Recognizing National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
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The County Administration Center was lit Sunday night for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
Showing Support of Israel
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At the request of Chairwoman Vargas and Vice Chair Lawson-Remer, the County Administration Center was lit Friday night in support of Israel.
October - Know the Code
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Know the code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics. The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance is to assist in fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so this month’s topic is the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA includes Title I and Title II.
Title 1 covers employee accessibility. Employees with disabilities may work with their managers and departmental human resources officers to discuss adjustments or modifications they may need to perform their job duties.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes these employees for the value they’ve added to the workplace. It also highlights how an employer’s supportive policies benefit both the employer and their employees.
Title II covers accessibility for County recipients of services, programs and activities. Many of us work with customers and clients every day. When someone comes in and says they can’t access our services, programs and facilities, we must do our best to help.
For instance, a customer may need written materials in a larger font or an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.
Some requests are easy enough to handle on the spot. Others may require a little investigation.
The law says we must work with the customer to try and find a solution. And within a reasonable timeframe. For you, that means:
Do not immediately say no.
Tell the customer you’ll see what you can do.
Promptly take steps to find a solution.
If you need help, there is support and a process in place:
Work with your manager to see how you can meet the request.
If not, you and your manager should talk with the customer to see if there’s an alternative.
If an alternative can’t be found, take the matter to your departmental ADA Title II coordinator.
The coordinator may escalate the issue to the Countywide ADA Title II coordinator.
The County must work with the customer to make a good-faith effort to reach a solution. But it is not required to grant a specific request. That’s where the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) can assist.
The OEC’s ADA Title II coordinator can help your department determine if a request causes an “undue burden” or a “fundamental alteration” to the County service, program or activity.
“An “undue burden” causes an entity significant difficulty or expense. Undue burden is determined on a case-by-case basis,” said ADA Title II Coordinator Todd Hood. “A “fundamental alteration” would substantially change the way the service or product is being offered in a way that is unreasonable.”
For example, a request may involve ASL for a voting information pamphlet. Providing ASL for thousands of registered voters would be too expensive. That would be an undue financial burden for the County. However, we can meet the customer’s request by providing ASL for their pamphlet.
A tenant with a severe mobility impairment asks his housing provider to transport him to the grocery store and assist with grocery shopping as a reasonable accommodation to his disability. The housing provider does not provide transportation or shopping services for its tenants, so granting this request would require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the provider's operations.
The process to try to meet a customer’s request may add stress to your workday but keep in mind our County motto “The Noblest Motive is the Public Good.”
It is never OK, in fact it’s against the law, to retaliate against the customer or anyone who is trying to help that person get access under ADA or other discrimination laws.
Remember, if an employee needs ADA access, that falls under ADA Title I. You can contact their Departmental Human Resources Officer.
If a customer requests ADA access, that falls under Title II. Work through the steps listed above and if you still need help, contact the Office of Ethics and Compliance.
Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.
If you have questions about Ethics & Compliance training or how to access the training and other resources, contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174.
HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Agency Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.
Amazing Race Results Are Posted!
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Every participant and team did amazing! Nearly 500 County employees participated in the Amazing Race at the County Operations Center in September and the results are now official!
Find the results for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Plus, take another trip down memory lane with this photo gallery and video recap of the event.
The top three finishers for each of the three levels are:
Level 1:
First Place: Dynamite (All from Child Support Services)
Cassandra Mena-Ramirez
Myra Magana
Stephanie Vaughan
Jose Gonzalez
Second Place: LabRats (All from Public Works)
Araceli Contreras
Roxana Valles
Roberto Valles
Noel Sancha
Third Place: Run-A-Licious (All from Health and Human Services)
Brenda Ferro
Stefanie Rodriguez
Maria Araiza
Iris Ramirez-Meza
Level 2:
First Place: Quad Squad (All from Health and Human Services)
Carlos Olmeda Jr.
