The San Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization has partnered up with the Padres for a fundraiser! Join CECO for exclusive seating at the July 30 game against the Rockies. Tickets are $45 and are an easy and fun way to support CECO!
Complete the order form and payment by July 16. A portion of every ticket sold will go directly back to CECO.
For any questions/comments, please contact sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Library staff at the 2019 Pride Parade.
ERG Member and County Library Director Migell Acosta reminds employees that the County Library has curated a “Celebrate Pride!” reading list in their eBook collection. View the reading list here.
Updated July 12, 2021: This event will now take place at 10:30 a.m. on July 16.
Join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group on July 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the east entrance of the County Administration Center for Shine Bright With Pride: a brief ceremony and raising of the Pride Progress flag to mark the occasion of San Diego Pride.
All are welcome. For more information, contact lgbta@sdcounty.ca.gov
Additionally, the County Administration Center will be lit up in rainbow coloring during the weekend of July 16. San Diego Pride is hosting numerous community events throughout the region in July. More information on those can be found at sdpride.org/events.
Happy 4th of July weekend! The County Administration Center was lit in red, white and blue Saturday and Sunday nights in celebration. Have a safe holiday.
As part of the County’s efforts to ramp up its green fleet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Department of General Services’ Fleet Management team held an EV Ride and Drive Event at the County Administration Center Thursday. They arranged to have a half dozen battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles on site for department employees and the public to learn more about and test drive.
As of April, the County has just over 80 of both these kinds of electric vehicles but wants to get more departments to transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles, said Michael Rico, Fleet Acquisitions Coordinator. The biggest challenge Fleet Management has is helping others overcome electric vehicle range anxiety, but the office is happy to work with any department to discuss their current usage and battery electric versus plug-in electric range, he said.
Range has significantly increased since electric vehicles were first introduced. Now, an electric vehicle can have up to a 200-mile range, and a plug-in electric hybrid can get between 25 and 45 miles range before switching over to the gas engine.
The County currently has chargers at the County Operations Center, the County Administration Center, the Santa Ysabel Nature Center, Palomar Airport, Sheriff’s Headquarters, the North and South Bay regional centers, the Ramona and Fallbrook libraries, Gillespie Air Field and various other County facilities. General Services is also working on expanding the charging capabilities to more facilities.
Jim Gamboa, fleet coordinator of electric vehicles, said all electric vehicles are competitively priced to gas engine vehicles, and departments will save on costs for fuel and vehicle maintenance.
County departments were given an opportunity to test drive and learn about a Chevrolet Bolt, four seater battery electric vehicle, a Ford Mustang Mach-E sedan, a Ford Escape Plug-in electric hybrid SUV, and a Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan. More models are currently available to order and a Ford E Transit commercial van and a Ford F150 Lightning pickup truck will be available to order in the near future.
Sarah Aghassi, General Manager for the County’s Land Use and Environment Group, test drove the Mach-E and said she is interested in getting one for her next personal vehicle.
David Flores, a senior policy advisor on land use and environmental justice in Supervisor Nora Vargas’ office, who test drove the hybrid minivan, said, “First, it’s just extremely quiet, and it’s very, very smooth. It’s easy to understand the controls and see how much battery power you have.”
To learn more about how to transition to an electric vehicle, contact Nicole Alejandre, Assistant Director for the Department of General Services, by email at Nicole.Alejandre@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at (619) 405-5519.
Congratulations to all four County Groups and the departments whose innovative programs were awarded a National Association of Counties Achievement Award. Take a look at our 51 winning programs.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work. What have you learned from the last 15 months that will help you in the future? Watch this 8-minute TED Talk video for four key insights employers and employees alike gleaned from their shift to working from home.
Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduates. We want to highlight the grads from preschool to college.
Is there someone special you'd like to recognize from the class of 2021? If so, share a photo. Please include the grad’s name and your relation.
See the photos below!
Lilia Garcia, with Aging and Independence Services, bragged on her son Juan, who graduated from UC Riverside with his BA in English. He will attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law this fall.
Sharie Altomare, with the Library, brags on her son, Ian Altomare, recent high school grad from Bonita Vista High School.
Rose Trujillo, with Human Resources, bragged on her daughter Erika and son Kemal Weisdorfer, who both graduated from Point Loma University.
