Light the Way
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The County Administration Center is lit in blue and teal tonight to join Rady Children’s Hospital “Light the Way” campaign. It’s to show support for children who have to spend the holidays in the hospital.
Employees Required to Wear Masks in County Offices
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Starting Dec. 15, employees will be required to wear masks when working indoors at County facilities, regardless of their vaccination status.
The new face covering requirement follows the guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued Dec. 13. The County follows CDPH’s guidance. The indoor face covering mandate is scheduled to last at least through Jan. 15, 2022 and will be reevaluated.
Employees will be required to wear masks, except when eating or drinking, or if working alone in a private office.
Exceptions also apply in these circumstances:
People with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a mask.
People who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
People for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by workplace safety guidelines.
CDPH issued the new requirements in response to the increase in cases and hospitalizations in the state and the detection of the new Omicron variant. Face coverings are also required for all visitors in County public offices.
According to CDPH Guidance, “a face covering includes a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers that covers the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck collar, single layer of fabric or any mask that has an unfiltered one-way exhaust valve.”
SDCLA Shares Leadership Conversation Resource List
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The San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group recently shared a leadership conversation resource list of books, podcasts and articles to guests that attended their two leadership workshops held during Hispanic Heritage Month. The resources were recommended from presenters at the workshops they sponsored.
Take a look!
You can also enjoy a recent podcast interview with SDCLA board members about the organization, its purpose and plans for 2022. Listen here.
Know the Code: Gifts and Gratuities
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By the Office of Ethics and Compliance
The holiday season is a time of giving, making December a great time to highlight the Code of Ethics requirements regarding gifts and gratuities and how to stay on the right side of the holiday spirit.
The County is committed to ensuring its services and operations are provided honestly and fairly. The County's Code of Ethics makes clear it is improper to accept, or appear to accept, any gift or gratuity from contractors, vendors, or customers in exchange for a service, favor, privilege, or benefit that would not have otherwise been provided. While the giver's intent in these situations is almost always innocent, accepting these gifts could result in an actual or perceived conflict of interest for the employee. We never want to give the impression of accepting a gift in exchange for special treatment. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts would question the employee’s integrity or impartiality as a result of accepting the gift.
During the holiday season, clients, customers, contractors, or vendors may offer gifts, such as holiday dinners, fruit and wine baskets, gift cards, or concert tickets, as a thank you for your assistance throughout the year. The County reminds our vendors and contractors that rather than offering gifts, the best “thank you” is having them complete a customer service survey or sending a note of thanks.
What should you do if someone offers you a gift? Most importantly, know your department policy. Be aware and mindful of the potential for a perceived conflict of interest. When appropriate, kindly decline the gift or return it to the sender if possible. Items such as floral arrangements or boxes of candies or cookies can be shared with your department in a common area. Remember, you should inform your supervisor of any inappropriate offers of gifts, and if you are a Form 700 filer, you must comply with gift reporting requirements.
CODE OF ETHICS
“It is improper to accept or give the appearance of accepting any gratuity in the form of compensation, preferential treatment, entertainment, service or promise of future benefits in exchange for providing special favors, privileges, benefits or services that otherwise would not have been provided.”
Refresh your knowledge by reviewing the County Code of Ethics, Administrative Manual Item 0010-3 (“CAO Rules Regarding Incompatible Activities and Conflict of Interest, Appendix C”), and department-level policies which may have department specific guidelines regarding gifts and when to report.
Remember, your Integrity is the greatest gift!
Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.
If you have questions about Ethics & Compliance training or how to access the training and other Ethics & Compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.
Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics. The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist in fulfilling the County's commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.
CECO Seeks Self-Nominations for Officers and Executive Committee Members
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The County Employees’ Charitable Organization has distributed more than $7 million to local non-profits and County employees/retirees experiencing a crisis since 1956. Continuing this giving legacy would not be possible without volunteers. CECO is currently seeking passionate and highly motivated individuals who want to volunteer their time and talent to the efforts of the CECO Executive Committee. Interested individuals must submit their self-nomination along with candidacy statement to sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov no later than Jan. 14, 2021. The Board of Directors will vote the week of Jan. 24.
Open Positions:
President
Vice President (2 positions available)
Secretary
Treasurer (2 positions available)
Member at Large (3 positions available)
Member at Large – Retiree (1 position available)
General Requirements:
Must be a County employee with exception of retiree position.
Must be a member of CECO. Membership is obtained by contributing to CECO by way of a biweekly payroll deduction, retirement deduction, or one-time annual donation of at least $52. For membership instructions, go to http://sdceco.weebly.com/lend-a-hand.html.
