Sustainability - We’ve Got This!

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A message from Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer:

Happy Earth month! As public servants, the County of San Diego is committed to the sustainability of our community in all forms, including nature, our built environment and economic resiliency. April 22 brings people together to celebrate Earth Day globally, but here at the County, sustainability is year-round.  It is an important consideration in our programs, operations and facilities and it is central in our County vision: a just, sustainable and resilient future for all.

From big to small, we are doing things that make a difference for the environment. 

Our new Regional Decarbonization Framework helps focus communities in the region on scientifically backed, meaningful carbon-reducing activities that support a healthier future for all. The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice will coordinate regional sustainability initiatives and elevate the importance of environmental justice to address and prevent environmental disparities in neighborhoods.

Our ongoing climate action measures and permanent teleworking and alternate schedules lower greenhouse gas emissions. The County’s Environmental Justice Element in the General Plan guides equitable land uses. Our fleet vehicles are shifting to electric and solar has been installed on many County properties. Individual department sustainability plans are already reducing the carbon footprint of their operations.

We’ve also committed to planting 10,000 trees in San Diego County this year and have adopted a policy to encourage the use of native plants which thrive better in drought conditions. 

Sustainability is alive and well here at all levels of our organization. We’d love to hear what you are personally doing to be more sustainable. You can share your ideas and find inspiration from others on this earth month engagement site.

There are many ways you can support sustainability and get involved throughout April. You may want to plant some trees or visit the County Operations Center in-person fair on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or learn and explore through the County’s Earth month website. 

Let’s embrace sustainability to benefit this amazing planet of ours. Working together, we’ve got this!

Spring at the County's Newest Library

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Bounmy Khaiaphone, facilities analyst with County Library, snapped this beautiful picture of blossoms in front of the brand new Lakeside Library, which opened last month.

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. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

Rewind: Townhall on Ethics and Engagement

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Watch the Rewind video here.

Did you miss the Townhall on Ethics and Engagement on March 29? Employees can watch the recorded event now.  

Chief Compliance Officer Mia Watson-Good and Judy England-Joseph, a consultant with the firm that conducted the employee engagement survey, were presenters. Chief of Staff Natalia Bravo moderated the event. The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council was the sponsor. 

Resources referenced in this session: 

Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event for County Employees

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Sustainability is core to our County mission. Each April, the County provides a variety of ways to celebrate Earth Day and offer ways that County employees can make a difference in protecting our planet and making it more sustainable. 

This year, on April 8, there will be a free Household Hazardous Waste Collection event at the County Operations Center, to ensure that chemicals from our homes are properly disposed of and do not make their way to the landfill. 

This event is free to all County employees! It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Event details are listed below.

CAO Message: Update on Board of Supervisors

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

With events moving rapidly, I need to give you another update. 

Supervisor Fletcher has announced he’s resigning from the County Board of Supervisors. The effective date is to be determined. For now, staff in his office will continue to address constituent concerns. 

The Board has a policy in place for handling vacancies. It allows for a few options. So the Board members, working with counsel and other appropriate County officers, will determine the next steps in that process. 

As always, our energies are focused on serving the people of San Diego County. Our mission and goals guide us regardless of any disruption. We move through challenges, then continue forward.

Your dedication and efforts are constants that I rely on and appreciate even more deeply at times like this. Thank you for everything you do.

CAO Message: Update on CAO Transition and Recent Board of Supervisors News

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

There are several issues right now that I’m sure are unsettling and are raising questions. Therefore, I’d like to take a moment to address them.

First, many of you have heard that a civil lawsuit naming Supervisor Fletcher as a defendant has been filed in San Diego Superior Court. This matter is being handled in the justice system, which is the appropriate forum. I’ve been in close contact with Chairwoman Vargas and Vice Chair Lawson-Remer and collectively with Supervisor Anderson and Supervisor Desmond. The Board will continue to move forward to meet the needs of all county residents. I have assured them that our team remains focused on operations and will continue to carry out their policies in a professional, ethical, and competent manner. We’ve had challenges in the past, and we’ve always worked through them together as a County team. 

Secondly, I wanted to give you an update on my status as the chief administrative officer. When I announced last year that I’d be retiring, we left the timeline on finding my successor somewhat open-ended. I wanted to make sure the Board of Supervisors had plenty of time to find just the right leader to fulfill their vision for San Diego County. That process is close to concluding, but they’re not quite there yet. 

My official retirement date is Friday. However, you’ll see that on next week’s Board of Supervisors agenda, Chairwoman Vargas has docketed an item to have me continue in my position for a short period of time until the Board announces their selection for my replacement. 

If approved, I’ll stay on as CAO while they finalize their choice and then for a short stretch that ensures a smooth transition, especially during these challenging times. Therefore, you will still see me around for a bit longer, and together we will continue working on great things for San Diego County residents. 

Thank you for your strength, commitment, and dedicated service to our residents. I’m so proud of each of you. 

TISI Team Shares Trauma-Informed Resources

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By the Trauma-Informed System Integration team at the County of San Diego

A growing body of research demonstrates that trauma has major impacts on an individual and a community’s overall wellbeing and, is widely prevalent. The Trauma-Informed System Integration team (TISI) was formed to help improve the health and wellness of the community and staff through policies and systems change. 

TISI offers participation for all County departments and is a source for resources and support to guide trauma-informed approaches across departments.

What is being trauma-informed?

10 Trauma Responses (article):

10 Things You Didn't Know Were Trauma Responses

Want to know more?

For information and resources or to join us on the TISI team, please feel free to contact Deputy Director and TISI facilitator Jennifer Sovay at Jennifer.sovay@sdcounty.ca.gov.