Collaborating for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

A screenshot from the D&I Executive Council’s Nov. 10 virtual Town Hall.

Welcome back to the Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council’s dive into equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. This week’s article highlights partnerships and resources crafted over the past year that further opportunities for belonging.

A lot has taken place! We’ve divided the activities into four areas.

Save this page to your bookmarks and come back to take advantage of this information over the next few days, weeks and months.

Valuing Diverse Voices

We’ve been listening! Numerous D&I partners have hosted virtual listening sessions and town hall gatherings in the past few months. If you’ve missed them, you can watch most “on rewind.” And stay tuned for upcoming sessions in 2022.

• D&I Executive Council Town Hall: The D&I Executive Council hosted a town hall on Nov. 15, 2021, to condemn hate-filled speech and create a place of belonging. Watch.

• D&I Executive Council Listening Session: The D&I Executive Council hosted a listening session focused on creating a space of healing surrounding COVID-19 and social justice experiences on June 24, 2021. Watch.

• D&I Showcase: Our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division hosted a D&I Showcase on May 25, 2021. The lunchtime event featured diversity and inclusion presentations from departments across the County including Clerk of the Board, Probation and Planning & Development. Watch.

• ERG Listening Sessions: The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) Employee Resource Group hosted “Amplifying AAPI Voices: Beyond the Surface” on May 20, 2021. Watch. And then partnered with the County of San Diego Filipino American Employees Association (CSDFEA) for “Amplify AAPI Voices Continued” on June 30, 2021. Watch.

• ERG Listening Session: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Allies (LBGTQ&A), Middle East Employee Resource Group (MEERG) and the San Diego County Latino Association Employee Resource Group (SDCLA) employee resource groups hosted a listening session on May 5, 2021 for Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Speakers voiced stories of trauma. (Warning: This video contains emotionally difficult topics.) Watch.

• ERG Resource Council Listening Session: Employee Resource Group Council hosted three Social Justice, Equity and Identity listening sessions. Read about the July 8, 2020, session. Watch the Aug. 20, 2020, session. Watch the Sept. 10, 2020, session.

Creating Awareness and a Unified Language

BIPOC. Systemic racism. Targeted universalism. What do these terms mean? And how can knowing their meanings make a difference for the clients we serve and in the workplace? Several partners have come together to create awareness and a unified language to help us talk the talk and walk the walk.

• 5-Day Challenge: Boost your knowledge with the 5-Day Challenge. Each session typically takes 10 to 30 minutes a day. They include articles, videos and self-reflection. The sessions are intended to provide a space to learn, reflect and grow in a self-paced environment on racial equity and social justice. These challenges seek to help us to discover how racial and social injustice impact our community and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. Take the challenge.

• D&I Digests: The quarterly D&I Digest is an information bridge for sharing ideas and stories about our workplace and community. The online magazine for employees features videos, podcasts, webinars, articles and other resources. Read the latest digest. (The D&I Digest displays best in Chrome or Microsoft Edge.) Find previous digests on InSite.

• Know the Code: The Office of Ethics and Compliance launched a new series focused on highlighting different sections of the County’s Code of Ethics. Watch the first four micro-learnings: Gifts and Gratuities, Fraud, Waste and Abuse, What Is PII? and Know the Code.

• Living Glossary: The Office of Equity and Racial Justice is currently working to create a glossary of terms related to equity, belonging and racial justice. These terms and definitions derive from internal discussion and leading organizations committed to our work and implementing best practices through various mediums. The glossary will be released in early 2022.

• Inclusive Conversation Toolkit: An Inclusive Conversation Toolkit training program was rolled out to County managers this year. This e-learning program contains steps to assist our leaders in creating the necessary environments to foster inclusive conversations that will help us progress our overall D&I goals. This training will be modified and offered to all County employees next year.

Working With Our ERGs

The County has 10 thriving employee resource groups (ERGs) that each play an important role in advancing our commitment to diversity and creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace. ERGs offer employees networking and professional development activities, support County initiatives and promote cultural awareness.

• Pronoun Policy: In April, the Department of Human Resources implemented a new policy with the help of the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group on the use of pronouns. The policy, which fosters an environment of inclusiveness and belonging, supports employees who wish to be addressed by their expressed pronouns and name. The guidelines in the policy can help you navigate the use of pronouns. Learn more.