Able to serve a two-year term in a volunteer capacity. The two-year term will commence on April 1, 2022 and conclude on March 31, 2024.
Able to fulfill the duties of the position in a volunteer capacity.
President – oversight and management of the organization; works closely with the officers, Executive Committee and committee chairs to ensure that CECO accomplishes its mission and goals by leveraging volunteer resources, and County and community partners.
Vice President – works closely with the president in the oversight and management of the organization; assumes the duties and responsibilities of the president in the president’s absence or inability to function.
Secretary – provides administrative support to ensure that meeting minutes and other records and documents are properly recorded and maintained.
Treasurer – responsible for the proper accounting and reporting of CECO funds and ensuring compliance with U.S. Treasury Internal Revenue Service and the California State Franchise Tax Board tax exemption requirements to include preparing and submitting annual non-profit tax forms as required.
At-Large Members – assists the officers as needed with operational activities; active participation in establishing policies, management, and direction of the affairs of CECO.
For additional information about the positions, please see the CECO Bylaws.
Candidate Statements:
Candidate Statement must be limited to one page using size 12 font. Please include the following information:
Name
Department
Classification / Job Title
Years of County Service
Photo of Yourself (optional)
Candidate Statement
The D&I Executive Council Invites You to Join the Virtual Parade
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Welcome to the kickoff to a monthlong dive into equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Over the next four weeks, the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Executive Council will be sharing available resources, steps taken and what’s next as we build on our D&I strategy for a belonging, diverse and inclusive workplace.
Let’s flood InSite with a virtual parade of inclusion! Join the D&I Executive Council in showing your commitment to creating a culture where we can all belong.
Step 1: Click on your favorite image/poster below and print it full size.
Step 2: Take a photo with a poster.
It can be by yourself or with others. If you are working in the office, gather up your department for a group picture (COVID safe please). If you are working in the field, meet up with a coworker to take a pic. If you are working from home, snap a selfie or bring your family together in solidarity.Step 3: Submit the photo to show your commitment. Images will be featured in a gallery on InSite.
The D&I Executive Council recently united against hate and hosted an Employee Town Hall. At the virtual gathering, CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer said she believed County employees should come together to become stronger.
“We’re only as strong as all of you collectively helping us and being leaders yourselves. One person, two people, five people, 10 people aren’t going to do it, but 18,000 people are going to do it because we are one County team and when we come together with honesty and respect --we build a sense of belonging and inclusion.”
Share this post with your coworkers and stay tuned for the next installments to this series!
Gallery
HCSS Leadership Team
HSS- Jesus Veloz Solis, Erika Luna, Frances Rico. National City Family Resource Center
Kevilyn Eugene, HSOM, Lemon Grove FRC; Cynthia Lopez, PSII, Lemon Grove FRC; Julia Guerrero, HSOM, Lemon Grove FRC
Nora Cortez, HSOM, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC: and Rebecca Jauregui-Vargas, HSOM, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC
Alberto Garcia, Chief, Self-Sufficiency Services
Salvador Rios, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC ; Stephanie Gomez, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC; and Julieta Lopez, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC
Ernie Riedel, PSII, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC; and Rebecca Jauregui-Vargas, HSOM, Self-Sufficiency Services – National City FRC
Victoria Leduc, Self-Sufficiency Services – Document Processing Center
Self Sufficiency Services - Service Desk
Access2Health Unit, Access Customer Service Center
SELF-SUFFICIENCY SERVICES – DOCUMENT PROCESSING CENTER
Supervisors from Child Welfare Services, North Inland
North County Regions Child Welfare Services
Nina J. Olivas, Human Services Operations Manager; Yenissa Salgado, Chief; and Terra Berhe, Human Services Operations Manager, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Terra Berhe, Human Services Operations Manager, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Litzy Remirez-Quezada & Naftali Valle, Office Assistants & Kevin Harvey, Senior Office Assistant, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Lindsey Hood, Human Services Specialist & Cynthia Hernandez, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Aimee Martinez, Program Specialist I, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Zahida Nasir Allah, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Yenissa Salgado, Chief, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Savas Arlsan, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Eliza Mena, HSS; Zahida Nasir Allah, SHSS; and Resenley Demers, HSS, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Daravone Souvannarath, Human Services Operations Manager & Allisa Walker, Human Services Specialist, Self-Sufficiency Services – Access Customer Service Center