Gemma Delima, with the Lemon Grove Family Resource Center, bragged on her son Gerald Louis P. Delima, who graduated from University of CA, Irvine, with a BS Neurobiology and Behavior.
Sonya Higginbotham, with the Sheriff’s Department, bragged on her son Brayson Higginbotham, who graduated from Morse High School.
Ana Quilapio, with Child Support, bragged on her daughter Jasmine, who is Off to UCSD For college.
Melissa Turner, with Self-Sufficiency Services North Inland Family Resource Center, bragged on her daughter MARLEY BLACKMAN, who GRADUATED FROM WESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL.
Chelsea Ferreira, with the District Attorney’s Office, bragged on her sister Skylar Lozada, who graduated from San Diego State University.
Autumn E. Gusters, with the North Coastal Family Resource Center, bragged on her brother Asher, who graduated from Vista Murrieta High School.
Phyllis Johnson, a bookmobile driver for County Library, celebrated her nephew’s (Trey Alan Johnson) graduation from Dartmouth College majoring in Sociology.
Monica Reed, with the North Coastal Family Resource Center, bragged on her son Silas, who graduated from Kindergarten.
JESSICA DE JESUS, DAUGHTER OF NENETTE DE JESUS WITH AUDITOR & CONTROLLER, GRADUATED BSN, MAGNA CUM LAUDE FROM POINT LOMA NAZARINE UNIVERSITY.
Andrea Zarattini, with Public Works, bragged on Alessandro.
NOEMI A. CRUZ, WITH CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, bragged on HER SON RYAN AGUILERA CRUZ, WHO GRADUATED FROM UC SAN DIEGO WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE.
Cynthia Stewart, with Child Support Services, bragged on my daughter Emily Stewart, who graduated from Mesa College and will be continuing her bachelor’s in the fall at University of the Arts London.
Melissa Porter, with the Department of Environmental Health and Quality, bragged on her son Ethan Porter, who graduated from University City High School. He is a recent Eagle Scout and is Heading to the California Maritime Academy in the fall.
Cynthia Popenhagen-Bonilla, with Child Welfare Services, Bragged on her niece Alejandrina Camacho, who graduated from high school and is on her way to SDSU!
DENNIS AND LUCY TATOY, BOTH WITH THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, ARE VERY PROUD OF THEIR SON JAKOB TATOY, WHO GRADUATED FROM ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL. He Is off to USC.
Geraldine Gibbs, with Health & Human Services Agency, bragged on her son Christian Keith who graduated from Cal State University San Marcos
DAvid Mullen, with Behavioral Health Services, bragged on his daughter Mary Mullens. she graduated from Clairemonth High School.
Sharon Lenane, with Public Works, bragged on her neice Arianna Culla, who graduated from River Ridge High School.
Josephine Young, with Public Health Services, bragged on her daughter Marissa Joy Williams, who graduated from Helix High School.
Francis Juacalla, with HHSA Psychiatric Hospital, and Jessica Juacalla, with HHSA Behavioral Health Services, bragged on their son Frans Theodore Juacalla, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame.
Marigold Santos, with Child Welfare Services, bragged on her daughter Cassie, who graduated from UC Davis. She will be pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at SDSU in the Fall 2021.
Sabrina Powell, with the Sheriff's Department, bragged on her daughter, Leticia Arellanes and Debora Arellanes, with HHSA, bragged on their niece, and Cristina Garcia from Human Resources bragged on her niece Taylor Hicks. She graduated from UCI Irvine with a BA in Criminal Justice and Economics.
Angie Garcia, with ARCC, bragged on Jacquelyn Garcia, who graduated from high school.
Lillie Anderson, with Child Welfare Services, bragged on her daughter Leilani Anderson, who graduated from Clairemonth High School, She will be attedning SDSU.
Kym Hodge, with Oublic Health Services, bragged on her son Teak Hodge. He graduated from Georgetown University.
Rebecca De La Torre, with Probation, Bragged on her son Ryan Coulter. He graduated from kindergarten.
Sheila Steel, with Child Welfare Services, bragged on her daughter Angela Renee Steel, who graduated from the University of La Verne.
Claudia Silva, with the Office of Ethics and Compliance, bragged on her daughter Gabriela Silva, who graduated from the University of Chicago. She is now pursuing her masters at the University of Notre Dame.
Felice Navarro, with Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch, bragged on Abby Navarro, who graduated from preschool.
