CECO Goes Green

Help County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) provide greater support to local nonprofits and County employees and retirees in need.

Make a one-time or reoccurring donation or encourage another person to support CECO and change CECO’s luck this month. Every March, the number of people that contribute to CECO declines due to retirements. Let’s change that!

There’s three easy ways to give: donate through PayPal, set up a reoccurring donation or through automatic payroll deductions.

Since forming in 1956, CECO has given more than $7 million back to San Diego County. Contributions from employees and retirees to CECO are awarded to local nonprofits each year and are also used to help employees in need.

For questions, email SDCECO@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.

Desert Blooms and Books

Steve Schmidt, Deputy Director for Capital Construction in General Services, shared this beautiful photo of the blooms near the Borrego Springs Library.

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 Power To Save A Life Is In Your Veins

Raenique “Rae” Madden-Bowman lights up a room with her smile. She is often described as “everyone’s favorite.” As an office support specialist with Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Rae cares deeply about her team’s drive to make a positive impact in the community.  

Just below that confidence and happiness lie the pain from a near-death experience just four years ago.  

On that day, Rae went in for her annual physical expecting her results to hold no surprises. The married mother of one left her appointment feeling fine and went about her day at work, later she picked up her daughter from school and headed home. 

During the drive, she got a call from the doctor’s office. She was told she needed to go to the hospital immediately due to dangerously low hemoglobin numbers. 

Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout your body. If this number is low, it means your red blood cell count is low. The doctors needed to know why. 

Rae ignored the call and made it home. She told her husband, and he begged her to go to the hospital. After a while, she relented. At the hospital, her numbers kept dropping. At one point a nurse asked, “how are you awake right now?”  

Rae’s sunshine dimmed and she started feeling sick as the situation worsened.

Rounds of testing found she had a blood disorder and other health concerns. She had one blood transfusion and two surgeries to save her life.  

The recovery was rough, but Rae is back to shining bright. Her gratitude has deepened for those who donate blood.  

“You hope to never need a transfusion and in those desperate moments, donors matter most,” said Rae. 

That is why Rae hopes everyone can make the time to donate blood as part of the County’s 39th Annual Blood Drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank. 

It is easy to sign up at one of the dozens of locations across the county. At your appointment, your iron level, pulse, and cholesterol will be checked to ensure you are healthy enough to give. 

In 2022 the County team donated 492 pints of blood, enough to save more than 1,400 lives.  

This year the goal is 501 pints. Thanks to donors, Rae was able to go home to her husband and baby girl. She feels lucky to have the chance to watch her daughter grow. 

Blood Drives at County Facilities

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER | BOOK NOW 
MON, APR 3 | 9:30 am-4 pm | Mobile parked in front on Pacific Hwy., 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 

FALLBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER | BOOK NOW 
MON, APR 3 | 11:30 pm-4:30 pm | Parking Lot, 341 Heald Ln., Fallbrook, CA 92028 

JULIAN LIBRARY | BOOK NOW 
WED, APR 5 | 12 am-5 pm | 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036  

EDGEMOOR HOSPITAL | BOOK NOW 
THUR, APR 6 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 655 Park Center Dr., Santee, CA 92071 

COUNTY OPERATIONS CENTER | BOOK NOW 
THUR, APR 6 | 9 am-3 pm | Main Entrance Cul de Sac, 5560 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123 

EAST REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW 
MON, APR 10 | 9 am-2:30pm | Parking Lot, 367 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020 

SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT - SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION | BOOK NOW 
TUES, APR 11 | 9 am-2pm | Parking Lot, 500 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910 

MISSION VALLEY FRC- NORTH CENTRAL/RESIDENTIAL | BOOK NOW 
TUES, APR 11 | 8 am-1:30 pm | North Parking Lot area, 7947 Mission Center Ct., San Diego, CA 92108 

LEMON GROVE FRC | BOOK NOW 
TUES, APR 11 | 10 am–3:30 pm | Parking Lot, 7065 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 

