Innovation Day 2023: Shaping the Future Together

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On Nov. 15, all county employees are invited to join Innovation Day, an exciting one-of-a-kind event focused on exploring emerging technologies and collaborating to envision the future of our community.

This full-day event will feature dynamic talks, hands-on workshops, and interactive exhibits from leading vendors including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google, and more. Attendees will get an inside look at the latest innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, sustainability, digital experiences, and much more.

Whether you work in IT, constituent services, operations, or any department, Innovation Day offers an incredible opportunity to:

  • Get hands-on with cutting-edge technology and new ways of working

  • Gain insights from experts on pivotal emerging innovations

  • Collaborate with colleagues and vendors to co-create solutions

  • Contribute your ideas to shape the strategic direction of the county

Together, we will uncover new ways to enhance constituent experiences, empower employees, drive efficiency, and so much more. This is our chance to collectively imagine - and start building - the future.

Will you be part of the change? Register to attend a session or sign up for the whole day now and unlock your innovation potential at Innovation Day 2023. Let's lead our County into tomorrow, today.

Register | Learn More

All sessions will be held at the County Operations Center, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123.

County Office Supports Veterans and Their Families  

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The Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (OMVA) serves veterans, their dependents and survivors get the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

The veteran population of San Diego County is the second largest veteran population in the state. 

“Every veteran we work with, when they come into the office or schedule an appointment for one matter or concern, more than likely has two or three other issues,” Ray Flores, San Diego Veterans Coalition Liaison. That’s where the men and women who serve at the OMVA can point veterans to great resources that are out there in the community that veterans and their families may not know about yet.”  

OMVA employees say they feel honored to be able to advocate on behalf of veterans and eligible family members to help them receive the benefits they are entitled to receive. 

“As a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, it has been a long road, but one element was always clear in my mind; helping my fellow veterans, no matter what era, the best I can,” Timothy Mathues, Retiree, OMVA. 

If you or a veteran you know needs help or are unsure of your entitled benefits, call the OMVA at (858) 694-3222 and connect to resources.  

The County has worked with nonprofits and other partners for years to identify housing solutions and supportive services for veterans living on the street and found success. 

Did you know about the County’s effort to end veteran homelessness? Leave No Veteran Homeless is a collaborative effort of veteran-serving organizations led by the County with OMVA support. Together they built a new regional plan designed to achieve “functional zero." Functional zero is a term to describe veteran homelessness as rare, brief and non-recurring. Learn what you can do to help. 

A number of services are offered through the County: 

County Veteran Outreach Program: The County has a robust Veteran Resources site that was created to provide additional resources for veterans seeking employment. The website includes InService videos of County veteran employees, resource links for resume writing tips, military to civilian career transition weblinks and information detailing the County’s Veteran Hiring Preference Policy.   

Vet Connect & Outreach: This program allows you to apply for veteran benefits at County libraries. Benefits including counseling, public assistance and VA medical care are available for veterans and their families.  

Veterans Court: This program takes veterans with misdemeanor and felony convictions and places them on a separate track, giving them treatment designed especially for veterans. 

Disabled Veterans’ Exemption: The exemption is available for qualified veterans or the unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran to reduce their property taxes. 

Meet the OMVA Team: 

Escondido Office OMVA Team

National City Office OMVA Team

Oceanside Office OMVA Team

San Diego Office OMVA Team

Your View: Diversity Is a Fact, Inclusion Is an Act

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County employees and visitors to the County Administration Center and Waterfront Park are treated to a powerful message of inclusion. This giant, colorful mural represents the County’s commitment to neurodiversity and inclusivity in our workforce.

Learn more about the mural in this short video.

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. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.

See more of Your View photos.

EWA Accepting Nominations for Board Positions

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Joining a County employee resource group in a leadership role is a great way to develop skills, implement your passions, expand your County professional network, and serve your fellow County employees.  

Apply now for the 2024-2025 board term with the Emerging Workforce Association ERG. Applications are due by Dec. 1. 

Help EWA achieve its mission to bridge the generational gap through education, enhancement of work culture and networking while promoting County initiatives.  

Not ready to become an ERG leader but still want to join? EWA membership is free, apply here. 

Learn more about EWA. For questions, email ewa@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

Join an ERG Hike on Veterans Day

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Join an all-ERG hiking adventure at the Mission Trails Regional Park from Oak Canyon Trail to South Fortuna on Saturday, Nov. 11. The group will meet at the East Fortuna Staging Area at 9 a.m.

This hike is about 5 miles long with an elevation gain of just over 400 feet and will take about 2 hours to complete.

There’s an optional brunch at The Trails Eatery after the hike for chance to mingle and network.

This event is open to employees, families and friends.

Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, water and light snacks.

Register now.

See the flyer below.

Vote for the Costume Contest Winner

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Vote for your favorite finalist in the Costume Contest. Check out the photos and then take the poll on the InSite homepage (lower, left side of the webpage). The poll is open through 5 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 1.

The finalists are:

  • LEGO Mini Figures

  • Darla from Finding Nemo

  • Bro Thor

  • Wizard of Oz

  • Beetlejuice

  • Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

  • [Name Has Been Redacted]

  • Billy from Saw

  • Salt n Pepa and DJ Spinderella

  • Ghostbusters

See their images below.

It’s not too late to share a photo of your costume. Email a photo to be added to the gallery.

LEGO Mini figures

Darla from Finding Nemo

BRo Thor

Wizard of Oz

Beetlejuice

Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

[Name Has BEen Redacted]

Billy from Saw

Salt N Pepa and DJ spinderella

Ghostbusters

The Lip Sync Battle Winner Is...

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Congratulations to the Lip Sync Battle winner Danny Chavarria, office assistant with Self-Sufficiency Services - El Cajon Family Resource Center. Chavarria participated in the competition that took place at the County Operations Center during the Halloweentown Festival.

He “sang” and danced to Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” from “Barbie The Movie”.