CAO Update for April 4

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

As we continue to work together in our COVID-19 fight, we have received tubular bandanas that will be made available for all essential county workers who are required to work outside of your homes. These bandanas are similar to neck scarves that should be pulled up to cover your mouth and nose as a facial covering whenever you leave your home. 

If you prefer to wear some other type of face covering, you are welcome to do so. But please – cover your nose and mouth. These new CDC guidelines are important, in addition to maintaining social distancing and washing your hands frequently.  

The tubular bandanas will be distributed through your department HR staff. Health care workers and first responders will receive additional protection equipment as determined by your specific assignment. Please check with your department leadership. HR has these additional guidelines on protective equipment and interacting with customers.

We’d LOVE to see a photo of you wearing your new stylish tubular bandana. So if you want to show off your beautiful new accessory, send to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

If you leave your place, cover your face! Hang in there everyone. You’re amazing!

Robin Barrett- Senior Assessment Clerk

April Mora- Assessment Clerk

Maria Gaxiola- Assessment Clerk

AMy Pinto, HHSA

Elene Y. F. Bratton, Program Manager, Behavioral Health Services

Alejandra Palafox, Homeless Services Central Region

Melanie Alvarado, Edgemoor Hospital

Sandra Quinonez, edgemoor hospital

Dr. rebecca ferrini, Edgemoor Hospital

Don Brown, Electrician, DGS

Rasheed Hassan, Julian Petersen and Pablo Picazo, Human Services Specialists, Centre City Family Resource Center

Kelly Bateson, EOC/MOC- Healthcare Provider Status Taskforce

Anita LightfooT, HHSA Executive Office

JAcob PArli, General Services

Lisa Lawrence, Homeless Outreach team

Ava Salunga, SheRiff’s Department

Luis Peris, Project Manager, General Services

McEmil Atendido, Sheriff's Department

Soly Yakhi, George Fay, Joanne Seo, Environmental HEalth, Food and Housing Division

Christopher G. Henderson, Solid Waste Site Supervisor, Public Works

EOC/MOC- Healthcare Provider Status Taskforce

Dianne Elaine Santos, Administrative Secretary I, Eligibility Operations,

Mary Quito, Communicable Disease Investigator, Public Health Services – HIV, STD & Hepatitis Branch

Lisa Storing, Senior Deputy County Counsel

Albert Candelaria, Auditor & Controller

Christina De La Toba, office of the public defender

Sulay Felix, Agriculture, Weights and Measures

El Cajon FRC

Reggie Angquico, Public Works

Centre City Family Resource Center Team – Eligibility Operations

Jennifer Sulangi, Housing Aide, Housing & Community Development Services

Rachelle L. Reyes, EO/DPC

Teresa Lemke, Human Service Specialist, Eligibility Operations

Cristina Alvarez, Housing and Community Development

Jose L. Mendoza, Jr., Senior Revenue and Recovery Officer, Office of Revenue and Recovery

Cecilia Campos, Recordable Documents Specialist II, Recorder/County Clerk

ERic Martens, Human REsources

Mike Brass, Senior Electrician, Department of General Services

Yunice I. Danque, Financial Services & Support Division, MAA/TCM Unit, Health & Human Services Agency

Nick Romero, PArks and REcreation

Lily Mabolia, Planning & Development Services

Jason Kuy, Land surveyor, DPW

Jeff Arsua, REHS, Registered Environmental Health Specialist ll

Monica Bahr, DHRO for Eligibility Operations

Anthony Calata, Administrative Secretary II
Eligibility Operations

Treasurer-Tax Collector staff

Sherry Brideau, Corrective Action Specialist – PS 1, Eligibility Operations

Brian Day, Supervising Probation Officer

Lynn Khuna-tarasak, Eligibility Operations – Contracts and Finance

Miezelle Espinoza, HR Analyst, DHR

Dea Tanciatco, CFE, Sr. HHSA Contract Auditor

Juan Zazueta-Valenzuela & Rosa Sotomayor Department of Agriculture Weights & Measures

Anna Lisa Acedo, Human Resources Services manager

Martha Bayer, PS II, Automation Coordinator, North Central Family Resource Center

Jenette Tan Catalan, Sheriff’s Department

Elizabeth Sarmiento,Office Assistant, Child Welfare Services

Dung Tran, Office Assistant, Eligibility Operations, Hospital & Community Support Services

Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Pamela Hunt, Eligibility Operations

Tina Bagsic, Department of Public Works

Rosimari Mejia, Office Of Strategy And Innovation

Steven Hoadley, Alternative Care Center Taskforce Support, Care & Shelter Branch

Molly McKinley, Administrative Secretary I, California Children’s Services

ANgel Hendrie of Cal Fire assisting in the Care and Shelter Branch

Jennifer Sieber and Anna Lisa Acedo, DHR

tim boncoskey, ARCC

Jerald A. Coleman, Information Technology Manager, San Diego County Fire Authority