Lorri Castro, SHSS, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Daniel Apodaca, Office Assistant, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Nina J. Olivas, Humans Services Operations Manager, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
James Kelly, Supervising Human Services Specialist, Self-Sufficiency Services - Access, Health & Human Services Agency
Colin Keller, Supervising HSS, Self-Sufficiency Services – Access Customer Service Center
Allisa Walker, HSS & Paula Cuevas, HSS, Self-Sufficiency Services – Access Customer Service Center
Merab Miranda, Office Assistant at National City Family Resource Center
Gabriela Damian, MPH, Human Services Operations Manager, Self-Sufficiency Services
Self-Sufficiency Services, Access, Health and Human Services Agency
Self-Sufficiency Services, Access, Health and Human Services Agency
Self-Sufficiency Services – Document Processing Center
Sandra Pesayco, Office Assistant, Self-Sufficiency Services – Access Customer Service Center
Suela Kerxhaliu, Office Assistant, Self-Sufficiency Services
IHSS Clerical team in Overland
PDS D&I Committee
Eligibility Training Center
El Cajon Branch Library Staff
Escondido-AIS-APS and IHSS workers
Board Members from the San Diego County Latino Association (SDCLA)
Maternal, Child, and Family Health Services Branch
Child Welfare Services
County Counsel
County Counsel
Public Health Services – HIV, STD & Hepatitis Branch
Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs, which includes the Data & Performance Analytics Unit
Royce Abalos and Akilah Cunningham-Harris, County Fire Authority
RFA Granted Unit, Child Welfare Services
Sandra Perez, Probation Department
Mia Watson-Good, Chief Compliance Officer, Office of Ethics and Compliance
HHSA, Child Welfare Services, Executive Team
County Counsel Employment team
Parks and Recreation’s Waterfront Park Team
Gloria Escamilla-Huidor, Protective Services Program Manager, Child Welfare Services, Adoptions Program
HR Services Staff
Cecilia Burn, Library Technician II at Casa de Oro
Child Welfare Services| Foster and Adoptive Resource Family Services & Adoption Programs
Child Welfare SErvices’s ERMS/DPC TeaM
Terrence Singleton, Road Crew Supervisor, Department Of Public Works
Holly Norton, Mark Broughton, Dominic Fulgoni from the Department of Human Resources
Claudia Silva, director of the Office of Ethics and Compliance
Shelley Rieth, Human Resources Services Manager
Aging & INdependence Servces D&I Committee
Child Welfare Services, Central Region
Mehdi Khalili, Civil Engineer, Flood Control
Mandana Beheshti, Public Works
Office of County Counsel
left to right: Mark Reiner, John Otto, Elena Espinoza and Olivier Brackett from Department of Public Works-Airports Division
left to right: Francine Arms, Marissa Rivera, le’Waun Franks, Tessa Nguyen and Theresa Alvarez-Jarrin with Housing and Community Development Services
Child Welfare Services, Emergency response unit, South Region
Taryell Simmons, Human Resources Services Manager
Sarah Panfil, Administrative Analyst II, Department of General Services
Julia Homitano, In-Home Supportive Services
Jeanette Aguirre, In-Home Supportive Services, Social Worker
Laura Cazares-Machado, Admin Analyst III, Child Welfare Services
Polinsky Children’s Center
Guardianship/Stepparent Adoption/Independent Adoptions Unit
Carillo Unit at Edgemoor
Justice & Livability Team, Office Homeless Solutions, Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities
Tara Reynolds and Julia Homitano from In-Home Supportive Services
Child Welfare Services
Child Welfare Services
Office of Equity and RacialJustice
HHSA’s Financial and Support Services Division
Child Welfare Services
Child Welfare Services
Jennifer Sieber, Human Resources Analyst, and her partner McKensie
Todd Hood, Chief Privacy Officer, Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary; Office of Ethics and Compliance
Veronica Preciado, In-Home Supportive Services, Social Worker
Shannon Goche, In-Home Supportive Services, Office Assistant
CWS- Resource Family Approval
Edgemoor Rehab Dept.: Lani Ngo OT, Jen Soriano PT, Patty Noerbaek COTA, and Thien Ngo PT
Jana Welsh and Teresa Rogers-Marsh, Staff Development from Edgemoor DPSNF
Jennifer Baillie, Todd Hood, Claudia Silva from the Office of Ethics and Compliance
Child Welfare Services- Policy and Program Support
Child Welfare Services- Policy and Program Support
Child Welfare Services, Central Region
First 5 San Diego team
Daniel Vasquez, President, Emerging Workforce Association
DPW - Team CIP
Kerri Matheson with California Children Services
Molly McKinley with California Children Services
Department of Human Resources: Amy Fraser and Jan Mazone
CWS- Resource Family Approval, reception team
Clerk of the Board
Hernan Amezcua, Ed Fajardo, Michelle Tello, Elmo Gawec, Cynthia Soriano, Jan Lunsford, Merlyn Trinidad, Cheryl Garibay, and Maribeth Nono at Edgemoor
Edgemoor DPSNF’s Medical Director Dr. Rebecca Ferrini
Michelle Mowad and Tammy Glenn from the County Communications Office
Erin Chancler, Deo Akena, Juanita Rettinghaus, Brent Darvin, Sandra Quinonez, Virginia Tamayo, and Kathryn Lee at Edgemoor
Lani Ngo and Jan Lunsford, D&I Champions
HHSA CWS, One of the Policy Analyst Teams
Cheri Nicolas, Dr. Rebecca Ferrini at Edgemoor
Hernan Amezcua, Jan Lunsford, Cheryl Garibay, Merlyn Trinidad, Cynthia Soriano, Maribeth Nono, Ed Fajardo, Elmo Gawec at Edgemoor
Lemel Danganan, Moureen Montillano, Laura Guillen, Charity Stephen, Ramon De Dios at Edgemoor
Ed Fajardo, ADON at Edgemoor
Dr. Nasaria Barreras and Lani Ngo at Edgemoor
County Law Agencies Helped Bring Cheer to Local Children
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Group photo of San Diego County Probation officers and their student partners at SeaWorld for Shop With a Cop 2021.
