Interim CAO Message: Updates in the Organization

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A message from Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Aghassi:

Hi team, I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on some important organizational changes.

First, it has been an honor to serve as your interim Chief Administrative Officer, a temporary role I accepted to give the Board of Supervisors time to conduct their recruitment process for the permanent CAO.

My nearly two decades at the County have been deeply rewarding for me professionally and personally in each of the roles I have served, but none have made me prouder than my time as your Interim CAO. 

In the last six months, we have come together to help community members impacted by the January floods, collaborated across the organization to create a recommended budget for all, while ensuring the continuity of operations during this time of transition. Our team is as wonderfully diverse as our programs and services and is stronger than ever and will continue to make positive impacts in our communities. 

It has been a privilege to help lead you through these times, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me. 

We always knew my role as CAO would be temporary. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Ebony Shelton as the new Chief Administrative Officer. Ebony has a long history of commitment to public service that I know you share. Ebony will begin her new role on June 14.

With this transition, I want to share that, after a rewarding career with my County team, I have decided to pursue new adventures outside of the organization. My career has come full circle with years of public service and work with businesses, community organizations and non-profits, and now I am excited for what lies ahead as I bring all of that together in my next professional venture outside of the County organization. My last day with the County will be July 5.

I am humbled to witness the work our team does every day under a shared vision, shared mission and as One County Team. I wanted to be sure to take the time to thank you – each of you – for being the heart and soul of our organization. You embody the County’s values of integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence and sustainability. It has been a privilege to serve in this role with you. And the future is indeed bright!

Interim CAO Message: Enter to Win Tickets to See New Musical Comedy

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A message from Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Aghassi:

In the words of Mrs. Doubtfire, hellooooo,

As an extra thank you for all you do, I am donating two front row seats to Broadway San Diego’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” at the San Diego Civic Theatre on Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. Enter to win tickets now.

This performance will have American Sign Language interpretation.

Please note that Broadway San Diego recommends guests aged 6 and up for this show.

Deadline to enter this raffle is 9 a.m., Friday, June 7. A winner will be announced and contacted on Friday, June 7. Tickets will be electronically transferred to the winner.

Rewind: Fireside Chat on Cultural and Career Identities

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Watch the Rewind video here.

Did you miss the Employee Resource Group Council’s “Fireside Chat” on cultural and career identities? 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 Pacific Islander Society of County Employees (PISCE) employee resource group hosted a lively discussion with Treasurer-Tax Collector Financial Division Manager Loreta Ah-You-Fiame and Child and Family Well-Being Program Coordinator Liki Porotesano.

Resources from this session include:

Your View: Agua Caliente County Park

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Agua Caliente County Park

Agua Caliente County Park gets hot! These photos were submitted by Karina Miranda from Health and Human Services while camping with her family. The park is nestled in the huge, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

The park is best known for its rugged desert hiking. Hikers will enjoy miles of trails that meander through the park's canyons and over its hillsides. 

Agua Caliente County Park

For those wanting to visit, you will need to wait a little while to enjoy the park’s beautiful trails because it will be closed Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.

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. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Meditation and Walk with APACE

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Join the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) and Park Ranger Alejandro Santos for a serene meditation and walk at San Dieguito County Park on Sunday, June 9.

San Dieguito County Park address: 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014.

The event will start at 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Learn more about APACE, visit the employee resource group on InSite.

To RSVP, email APACE@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See the flyer below.

Moving More for Our Mental Health

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A message from the Trauma-Informed Systems Integration Team:

Mental Health Awareness Month is during the month of May.  It is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, as well as highlighting the ways mental illness can affect all of us.

This year’s theme is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health.” Being active is important for our mental health. Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and a negative mood by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.

Articles:

Better Health Channel: Exercise and Mental Health

Mayo Clinic: Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms

Mental Health Foundation: Physical Activity and Mental Health

PerkSpot: Save on Staycation Adventures

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Get discounts on admissions to some of San Diego County’s most popular attractions this summer. PerkSpot is offering County employees up to 30% off at SeaWorld San Diego, up to 20% off at Sesame Place San Diego, 15% off at the San Diego Zoo and up to $10 off at the San Diego Safari Park and Legoland California. 

Plus, find discounted tickets to the USS Midway Museum and Padres games at Petco Park. 

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register. 

A Message from the Interim Chief Administrative Officer and the Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council: Hate Has No Place Here

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Our County team members are diverse – each of you bring your background, culture, lived experience and authentic self to work every day as we collectively strive to fulfill the County’s vision of a just, sustainable and resilient future for all. But we recognize we are also living in complex times – and that the frequency of divisive issues impacting our communities, the nation and the world can weigh heavily on us.

Here at the County, please find comfort in knowing that hate has no place here. It’s a sentiment that is often shared but is always worth reemphasizing. It is the County’s commitment to you.

We stand committed to this promise and act on it by creating safe spaces for exchanging ideas and experiences through a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

What does that look like? One way we act on this promise is through virtual listening sessions and fireside chats covering a wide variety of timely and meaningful topics. These events bring together team members from different roles, departments and backgrounds to engage in thoughtful conversations and share perspectives. The next event is a virtual fireside chat May 31 at noon focused on cultural and career identities. It is hosted by the Employee Resource Group Council.

The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council also coordinates with Employee Resource Groups to organize healing circles, an opportunity for participants to work together to explore ways to relieve suffering and deepen the capacity to heal.

Visit the County’s employee website for information about all these opportunities and more.

If you have yet to participate in any of these events, we encourage you to do so, but we recognize that with diversity comes a wide variety of ways our team members display and practice belonging in the workplace.  

Through each of our actions, we are all reminded daily that hate has no place here. We thank you for supporting the County’s values and for serving as an example for our community.

Sarah Aghassi, Interim Chief Administrative Officer

D&I Executive Council:
Smitha Arons, Senior Deputy County Counsel
Natalia Bravo, Chief of Staff
Susan Brazeau, Director, Human Resources
Dahvia Lynch, Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Land Use & Environment Group
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Special Assistant, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Sheriff’s Department
Andrew Potter, Clerk of the Board, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Michael Vu, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer