Attend Padres Game with CECO

Photo courtesy: Padres

Update: Tickets are now on sale through July 26.

Join the County Employees’ Charitable Organization’s FUNraiser at Petco Park on Sunday, July 31 when the Padres take on the Twins. A portion of every ticket sold will support CECO.

Tickets are $49 and in Section 131. (Use link in Chrome or Edge.)

Please click the image below for more information. Complete order and payment by July 7. For additional information or questions, contact sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Know the Code: Records Retention and Best Practices

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

As employees of the County of San Diego, we deal with a lot of information in all forms – all types of records. Knowing which of your records to keep, and for how long, is essential to ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.

Following these records management and retention best practices will ensure you have the knowledge and awareness necessary to successfully protect the data entrusted to us.

•  Review your department’s records retention policy and schedule annually and update as needed.

• Identify and classify the records your department holds.

• Delete record/data once it is no longer required or after the record retention period has been met.

• Hold quarterly clean-ups of physical and electronic records.

• Consistency is key. Make sure everyone knows the records retention requirement and consistently follows the requirements.

If you have questions about policies and procedures, you can contact your department management. In cases of records retention or disclosure, you can additionally contact DPC, County Counsel or Office of Ethics and Compliance.

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.

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.

CAC Shines Bright

The County Administration Center is lit tonight as part of the Shine Bright with Pride event. In addition, a flag was raised over the building.

Free Tickets for San Diego Strike Force Game

The San Diego Strike Force are our new Live Well San Diego partner. Courtesy photo.

Update July 1: If you missed the free tickets for the San Diego Strike Force game, act now as we received 250 more free tickets (limit 5 per person). And if those go quickly, San Diego Strike Force is offering 25% off tickets for the game.

Enjoy a fun night out with coworkers at a San Diego Strike Force game while celebrating the team as a new Live Well San Diego partner.

The professional indoor football team will host a San Diego County Employee Night at their game on July 9. The first 1,000 employees to register will receive a free ticket to the game.

Come out to Pechanga Arena and join fellow employees and supporters of the Live Well San Diego vision, as the Strike Force take on the Duke City Gladiators at 7:05 p.m.

Before the game, the Strike Force will be presented with a proclamation from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors proclaiming them as a Live Well partner and recognizing the organization’s commitment to advancing the vision of a region that is building better health, living safely and thriving.

Employees and Live Well San Diego partners can also purchase season tickets at 30% off for next year’s 2023 season.

Get your ticket today as tickets are limited, so that you all attend the game and sit together. Share the personalized link for season tickets for the 2023 season with coworkers and share with our Live Well San Diego partners.

Recognizing Apiary Program Pollinator Week

The County Administration Center was lit Saturday for Apiary Program Pollinator Week.

CAC Lit to Support Amendment to Enshrine Right to Choose

The County Administration Center was illuminated Friday in Support of Efforts to Amend the California Constitution to Enshrine the Right to Choose.

Join CSDFEA Admin Analyst Virtual Panel Discussion

Learn about the different roles and responsibilities of the County’s administrative analysts. 

The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees’ Association is hosting workshops on the administrative analyst (AA) series this summer. The first virtual panel discussion will take place at 5:30 p.m. on June 29.    

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about upcoming workshops.

Register and details will be sent to you before the event date. Registration is limited. The workshop is free for CSDFEA ERG members and $5 for non-members. 

See flyer below.

County Deepens Learning on Equity with Other Local Governments

County’s HHSA delegation at the 2022 GARE Membership Meeting

By the Office of Equity and Racial Justice

How do we sustain the work of racial equity in government? One key factor in advancing the movement by developing “bureadvocates” (bureaucrats + advocates) within local governments across the country.

This role of the internal equity advocate is emerging as a key theme and purpose of the 2022 Government Alliance on Race & Equity’s (GARE) annual meeting. This year’s conference was the first for a delegation of County employees who joined a thousand other equity practitioners in Portland, Oregon and hundreds more virtually to deepen learning, discuss challenges and be immersed in best and next practices.

OERJ Director Andrew Strong with keynote speaker john a powell of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley

Since the Office of Equity & Racial Justice (OERJ) was established in 2021, the County became an enterprise member of GARE, plugging into a vast network of local government organizations across many functions – from public health to safety, to planning and economic development.

OERJ is using several tools from GARE and from peer governments that are helping to shape our County’s recent implementation of equity impact statements for board letters and the Budget Equity Assessment Tool. We look forward to advancing our practice as the County of San Diego continues to prioritize equity and belonging in its organizational strategy and operations.

This year at the conference, participants joined inspiring plenary sessions and dynamic workshops to learn a variety of ways to normalize, organize and operationalize equity in local government. They convened shortly afterwards to debrief the many valuable takeaways.

