Getting the Most Out of Your Benefits

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Being a County employee has its benefits. From free flu shots and fitness classes to tuition and public transit reimbursement opportunities – there are a lot of perks!

Review just some of the free services and benefits offered to County employees through our Department of Human Resources’ Benefits Division:

Medical Plan Benefits

Kaiser Permanente Members

  • ClassPass: A popular fitness membership program that provides access to thousands of different studios, gyms, and wellness offerings, both in-person and virtually.

  • Self-Care Apps

    • Calm: Enjoy 1 year of Calm Premium for free. Calm is the number one app for sleep and meditation — designed to help lower stress, anxiety, and more.

    • Ginger: Text one-on-one with an emotional support coach anytime, anywhere. Support is just a text message away. 

    • myStrength: Build a personalized plan to strengthen your emotional health whenever, wherever you need to. myStregnth is a free resource website.

    Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center: Visit the wellness center for fitness, nutrition, biofeedback, weight loss, and mental health resources in one location. Many of the classes are free.

UnitedHealthcare Members

  • One Pass: Sign up for your single membership that gives you access to a nationwide network of fitness locations.

  • Peloton App membership: Get a 1-year membership for free or 3-month waiver on All Access membership for those who own a Peloton Bike or Tread.

  • Apple Fitness+: Eligible UnitedHealthcare health plans now include a 1-year subscription to Fitness+, at no additional cost. Each subscription can be shared with up to 5 eligible covered family members.

  • VEBA Resource Center: Participate in group classes, virtual or in-person cooking classes, mental health resources and more through VEBA Resource Center.

  • VEBA Advocacy: The VEBA Advocacy department is here to support you with access to care, billing, second opinions, referrals and more. Just reach out today.

Delta Dental PPO/Premier Benefits

  • Preventative cleanings increased from 2 to 3 times per year.

  • Fluoride varnish now covered for adults and children over 16.

  • IV sedation now covered when recommended by your dentist.

Vision Plan Member Benefits

  • Members can now receive frames every year (increase from every other year).

  • Members can choose one of the following upgrades:

    • Increase frame allowance from $150 to $250.

    • Increase elective contact lens allowance from $150 to $200.

    • Cover anti-reflective coating in full.

    • Cover custom or premium progressive lenses in full.

    • Cover photochromic (light-reactive) lenses in full.

Employee Assistance Program Benefits

Getting help from your Employee Assistance Program is easy, private and FREE. This benefit is confidential and offered at no charge. It provides valuable resources to help during challenging times, as well as day-to-day concerns. The EAP is available to County employees, dependents and household members.

Professionally trained staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer a broad range of services in areas such as:      

  • Parenting: Adoption, developmental stages, childcare, well-being and education

  • Aging: Planning for the future, aging well, housing options, grief and loss, caregiving

  • Mental Health: Personal growth, communication, addiction and recovery, relationships

  • Wellness: Healthy eating, recipes, health specific to age and gender, medical care

  • Working: Effective managing, career transitions, workplace productivity and safety

  • Living: Consumer tips, fraud and theft, legal, immigration and relocation abroad  

Don’t forget, consultations are free and absolutely confidential. Visit EAP online or call 888-777-6665. (Please note Sheriff’s Department sworn staff have access to their EAP by contacting The Counseling Team International at 800-222-9691.)

MetLife Extras!

In addition to our medical, dental and vision care providers, MetLife offers several free or discounted services to employees. Learn about these lesser-known perks.

Learn more, by visiting the Benefits webpage on InSite.

The County Provides an Array of Free Services

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The County provides free services dedicated to promoting healthy, happy and opportunity-filled lives for every individual.

Here is a sampling:

Sandbags:  Free sandbags are available for residents throughout the County to help protect homes, neighborhoods, streets, and other properties from flooding and soil erosion. Residents need only to bring their own shovel to the locations listed. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm sand and bag availability.

Compost: Free composting workshops and discounted compost bins are available to unincorporated area residents.  

