Don’t Snooze on This Deal

If you’ve been dreaming about a better night’s sleep, PerkSpot has some great discounts on a variety of mattresses. Take advantage of one of these offers—you’ll rest well knowing you saved money.

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 Viewing with April Heinze

Do you bring your authentic self to work? At a special lunch and learn event, April Heinze, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the Community Services Group, led a discussion on bringing our authentic self to work and supplemented it with some motivational videos.

“It is vital that we recognize not only our authentic self but others as well. We must deal with eliminating stereotypes we place on others and the unconscious bias we may be having,” Heinze said. “It is the only way that we will achieve safe inclusive spaces at work where we can all contribute our best to the County team!”

Heinze showed several videos ranging from TED Talks to a Heineken Commercial to a corporate diversity promotional video, all emphasizing that it takes a certain vulnerability to show our authentic selves – it takes courage.

Watch the videos and join in on the conversation:

• Uncovered: Finding & Being Authentically Myself at Work | Suezette Robotham | TEDxBeaconStreet

• This New Heineken Ad is Brilliant #OpenYourWorld

• What does my headscarf mean to you? | Yassmin Abdel-Magied | TED

• Salesforce- Proudly Me

Immunization Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Public Health's Immunization Program celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by having an afternoon break of nachos and snow cones (raspados) for staff.

"This is one of the many ways that our department brings awareness about diversity and inclusion," said Kimberly Pettiford, who is the department's Diversity and Inclusion Champion. "It’s also a way to increase staff engagement, enhance morale and support team building."

Lunch and Learn: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

The next Employee Wellness Lunch and Learn offers employees a chance to understand more about how military life affects the service member and their family and friends. “Understanding the Unique Needs and Stressors Associated with Military Life and Transitioning into the Civilian World” will take place:

• Where: County Operations Center, 5530 Overland Ave., Room 124

• When:  Wednesday, Sept.  19

• Time: noon – 1 p.m.

• Please bring your own lunch

Timothy Mathues, Veteran Outreach Program Coordinator at the County Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, said this Lunch and Learn is particularly important to our veteran employees as it will provide valuable resources for the veterans and their families. The session will include a discussion with panelists who represent several nonprofits and will have a question-and-answer period.

Sign up for the lunch and learn session now.

Employees requiring an accommodation should email DHRWellness.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

If you are unable to attend the lunch and learn, there are still resources available to you. The County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs provides benefit information and assistance, plus other support to San Diego County veterans and their families.

The County also offers Courage to Call, a service that lets veterans talk directly with a fellow vet who knows what it means to serve and can connect the caller with help. You can call 2-1-1 or visit the website to use an online chat.

In addition, VALOR, an employee resource group, is open to veterans, military families and patriotic supporters.

TED Talks with Deputy CAO April Heinze

Join Community Services Group Deputy Chief Administrative Officer April Heinze for a lunch and learn on "Bringing your Authentic Self to Work." Bring your lunch and come ready to watch, interact and connect with County colleagues on how we can bring our authentic selves to work while creating a safe and inclusive space for individuals to be themselves and to be free from stereotypes and unconscious bias.

• What: "Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work" TED Talks

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 18, noon-1 p.m

• Where: 5520 Overland Ave., County Operations Center, Chambers

County Counsel Employee Finds Joy in Running – A LOT of Running

Joy Nagal will tell you she’s a late bloomer when it comes to running. But boy did she blossom. Fresh off an international Half-Ironman – that’s a 70.3-mile distance triathlon comprised of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run (half marathon) - the legal secretary with County Counsel has added the huge accomplishment to her long list of brutal and intense races.

“Believe it or not, I wasn’t always a runner!” Nagal said. “Nine years ago, I was approaching 40 when I started running.”

And running. And running. And running.

The Philippine-born racer got the itch after her friends invited her to the Silver Strand Half Marathon in Coronado back in 2009. She only did the 5K, but those three miles are all it took to get her hooked. She graduated to a 10K the next year and a couple weeks after that she braved the Carlsbad Half Marathon.

Nagal and her husband in the Phillippines for the Ironman 70.3 in Cebu.

“It was painful, yet it was the most exhilarating feeling.  Of course, with very little training and not much running experience, I was slow, and it took me nearly three hours to finish,” she said. “I remember I had a hard time walking for almost a week, and I couldn’t go up and down the stairs! Despite that, I knew I wanted to do it again.”

So she did. She signed up for four more marathons that year and even became a member of a national running club in which she had to complete three half marathons in 90 days to qualify for membership. And finally, in 2010, she found a local running group in her community to be a part of.

“They were serious runners, they were fast, and they didn’t just run to ‘finish,’ rather, they ran competitively,” said Nagal. “They were ‘out for blood’ to place or podium in their respective age group division. That’s probably when I started taking running more seriously.”

The local group had structured and regular trainings, which helped Nagal become a better runner. Her times started improving, and the group provided inspiration and motivation to place in races. She says the improvement didn’t happen overnight – in fact, it took years for her to shave significant time off her races. But it’s those small goals that keep Nagal going.

Nagal and her husband in the Phillippines.