Read the reflections and access resource lists here: GARE Conference Takeaways & Resource list.

Participants from our Health & Human Services Agency also recapped the lessons learned, see their slides.

As an institutional GARE member, all County employees are invited to sign up for an account at GARE to access recordings from the conference as well as regular online workshops and discussion groups.

Register at https://garemembers.racialequityalliance.org using your County email address and by selecting “County of San Diego” as the affiliation.

Want to learn more? Simply sign up for one of several upcoming GARE informational sessions.

New Applicant Screening Process Aims to Enrich Inclusive Hiring

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) is continuously seeking opportunities to enhance the County’s recruiting and hiring processes. Beginning July 1, DHR will be applying blind applicant screening to all new recruitments, which blocks a job candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race.

Bias presents itself in many ways, both conscious and unconscious, and research has shown that bias can occur as early as the initial application screening phase.

This new process will help contribute to a fair and equitable recruitment process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.  

Meet Our Newest ERG’s President

The County has ten great Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and it’s about to have it’s eleventh! The Indigenous Sovereign Nations ERG will be hosting a launch event at the County Operations Center on World's Indigenous Peoples Day Aug. 9.

In the meanwhile, get to know the Indigenous Sovereign Nations ERG President Maria Whitehorse, a human services specialist with Self-Sufficiency Service at the Northeast Family Resource Center.

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: I’ve worked for the County for 15 years. I have worked in Child Welfare Services as an office assistant and human services specialist for the Self-Sufficiency Department.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: I have been selected to various roles and assignments within my office as a human services specialist. I have been part of intake, the Perinatal Care Network, customer service, continuing, hybrid and specialized groups.

I have conducted eligibility review for public assistance, been a staff adjustment factor, conducted case reviews as a lead worker, assisted in training of new staff, assigned to community-based organizations as a representative, selected as a representative of the County of San Diego to attend fairs such as women’s fair, hunger coalition and community health fairs. And I have acted as supervisor role in the absence of my supervisor.

I have also been involved in tiger teams for my department. I also sit on the board of Children in Need, and the San Diego Latino Association. And currently now I am the founder and president of this new ERG Indigenous Sovereign Nations.

Q: What’s your workplace superpower?

A: I have a remarkable power of perception when it comes to other people. With my antennae up, I pick up on the needs and emotions around me, even when no one is saying anything.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work.

A: Most of my free time is spent with my husband and my little dog Bella. I have a deep love for animals. We like taking road trips, volunteering in the community, fishing, bike riding and skate boarding. We also belong to a very loving church. We like to travel and attend Pow Wows.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Being the youngest of three and the only girl, I developed a passion for being a fixer. I must always make sure my surrounding family and friends are OK and have what they need. I will never allow anyone to go without. My passion for people extends currently to what I do as a human service specialist.

Q. What is the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

A: Forgive and let go.

When we carry unforgiveness, it’s like taking a massive rock, putting it in a backpack and carrying it around. It weighs us down, saps our energy, our motivation, and enjoyment of life. Additionally, it causes us to see people and life through the lens of bitterness and anger. We find ourselves getting offended and upset at minor things that happen to us. It harms not only our relationships with friends and family, but also with colleagues and clients.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: If you’re interested in volunteering, this a great source to find local places to volunteer -volunteermatch.org.

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: Indigenous Sovereign Nations was established to bring culture education and awareness. The indigenous culture has a rich history that needs to be unlearned and taught. It is our hope through this group, together with the surrounding local tribes we can bring more visibility and understanding of our culture. We will also provide support to all County employees by bringing supportive services to build and strengthen professional and personal goals. We will also serve as a bridge to our County leadership.

Q: Why are ERGs important?

ERGs serve as a connection between all employees throughout the county. They provide various trainings, speakers, professional educational development and cultural education. ERGs can also provide a resource for leadership regarding staff/community issues, needs and policies.

Q: What is your ERG looking forward to this year?

A: Getting off the ground and running. We will be hosting a launch event Pow Wow with dancers, drummer and a guest speaker from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the County Operations Center. Join us!

For membership or additional information about the newest ERG, email ISN.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Also read:

Get To Know MEERG President Mehdi Khalili

Get To Know EWA Board Member Diana Eid-Chammas

Get To Know SDCLA Secretary Alex Talaro

Get To Know LGBTQ&A ERG Board Member Ryan Trabuco

Get To Know APACE Vice President Annamarie Hernandez

Get To Know PISCE Treasurer Isobel Kinsang

 Get To Know AAACE Secretary Nikki Horton

Get to Know DiverseAbility ERG Secretary Valerie Prado

Get To Know VALOR Secretary Thomas Velasquez

Get to Know CSDFEA Vice President Kathleen Mendoza