Mosquitofish: The County’s Vector Control Program offers  free mosquitofish at several locations. Mosquitofish are used to help control mosquito breeding populations in green swimming pools, fountains and ponds.

Translations/interpretation services: The County provides free translation and interpretation services in eight threshold languages, including American Sign Language.

Vaccinations and Immunizations: Vaccination and Immunization services are available throughout the County. We recommend calling the site you plan to visit to confirm current hours and availability. COVID-19 vaccines are offered in various Public Health Centers throughout the County. We recommend contacting the site ahead of time to confirm hours and vaccine availability. 

Childcare Resource Service: YMCA Childcare Resource Service offers free child care referrals and resources to families in San Diego County so parents and guardians can make informed decisions about child care. Find out about family friendly events, parent caregiver support, community resources and more.   

Cool Zones: Cool Zones across the County allow respite for older adults, persons with disabilities, or anyone looking to escape the extreme heat during the summer. The current program season runs from June 1 - October 31. Locate a site nearest you.

Graffiti removal: The County implemented a program to remove graffiti from private property without cost to the owner. A completed Graffiti Removal Authorization Form is required for this service to be provided. 

­­­­­Pre-approved ADU Plans: To see if you live in one of the unincorporated communities where the County’s fee waiver program and pre-approved accessory dwelling unit plans may be used, click here.

Recycling: The County offers free environmental outreach events, recycling events, cleanups, and public meetings around the County. Find one in your community!

Home Gardening: San Diego County has over 300 Master Gardeners that provide home gardening and pest control information free to the public.

Parks and Recreation: Get outside and explore the County’s free parks, discover trails and a host of activities.

Animal spay/neuter Information: The County’s Animal Services provide a reduced fee for spay/neuter programs.

Library: Little Free Libraries are book-sharing boxes at various locations around the County, where anyone can take a book or leave a book for free! Visit sdcl.org/lfl for a host of other free opportunities that the County offers, including audiobooks and laptop checkouts. Library High School offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online for free.

New Mural Supports Commitment to Neurodiversity

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Next time you’re at the County Administration Center, be sure to check out a beautiful new mural near the Waterfront Park playground. It represents the County’s commitment to neurodiversity and inclusivity in our workforce, and it was made possible by many employees and their families who provided input and support during every step of the process, sharing ideas for the design and grabbing paintbrushes to bring it to life.

See the transformation from blank wall to work of art and learn more about neurodiversity in a series of online trainings.

Check to See If You Qualify for Free Safety Services Offered

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No one can guarantee total freedom from crime and danger. But County public safety departments are offering some free services and programs for people living in County service areas, or who meet specific criteria. Find out if you can take advantage of some of these services.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies provide law enforcement services in nine contract cities, 18 Indian reservations and the unincorporated areas in the county. For those living in these communities, the department offers various services through its crime prevention bureau and the Senior Volunteer Patrol.

These include:

San Diego County Fire offers programs to help residents prepare for hazards and stay safe.

  • The Defensible Space Program is a program that helps homeowners who need to safeguard their homes in the event of a wildfire but can’t due to physical, economic or other barriers. The program, done in cooperation with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego, does have an extended wait list and depends on funding availability and geographic location.

  • The Residential KnoxBox Program is for residents who live in County Fire service area and certain districts in Deer Springs and Ramona who meet specific criteria. Qualifying residents can receive a free KnoxBox that gives emergency responders secure access to a home in the event the person is unable to answer the door for an emergency call.  

  • Residents who live in the County Fire service area or Deer Springs fire district, with an above or below ground level pool can apply to receive a free pool alarm. The first-come, first-serve program has limited quantities available.

The Office of Emergency Services offers free resources to help people assemble emergency kits and create a plan for what to do before, during and after a disaster or local emergency.

  • Download a free Personal Disaster Plan template on the OES website in various languages. A plan is also created for people who may need assistance.

