Celebrating PIDC in a New Way

The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees Association (CSDFEA) missed hosting the annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration (PIDC) this year – the music, the dancing, the food, the coming together of County employees at the County Operations Center to celebrate diversity. This year, CSDFEA celebrated in other ways:

1. Co-hosted a book discussion of A Beginner’s Guide to America on June 15 with the Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group.

2. Fundraised to provide a Filipino dinner for 60 participants at the Jewish Family Services Safe Parking Lot program on June 21. Shout out to all members for helping raise over $600.

3. Will be co-hosting the Amplify AAPI Voices Continued with the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) on June 30. If you haven’t registered, there’s still time! Register here.  The panel is Josyl Wong (CSDFEA President), Revannah Restua (APACE Treasurer), Samuel Tsoi (Office of Equity & Racial Justice), Jason Paguio (Asian Business Association of San Diego) and Benito Bautista (San Diego Filipino Cinema).

4. Last but not least, there is a PIDC trivia challenge. Test your knowledge about Philippine independence history! Five randomly selected challengers will receive a $20 gift card from CSDFEA. Everyone who completes all of the trivia questions (regardless of score) will be entered. The randomly selected participants will be announced July 2. Test your knowledge now – the trivia challenge closes at 5 p.m. on July 1.

Rewind: Creating a Space of Healing

Did you miss the Listening Session on Creating a Space of Healing on June 24? You can now watch the session focused on COVID-19 and social justice experiences.

Note: Resources referenced in this session include Behavioral Health Services and the County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which can be reached at 888-777-6665. In addition, our EAP’s My Strength program customizes mental health resources and programs for individuals. Sign up at MyStrength.com with COSD code 7374.

Life’s Stories

“A life story is written in chalk, not ink, and it can be changed. You’re both the narrator and the main character of your story.” Read more in this article in The Atlantic.

EWA Virtual Lunch & Learn: Retirement 101 Seminar

It's never too late to start saving! Join the Emerging Workforce Association (EWA) employee resource group for a special Lunch & Learn: Retirement 101 seminar featuring CoSD Deferred Compensation Representative Gina Ponce of Nationwide on June 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Ponce will share her expert knowledge on how to strategically plan for your envisioned future.

Learn about the various deferred compensation plans sponsored by the County of San Diego, and how you can start contributing today.

This informative seminar is absolutely free and open to all.

RSVP today to attend the event. Online event details will be provided to registered attendees.

Honoring Juneteenth

The County Administration Center was lit Friday and Saturday night in honor of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

Update on Face Coverings in the Workplace

The County is updating its face covering requirements for employees in County facilities to follow workplace guidance revised by Cal/OSHA Thursday. 

Starting June 18, anyone working in a County facility who is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 does not need to wear a face covering once they provide a confidential self-attestation document. All employees will receive an email with instructions. Vaccinated employees can choose to wear a face covering. 

Anyone who has not been vaccinated needs to continue to wear a face covering when in a common area, in a room with others present, or in the field. 

Additionally, under California Department of Public Health guidance, some County facilities still require masks regardless of vaccination status. These include healthcare settings, correctional and detention facilities, cooling centers, public transit and in transportation hubs, and indoors in childcare settings.

Employees who are not vaccinated can contact their doctor about receiving a vaccine or visit one of the County and County partner sites. There is no charge for the vaccine. 

See these FAQs for additional questions about COVID-19 prevention in our workplace. You can also contact your department’s human resources representative with questions.  

Share Your Voice in Upcoming Listening Session

We have collectively experienced a great deal of change over the past 15 months. It has been a year of shifting, evolving, and reconstructing what was into what is.

The D&I Executive Council and ERG Council invite all County employees to experience a form of healing by sharing our stories. They are hosting a listening session that will serve as an open space to share your experiences about the many ways our community evolved over the past year and how County employees may envision the next chapter of our journey ahead.

 Please join the virtual session from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24 to lend your voice and bridge our County community. Help spread the word by sharing the event with colleagues. 

·         Zoom Meeting Link: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/85056338853

·         Telephone: 669-900-6833

·         Webinar ID: 850 5633 8853

The History Of Juneteenth, And Why It Is Relevant Today

History matters. Listen to this short NPR podcast about the history behind Juneteenth and what it means at this moment. (Click the link or listen below.)

Read, listen and watch more in the D&I Digest.

Purple for World Elder Abuse Awareness

The San Diego County Administration Center was lit purple Tuesday night to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The County stands with San Diego seniors and their families to help them be on the lookout for any signs of abuse.

County Employees Thanked for COVID-19 Response

County employees were thanks for the COVID-19 response at the County Operations Center on Tuesday, June 15.