Celebrate Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage All Month Long

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The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees kicked off Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the County Operations Center May 2. The employee resource group had guest speaker Cathlyn Choi, from Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen on PBS Food, food samples, resource booths and several performances.

See a photo gallery from the kickoff.

The event was the first of many planned for this month:

Learn more about APACE on InSite.

PerkSpot Alert: Canvas Prints for Mother’s Day

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Turn your photos into a memorable Mother’s Day gift while saving money. Easy Canvas Prints is offering up to 85 percent off canvas prints when you shop through PerkSpot. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Order now so mom can proudly display a family photo printed on canvas on her big day—May 13.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers, from movie theaters to florists and jewelers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

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

TED Talks: Lead Well to Live Well

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Nick Macchione, Director for Health & Human Services Agency, showed two TED Talk videos on improving lives through purpose and passion at the County Operations Center Tuesday.

“Every individual has gifts and talents that can make a lasting impact,” said Macchione. “However, only a minority of people utilize those gifts and talents to live up to their full potential. Tying your gifts and talents with your personal purpose not only leads to a more successful career, but a significant one.”

Watch the videos, review Macchione's notes, and join in on the conversation:

With help from some surprising footage, Derek Sivers explains how movements really get started. (Hint: it takes two.)

Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership starting with a golden circle and the question "why?"

What do you think makes a good leader? Tell us in the comment section below.

Employees Encouraged to Wear Green…Ribbons

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The County would like for you to go green. Wear a green ribbon that is.

Lime green is the national color for mental health awareness and more than 17,000 green ribbons will be made available to County employees for Mental Health Awareness Month, which is celebrated every May.

Furthermore, Each Mind Matters—the California Mental Health Movement—is donating 100 kits that will be sent, along with the green ribbons, to County human resources offices, family resource centers and some community partners. The kits include a wall display, posters, green wrist bands, key chains and other education materials.

“Whether you wear a green ribbon for a day, a week or during the entire month, you’ll be helping to raise awareness about mental illness,” said Alfredo Aguirre, director of the County’s Behavioral Health Services for the Health and Human Services Agency. “When people feel more comfortable with their mental illness diagnosis, they are more likely to seek the help they need.”

The goal is to help people feel comfortable having open conversations about mental health challenges and to encourage them to get help, either for themselves or a loved one.

Here’s how you can get involved and show your support:

  • Create awareness by wearing your lime green ribbon and talk to your family and friends about why Each Mind Matters to you.

  • Add your name to the lime green ribbon wall if there’s one in your office.

  • Visit It’s Up to Us to learn more about how mental health stigma affects some of us and what you can do to help change the perception of those struggling with a mental illness.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help, call the County’s Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240. Non-crisis resources for staff are also available through the County’s Employee Assistance Program at (888) 777-6665 or by visiting its website.

Register for (and Save $ On) the Live Well San Diego 5K

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As County employees, we all play a part in advancing the Live Well San Diego vision through our work. You can promote that vision and have fun with friends and family by joining Live Well San Diego’s signature event.

Now in its 5th year, the 2018 Live Well San Diego 5K and Kids 1-Mile Fun Run will bring thousands of San Diegans together on Sunday, July 29 in support of a healthy, safe and thriving region.

In partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank, this year’s event will celebrate the hero in all of us with a superhero-themed race and activities throughout the morning.

Registration is now open! County employees, family and friends receive a $5 discount on registration. Please use the code “CNTY5.”

Save more by registering now. The early-bird rate runs through May 14.

Get all the event details and register at LiveWellSD5K.com. 

Volunteer to be a Poll Worker

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The June 5 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be here before you know it, so the Registrar of Voters is looking for poll workers now. That’s where you come in. The Registrar looks to County workers first for help.

County employees are valued for their experience working with the public and their excellent customer service skills.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed and the County may give you paid time off for your service. Many employees put together teams with coworkers or family and friends.

Like all poll workers, County employees are paid a stipend to cover expenses associated with this volunteer assignment unless they are unclassified managers. Stipend amounts vary from $100 to $150 with supplements for assigned languages and other requirements. County employees who volunteer may also get approved release time to attend required training.

All volunteers will also get a chance to wear their red, white and blue duds, spend the day getting to know neighbors and fulfill a sense of civic duty at the same time.  

For more detailed requirements, type of positions and stipend amounts, read the County Employee Poll Worker Application and Questions and Answers.

For more information, contact County Employee Poll Worker Coordinator Jean.Vukotich@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 505-7241.

New Way to Get Connected to the County

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Have you ever found yourself trying to explain to someone what exactly you do? Maybe what the County does? We have a way to help show off all of the great services we provide – and it’s as simple as pushing the “play” button.

Every month, the County Communications Office puts out videos about the awesome work your departments are doing – from adoptable pets to reviving historic routes to highlighting librarians. And then we package it up in an easy-to-share (and watch) show – County Connection.

The show was recently revamped, rebranded (it was originally called County Chronicles) and features some of the past month’s best videos. The short show (we keep it under 15 minutes) also plays out on our TV station. Yup, we’ve got a TV station.

But if TV isn’t your thing, we recommend watching each month on County News Center. And if you find a particular episode interesting, or maybe one that features your department or a colleague, share it around! Help us teach the region how they’re connected to the County!