Maya Bryson
Steven Gachette
Krystal Glowack
Second Place: Fantastic 4 (All from Environmental Health & Quality)
Ryan Johnson
Heather Buonomo
Vivian He
Steven Tamayo
Third Place: Scrambled Legs (All from Health and Human Services)
Stephanie Ferro
Omar D. Avila
Joseph DiMartino
June Kim
Level 3:
First Place: Team Together We Go Far-ish (All from Health and Human Services)
Sayone Thihalolipavan
Joshua Smith
Amelia Kenner Brininger
Lee Laydon
Second Place: EMJDF Enforcers (All from Probation)
Michael Via
Zakaria Hussein
Michaela Strange
Almiea Mitchell
Third Place: Warriors Came Out to Play (All from Health and Human Services)
Mark Navarro
Michael Arce
Karla Bryan
Roberto Garcia
Enter the Pumpkin Carving Contest
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Update: The deadline to enter has passed, but we’re still adding photos to the gallery below. Email your photo to be added!
Carve some time out to enter this awesome autumn contest. The County will host a Pumpkin Carving Contest for employees. To enter, email one photo of your carved pumpkin by noon on Oct. 27. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are welcome, as long as they are real pumpkins.
The top five finalists will be named on Oct. 30 and employees will be able to select the winner via an InSite poll through 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings in San Diego County.
Ruth E. Reynolds, Facilities Analyst, Financial & Support Services Division, HHSA
Cassie (Klapp) Saunders, Group Communications Officer, HHSA
Taylor Walsh, Child Support Program Attorney I, Department of Child Support Services
Erin Nafarrete, Human Resources Assistant, Auditor & Controller / Central Payroll Administration
Claire Riley, Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, HHSA
Graysen DeVito, DSW, Protective Services Worker
Sherrie Pilkington, Appraiser II, Assessor’s Office
Kimberly Painter, Administrative Analyst III, IT Unit
Mia Watson-Good, Chief Compliance Officer, OEC
Sherry Brideau, Administrative Analyst II, Probation
Anna Washington, Administrative Analyst III, BHS
Moises Aranda, Administrative Analyst, Office of Emergency Services | County Fire
Rosa Lemus, Probation Department
RAchel Kinney, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Department
Alma Sandoval, Account Clerk Specialist, Public Works
Jessica Sanchez, Sr GIS Analyst
Cassie Case, Administrative Secretary II, HHSA
Nathan Contreras, Social Worker III, AIS
Ariella Zdru, Administrative Analyst, Dept. of Child Support Services
Josh Smith, Senior Epidemiologist, EMS
Lauren B Jeter, Public Health Nurse, HHSA
Audra Brown, Toxicologist III
Danielle Eguiza, Administrative Analyst III, HHSA
Stephanie Mondragon, Human Services Specialist, HHSA
Travis Payne, Park Ranger, Parks & Recreation
Tyler Eickholt, Public Health Nurse, HHSA
Marget Vonner-Smith, Senior Office Assistant, HHSA
Annette Bettencourt-Ouellette, Park Ranger
Laura Monroy, Office Support Specialist, HHSA
Melissa Purcell-Le, Sheriff's Fingerprint Examiner
Erik Aguilar, Office Support Specialist, Office of Equitable Communities
Child and Family Well-Being- North Central Region Clerical Team
Nancy Martinez, Office Assistant, HHSA
Stefanie Rodriguez, Protective Services Supervisor, Child and Family Well-Being
Observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month
/Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. Learn more in this video.
Join SDCLA Leadership Conversation Lunch and Learn
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The San Diego County Latino Association is hosting a conversation with their employee resource group leadership on the topic of “building resiliency to advance your County/public service career.”
Panel members will share their professional and career experience related to the context, strategy and considerations when building and maintaining resiliency in leadership roles. Panel members will also be asked to share examples of cultural or heritage factors related to building resiliency they have experienced in their life and career.
Facilitators
David Estrella - Director, Housing & Community Development
Oscar Talaro - Board of Director, SDCLA
Time and Date
Wed, Oct 18, noon to 1 p.m.
Celebrate National Coming Out Day
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By the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group
Please join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group in celebrating National Coming Out Day!
National Coming Out Day is observed every year on Oct. 11 in commemoration of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This observance began at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the late 1980s, when stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS manifested in harmful stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, members of the LGBTQ+ community lived in fear of embracing their identities, preventing them from presenting their genuine selves to family, friends, and colleagues.
Coming Out is therefore an important symbolic act for members of the LGBTQ+ community, one that casts aside the social forces that seek to keep us silent. Coming out empowers us to live our truth and encourages others to do the same without fear of being alone.