  • An application-version of the disaster plan is also available on the office’s free SD Emergency App as well as ShakeReadySD, early earthquake warning.

Join a Speed Networking Event with EWA

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The Emerging Workforce Association is hosting a Speed Networking event from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 26 at Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, CA 92128.

EWA is excited to offer an opportunity for County staff to network with other professionals in the County, learn more about different departments, and share their experiences.

To reserve your spot, please RSVP.

OERJ Commemorates Pride

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By the Office of Equity and Racial Justice

Last week the County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation recognizing Pride Month. As we celebrate this honor, the Office of Equity and Racial Justice would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the history and efforts of our County as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. 

San Diego has been celebrating Pride since 1974 as thriving and diverse LGBTQ+ community. The County’s LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group has over 60 members, and multiple County departments will be represented in July’s Pride parade. Belonging and equity are among the County’s core values, and we support and respect our LGBTQIA+ employees by creating a workplace where every employee can be their authentic self.  

But this Pride, it’s not enough to say that we support the LGBTQIA+ community – we must voice our support for trans and nonbinary people to stand up against the hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric and acts. In recent years, there has been a backlash against certain members of the LGBTQIA+ community across the country. Transgender and nonbinary people have lived in cultures and societies throughout human history, but they have increasingly become targets of hate crimes and physical violence. We know that events in recent years have made it even more important to bolster the County’s mission of promoting a just, sustainable and resilient future for all.

This spring, the CAO directed the Office of Equity and Racial Justice to form a Gender Identity and Expression Working Group which has been exploring how our organization could increase belonging among trans and nonbinary employees and community members. They will produce recommendations later this summer. And the County has many resources and learning opportunities for all employees:

  • Two sessions of an LMS webinar, “Creating an Inclusive Culture for Transgender and Non-Binary Employees and Customers.” Register for the virtual sessions on July 27 and Sept. 19, which are hosted in partnership with TransFamily Support Services. While all employees are welcome, the first is geared towards supervisors.

  • This video from the University of Central Florida explains different aspects of gender identity and expression, how they impact all of us, and how challenging binaries can create more space for everyone to be themselves.

  • The County has a Pronoun Policy to create an affirming environment for all employees. Learn how to use gender pronouns and learn how to practice gender inclusive language in your communications and work.

If you would like more information or to join the Gender Identity and Expression Working Group, please contact Mica Miragliotta or Vanessa Green.  

Rewind: LGBTQIA+ Panel Discussion

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Did you miss the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, allies (LGBTQIA+) panel discussion on Friday, June 30? Don’t worry - you can watch it now!

Panelists:

  • Fernando Zweifach López Jr. (they/them), San Diego Pride Executive Director

  • Dahvia Lynch (she/her), Planning and Development Director

  • Taryell Simmons (he/him), Human Resources Services Manager

  • Dr. Eric McDonald (he/him), Interim Director, Health and Human Service Agency

  • Tamara Watson-Foster (she/her), LGBTQ&A ERG Board Director

  • Miko Osada (she/her), Youth Services Librarian

  • Mica Miragliotta (they/them), Office of Equity and Racial Justice Management Fellow

  • Vivien Bernardo (they/them/she/her), HHSA, Equity & Strategic Partnerships

Unlock the Power of Inclusion!

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A new training strives to create an environment where everyone can unleash their full potential, no matter their neurological profile.

The County launched a Neurodivergent Excellence training series on June 30. The three-part e-learning series is designed to inspire a culture of neurodiversity and foster an inclusive workplace. With each course (Disability 101, Neurodiversity 101 and Autism 101), you will gain an understanding of the barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals and acquire the tools to break down those barriers.

These training tracks were created with a dual lens of best practices and lived experience in partnership with Rangam Consultants Inc., a global workforce solutions company with a focus on neurodiverse and inclusive employment. This program is part of our commitment to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

In taking these courses, you will contribute to a workplace that recognizes and values the unique talents and perspectives of all employees. Take the training now.