PROBATION - SOUTH BAY REGION | BOOK NOW 
TUES, APR 11 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 1095 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista, CA 91911 

SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROADS DEPARTMENT | BOOK NOW 
FRI, APR 11 | 11 am-4 pm | Parking Lot, 11970 Singer Ln., Spring Valley, CA 91978 

NORTH INLAND LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW 
THURS, APR 13 | 9 am-2 pm | Parking Lot, 649 W. Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025 

SEVILLE PLAZA | BOOK NOW 
THUR, APR 13 | 9 am-3 pm | Campus Visitor Parking Lot, 5469 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123 

SOUTH REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW 
FRI, APR 14 | 8:30 am-2 pm | Parking Lot, 690 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 91911 

NORTH COAST FRC | BOOK NOW 
FRI, APR 14 | 8 am-1 pm | 3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056 

SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT | BOOK NOW 
FRI, APR 14 | 10 am-3:30 pm | Parked in front of Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | BOOK NOW  
TUES, APR 18 | 9 am-3 pm | Parked Curbside, 3989 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123 

JUVENILE PROBATION CENTER | BOOK NOW 
WED, APR 19 | 9:30 am-3:30 pm | Parking Lot, 2901 Meadow Lark Dr., San Diego, CA 92123 

NORTH CENTRAL FRC | BOOK NOW 
WED, APR 19 | 10 am-4 pm | Parking Lot, 5055 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123 

SOUTH REGION FRC | BOOK NOW 
WED, APR 19 | 9 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 401 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA, 91950 

SHERIFF HEADQUARTERS | BOOK NOW 
WED, APR 19 | 9 am-3 pm | Parking Lot, 9621 Ridgehaven, San Diego, CA 92123 

CHILD WELFARE SERVICES | BOOK NOW 
TUE, APR 25 | 8:30 am-2:30 pm | Parking Lot, 8911 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 92123

Recognizing Rare Disease Day

The County Administration Center was lit Tuesday night in honor of Rare Disease Day.

Pen a Mission Statement

Our Employee Wellness Program recently launched an employee wellness challenge called “Renew.” While the registration has closed, you can still benefit from these wellness micro-learnings and activities. Check back often for activities to help you create calm, boost happiness, sharpen focus and increase energy.  

Today’s lesson is on personal mission statements.

Write a summary of your values, goals, and priorities.

Your personal mission statement is a roadmap for your life… a plan for where you want to go and how to get there. Over time, you may begin wandering off course, but consulting a summary of your values and goals can get you back on track. Going through this process will help you identify and stick to your core priorities. Start by responding with self-honesty to these prompts:

• What do you want out of life? Identify your values and what is most important to you.

• What are you here to achieve? Think about how you can contribute to the world through your community, friends, family, and work.

• What is your purpose? Consider both short- and long-term goals here.

Take some time to deeply contemplate your answers — there’s no rush to get it “right.” Distill your thoughts into a page or less, focusing on your top priorities in a clear mission statement. Return often to this compass for your life’s journey, when making decisions or seeking fresh motivation, and refresh/revise as needed.

For more information on Employee Wellness offerings, visit this InSite page.

Read more lessons from Renew.

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Office of Border Health

The County Administration Center was lit Monday night to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Office of Border Health.

Recognizing the 1 Year Anniversary of the War in Ukraine

The County Administration Center was lit Friday night to recognize the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Picture Your Best Future Self

Our Employee Wellness Program recently launched an employee wellness challenge called “Renew.” While the registration has closed, you can still benefit from these wellness micro-learnings and activities. Check back often for activities to help you create calm, boost happiness, sharpen focus and increase energy.  

Today’s lesson is on setting goals

Imagine your optimum future and plan how to get there.

Goal setting can feel a little abstract… we vow to improve eating habits or exercise more for better health or strive to work harder for success. But what if you reframe goal setting — driven not by what you want to do better, but by a sharp view of where you want to end up?

