Rewind: Equity, Justice, Belonging, and Leadership Discussion Continued

Watch the Rewind video here.

Did you miss the Employee Resource Group Council’s “Fireside Chat” on equity, justice belonging and leadership on Sept. 19? You can now watch the virtual session on InSite.

The ERG Council’s Fireside Chats are quarterly sessions with County leadership on the secrets to their career success. This quarter, the African American Association of County Employees hosted a lively discussion with Chief Privacy Officer and ADA Title II Coordinator Todd Hood, FG3 Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer Ebony Shelton, and Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH.

Resources discussed in this session included:

• Post event survey

• AAACE

• All-ERG membership form

Benefits Ambassadors Are Here to Help

Benefits Ambassadors are ready to help you with 2024 Open Enrollment! These benefit experts can help you review plan information and answer specific questions so that Open Enrollment is a breeze from Oct. 2 through Oct. 26.

Benefit Ambassadors can be reached by email or phone. If your department is not listed, please reach out to any ambassador in your group.

Visit the Open Enrollment webpage to learn what is new for 2024, FAQs and more.

Local Volunteer Opportunity

Many of you have heard about the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) street releases of asylum seeking migrants taking place throughout the county over the last several days. Lead organizations in the community have coordinated a response and are in need of volunteers and donations. Volunteers support with assistance with scheduling onward travel, contacting family members/sponsors, translation, identifying shelter needs, and others. Asylum seekers speak Spanish, French, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish, Chinese and other languages.

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, more information is available below. 

• Casa Familiar

  • To volunteer email Keyna Sevilla at kenyas@casafamiliar.org

  • Donations needed including hand sanitizer, masks, non-pork food items, snacks and water can be dropped off at 268 W Park Ave., San Ysidro CA 92173, M-F 8am-6pm

• Immigrant Defenders

  • Immigrant Defenders Law Center: San Diego Migrant Integration Volunteers (signupgenius.com) (volunteers)

• Interfaith Services

  • Interfaith: Asylum Volunteer Responders (signupgenius.com) (volunteers and in-kind donations)

• Miles4Migrants is teaming up with JFS and the San Diego Rapid Response Network to support onward travel.

  • Campaign - M4M & JFS - Miles4Migrants

County Employee Emergency Notification Test

The County will conduct an emergency notification test at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. The test is part of our Workplace Security Initiative and our ongoing commitment to your safety and the County’s preparedness for emergencies. The test also aligns with National Preparedness Month.

In the event of an emergency, the County may contact you by email, text, and phone to provide critical information and instructions. Notifications may include information or instructions to keep clear of an area or to shelter in place or to inform you about open/closed County facilities during times of disaster.

You do not need to sign up for these emergency alerts. However, to reach you during an emergency, it is imperative that we have accurate and up-to-date contact information for you in our system. 

To make sure your information is accurate, please review and update your contact information in Employee Self Service (also known as PeopleSoft Self Service). Up-to-date contact information is critical and can make a difference in a life-threatening situation.

Review and update your contact information:

• Log into Employee Self Service.

• Review “Personal Details” like home and/or mailing address, update phone numbers, update personal email.

• Do not forget to SAVE your changes.

Need more help? Watch a tutorial on how to update your contact information: Update Phone Numbers.

Employee Self Service is Single-Sign-On and will automatically log you in if you are connected to the County network. If you have issues logging into PeopleSoft, please submit a Service Now request or contact the County IT Help Desk at 1-888-298-1222.

If you have issues connecting to the County network, please contact the appropriate Help Desk.

Help Desk Phone Numbers

• County IT Help Desk: 1-888-298-1222

• DA Help Desk: 619-531-4104

• Sheriff Help Desk: 858-256-2100

For any questions, email Kat Anady at the Office of Emergency Services.

Calling All Female Paddlers!

The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees will be participating in the 12th Annual San Diego International Dragon Boat Race at Mission Bay Park on Saturday, Sept. 30. And they are looking for more paddlers! No experience is necessary.

APACE will compete in the mixed corporate division. The team will consist of 16 paddlers, plus two alternates (with minimum of eight females).

Please email apace@sdcounty.ca.gov by Tuesday, Sept. 26 if interested in registering with APACE’s team or if you have any questions. 

Check out APACE’s photos from 2019’s race!

 Other Important Info

• Fee: $35 for paddlers (members) & $40 for non-member

• Sept. 29: practice day (TBD, but we’ll try to sign up for time slot after work hours)

• Sept. 30: compete in two 250-meters race (please be there for both)

10 Indoor Plants to Brighten Up Your Workspace

Fall is right around the corner and some of you may need a little pick me up to brighten up your workspace.

Here are some plant tips below from the County’s Master Gardener experts to help perk up your workspace during National Indoor Plant Week, which runs from Sept. 18 – 24.

Remember, plants do best in natural light and fresh air, but here are some inexpensive plants that have been shown to clean the air and thrive indoors.

Now, it’s your turn to help us grow our gallery of indoor plants. Share a photo from your workspace! A gallery of your photos will be posted below.

