Your View: Rainbow Connection

Double rainbow all the way! Sandra Perez, a records clerk with Juvenile Probation Services, captured this beautiful rainbow over the South Region Family Resource Center in Chula Vista.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

The Flu Is Here; Your Best Shot Against It

Even if you missed the onsite flu shot events at County facilities, it is not too late to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is readily available at numerous locations in our area, including doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. The best part is, it’s covered by medical insurance, so there’s no charge to you. 

Getting vaccinated sooner than later is especially important this year as the flu season arrived earlier than usual. County health officials are encouraging San Diegans to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of influenza, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their family members and coworkers. 

Respiratory illnesses historically increase during fall and winter as many people move gatherings indoors, but flu activity typically does not peak until December or January. 

This year, the County has already seen several large suspected respiratory outbreaks in October, including a cluster of illnesses at local schools. The high number of flu cases and other respiratory illnesses this early in the season is prompting health officials to urge San Diegans to take precautions. 

“We have reason to believe that respiratory illnesses could be extremely disruptive in the region this year for businesses, hospitals, and people’s lives. San Diegans must do their part to prevent the spread of these illnesses,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “I want to remind San Diegans to use precautions we know are effective in protecting against illness, including the flu.” 

Wooten added that people should recommit themselves to the following precautions this fall and winter: 

• Wash hands thoroughly and often. 

• Use hand sanitizers, if unable to wash hands. 

• Stay away from sick people. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. 

• Clean commonly touched surfaces. 

• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others. 

No Tricks, All Treats: Halloween Is Back

Calling all ghouls, ghosts, witches and goblins because we’re clearing away the cobwebs to bring back our annual Halloween celebration! This October 31, join us at the County Operations Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. when the plaza outside the Commons is transformed into a frighteningly fun festival that features ghoulish games, howling karaoke, creepy crawlies, photo booth, treats and more.

You can also scare up some grub to pick up on the big day by preordering Rubio’s Coastal Grill now through 4 p.m., Oct. 28. A portion of the proceeds with benefit the County Employees' Charitable Organization. That’s a treat for both you and CECO!

The event will be livestreamed to InSite starting at noon on Oct. 31.

More Halloween fun can be had by sharing your spooky, kooky or cute costumes creations. Just email a photo of yourself in costume to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov. Photos will be added to a costume gallery on InSite. Be sure to include your name, department and who or what you are masquerading as for the holiday.

All submitted photos will be entered into the costume contest. The deadline to submit a photo for consideration in the costume contest is 4:30 p.m., Oct. 31.

The eerie and cheery Halloween committee will select up to 10 finalists. And employees will be able to select the winner via an InSite poll through 5 p.m., Nov. 1. The top vote-getter will be crowned on Nov. 2.

Rewind: Conversations with Latino Leaders

Watch the Rewind video here.

If you missed the San Diego County Latino Association’s  “Leadership Conversation with Latino Leaders” event earlier this month, you can now watch it on “rewind.”

Speakers were Alethea Arguilez, executive director of First Five Commission of San Diego; Nicholas A. Martinez, assistant director of Housing and Community Development Services; and Lucero Chavez Basilio, director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Learn more about SDCLA on their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

USD School of Peace Studies Offers New Tuition Discount to County Employees

County employees are now eligible for a tuition discount of 25% on all master’s programs and 10% on all certificate programs offered by the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego. Application fees are also waived.

USD will be hosting a Graduate Open House on campus on Saturday, Oct. 22 if you’d like to learn more about the programs.

The Kroc School joins a growing list of education partners offering tuition discounts to County employees.

In the News: Meet the 'Mariachi Deputy'

On Friday, CBS 8 highlighted San Diego County Sheriff Deputy Carlos Mutti as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Mutti began performing as a mariachi at the age of 14 and says he connects with the community through Mexican ballads. Take a look at the feature story.

Go San Diego Wave Fútbol Club!

The County Administration Center was lit last night in honor of the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club playoff game.

2023 Open Enrollment Ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday

Make your ​Open Enrollment elections now through 5 p.m. Oct. 20. If you want to waive medical coverage in 2023, you are required to submit that election in PeopleSoft.

Enroll Now
Open Enrollment Website
Ask a Benefits Ambassador

Recognizing National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

The County Administration Center was lit Saturday night for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Know the Code: Accessibility to All

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

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn about the policies, procedures and people in place to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ADA of 1990 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities:

• ADA Title I protects people in the employment process.

• ADA Title II protects people when participating in state and local government services, programs, and activities.

The County of San Diego has policies, procedures and people in place to comply with the ADA, but the County’s commitment to accessibility for people with disabilities goes further than just the law.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The County has Board of Supervisors, chief administrative officer, management group and departmental policies and procedures that relate to compliance with the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, programs and activities for people with disabilities:

• Board of Supervisors Policy

  • F-49 - Americans with Disabilities Act: Accessible Programs and Facilities

  • A-125 - Americans with Disabilities Act: Employment Provisions

• CAO Admin Manual

  • 0010-09.pdf - ADA Title II Complaint Procedure

  • 0010-09A.pdf - ADA Title II Notice

  • 0010-09B.pdf - ADA Title II Complaint Form

From Parks and Recreation Department in the Land Use and Environment Group to Aging and Independence Services in the Health and Human Services Agency to the Office of Emergency Services in the Public Safety Group to General Services in the Finance and General Government Group, departments across the County of San Diego have numerous services, programs and activities to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

PEOPLE

Countywide and Departmental ADA Title II Coordinators

The Countywide ADA Title II coordinator works with departmental ADA Title II doordinators to ensure compliance with the ADA, including responding to inquiries and requests for accommodations and investigating complaints from the public about access to services, programs and activities. Clients and customers with accessibility questions regarding facilities, services, programs and activities can contact their departmental ADA Title II coordinator or the countywide ADA Title II coordinator at OEC@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-4908.

Human Resources

Our Department of Human Resources makes many efforts to provide information on how to request and receive various forms of accommodation throughout the recruitment process. On every job bulletin that has a written exam, there is a phone number that you may call to request accommodation. All recruitments also state that reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job. Additionally, Human Resources offers a variety of services and accommodations to our staff, internally. Employees with questions regarding accessibility in the workplace can speak to their management or to department Human Resources staff.

Committee for Persons with Disabilities

The County of San Diego Committee for Persons with Disabilities is an 11-member committee to serve as the County's advisory committee for uncovering opportunities and enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities. The CPD meets with departments to learn about services, programs and activities and provide input on accessibility enhancements for people with disabilities. In the past year, the CPD received presentations from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Aging and Independence Services, Housing & Community Development Services, Department of Human Resources: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division, County Communications Office, Registrar of Voters, the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs and the Sheriff’s Department.

DiverseAbility ERG

The DiverseAbility is a County of San Diego employee resource group with the mission of advancing awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities, providing and promoting professional development and leadership opportunities, and advocating for inclusiveness in and support of County initiatives. The DiverseAbility ERG is shining the spotlight on National Disability Employment Awareness Month and will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate staff on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. ERG events will be announced on InSite.

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 resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.  HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807.