot Alert: Save on Theme Park Admission

Cheetahs at the San Diego Zoo

You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy a day at a theme park. And as a County employee, you can enjoy some savings, too! Get discounted admission to Aquatica San Diego, LEGOLAND California, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and SeaWorld, through PerkSpot.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts to County employees through hundreds of service providers and retailers from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Using PerkSpot is both easy and free! Simply go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to complete the registration process.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.