Jessica Luna, with the Central Region-Southeast Family Resouce Center, bragged on her daughter Desiree Luna, who graduated from high school, and her son Nathan Luna, who graduated from kindergarten. Desiree is headed to Point Loma Nazarene.
Anita Lightfoot, with HHSA, Bragged on her daughter Aliza Workman, who graduated from Poway High School and is Headed to UCLA.
Eileen Quinn-O’Malley, with Behavioral Health Services, bragged on her son Seamus O’Malley, who graduated from San Diego High SChool Internalal Studies. He will be attending Cal Poly SLO.
Elba Amador-volner, with Child Welfare Services, bragged on her neice Marissa Nicole Hansen, who graduated from USC.
Galen Rowe, with the Polinksy Children’s Center, bragged on his daughter Kiana Rowe, who graduated from Fresno State with a masters in social work.
Jo-Ann Gomez, with Auditor & Controller, bragged about her son Jan Gabriel Gomez, who graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Minor in Urban Studies and Development.
Zainab AlDoori, with ARCC, bragged about my daughter Shames AlDoori, who graduated from Rancho San Diego Elementary School.
Diana Davis, from Housing and Community Development, bragged on her son Wyatt. He graduated from Preschool.
Celeste Graham, with California Children’s Services, bragged on her son Brandon Worth. He graduated from Carlsbad High School and will attend Cal State Long Beach.
Sandra Perez, with the El Cajon FRC, bragged on newphew Josh. He graduated from Cornell and will be attending the Unversity of Chicago for his masters.
Terilyn Cunanan, with the Public defender, bragged on her husband that graduated from Unviersity of Arizona Global Campus.
Joanna Richardson, Daughter of Ian Richardson with facilities management and Estivali Richardson with Auditor and Controller, Promoted from Joan Mcqueen Middle School. She is on her way to Granite Hills.
Crystal Skerven, with Child Welfare Services, celebrated the graduation of her daughter Alexis Skerven from Cal State San Marcos.
Toni Torres, Manager with Child Welfare Services, bragged about her daughter, Sirena Torres’s graduation from Humboldt State University. She plans on pursuing her Master’s degree at the University of Minnesota.
Irma Diaz, Human Services Specialist, bragged on her Daughter Samantha Amaral. Samantha graduated from the University of Phoenix.
Anna Nguyen, daughter of Diane Nguyen with Auditor & Controller, graduated from our Lady of Peace High SChool. she is going to SDSU.
Marcella Martinez, daughter of Melissa Martinez with Probation, graduated from Portland State University.
Savannah Mares-Olmeda, daughter of Shalissa Olmeda with Office of Homeless Solutions, graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School with Honors. She’s on her way to San Francisco State Univeristy majoring in Political Science.
Maebelle Guzman, with OES-County Fire, is proud of her daughter, Reanna Lei - Class of 2021 from Eastlake High School.
Miwa Pumpelly, with the Public Defender, celebrated her daughter Ariel’s graduation from UC Riverside
Lennie Fernandez, with ARCC, bragged on her son Nicholas from Colorado State University.
Ruth Reynolds, with Facilities Management, bragged about her son Nicholas Reynolds graduating from preschool.
Lorena Perez, with the Central Region Public Health Center, celebrated the graduation of Joshua Perez from Cornell University. He’s off to the University of Chicago.
Shaylynn Olivo, with the Office of Emergency Services, graduated from the University of Arizona Global Campus, and her son Gabriel Olivo graduated from West Hills High SChool.
Erika Hernandez, with ARCC, bragged on her son Yosiah Murillo, who graduated from Middle school.
Magelyn Zaratan, with Public Health, is proud of her daughter Mariza Celine Zaratan, who graduated from San Diego STate.
Amanda Joyner, with ARCC, bragged on her daughter Adalynn Joyner graduating from kindergarten.
Judy Tjiong-Pietrzak, Sr. Park Project Manager, and Michael Pietrzak, Project Manager with General Services, celebrated their daughter Sharon Onggo’s graduation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sharon will be pursuing her PhD at Johns Hopkins University in the Fall 2021.
Stephanie Rasmussen, with Auditor & Controller, celebrated her graduation from Western Governors University.
orena Perez, with the Central Region Public Health Center, celebrated the graduation of her Son Isaiah from USD.