Over the weekend, officers from the San Diego County Probation Department and deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department volunteered their time to spend a fun-filled day with school age children that culminated with a $200 shopping spree.
The Shop With a Cop event came roaring back Saturday, Dec. 4 after taking the 2020 year off due to the pandemic. More than 300 children and officers from law enforcement agencies throughout the San Diego region were paired up and headed to SeaWorld for breakfast and a private marine animal show. Afterward, they returned to the fleet of patrol vehicles and headed out in a convoy with lights and sirens to the Target store on Sports Arena Boulevard. Along the way, residents lined up on the streets in the Rosecrans area and waved at the law enforcement parade.
A San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy with her student partner get ready to shop.
San Diego County Probation had 32 officers and six professional staff taking part this year. The department adopted Montgomery, Central and Lafayette elementary schools.
Probation Officer Cecilia Orozco said she has participated for several years and was paired with a third-grade girl this year.
Probation Officers check out the toy aisles at Target.
“It’s been an honor for me to help the community, the lower economic populations, especially the younger kids,” Orozco said. “Shop With a Cop is a beautiful event and shows the kids we care.”
Orozco said the girl bought herself a lot of dolls and some popcorn and candy she planned to share with her family. For Orozco the most rewarding thing was when the girl told her that after spending the day with the officers, it genuinely sparked her interest in a career in law enforcement.
Probation Officer Callie Davis (left) and Probation Officer Cecilia Orozco with their student partners for Shop With a Cop 2021.
Probation Officer Callie Davis said this was only her second time pairing up with a child. She partnered with a 10-year-old boy for the day.
“He was excited. He loved SeaWorld and the dolphins and Target,” Davis said. “He was a good kid.”
The boy used his gift card to buy various LEGO sets for himself and a few board games, she said.
Often the children would go over the spending limit, and she witnessed many officers making up the difference for the child they were assigned.
A Sheriff's deputy helps his partner find some Christmas presents for himself.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department not only sent deputies but also dispatched their Sheriff Ambassador volunteer “Surf Dog Teddy” to greet children.
All the children also received four tickets to visit SeaWorld later as a family. All children were selected by counselors, teachers and officer referrals. Law enforcement from over 20 different local, state and federal agencies participated in the 28th annual event which was hosted this year by STAR/PAL and the Coronado and Harbor police departments.
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies and their students pose with the Sheriff's animal ambassador Surf Dog Teddy.
Helping During the Holidays
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Is your office hosting a holiday food or toy drive? Crafting cards or volunteering in the community? Let us know what your office is doing to support charitable organizations and efforts this month.
Email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov with your department’s holiday activities and any photos. We will feature them here on InSite.
The Lakeside Library partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Lakeside on an annual sock drive.
Employees and customers can drop off new socks and shoes at the branch.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is holding a virtual food drive through the San Diego Food Bank. The district has already raised $1,200 for food in just two weeks.
Celebrating Hanukkah
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The County Administration Center was lit in blue and white to celebrate Hanukkah.
From Bridging to Uplifting
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The new D&I Digest is out! This illuminating newsletter has curated videos, podcasts, webinars, articles and other resources that will help bridge connections and uplift us.
New this quarter is “StoryPods,” a podcast of the stories of us. Hear three generations of voices of the County’s Public Works Department in this first episode.
Check it out now. (The D&I Digest displays best in Chrome or Microsoft Edge.)