Know the Code: Big Plans Ahead for Ethics Awareness Month

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Get ready for a new catchphrase as the County prepares for Ethics Awareness Month in March – Do the Right Thing.

The Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards is rolling out the new catchphrase to coincide with a slate of activities during the month of March.

You’ll see it on posters, fliers and on other materials.

Many of us already try to “do the right thing” but sometimes situations at work may fall in a gray area. You can ask questions or just meet the team during a March 4 pop-up event at the County Administration Center.

OECLS will also offer virtual workshops every Thursday on ethical issues like privacy, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and conflicts of interest.

Starting March 19, OECLS will honor labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez with a week of action. Employees and the public are invited to attend events supporting businesses and protecting workers in San Diego County. You can expect a small business workshop, a legal clinic and resource fair and a super walk.

OECLS wraps up its events with an Ethics Fair at the County Operations Center on March 28.

March may be Ethics Awareness Month, but OECLS is available to help employees any time of the year.  

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. 

See the flyer below. For more information and links to join these events, click here.

Your View: Nowhere Over the Rainbows

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After all that rain, one rainbow was just not enough. Several employees, Mike Durler with Registrar of Voters, Desiree Romero with Aging and Independence Services, Hannah Elanny with Agriculture, Weights & Measures, Jen Spencer with Parks and Recreation, Eulma Thomas from Public Health Services, and Sara Foster with the Office of Strategy & Innovation all submitted photos of the radiant rainbow over the County Operations Center and the County Administration Center.

Photo by Jen Spencer, Park Project Manager

Photo by Hannah Elanny, Administrative Analyst II, AWM

Photo by Desiree Romero, Office Assistant, In-Home Supportive Service

Photo by mike Durler, Election Worker Specialist

Rainbow over building

Photo by Eulma Thomas, Supervising Human Services Specialist

Photo by sara foster, Senior Data and Research Analyst

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. 

Rewind: Social Security and Medicare Lunch and Learns

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Did you miss the Department of Human Resources lunch and learn sessions on Social Security and Medicare? Watch the “rewind” and review the presentation slide decks now.

For additional questions, contact the Human Resources, Employee Benefits Division at 888-550-2203 or DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

ARCC Chief Deputy Receives Women of Influence Honors

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Teresa Pizarro, chief deputy of budget and finance for the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk was recently named an honoree in the San Diego Business Journal’s Women of Influence in Accounting and Finance. 

When asked ‘what does this honor mean to you?’ “I appreciate this honor as it is an acknowledgement of my hard-work and valuable contribution to the mission of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk in serving the citizens of San Diego,” said Pizarro. “I feel that my efforts in adhering to our values of collaboration, grace, innovation, and operational excellence are recognized.” 

The San Diego Business Journal published: 

“Teresa Pizarro has an extensive background in finance with over 23 years of experience managing budget, fiscal, procurement, contract, and administrative activities for the County of San Diego. As the Chief Deputy of Finance, she is responsible for planning, directing, organizing, and evaluating all budgetary, analytical, and financial activities for the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC).  

Prior to joining ARCC in May of 2014, Teresa provided administrative and analytical support to various County general fund and internal services fund departments. In 2023, she led ARCC's JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiative and coordinated ARCC's new Sustainability plan. She also balanced operating revenue loss in 2022 and 2023 due to low deed recording volume with creative solutions for expenditure reductions and onetime projects to keep the doors open at ARCC's four service center locations for San Diego County residents. She serves with grace and honor.” 

Gallery: County Employees Weather the Storm with Love for their Community

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Thank you to all the County employees helping our region deal with recent storms. You’ve been rolling up your sleeves and putting in the hard work out in the community and at our Emergency Operations Center. Our dedicated team is making a difference to those who are impacted by damage and devastation.

See the gallery.

aSDFASDF

Free Webinars Offered During Love Your Heart Events 

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the second-leading cause of death in San Diego County. A blood pressure screening is a great way to get to know your numbers and take charge of your own heart health.   

Learn more about your heart health at two free webinars during the County’s Love Your Heart annual event.   

The Department of Human Resources is offering two free webinars with local heart health experts to promote employee heart health.

VEBA/UnitedHealthCare Hosted Event
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Time: Noon to 1p.m.
Link to join: Thursday session

Kaiser Permanente Hosted Event
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Link to join: Wednesday session

Registration is not required. You may use the links above to access the webinar on the day of the presentation.   

Employees are also encouraged to get a free blood pressure screening at a Love Your Heart location from Feb. 14 through Feb. 29.  

In addition, a “Join the Heart Health Movement” event with free blood pressure screenings, compression-only CPR training, and thyroid and carotid doppler (stroke) screenings will take place on Feb. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 5520 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123. See the flyers below

Join AAACE for African American Heritage Celebration

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AAACE logo

The African American Association of County Employees invites fellow employees to attend an African American Heritage Celebration at Balboa Park on Feb. 25. 

For Black History Month, the House of USA presents the African American Heritage Celebration, “acknowledging our past, honoring our present, and building a brighter future.” Food, entertainment, and more will be provided. The House of USA is a part of the House of Pacific Relations, which is a consortium of “houses” representing 31 cultures.

The event at the House of Pacific Relations will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m., AAACE.

Join in the community fun.

See the flyer below.

Chairwoman Vargas Encourages Employees to ‘Love Their Hearts’

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A message from Chairwoman Nora Vargas:

Good afternoon! ¡Buenas tardes!

At the County, we value the health of all of our employees along with their families, friends and neighbors. That’s why I am once again championing our annual Love Your Heart (Ama Tú Corazón) campaign to encourage everyone to get their blood pressure checked.

Knowing your blood pressure can save your life. It is the best and easiest way to spot high blood pressure, which itself is a leading indicator of heart disease.

This year Love Your Heart officially starts on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, and runs through Leap Day, Feb. 29.  You can find a list of free screening sites in our County at LoveYourHeartSD.org.

Heart disease remains our region’s second leading cause of death. The Love Your Heart initiative started 13 years ago as a way to educate people in San Diego County about it and save lives.

We timed it to correspond with Heart Health Month and have seen it expand to neighboring counties and even to cities in Mexico, who get great participation.

Today, I am asking you to mark it on your calendar and to make the time to visit one of the dozens of free screening sites across the County. It only takes five minutes!

¡Toma acción y protege tu salud haciéndote una prueba de la presión arterial! Cinco minutos pueden salvar tu vida.

Please join me in taking a step toward heart health. TOGETHER WE GOT THIS!

Here are ways you can participate:

Check Your Blood Pressure

County staff are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked during Love Your Heart Week of Action Feb. 14-29 at a location near their home or at one of the County provided sites.

Know Your Numbers

Learn more about what your numbers mean, what is healthy and how you can make small changes to create a healthier lifestyle. Attend one of the virtual lunch and learns for County employees on Feb. 15 or 28 at noon.

Follow-up with your doctor

Remember to follow-up with your doctor to get your blood pressure re-checked if the person taking your blood pressure says your numbers are out of normal range. 

For more information about Love Your Heart, visit: loveyourheartsd.org.

Thank you and cheers to a healthy heart and life.

Your View: Before the Storm

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Aline Grigorian with the Public Health Services Laboratory shared this fluffy skies photo she took from the County Operations Center on Jan. 31, just before the Feb. 1 storm.

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.