County Gets a New Brand

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You may have seen something new in the County’s budget outreach and other materials – a symbol of the County’s focus on community engagement and our values of integrity, belonging, equity, excellence, access and sustainability. These core components of the General Management System (GMS) are now reflected in a new County logo.

Last year our Chief Administrative Officer assembled a broad team of County employees from across the enterprise to explore strategies to enhance community engagement and access, along with furthering the understanding of what the County does and stands for.

They conducted extensive outreach and focus groups with the community and our employees, including surveys that engaged upward of 800 people, including representatives of nearly 150 organizations across diverse sectors like education, healthcare, private business and others. Thank you to all of the employees and community partners who participated in the process and provided valuable input.

The feedback showed that a new logo and brand should reflect the region’s geographic diversity, the County’s new energy and take inspiration from the County seal and the Live Well San Diego brand.

Throughout the development process, more than 100 logo options were created. Respondents selected a winner whose elements tell a dynamic story about the County and our mission, vision and values. Here are some of the highlights:

  • The central element of the logo is the iconic downtown San Diego County Administration Center. The building represents the foundation for the myriad of programs provided to those who seek County services.

  • The blue colors of the sky and curved ocean waves represent open spaces, peace and tranquility, but also symbolize trust and responsibility.

  • The soaring seagull represents freedom and fearlessness, as a nod to the County’s quest for innovation and resourcefulness.

  • The orange color of the shoreline wraps around the building to symbolize security, optimism and new energy.

  • The five green arched rays at the bottom of the logo symbolize hope and opportunity while providing a foundation to the logo that the artist intended to represent each of the County’s five Supervisorial districts.

  • The green color represents local agriculture, but also growth, self-sufficiency, economic vitality and sustainability while the stripes represent equality across the region.

The logo is meant to complement our County seal which has been in use since 1937. The seal will continue to be used for formal official documents like Board of Supervisors policies, County proclamations and others.

You may have already seen the new logo in use in the County of San Diego’s budget materials, in email signatures, on the County’s official social media accounts and in other places.

The County will formally adopt the logo July 1, when we’ll put out information on County News Center and on our website sharing brand details and guidance externally.

All County business groups, departments and programs will be expected to use the logo in accordance with the brand guidelines by that time. Resources including templates and FAQs for using it are available on the County Communications Office intranet site.

To request a logo or get additional information on branding, communication, community engagement or language services, email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Join Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony

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A Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony will be held at the County Administration Center on June 13 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by Supervisor Joel Anderson and in partnership with the African American Association of County Employees, the Registrar of Voters and other organizations.

The flag raising ceremony will be followed by a proclamation presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

See the flyer below.

Shine Bright with Pride

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Join the Shine Bright with Pride celebration on Tuesday, June 27. The annual Pride Month event will be held at the County Administration Center’s east plaza at 6 p.m.

The event, which is cohosted by our LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group and Chairwoman Nora Vargas, will include the raising of a rainbow flag, lighting the building in rainbow, speakers and refreshments.

“June is celebrated as National Pride month all over the country. It’s a time for celebration, as well as a time for reflection on how far we have come and how much farther we have to go,” said LGBTQ&A ERG President Angela Jackson-Llamas. “We’re fortunate as employees of the County of San Diego to be in an environment that is inclusive, supportive and welcoming of all.”

Mills Building Views

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Office Assistant Katia Sarroca shared this photo of the view from the sixth floor of the Mills Building. The downtown San Diego building is home to several HHSA services.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a cool worksite, 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.

County Names Interim Health And Human Services Agency Director

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County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric McDonald has been named to serve as interim Health and Human Services Agency director by Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer.

Dr. McDonald is expected to hold the position into 2024 as the County conducts extensive local engagement about what the community is seeking in the next leader of HHSA. The agency oversees numerous programs and has nearly 8,000 employees who directly provide services to more than a third of the region’s residents.

“Having worked with Dr. McDonald for more than 10 years, I have personally experienced his calm, insightful leadership,” said Robbins-Meyer. “He is community focused and inspires confidence as we undertake everyday activities and during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful he has agreed to step in and provide his vision as we chart the course for the Agency’s future.”

The appointment is to replace Director Nick Macchione, who announced his retirement on May 31, effective June 27.

Dr. McDonald’s selection was endorsed by County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas.

“The passion and commitment I have experienced with the HHSA team as we expand the delivery and availability of services has been inspiring,” said Chairwoman Vargas. “Dr. McDonald was instrumental in keeping our communities safe during our County's COVID-19 response and I am excited to see him step in as interim leader. I’m eager to get to work with our community partners and my colleagues on the Board to support the CAO’s search for a future Agency director.”

Following a distinguished 24-year career in the U.S. Navy, Dr. McDonald joined the County in 2010 as a deputy public health officer. In 2015, he became the medical director of Epidemiology and Immunization Services and was promoted in 2021 as the Agency’s chief medical officer and director of the newly established Medical Care Services Department.

“I am very honored to accept this interim position as our Agency and the County experience leadership transitions on several fronts,” said Dr. McDonald. “My focus will be on ensuring the incredible positive momentum continues in the Agency’s work with the community to improve wellbeing for all San Diegans, delivering services and solving problems in an evidence-based way.”

The Health and Human Services Agency operates programs designed to help all 3.3 million San Diego County residents live well. Its eight service departments include Self-Sufficiency Services, Aging & Independence Services, Behavioral Health Services, Child Welfare Services, Public Health Services, Housing & Community Development Services, Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, and Medical Care Services.