3 Reasons to Participate in the Point-in-Time Count

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There are three reasons to participate in the Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 25.

  1. It helps our region get funding to address homelessness.

  2. You join hundreds of your fellow County employees and others from the community to support those experiencing homelessness.

  3. Employees are paid for volunteering in the Point-in-Time Count.

“I personally invite and encourage all County staff to take part in this meaningful annual event,” said Barbara Jimenez, County Community Operations Officer, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities. “It’s an opportunity to make a positive difference for the people we serve.”

Register online by 5 p.m. on Jan. 22 with your supervisor’s approval. Check out this InSite article about the Point-in-Time Count to learn more.

Marching in the MLK Jr. Day Parade

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Employees from the District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Probation Department, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Department and the African American Association of County Employees honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by marching in the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Sunday. The parade route passed by the County Administration Center.

More photos will be added to this gallery.

Your View: San Elijo Appreciation

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Ma Rae Aurea from the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures sent in two photos from Annie’s Canyon trail in the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Aurea shared appreciation for the County-maintained hiking trails in San Diego County.

The first picture is from the Annie’s Canyon trail viewpoint and the second of the sandstone slot canyon found along the hike.

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.

Interim CAO Message: Achieving Great Things Together

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A message from Interim CAO Sarah Aghassi:

Dear amazing County Team,

I hope your New Year is off to a great start and that you were able to take some time for yourself over the holidays. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the County’s Interim Chief Administrative Officer. It is a privilege to work alongside each of you – the heart and soul of all we do – and I look forward to the many great things we will achieve during our time together.

 Public service truly is the noblest motive, and I have no doubt that your deep commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our community will continue as we transition to new County leadership. In my 18 years with the County, I have seen our workforce embrace significant change and emerge even more resilient, connected, and focused on delivering meaningful results for the public.

 I am here to support the incredible work you do. This may be helping people with mental health or addiction services, providing shelter and places to learn, grow and connect, protecting the public’s safety or preserving the environment for future generations.

 Moving forward, as the search continues for a permanent CAO, let us stay focused on maintaining seamless operations, and collaborating to find innovative ways to build upon how we currently serve the public, while actively advancing the impactful projects initiated by our Board that uplift our community.

 Working together as a team, with an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusivity, transparency, and community engagement, we can ensure a bright future in which no one is left behind. 

Know the Code–Discrimination and Harassment

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A message from the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards:

Everyone wants to be treated with respect ­- and they should be.

Unfortunately, some employees are treated poorly. In some cases, it might even be illegal.

California law says employers cannot harass or discriminate against employees because of their:

  • Race

  • Color

  • National Origin

  • Culture

  • Ancestry

  • Religious Creed

  • Political Affiliation

  • Sex

  • Gender Identity

  • Gender Expression

  • Sexual Orientation

  • Marital Status

  • Age

  • Disability

  • Military and Veteran Status

  • Pregnancy

These are protected characteristics.

There is a difference between harassment and discrimination. When someone calls you names, or sends offensive texts, emails or pictures, because of your protected characteristic, that is harassment.   

When an employer demotes, fires or cuts your pay, because of your protected characteristic, that is discrimination.  

If you experience or witness harassment and discrimination, or if you are a manager or supervisor and someone tells you about harassment or discrimination – do the right thing.

 Report it. Call the Ethics Hotline at 866-549-0004.

Check out the OECLS webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics and Compliance Program events, training and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos. 

If you have questions about Ethics and Compliance training and other resources, contact the OECLS team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.  

HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Business Assurance and Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807. 

Supervisors Approves Appointment of Interim Chief Administrative Officer

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Sarah Aghassi has been selected by the Board of Supervisors to serve as Interim Chief Administrative Officer for the County of San Diego, bringing more than 20 years of progressively responsible executive-level strategic, political, and operational leadership in both the private and public sectors.

Read more on County News Center.

CAO Message: Farewell and Thank You!

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Message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

How does one say goodbye and thank you to friends and colleagues who have been such a joy to work with? Over the years, I’ve had the honor of getting to know many of you. I’ve relied on you to serve our residents with compassion and excellence. You’ve built a reputation for San Diego as one of the most respected and admired counties in this nation. You’ve worked tirelessly to keep our roads in great condition, to help our most vulnerable residents get the assistance they need, to keep our communities safe, to preserve our environment for future generations, to help our kids grow up happy and healthy, and so much more. 

Public service is the most rewarding opportunity one could ever imagine. Every day we are faced with challenges. And every day we rise to them, with commitment to ensure we are doing everything possible to help improve the lives of our residents. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s really hard. But every day YOU make it happen. And for this I will be forever grateful. I couldn’t have asked to serve beside more caring, compassionate and competent people. You’ve made me proud every single day to work for the County of San Diego as your CAO.

Retirement is something we all dream about. But when it actually comes, it is daunting. Because you leave behind decades of relationships and feelings of professional accomplishments every single day and step into the unknown. But there is also a sense of wonder as to what’s next. For me, it’s spending time with my husband, my children, and my grandchildren. It’s volunteering with some of the organizations that I’ve had a chance to learn about. And most importantly, it’s about stepping aside to allow a new generation of leaders to take over. It’s time for me to get out of their way and cheer them on from the sidelines! They are ready! And so are you. Change keeps things fresh, exciting and relevant. And all of you have so much to look forward to as the Board officially appoints a new Interim CAO tomorrow while they conduct the search for a permanent replacement.

Let me wrap up 26 years of service with a very simple THANK YOU. It’s been an absolute honor to work with you and to play a small part in making San Diego County great. 

Best wishes forever.

Join MLK Jr. Parade

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The African American Association of County Employees invites County employees to march in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in San Diego on Jan. 14. The employee resource group will be walking in the parade with the AAACE banner.

There is no need to register. Just meet at the Guardian of the Water fountain on the west side of the County Administration Center located at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego at 9 a.m. (See a photo of the fountain below.) Look for AAACE President Kalia Kincade, Office of Equity and Racial Justice Director Andrew Strong or the OERJ or AAACE banners.

Learn more about AAACE on InSite.

AAACE members in 2023

Guardian of the Water Fountain