DeBorah Brice, with Housing and Community Development Services, bragged on her son Parker Brice. he will attend Cal State Channel Islands.
Nessi Santos, with Child Support, Is proud of her son Errick-Michael Santos.
Lance Spellman, Adult Protective Services Specialist
Aging & Independence Services, with his stepson Brodee Prentice, who graduated from 8th grade.
Carlos Gutierrez, with TTC, and Alejandra Gutierrez, with Self Sufficiency Services, bragged on their daughter Sophia Gutierrez from EastLake High School. She is headed to SDSU.
North Coastal Public Health Office Assistant Laura Sanchez Morales graduated from Palomar College. She earned a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
David Mullen, with Behavioral Health Services, bragged on his daughter Maggie Mullen. She is transferring from Mesa College to UC Santa Cruz.
Salvador Rodriguez, with Facilities Management, and Josephina Rodriguez, with the Public Defender, celebrated the graduation of their daughter Valary Rodriguez from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Kerri Matheson, with California Children’s Services, bragged on Kayla Matheson. Kayla graduated will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo.
Juana Chavez, with ARCC, Celebrated the graudation of her son Leo Shermon from kindergarten.
Gerardo Gurrola, with TTC, celebrated his brother David graduating from St. Augustine High School.
Sofia Casanoa, with Self Sufficiency Services, bragged on her daughter Kassandra, who graduated from UC Irvine
Ashleen Quicho with Self Sufficiency Services gave a shoutout to her brother Austin Adam Navarro Quicho, who had graduated in 2020 but was only able to attend the graduation ceremony a few months ago due to the pandemic. Austin graduated from SDSU and is currently working for the County as a Housing Specialist.
Aida Patterson with Regional Self Suffiency, Bragged about her son Jonathan Jay Patterson. He graduated from SDSU.
Lisa Nugent, with Behavioral Health Services, Bragged on Her Daughter Gwen, who graduated high school.
Chentell M. Ingram, Human Services Specialist, Had Her Daughter Brooklyn promote from 5th to 6th grade.
Alison Richardson, Daughter of Ian Richardson with facilities management and Estivali Richardson with Auditor and Controller, Graduated from Granite Hills. She’s on her way to UCSD.
Elena A. Lepule, HR Services Manager with Human Resources, has two special graduates: her daughter Leiana Talo Lepule raduated from SDSU and Her son graduated from Olympian High School.
Heidi Plummer, Office Assistant with the
Southeast Family Resource Center, bragged on Her Son Ramon Gallegos. He Graduated from High School.
Danetha Wynn, Regional Self Sufficiency, had her daughter Aleece Thomas graduate.
Lari Petties, Senior Communicable Disease Investigator, bragged on her son Ramon Petties-Davis. He graduated from O’Farrell Charter School.
Lari Petties, Senior Communicable Disease Investigator, bragged on her neice Gianni Petties-Wilson, who graduated from SDSU.
Salvador Rodriguez, with Facilities Management, and Josephina Rodriguez with the Public Defender, celebrated the graduation of their daughter Valary Rodriguez from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Lilibeth Lumbreras, with APCD, graduated with a Masters from Dakota State University.
Donna Gehlken, with TTC, bragged on her son Nicholas Gehlken. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Politics/Latin American Studies and a minor in legal studies.
Dania Beltran, with behavioral Health Services, graduated with her BA in Social and Criminal Justice.
Carly Morales, with Deferred Compensation in TTC, bragged on her great niece Sage Lily who graduated from kindergarten.
Preston Isaiah Baxter, son of Ryan and Margaret Baxter, graduated from West Hills High School and East County Sea Cadets. Ryan Baxter works for FG3 as Group Program Manager and Margaret Baxter is a Social Worker with IHSS.
Yvette Urrea Moe, Communications Specialist, Bragged on her Son Evan who promoted to Middle School.
Jessica Demirdjian, with Department of General Services, earned her masters from USD in Accountancy and Taxation. Her puppy Jiji also graduated this year!
Ruby Garcia, with the South Region Live Well Center at National City, bragged on her daughter Lexus Garcia, who graduated from USD.
Carina Zamora, with Child Welfare Services, is the proud mother of Grossmont High School graduate Diego E. Zamora who will be joining the U.S. Air force in September 2021.
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:
Co-hosted a book discussion of A Beginner’s Guide to America on June 15 with the Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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