James InGlis, staff officer, land use and environment group

Cynthia Truong, Human Resources Manager, Office of the District Attorney

X. Carolina Poblano, Corrective Action Specialist - PSI, Eligibility Operations

Luis Pedraza, Manager, ARCC

Liliana Iribe-Moreno, Protective Services WorkeR, Child Welfare Services-South Region

Mikel Haas, Chief Technology Officer

Michael F. Alaysa, Public Health Services, Office of Vital Records & Statistics

Michael Arce, Program Specialist I, Eligibility Operations-Appeals DivisioN

Hasti Javid, Environmental health

Aaron Morgan, Human Resources

Arleth Rubio, Foster & Adoptive Resource Family Services, Child Welfare Services

Julie Ann San Juan, Recordable Document Specialist I, ARCC

Ryan Clabo, Alternative Care Center Taskforce Lead, Care & Shelter Branch

Lori Ross, Child Welfare SErvices

Vince Kunkel, Insect Detection specialist II

Hyve Porcioncula, Environmental Health

Daniela Lembo, Communicable Disease Investigator, PHS

Roxanne Confer, Supervising Assessment Clerk, ARCC

Mikael Cabal, Administrative Analyst I, ARCC

Kenneesha Jackson, Administrative Secretary II, Public Health Services

Corina Aldaco, Probation

Cristi Page, Staff Development Coordinator, Department of Public WorkS

LisA LaWrence, Human services specialist

PHPR Warehouse Crew

Edgemoor Hospital

Tyler Eickholt, Public Heath Nurse

Denise Learned, Edgemoor

Naomi Kowalewski, edgemoor hospital

Steve Parli, General Services

PHPR Warehouse

Farnaz farhang, Environmental Health Specialist

Paola Giaquinto, Legal Support Services Supervisor I, Centralized Child Welfare Services

Mishelle Shaffer, Senior A&C Accountant

Behavioral Health Services - Fiscal Team: Sally Saluta, Junida Bersabe, Edd Urbano, Arnel Encabo, Marita Ambata, Jacquelyn Guthrie, Kim Moolmuang, Rene Santos, Hojin Kyung

Public Health Nurse Kathleen Johnson and nursing student Joy Brown

Probation Department’s RISE Court Officers Cynthia Gamboa, Terry Berman and Sarah Fahl

Kathleen Johnson and Jessica Gaylord, Public Health Nurses

CAO Update for April 1

Message from Helen Robbin-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

A lot of what the County does, even in normal times, is work with people in difficult circumstances. Specific, vulnerable populations that need our help. Then, in a crisis, our residents really look to us to get them through it.

Put those two facts together, and the message is clear. This really is our time to come through for the people we serve. We’ve all chosen public service. This moment has chosen us.

Since our COVID-19 response began, I’ve been constantly impressed and inspired by the ways County employees have stepped up. All of us need to do our parts. I know the nature of this public health threat can make some of us anxious. Those concerns can’t stop us from doing what we must do. If you are sick, yes, please stay home. Everyone else, we need to keep doing our jobs.

We are still at the outset of this emergency. We will continue to be challenged. What you’ve shown me over and over, is that rising to challenges is what I can expect County employees to do. It fills me with pride and with confidence in our ability to lead our community during this unprecedented period.

Thank you for answering this call to action.

Printed Paycheck Delivery

If your paper paycheck or advice is typically delivered to your office on payday, please read the important information below.   

Beginning payday April 3, 2020, your paper paychecks will be mailed to your mailing address on file in PeopleSoft. They will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service on Thursday morning prior to payday. This change will remain in effect during the County’s COVID-19 response.

As always, and even more importantly now, please make sure to update your mailing and/or home address(es) in Peoplesoft Employee Self-Service to ensure proper delivery. 

If you have questions, contact your Departmental Payroll staff.

If you receive direct deposit, this will not affect you.

Live Sessions on Mindfulness

Join a series of live, web-based mindfulness exercises that will help you focus, release tension and reset.

The sessions are a free benefit from your Employee Assistance Program.

Take the LiveWell@Home 30-Day Challenge

With stay at home orders keeping many of us at home, Live Well San Diego is ready to help you stay fit and socially connected. Join us starting Wednesday, April 1 for the LiveWell@Home 30-Day challenge!

To participate, follow Live Well San Diego on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram where they will be posting the daily challenges.

Update for March 30

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

A large part of our workforce is now teleworking, both to practice social distancing and to accommodate the family care needs brought on by the various closures.