Although we have made significant strides in advancing the cause of equal rights and preventing legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, fear and stigma continue to play a pernicious role in our society. Sharing our authentic selves with others, particularly in the workplace, is not always safe or easy, and we continue to see senseless acts of violence, hatred, and discrimination targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
In the spirit of National Coming Out Day, we affirm that the County is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. We encourage anyone who is navigating the experience of coming out to avail themselves of these national and local resources to learn more and find a supportive community. For those who are looking for ways to be a better ally to their LGBTQ+ colleagues, this article offers a great overview of how to create a welcoming workplace.
We also encourage anyone—those who are curious or are at any stage of coming out, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies—to connect with the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group at any of our meetings or events.
Homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia thrive in an atmosphere of silence, and our history has shown that embracing pride has empowered countless individuals to “come out” and live their truth, whether they be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, or any of the other countless identities that make up our vibrant community.
The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council shared a message of support for the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group.
“The County is committed to diversity and inclusion, and the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group fosters that culture by inviting employees to learn about and participate in National Coming Out Day. Their efforts reinforce the importance of belonging, one of the County’s values, allowing employees to be comfortable as their authentic selves.”
To showcase our pride on this National Coming Out Day, the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group is providing Pride pins for staff to wear and show their support to friends, family, and colleagues. Pins will be made available on Oct. 9 at the east entrance of CAC and at COC Commons.
The LGBTQ&A ERG encourages County staff to wear pride apparel on Oct. 11, in an effort to remind each other that the County is a safe space for everyone.
Compete in Lip Sync Battle
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Update: The deadline to enter has been extended to noon, Friday, Oct. 27.
Back from the dead is the County’s Lip Sync Battle competition. A live showdown will take place during the Halloween Festival at the County Operations Center on Oct. 31.
Individuals or groups interested in competing should email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov or text 619-481-4309 by 2 p.m., Oct. 17. The entry should include the following:
Name and department of all participants
Song you plan to perform, if selected as finalist. Remember that costumes, song choices and choreography must be appropriate for work.
A 30-second audition video. CAO Project Manager Royce Abalos shared an example for inspiration. (See below.)
From the submissions, five finalists will be selected to impress the audience with their lip sync skills, style and performance.
The competition will start at noon. Come out to cheer on your favorite contender or watch live on InSite. Winners will be selected by the COC audience.
Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings in San Diego County.
High Five for CECO Making Giving Easy
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UPDATE: People can still buy tickets for the Mini Photo Session raffle. It was extended to noon Oct. 31, with a drawing at 4 p.m. that day.
Would you believe me if I said that if you donate $3 a paycheck, you can support youth mentor programs with the purchase of two laptops; and help unsheltered individuals with access to products and clothing; and buy books for students who live in a low-income community; and help fund a community garden that distributes food into the community; and support 60 other community programs!
The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) makes giving easy by stretching your charitable donations across the region and in support of your fellow County colleagues who may be going through a crisis. To take part of the County's giving legacy, CECO is offering up five charitable and fun options for how you can give during its fall campaign fundraiser. Your contributions will be pooled together with other employee donations to be part of a big, positive outcome.
This fall, "High Five for CECO" by supporting the organization, and, in turn, your community with five main ways:
1. Help spread the word about CECO – follow on social media Facebook and Instagram
2. Participate in raffles and See’s Candies fundraiser
3. Help raise $5k
4. Each department brings in 5 new CECO members/contributors
5. Donate
“The money raised goes back out to support our community grants program and help employees with a financial crisis,” said Nadia Moshirian Binderup, CECO president.
Please see flyers below and scan the QR code for more details on the raffle and the See’s Candies fundraiser. Please note the mini photo session raffle entry deadline is Friday the Thirteenth of October at noon with winners drawn at 4 p.m.
Also, the See’s Candies fundraiser closes on Nov. 30. The candy will start shipping on Nov. 10 for those orders that are in.
Over the past 60 years CECO has distributed more than $7 million to local nonprofit organizations and employees in crisis. The fund depends on the generosity of County employee and retiree donations to give back to the community.
CECO stands apart from other charitable organizations because it is run by County employees and 100% of money donated benefits the people and organizations in our area.
To learn more about CECO, visit sdceco.org.