Start by vividly creating in your mind, then writing down the best future you can imagine. Envision yourself having reached important milestones and enjoying life at various points ahead. Be sure to include clear specifics and distinct details, for example:

• Instead of: “I hope to advance at work,” try “I’ve advanced to assistant manager, and I feel fulfilled in carrying out my responsibilities.”

• Instead of: “I’d like to spend more time with family,” try: “I’ve created a tradition of hosting regular Sunday family dinners, and I’m more connected to them than ever before.”

• Instead of: “I want to exercise regularly,” try: “I’ve become a walker, and I look forward to being out in the fresh air — I feel great and can’t imagine going without my daily walk.”

A detailed, concrete, positive vision is exciting and motivating, encouraging you to move toward goals with purpose.

For more information on Employee Wellness offerings, visit this InSite page.

Read more lessons from Renew.

'Perhaps' You'll Know Where This Photo Was Taken

Patricia Brockette, imaging technician with Planning and Development Services, snapped this picture of the sunset over a sculpture at the County Operations Center earlier this month. The sculpture called “Perhaps” is one of several works of art at this campus.

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.

County Group Working to Strengthen Language Access Countywide

With over 3.3 million individuals residing in San Diego County, including over 400,000 individuals who speak a language other than English at home, strengthening language access is essential.

Recognizing there was a growing need for support and collaboration, staff from different County departments came together to form the Translation, Language, and Culture Connection (TLCC) work group to strategize and continue supporting one another in meeting the needs of frequent translation requests.

TLCC is a cross-enterprise group of County employees that meet once a month to discuss how to improve external communications to make them more accessible, culturally responsive, trauma informed and translated into multiple languages to reach diverse communities throughout the County.

In early 2020, the COVID-19­­­­ pandemic highlighted the urgency and need for daily document translation into multiple languages to meet the­­ needs of San Diego County’s diverse population and the need to convene County staff to streamline practices and ensure staff support. The County’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and Public Safety Group (PSG) formed the work group in July 2020, which is comprised of staff with expertise in linguistic translation, community engagement, communications and others who are there to learn about language equity strategies for replication in their departments.

In August 2022, San Diego County Board of Supervisors adopted a County-wide Inclusive and Equitable Language Plan that supports the County’s Language Access Board Policy A-139, which requires that departments provide translation and interpretation services in eight threshold languages—Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Persian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese—, as well as American Sign Language. The Plan directly reflects the work and recommendations from the TLCC group. The group has since blossomed into a wonderful resource for county employees with over 80 participants from all business groups.

The TLCC work group is led by three co-chairs: Justine Kozo, Chief, Regional Community Coordinator for the North Central Region in the HHSA’s Department of Homeless Services and Equitable Communities, Elizabeth Bustos, the HHSA equity liaison and José Álvarez, the language services manager from the County Communications Office.

“The TLCC work group was formed to create a supportive space for employees who were trying to meet the growing translation needs during the height of the pandemic. It has expanded into something much bigger with equity at its core. Creating clear and culturally responsive communications not only aligns with our efforts to advance equity, but it also builds trust with the community, improves health literacy and will ultimately lead to better health outcomes,” Kozo said.

“TLCC is a story about equity leading the way to shape policy. Most importantly, TLCC is about a group of passionate, committed colleagues who understand the power of culturally responsive communications in building bridges to save lives,” Bustos said.

To strengthen language access across the enterprise, the County has hired 15 vendors that can provide interpretation and translation services in the eight threshold languages, ASL, and over 200 others. Departments can request translation and interpretation services directly from the vendors by setting their individual accounts.  The County Communications Office has also established a translation review team of bilingual County employees who can review translations done by vendors in the eight threshold languages.

“The contributions and recommendations from TLCC members were instrumental in the development of the Inclusive and Equitable Language Plan and continue to be essential as the County moves forward with its efforts to enhance language access and provide services to residents in a language they understand,” Álvarez said.

Employees who would like to join TLCC can do it by emailing Cassandra Muñiz at Cassandra.Muniz1@sdcounty.ca.gov. TLCC meets virtually at 3:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month.