“I loved that feeling of accomplishment each time I attained my goal,” she said.  “Although I was getting older, I was getting better and recovering faster as well; not to mention I was more energized, and also feel great about myself. “

Perhaps one of Nagal’s biggest running influences is her husband, Josef, whom she met in 2011 at the Carlsbad Marathon and was also part of the national running club Nagal joined. Sef, as Nagal affectionately refers to him, is the reason behind her audacious Ironman goals. He’d been training for his first full Ironman when they met in 2011 and Nagal had been intrigued in doing a duathon, which excludes a swimming portion.

“He knew I had the desire, so he introduced me to the Triathlon Club of San Diego and took me to their beginner open water swims in Bonita Cove.  I couldn’t swim from buoy to buoy; I would panic and hyperventilate,” she said.

But Nagal got stronger in the water and has since completed an Ironman and a few half-Ironmans, including one in the Philippines this August – a trip she referred to as a “racecation” because she and her husband both flew out to their home country to compete in the grueling competition and then enjoy some time alone on a belated honeymoon.

“Cebu was by far my best race experience.  Filipinos really know how to put on a show, the hospitality is amazing, and the amount of support is just incredible, unlike any other races I’ve done,” she said. “ You literally get treated like a rockstar!”

Nagal and Sef enjoyed sightseeing after their big race.

“We went snorkeling in the beautiful beaches of Coron/Palawan; canyoneering at Kawasan Falls; swimming with whale sharks in Oslob; and Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Bohol,” Nagal said. “It was amazing!”

The now-veteran racer and her husband were instrumental in establishing a local chapter of the Fil-Am Tri Club, San Diego region in 2012 (Filipino-American Triathlon Club), which originated in New Jersey.  They’re still active and involved in the group and hope to run many more races together in the years to come, including more in their home country.

“Perhaps we will have another reason to visit the Philippines again, and do the other races in either Davao or Subic,” said Nagal. “We also have on our bucket list Challenge Roth triathlon in Germany.”

For now, Nagal’s short-term goal is to re-qualify for the Boston Marathon (yup, she ran that already in 2016) or to qualify for the Chicago Marathon. She will be participating in the NYC Marathon in November.

The runner also said that she hopes her story of finding her extracurricular passion late in life might inspire other employees out there, noting that the County of San Diego is constantly promoting wellness.

“You’re never too old to set a new fitness goal.  I was never athletic, and I never thought I would be labeled as such, let alone become a triathlete. It wasn’t until I was forty when the athlete in me was born.  Now I’m approaching my 50th birthday in March 2020, and I have more goals to achieve, and dreams to fulfill,” Nagal said. “If you have the drive, the determination and motivation to put in the hard work, you can achieve those goals, but you have to make the decision to start and believe in yourself. “

Camp Connect Experience Uplifting for HHSA Nurses

Splish, Splash! Over one hundred local foster youth frolicked in the pool, rode horses, raced each other down the zip line and created memories with their brothers and sisters at the 10th annual Camp Connect, a program that provides experiences for siblings separated by their placement in the foster care system.

While the kids stay active with nature-filled activities, nurses are needed to tend to any bumps, scrapes, splinters or tummy aches and medications are provided throughout the day and night. And HHSA Public Health Services nurses volunteer every year to do those duties at camp. 

“I wasn’t sure what to expect at Camp Connect, but I am so glad I was there,” said Amaya Seastrand, a Central Region nurse supervisor who spent the four days at camp with the youth.

“These kids have been through so much and being part of something that brings them together with their siblings made my heart fill with joy.”

Some of the children may have diabetes or asthma and need increased attention and monitoring. Oftentimes, they have experienced challenges and trauma, and look forward to spending time with their siblings.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Paulina Bobenrieth, South Region Public Health Nurse Manager, an annual volunteer at Camp Connect. “Everything the nurses and social workers do is to give the kids the best experience of their lives.”

“The nurses go to where the kids are playing and provide what’s needed in the most gentle way. It’s inspiring.” 

In addition to this event, Camp Connect provides monthly opportunities for siblings to remain connected while in foster care. The camp is made possible through a partnership between HHSA and a local non-profit, Promises2Kids, along with dozens of volunteers from across the county.

2019 Open Enrollment Is Coming

Open Enrollment for County employees is coming Oct. 1 through Oct. 25. Visit the Open Enrollment website to learn more about the 2019 benefit plans and review the Open Enrollment Guide. 

There will be a series of Open Enrollment Fairs at County facilities. Provider representatives will be on hand to answer questions. See the schedule.

If you have any questions, reach out to your Benefits Ambassador.

Happy National Payroll Week!

National Payroll Week is Sept. 3-7 and is meant to recognize and celebrate the contributions of workers throughout the United States and the payroll professionals who make sure employees are paid timely and accurately.

Check this out—there are about 250 payroll professionals Countywide who work towards processing over 475,000 paychecks a year. That’s a lot of checks!

Our County payroll professionals were recognized Tuesday at the County Operations Center with a proclamation from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The proclamation commended our payroll professionals for their outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to payroll, and declared the Labor Day week to be “National Payroll Week” throughout San Diego County.

View a photo gallery of the event and see your payroll professionals here.

Score a Deal on USD Soccer Tickets

Huddle up for details on discounted University of San Diego men’s soccer tickets. County employees, family and friends can purchase $2 tickets for the men’s soccer game on Sept. 13 as part of San Diego County Employee Night. Tickets are normally $5.

The match against Cal State Fullerton kicks off at 7 p.m. at Torero Stadium on USD’s campus.

Purchase your tickets now.