Activate Your Free GARE Network Portal Account

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By the Office of Equity and Racial Justice

Have you heard of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)? And did you know you can access its collection of tools, resources and events for free with just your County email?

GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. The Alliance leads with race, with the recognition that the creation and perpetuation of racial inequities has been baked into government, and that racial inequities across all indicators for success are deep and pervasive. They also know that other groups of people are still marginalized, including those based on gender, sexual orientation, ability and age.

To learn more and to access additional resources that support the County’s mission, vision, and values, register for free.

Celebrate Spring with CSDFEA and MEERG

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CSDFEA logo

Join the Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group (MEERG) and County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association (CSDFEA) for a springtime event at Stelzer County Park on April 2 at 10 a.m. There will be an optional 1.5-hour hike and potluck picnic.

MEERG logo

Stelzer County Park is made up of 420 acres of oak woodland and coastal sage scrub. The park contains several miles of multi-use hiking trails, TRACK Trails for kids, exercise equipment, playgrounds and more.

Please note that there is a $3 parking fee per vehicle. It is cash only.

The park address is 11470 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside, CA 92040

Register for the event now.

For inquiries, contact meerg@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.

Wearin' o' the Olive Green

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Rain couldn’t keep San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez and sheriff deputies from marching in San Diego’s 41st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Balboa Park. Pete Jacovino of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s office submitted this photo from the Irish Festival that celebrates Celtic culture, commerce and community.

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. 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.

Let's Talk Ethics!

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The word ethics in big red letters.

The County of San Diego Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is holding a series of activities highlighting ethics and compliance activities throughout March in honor of Ethics Awareness Month.

Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Compliance Officer Christy Carlson will talk ethics from ­­­noon to 12:30 p.m. on March 21. This virtual event will be held on Zoom.

Do you like games? The OEC Team has a few fun ways for employees to learn the Code of Ethics:

You can submit the completed Scavenger Hunt to OEC by email to be entered in an opportunity drawing. Online participants are automatically entered.

Interested in ways to champion ethics in the workplace? Consider the below:

  • Recommitting to the Code of Ethics. Our code of ethics is the foundation of our County culture.

  • Sharing your favorite Know the Code micro-learning (posted on InSite and LMS).

  • Requesting that OEC conduct an on-site ethics training or speak at an upcoming department meeting.

  • Checking out the "Ethics In-a-Box” training resources for managers/supervisors.

If you ever have an ethics-related question, don’t wait to get answers. There are many ways to learn more, including asking your supervisor or manager and visiting the OEC webpage on InSite. More information about Ethics Awareness Month and the upcoming Ethics & Compliance training, along with resources like the monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos can also be found on the OEC webpage.

Stimulate Your Brain

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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. The activities help you create calm, boost happiness, sharpen focus and increase energy.   

Today’s lesson is on stimulating your brain.  

Give your thinker something new to chew on. 

Changing routines and rituals stimulates new neural connections. It also helps us stay interested and engaged in life while enhancing the health of our gray matter. 

Our brains quickly respond to different information by forging paths and links; this process — called plasticity— is how we learn, adapt, and grow at any age. We can mold our brains in positive ways, changing structure as well as function with the right stimulation. Activities as simple as eating unfamiliar foods or having a conversation with someone new create novel pathways; so do more complex experiences like learning a hobby or taking a trip to an unknown destination. Anything unexpected triggers neurological rewiring, and that’s a good thing. 

Cash in on unique ways to keep your brain guessing and adapting; more fun and intrigue are part of the payoff. Examples: 

  • Socialize/meet new people 

  • Learn a skill/hobby or teach someone else 

  • Explore a different neighborhood or town 

  • Expand your vocabulary 

  • Practice a new language 

  • Take a different route to work 

  • Eat with your non-dominant hand 

  • Listen to an unfamiliar style of music 

  • Switch the order of your daily routine. 

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be exciting; it’s one of the most important things to do for brain health, energy, and enjoyment. 

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

Read more lessons from Renew. 

Gallery: Ethics Awareness Fair at the COC!

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The Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) highlighted ethics activities for employees in March in honor of Ethics Awareness Month. The Ethics Fair was held at the COC on March 16. The theme this year was “Camp Ethics.” Participating departments included General Services, HHSA Compliance Office, Probation, SDCERA and Sheriff.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about Ethics Awareness Month, as well as, upcoming Ethics & Compliance training, resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

D&I Executive Council to Host Townhall on Ethics and Engagement

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The Diversity & Inclusion Executive Council invites you to a townhall on ethics and engagement on March 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wrap up Ethics Awareness Month with a look at how compliance and accountability work with the results of our 2022 Employee Engagement Survey. And dive into how the County can build on this knowledge to further our culture of belonging during this session.  We want to hear from you!

Speakers include County Compliance Chief Mia Watson-Good and Judy England-Joseph from CPS HR Consulting, an independent consulting firm that conducted the employee engagement survey.

Join in the discussion in one of two ways:

  1. Register to get an automated calendar link. (Open in Edge.)

  2. Save the following information to join.
    Join MS Teams webinar online
    Or call in (audio only): 619-343-2539 Conference ID: 460 170 938#

This session will be recorded.

See the flyer below.

Join CSDFEA and MEERG for a Day Trip to Agua Caliente County Park

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Join the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association (CSDFEA) and Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group (MEERG) for a day trip to Agua Caliente County Park on Saturday, March 25. There will be an optional hike along Moonlight Canyon Trail, a potluck picnic and a chance to take a dip in the pools.

Agua Caliente Park is one of the more remote County Parks in San Diego, but it has a lot to offer including the therapeutic pools fed by naturally occurring mineral springs.

You have two options to get to the park. Either meet with the group at the Grossmont Center Starbucks at 9 a.m. and carpool for 2 hours to the Agua Caliente County Park or meet at the park in front of the swimming pools at approximately 11 a.m. Please note that there is a $3 parking fee per vehicle and a $3 fee per person for the pool.

The park address is 39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian*, CA 92036. *This address is actually located at the base of the mountain, west of Anza-Borrego State Park.

Click here for more details on the day trip and to register.

For inquiries, contact the ERG at CSDFEA@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.