For some of you performing essential work, telework is not possible. If you wind up sick or have family care needs of some kind, the County is offering new forms of leave as a result of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These are temporary, starting April 1 and running through the end of the year. Here are more details. The info is also posted on InSite.

We realize the shutdown orders are creating enormous challenges for many families. I greatly appreciate everyone’s flexibility. We are committed to working with all of you to help you through this time while still meeting our customers’ needs as best we can.

As always, stay well and take care of yourselves!

Update for March 27

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Our first full week working under our new normal is coming to a close. Many of our colleagues will continue the County’s COVID-19 response through the weekend, but for the bulk of employees, it’s time to recharge.

Our work has undergone a radical transformation, and with the stay-home order, weekends for a lot of folks are going to be different as well. It will take the same creativity and flexibility we’ve shown on the job, but with the right mindset, the time off can still be fulfilling and relaxing.

We have some resources we’re sharing with the public that I want to share with you, too. Like the rest of us, our Live Well San Diego team has quickly reshaped its approach to meet the current circumstances. Today they launched Live Well @ Home, a collection of suggested activities broken down by different age groups. There are physical exercises, a variety of online classes, mindfulness techniques and more. The tips and strategies keep us moving, even in this environment, toward the vision of healthy, safe and thriving.

Experts have stressed over and over that social distancing doesn’t mean socially disconnected. In fact, it’s more important than ever that you make an effort to reach out to others. The weekend is great for a long call or FaceTime with someone. It’s good for you and those you contact, who may also be feeling isolated. 

We’re still at the outset of this difficult period. Our best chance at shortening the time we need to do this is for everyone to rigorously follow the restrictions in place. I know it’s really hard. But at the moment, it’s how we’ll best realize our commitment to serving the public good.

Thank you for all your work. Continue to take care of yourselves and look out for each other.

Friday Photo: Rainbow Over the EOC

A full rainbow arched over the Emergency Operations Center in Kearny Mesa on Thursday morning. The rainbow appeared just as employees were reporting for their shift.

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 every Friday.

See the Friday Photo gallery.

Update for March 25

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Thank you for your continued efforts under difficult conditions to provide the best service we can for our customers. Your lives and work routines have been upended. It’s understandable to ask, “Is all this necessary?”

Yes, it is. I really recommend watching this video that explains why. It’s a few minutes, but it lays out in simple terms why it’s essential that we do everything we’re doing.

Most of us may not be in the role of our County and community’s amazing health care workers, but we can all absolutely play a part in fighting this virus.

Thanks for your cooperation, your flexibility, your dedication, your patience. 

Update for March 23

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

I want to thank you for all you continue to do to serve the public and your flexibility in the current environment. Our Emergency Operations Center has been activated as the nerve center for our response. Many of you who aren’t involved there have asked what that looks like. Well, I’d like to give you a quick peek behind the curtain.

First of all, it follows an Incident Command System, which is a highly structured way to organize used whenever there are large-scale emergencies. Dozens of your co-workers have been assigned roles in this system. They are located at the EOC and surrounding conference rooms with phones and computers working hard to keep our region safe and healthy.

The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with a health screening at the door. Then everyone takes their places carrying out a variety of critical roles. They fill supply requests from our local hospitals. They help procure hotel rooms to house people who need a safe place to isolate. They arrange all of the support systems those rooms need like food, supplies, transportation, and cleaning. They field dozens of calls from the public and the media on how to access information and services. They connect information between public health, law enforcement, and logistics coordinators. They manage communications and coordinate response actions with the business community, other local governments, and schools just- to name a few.

And this is all done with things changing moment to moment. Orders are issued at various levels of government. Needs change as the virus spreads. Supplies run low and shipments come in. Any change can set off a chain reaction. It’s a constant challenge to keep everyone up to date with the latest information and make sure we are prepared to respond. 

In addition, there is the planning. We plan for having to keep at this for a while, and for the needs of the community, as the number of positive tests increase. We maintain a comprehensive website so the public can find the information they need to be informed and prepared.

This is the pulse of the emergency response, and it is awesome to watch our team rise to the occasion and use their skills in this defining moment. In many cases they are putting their personal lives on hold to serve our region.

At 7:00 p.m., or 19:00 hours as we say in emergency management, the shift ends. The Duty Officer keeps watch throughout the night until we are back up to full speed again at 7:00 a.m.- and this happens seven days a week. In fact, there’s so much going on that I need to cut back on the frequency of these mails to you. I’ll be in touch regularly, but a step back from daily.

I know it is tough to maintain operations while your co-workers are responding elsewhere. This is our charge as disaster workers. As one County Team, we’ll handle both roles- operations and response- with the amazing work you always do.

Thanks for all your incredibly hard work!