1. Sansevieria

2. Dracaena

3. Golden Pothos

4. Bromeliad

5. Spider Plant

6. African Violet

7. Anthurium

8. Chrysanthemum

9. Phalaeonopsis Orchid

10. Peace Lily

 Master Gardener Office Plant Tips:

• All-things H2O: NEVER let a plant sit in water. Always have a drainage hole in the container to avoid overwatering. Plants should be watered one time per week. Moisture meters can be purchased for about $6-$10 and can help you decide if your plant is thirsty or not. And remember, water only! No dumping soda or coffee into your plants.

• Don’t over-fertilize: You need to follow your plant’s label carefully to ensure the plant doesn’t get burned by the fertilizer. There are many online articles that can offer up recommendations for fertilizer.

• Scrub them down: Wash down the leaves periodically to rid the plants of dust and dead leaves.

• Let there be light: The fluorescent lights in an office should provide enough light for these plants but, if possible, set the plant near a window.

• Regulating temps: Air conditioning and heat can be drying to plants, especially the flowers, so make sure your plant is not placed directly in front of a vent.

• Check for pests: Check your plant carefully every week and note any changes — webs, sticky substances, ants and insects. If the problem cannot be easily groomed off the plant, it may be best to replace the plant.

The Master Gardener program is overseen by the UC Cooperative Extension, which staffs the County’s Farm and Home Advisor Department. If you have questions about your office plant, please feel free to contact the Master Gardener hotline at 858-822-6910.

🌱 of Kim Patrick, Private Development Inspection, DPW

🌱 of Nessyl Torres, Senior Treasurer-Tax Collector Specialist

🌱 of Riza Morante, Office Assistant, HHSA

🌱 of Kellen Hopp, Graduate Student Worker, HHSA

🌱 of Boutros Chihwaro, CAC Project Manager

🌱 of Karlyle Laraya, Supervising Office Assistant, Registrar of Voters Office

🌱 of Ava Gaughen, Administrative Analyst I, HHSA

🌱 of José A. Álvarez, Language Services Manager, CCO

🌱 of Jennifer Hart, Senior Probation Officer

🌱 of Maria Zepeda, Office Support Specialist, HHSA

🌱 of Milo Loftin, County Communications Office

🌱 of Brittney Smith, Social Work Supervisor, AIS

🌱 of Shauni Lyles, County Communications Office

🌱 of Wendy Cota, Records Clerk, Probation Department

🌱 of Analilia Ortega, Administrative Secretary II, HHSA

🌱 of Horner Tan, Sr. Accountant, DPW

🌱 of Benzon Barbin, LSA II, HHSA

🌱 of Detra Williams, Manager, Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office

🌱 of Diane Padilla, OSS, Dept. of Purchasing and Contracting

🌱 of Annette Carpenter, MSW, Protective Services Worker

🌱 of Maria Zepeda, Office Support Specialist, HHSA

🌱 of Michelle Baesas, Sr. Real Property Agent, DGS

🌱 of Brittney Smith, Social Work Supervisor, AIS

🌱 Of Anita Darling, Community Health Division, DEHQ

Open Enrollment: What’s New?

Learn what’s new for 2024 Open Enrollment! Review changes in plan rates, flex credits, health savings accounts and more, so you can be ready to make Open Enrollment elections Oct. 2 through Oct. 26.

• Review the What’s New flyer for more information.

• Easily access plan information from any computer.

• Join a Virtual Open Enrollment Fair to learn more about specific plans.

• Attend an in-person or virtual group session for assistance navigating through the Open Enrollment system.

• Review the Open Enrollment website for more information.

For questions regarding Open Enrollment, your Benefits Ambassadors are here to assist. For more information, contact the Department of Human Resources Employee Benefits Division at 888-550-2203 or DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

You All Did Amazing!

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Amazing Race at the County Operations Center on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14. And a big shout out to the voluneers. You did amazing!

Catch up with all of the fun. Watch a highlights video from Levels 1 and 3 below, watch the livestream from level 2, and see a photo gallery from all three levels.

Race results will be posted in the upcoming weeks.

Windows 11 Upgrade

County computers are being upgraded to Windows 11 to ensure continued Microsoft support while providing an enhanced experience with new features and functions.  

What’s different? You’ll notice the start menu and search bar has moved from the bottom left to the bottom middle of your screen. You’ll also have access to more productivity, personalization, and accessibility features.  Learn about Windows 11 at helpmeknow.sandiegocounty.gov or sign into the HelpMeNow app in the left menu bar of Microsoft Teams. Check out Quick Guide: Windows 11 or sign up for Windows 11 Crash Course on Sept. 28. For one-on-one training, contact Ask an Expert. 

If your computer hasn’t been upgraded yet, don’t worry. There are about 10,000 computers to be upgraded and it will take a few months to complete. If you have questions about your Windows 11 deployment date, please reach out to your departmental IT lead.  

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

The County Administration Center was lit Tuesday night for Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.