• ERG Leadership Credit: ERG leadership worked with the Department of Human Resources on how to incorporate ERG board members experience into qualifying experience for County jobs.  As a result of those conversations, past, current and future County Employee Resource Group board leaders will now be able to credit up to  three months of leadership/management experience towards their employment applications.

Integrating Equity, Diversity & Inclusion into How We Do Business

There’s continuous and momentous work to be done to create the safe space that produces our desired outcomes: exceptional internal and external service, inclusivity for all, a motivated and engaged workforce, and increased organizational effectiveness and innovation. Here's some of the milestones accomplished this year:

• Equity Impact Statements: Every agenda item that goes before the Board of Supervisors is now presented with an equity lens. In June, equity impact statements were added to all Board Letters. The goal of the tool is to ensure that the County is explicitly and intentionally working to eliminate disparities and improve outcomes for all in its actions and operations.

• Budget Equity Assessment Tool: In April 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed the Chief Administrative Officer to establish a Budget Equity Assessment Tool to guide the annual budget process and advance equity in San Diego County. The tool will help work towards the elimination of disparities that have impacted our communities, especially our low-income and communities of color. The tool will be presented for the Board's review and approval on Jan. 11, 2022, so it can be used in the upcoming budget.

• Changes in Rules of Procedures at Board of Supervisors Meetings: Following the rise in disruptive activity, changes were made to protect freedom of speech and promote equitable public meetings. On Nov. 10, 2021, the Board of Supervisors updated the Rules of Procedures surrounding participation from the public. Changes included restricting loud, threating, profane or abusive communications, and specific steps for the Chair to take when a speaker engages in discriminatory and harassing language. Watch this short 4-minute video to learn more.

• County D&I Partnership Model: There are six partners helping the County move forward in a manner where everyone belongs. See the partners.

• D&I Group Leads and Departmental Champions: Our champions play an important role in embracing ideas, promoting educational opportunities and building relationships to help meet our D&I Strategic Plan goals. Do you know who your D&I Champions are? See the list.

• Targeted Universalism: The Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) in partnership with the Othering and Belonging Institute is in the beginning stages of introducing the concepts of targeted universalism as an approach to equity in County operations and policy. Targeted universalism means setting universal goals pursued by targeted processes to achieve those goals. Within a targeted universalism framework, an organization or system sets universal goals for all groups concerned. It is a platform for bridging programs that move all groups toward the universal goal of equity and belonging. Read and watch to learn more.

• Partnering with Experts in the Field: In July 2021 the County joined 350+ jurisdictions in their membership to Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE), an organization at the forefront of local and regional government’s work to advance racial equity. The network enables government racial equity directors/leads and subject area experts to exchange information, collaborate to advance their practice and develop solutions to racial equity challenges. Some of our favorite GARE resources so far are the Racial Equity Toolkit, Racial Equity: Getting to Results Racial, Equity Core Teams and Racial Equity Action Plans.

This is the second article in a series from the D&I Executive Council. Share this post with your coworkers and stay tuned for the next installments to this series!

Also read: The D&I Executive Council Invites You to Join the Virtual Parade

CAO Message: Thank You and Happy Holidays!

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

When 2020 came to a close, we were all ready to turn the page. I mean, 2021 had to be easier, right?

Well, here we are wrapping up a year that was in many ways just as challenging. It was also a time we made enormous strides.

County efforts helped drive San Diego to have one of the highest COVID vaccination rates in the nation. That’s a lifesaving accomplishment. Even with the recent indoor mask requirement, we’ve largely reopened to the public, and at the same time established telework as part of our ongoing operations.

We’ve moved quickly to put our new Board’s wide-ranging agenda into action. The ambitious Framework for the Future has pushed us hard in many new directions, and it’s exciting to see your creativity and energy turning that vision into reality. Then there’s also carrying out restructuring that we initiated ourselves. Everywhere you turn in our organization, tremendous change is underway.

Serving the public is demanding in the best of times. These have been some very difficult times, and I offer you my deepest appreciation for everything you’ve done and gone through. I wish you all peace in this season and hope you can enjoy joyful and safe celebrations with loved ones.

Happy holidays and see you in 2022!    

Light the Way

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

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

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

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

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:

1. Must be a County employee with exception of retiree position.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

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! 

Also read: CAO Message: Incivility at Our Board Meetings 

---

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

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

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.

---

---