Protective Services Worker Colleen DeLost captured this stunning sunset outside the North Inland Child Welfare Services office in Escondido with her phone.
Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite most Fridays.
From Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer
County Team,
The rapid developments in the spread of the new coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, stepped up dramatically in the last day, across the country and for us here at the County.
We are moving into uncharted territory. But it is also a situation we have long considered and planned for. We have tremendous staff who for weeks have been working tirelessly and coordinating with agencies across the region to protect the public and our workforce, too. However, we’ve reached a point where the impacts of the outbreak are going to be far broader across San Diego.
Our County Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten, has announced measures to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The practice is called “social distancing.” Essentially, keeping people apart. The measures include bans on large gatherings – those of more than 250 people. Smaller events are allowed if people can be put more than six feet apart from each other.
There are even tighter restrictions for higher risk groups, which includes anyone over 65 years old. They should stay out of gatherings of more than 10 people.
Also, the County announced five additional local cases of COVID-19, bringing the local total to six. We expect that to increase in days ahead. The potential for a wider outbreak in San Diego remains very real. You can find more details about the cases and the social distancing efforts in this County News Center story.
The implications of these actions are far-reaching and disruptive. We know that in times of uncertainty, residents look to their government for guidance and reassurance. We need to be able to provide as much continuity as possible. We’ve done this through other emergencies, and we’ll do so again.
Many of you have questions about our operations and County policies and procedures. Our Human Resources department has put together a list of FAQs that addresses many of these. A link will stay on InSite, and it will be updated as needed.
Also, when possible, more of you may be asked to work remotely. The County Technology Office created an IT Remote Access guide (link on InSite homepage).
A quick reminder on steps to avoid getting sick:
Wash your hands often and thoroughly. We can’t say it enough. Watch this video to make sure you’re doing it correctly.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
You also should make sure you and your family are prepared. The coronavirus-sd.com website has lots of information on preparing as well as guidance for our many community partners, and the latest information.
The near future will be very demanding and require much flexibility. You have shown me time and again that you’re ready for all challenges, and I have no doubt you’ll rise to this one. You’re capable, hardworking, dedicated and experienced.
We’re likely in this for a while. Take care of yourself, look out for each other. As one County, and one community, we’ll be much better positioned to pull through this.
Nearly 700 County employees entered to win a delicious cookie-gram from CAO Helen N. Robbins-Meyer. The sweet opportunity drawing was part of Employee Appreciation Day.
The winner is Cynthia Sanchez, an administrative secretary with Probation. The cookies will be delivered at a future date!
The County announced the first local presumptive positive case of COVID-19. A woman in her 50s developed symptoms after traveling overseas. County health experts emphasize the risk to the general population continues to be low, but everyone should take precautions to protect yourself from getting and spreading respiratory disease, like thoroughly washing your hands.
Get additional resources and the latest information at CountyNewsCenter.com and coronavirus-sd.com.
The Office of Ethics and Compliance from L to R: Garrett Stanton, Sumi Lee, Jennifer Baillie, Claudia Silva, Todd Hood, Shannon Kirn, Denise Alvarez-Negrete
Doing what is right is not always easy. Luckily, we have a team that leads our commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards. The Office of Ethics and Compliance guides us with an emphasis on program oversight, education, training, monitoring and reporting.
The small but mighty office recently added a new position with an expanded focus on compliance. With several new faces, meet the chiefs that lead our commitment to what is written on the County seal “the noblest motive is the public good.”
Claudia Silva is the director of the Office of Ethics and Compliance. Silva was appointed the director in January of 2019 after having served two years as assistant county counsel. She oversees the development and implementation of the County’s ethics and compliance program and is the CAO liaison with the employee resource groups. Prior to joining the County, she worked in two other local city attorney offices providing legal advice on a wide range of matters.
Her favorite part of her job is working with the OEC team on carrying out new initiatives that are taking the County’s ethics and compliance program to the next level.
In her free time, Silva is active in Girl Scouts. She is a troop leader and serves in other leadership roles with the organization.
Silva has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCLA and her law degree from USD. She is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics.
Jennifer Baillie is the chief ethics officer for the County of San Diego. She has been in her position with OEC for over 9 years and has been with the County for almost 18 years. Baillie assists with developing and implementing the County’s ethics program and conducts investigations into complaints filed with OEC, the County’s Civil Service Commission and other governmental agencies.
Her favorite part of her job is training staff on ethics-related topics and working with employees throughout the County.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and outdoor activities.
Baillie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in Psychology from National University. She is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics, Ethics and Compliance Initiative and Associated Certified Fraud Examiners.
Todd Hood is the County’s new chief privacy officer. Hood joined the County in August 2019. He has been a privacy professional for the past 15 years. Prior to joining the County, Hood managed privacy programs for a data management company, a financial services institution and a managed care organization (health insurance).
His favorite part of the job is working with employees to prevent the impermissible access, use, and disclosure of personal information that is entrusted to all departments of the County of San Diego. Hood also serves as the County of San Diego ADA Title II Coordinator.
