Send Praise to Your Colleagues

Share your appreciation! You can let a colleague know you're proud of them or thank them for their work in Teams chat or channels.

There are different ways to acknowledge your coworkers including in-person, by phone, a written note and via Microsoft Teams.

It’s quite simple once you found the Praise button in Teams chat or channels. To get started, you can watch this instructional video or follow these steps.

Note that personalized, one-on-one training or help can be found at Ask an Expert.

Send Praise in Teams Chat

1. Open a chat.

a. If this is a new chat, send a message to get this conversation started. It can even be “hello.”

2. Select the Praise badge button. It is located below where you write a new message or reply. If this your first-time using Praise, look for it in three dots.

4. In the “Title” area, select the badge to send. Some options are Team Player, Optimism, Inclusive or Thank You.

5. In the “Note” area, type a personalized note.

6. Click “Preview.” A preview of how your badge and message will look to others is displayed.

7. When finished, click “Send.”

Send Praise in a Teams Channel

To send Praise in a Teams Channel, open the Team and click “New conversation.” Then follow steps 2 through 6 above.

You can also check your Praise history to see what you’ve sent and received. Learn how to check your history and more about Praise in this Quick Guide: Send Praise in Teams. If you have questions or need help, contact Ask an Expert for one-on-one support.

Exercise Early for Maximum Rewards

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 exercising early.

Start your day with physical activity for a range of benefits.

Exercise at any time of day makes you feel great — it’s far better to fit in your yoga video or trip to the gym at 9 PM than not at all. But when your schedule is flexible, moving your body in the morning gives you bonus perks:

• Get it done — good intentions can easily be waylaid by work, social obligations, and flagging motivation; if you leave it to the end of the day, exercise is easy to put off until tomorrow — but if you make it your first priority, you’re apt to fit in physical activity more often

• Set the tone — starting your day with exercise is a positive step that creates momentum for healthy choices throughout the day

• Sleep better — morning workouts provide the biggest benefit to quality sleep.

• The why is easy, but the how to make morning workouts a habit can be more challenging; use these tips to get up and at ’em:

• Try a wake-up light — sunrise-simulating alarm clocks can make it easier, especially during winter

• Set out clothes — make it as convenient as possible to get moving by laying out your exercise clothes

• Enlist a friend — plans to meet a buddy on the track or at the gym can add fun and make you more likely to show up.

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

Read more lessons from Renew.

3 Interns Are First Graduates in County’s Inclusive Internship Program

Last month, the County hosted a graduation ceremony for the first class of interns from an inclusive employment internship called Jay’s Program. The program’s inspiration, Raymond “Jay” Bariuan, has worked with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher since 2008.  

Jay’s Program is designed to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities improve their job skills and increase opportunities for future employment. While Jay’s Program was established in 2019, the program was put on pause due to COVID-19. A revamped relaunch took form in August 2022 thanks to the input of interns and County mentors.  

The 6-month, part-time paid internship program is funded through San Diego Regional Center and includes a bi-weekly cohort townhall and trainings, job coach support from program partner PRIDE Industries, and County department mentors. This month’s graduates increased their office skills and participating County departments expanded their perspective on what workplace culture can and should be. 

Three interns were recognized for their contributions to the County at a Feb. 3 graduation ceremony. The graduates were Barbara Brandon from the Office of Emergency Services, Pilar Healy from Child Welfare Services and Arthur Marron from County Fire.  

“A couple of highlights from my experience have been gaining experience and sharpening my skills in organization and my computer skills,” intern Brandon said during graduation. 

Marron thanked everyone for his opportunity to learn and for giving him a “chance to do better in life.” 

And earlier in the program, Healy said “I am learning many skills in this job, and I am learning more about myself.”  

Hear more from the graduates in this video made by Pride Industries. 

Eight Jay’s Program interns are currently working at the County. The next class is set to complete their internship at the end of March with a ceremony in the County Operations Center Chambers. 

Participants in Jay’s Program must be an active SD Regional Center and PRIDE Industries client. Learn more about Jay’s Program. 

L to R: Program Lead Holly Norton, Chief of Staff Natalia Bravo, the graduates and EDI Manager Taryell Simmons

Get Discount San Diego Loyal Tickets

Score yourself discount soccer tickets. The San Diego Loyal SC is offering 15% to 20% off tickets for their March 11 and March 19 games.

The deal is being offered ahead of the club officially becoming a Live Well San Diego partner next month.

Community Action Partnership Team Is Like Family

Deanna Zotalis-Ferreira, chief of the Office of Equitable Communities, submitted this photo to highlight and show her gratitude to the amazing Community Action Partnership family at the Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities. The photo was taken at last year’s holiday breakfast.

Share your 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

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.