In his free time, he serves in leadership roles in five different nonprofit snow sports organizations committed to serving youth and adults in underrepresented communities, as part of the Far West Ski Association.
Hood has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University and a master’s degree in international finance from the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics.
Sumi Lee is the County’s new chief compliance officer. Lee joined the County in October 2019. As chief compliance officer, Lee is part of the team that develops and implements the County’s ethics and compliance program, which includes investigating complaints of improper government activity, such as contractor fraud and conflicts of interest. She has been a compliance professional for the past 8 years. Prior to joining the County, she was the regional director of ethics and compliance for a publicly traded trucking corporation overseeing the Western Region. Lee brings experience in the public sector as a former deputy county counsel, public defender and alternative public defender.
Lee enjoys the wide range of employees and departments she can positively impact in implementing the ethics and compliance program.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, yoga and international traveling.
Lee has a bachelor’s degree in economics – Summa Cum Laude from Mills College and her law degree from JFK School of Law. She is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional and member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics and member of the Associated Certified Fraud Examiners.
Now that you’ve met our Office of Ethics and Compliance chiefs, it’s time to learn more about doing the right thing. Take an online Ethics 101 class. The video training can be found on LMS by searching for “ethics.”
Learn even more by visiting the Office of Ethics and Compliance on InSite to review the Code of Ethics and Statement of Values and find answers to frequently asked questions.
In addition, you should mark your calendar for the Ethics Awareness Month Information Fair on March 26. It will be held at the County Operations Center Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 29 departments are scheduled to participate. Plus, there will be free goodies, music and more. Ethics Awareness Month is a great time to focus our attention on ethics in the workplace.
County employees who suspect or are aware of fraud, waste, abuse or other misconduct by other County employees, contractors, vendors or other business partners have an obligation to report such activity to their immediate supervisor, manager, department head, Department of Human Resources or Office of Ethics and Compliance. If you’re not comfortable with any of these options, or would like to make an anonymous report, the Ethics Hotline is always an option. Call (866) 549-0004. And remember, you are always welcome to call the Office of Ethics and Compliance for advice and/or guidance.
CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer has a video message for you on this Employee Appreciation Day. Keep in mind, gratitude is contagious. Take a few minutes today to share your appreciation with a co-worker — send a thank you email, call or tell them in person how much you appreciate them and all they do.
We’ll be sharing videos, photos and notes of appreciation from managers across the County on InSite today. Keep checking back for new additions!
To Central Payroll Administration Team,
Many thanks for all your hard work!
Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
Bernadette Javate, Manager, Auditor & Controller, Central Payroll Administration
County Communications Office and friends
“Thank you Jose, Suzanne, Katie, Tom, Gig, Tracy, Dawn, Kent*, Autumn, James, Raquel, Garlyn, Michelle, Lesley, Andy*, Yvette and Jose for framing our messages beautifully and keeping us picture perfect! We appreciate everything you do and that you do it so well!”
-Mike, Tammy, Tegan
*Joining via Photoshop!
Cookies are a sweet way to say thank you. On this Employee Appreciation Day, enter the opportunity drawing to win a delicious cookie-gram from CAO Helen N. Robbins-Meyer.
A winner will be selected at random and notified on Monday, March 9. Robbins-Meyer will personally deliver the cookies to your office at a future date!
Gratitude is contagious.
Share the thanks with a fellow County employee today — send a thank you email, call or tell them in person how much you appreciate them and all they do. 🙏
County employees joined a Consumer Protection Fair on Wednesday at the County Operations Center. If you didn’t make it, you can still learn about your consumer rights and making well-informed decisions about money. Visit sdcawm.org for consumer tips or ftc.gov/ncpw.
From Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer
County Team,
I want to provide another update on the County’s preparations in response to the coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19.
First, I want to thank all of our employees who have been working tirelessly on this issue – coordinating with the CDC and our partners as evacuees from China spent two weeks in quarantine at MCAS Miramar, conducting tests for the disease in our Public Health lab, coordinating with agencies across the County to make sure our region is prepared – your hard work and dedication is incredibly appreciated.
While currently the risk of infection is low, we are ready to respond to keep our community safe and healthy, and that includes you. We want to make sure our employees are protected, and our organization is prepared as the situation develops.
Each department has a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), which includes a pandemic plan. It ensures we can continue to deliver core services should our workforce be impacted by the virus. Make sure you’re familiar with your department’s COOP, and if you have questions, discuss it with your management team.
Our health and emergency preparedness experts have additional recommendations:
Take steps to avoid getting sick.
One of the most effective ways is also one of the easiest. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. Watch this video to make sure you’re doing it correctly.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then wash your hands.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
There’s no cause for panic, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared.
Store a two-week supply of water and food.
Check your regular prescription drugs to ensure an adequate supply in your home.
Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand.
Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them for personal reference.
Have the same supplies on hand for your pets – food, water, medications, records and other things they may need, like a leash or bed.
Consider child care needs. Have a plan to care for children if schools or day care facilities are closed.
Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
We will continue to keep you informed and update our plans as the situation develops. You can also get the latest information on our website at coronavirus-sd.com and by following the County on social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for doing your part to protect each other and our community.
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