Cyndee Rash (Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk)

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Cyndee Rash (Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk) was commended for her “assistance with birth certificates.”

            “We occasionally have issues with birth certificates needed for the adoption process here in HHSA. I am fortunate enough to know Ms. Rash as a past co-worker. When the clerical staff here needs immediate answers concerning a birth certificate, I have been able to contact Ms. Rash via phone and ask her to research our issue. She is always polite and helpful with her response thereby enabling us to complete our tasks in a timely manner. Her courtesy, along with Cheryl Lauta and James Scott, helps us to service our social workers in providing great customer service to our clients. Thank you Cyndee.”

David Craig and David Byrnes (Air Pollution Control District)

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David Craig and David Byrnes (Air Pollution Control District) were commended on “helping their co-worker, who was in need of help.”

            “The recent power outage caused difficulty for many county employees. One employee at our office was waiting until after work to get gas in her car before picking up her two children in two separate areas of the county. When the power went out and it was determined that the power would not be restored for an extended period of time, all employees were sent home. This employee did not have enough gas to pick up either of her two children and she was not able to get through by phone to family or friends that could have picked up her children for her. David Craig and David Byrnes came to her rescue by finding a hose to siphon gas out of their own vehicles and enabling her to get to her children.

Catherine Craft (Child Welfare Services)

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Catherine Kraft (Child Welfare Services) was praised for her dedication and support for family's adopting children.

"Catherine is extremely professional and courteous...she delivers attention and detail directly to your family. This makes a tremendous difference to families. Catherine was always the constant positive in the process.

"Catherine is truly a kind person, but it really is more than that for us...her skills and knowledge of the process makes you have confidence that your case is being handled with care and efficiency. We can only wish that every family could work with Catherine and have the experience we have had."

Don Kraft (Planning and Land Use)

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Don Kraft (Planning and Land Use) was commended for his “extra care to find a planning solution to meet our clients’ needs.”

“Don Kraft was the planner assigned to address issues regarding modifying a MUP (Major Use Permit) from 1962. He took extra care to find a planning solution to meet our clients’ needs as well as the Counties regulations.  Great Job!”

Jeff Olson and Carol Vandenberg (ARCC)

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Jeff Olson and Carol Vandenberg (ARCC) - “Thanks for the Excellent Service!”

            “Over the last month, I have had the opportunity to work with the Assessment Services Office on a series of Applications/Appeals of Property Tax assessment matters.

            In regard to those services, I have worked particularly with Mr. Jeffrey Olson (Division Chief) and Carol Vandenberg.  Both of them have been so helpful, going out of their way to identify the information required on each application and verifying that I had made the right entries.

            Again, I appreciate the positive and helpful attitude.  My clients feel the same way since we want to be sure that each Application/Appeals is complete and correct.”

Polinsky Children's Center Staff (HHSA)

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The Polinsky Children's Center staff "is so nice."

 

            "Dear Cathi Palatella (Polinsky Center Director), I am a CASA, a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for foster children. The foster child I work with is a 15-year-old girl. The other day when we were on an outing, we happened to pass the Polinsky Children's Center. In a very enthusiastic voice, she said, 'Oh, I just love that place.'

             I asked her what she liked about it and she said the people (staff) were so nice and they always had fun things for us to do.

             I know you work very hard to make the center a special place and thought you would like to hear this compliment first-hand from someone who attended your facility.

             Thank you for being a positive chapter in her life of many challenges."

Anna Washington (California Children Services, HSS)

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Anna Washington (California Children Services, HSS) “is truly an angel.”

                “Dear Anna, thank you very much for your help in assisting us for getting my son’s insurance. It was a big help and I am grateful to see your wonderful staff take their time in helping us in important situations. I hope you have a great success in your working environment and continue being the wonderful person you are. Thank you so much and God bless you all.”

Joe Cordero (Office of Community Affairs)

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Joe Cordero (Office of Community Affairs) came to the aid of a woman trying to obtain property records in time to save her friend’s home in Pennsylvania.

            “I don’t know how to thank you properly; because of your assistance we were able to gain access to the public documents very quickly.  Grace Smith (ARCC) was a huge help!  I emailed several other officials and you were the only person to take matters into your own hands and actually help.  I owe you many thanks.  Gaining access to the deed we were looking for should help forward the process of the closing on his house. The fact that you actually followed up with my situation shows that you are a true public servant with heart and soul."

Vista Medical Therapy Unit (California Childrens Services)

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Vista Medical Therapy Unit (California Childrens Services) sponsored an event designed to be fun but also teach our therapy children higher level skills needed to promote independence including socialization, meal planning, and maneuvering in a kitchen.

One of the kids and the mother wrote a very nice thank you note: 

“Dear California Childrens Services Staff, thank you very much for the girls party. I had a lot of fun. I was happy to meet the other girls and do girly stuff together. Also, the movie “Last Song” was cute and nice. And the lunch was yummy. It was a wonderful girls day. Thank you again from Kahna.

 Her mother added: “P.S. Thank you so much for putting this together. Kahna keeps telling me what a fantastic time she had. Thank you, Yuki.”

Alma Sandoval (HHSA)

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Alma Sandoval Helped Edgemoor Patient Earn Diploma and Associates Degree

“[Alma Sandoval has] a lot patience about helping me to sit me up on bed to study, set up my computer for doing my homework, set up my book holder and a book to read as well as the printer to print my homework - sometimes very late at night when is almost time or her to leave.

"She helps me a lot. She said she helps me because she sees how hard I make the effort by getting up every morning, leaving to school and coming back in the afternoon.  And then go to bed an I set up on bed to keep studying doing my homework until very late at night. That’s why she didn’t mind to help me to set up everything almost everyday without abandoning her other patients too.”

Pat Nolan (Ag, Weights and Measures)

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Kudos to Pat Nolan, Plant Pathologist with AWM

            “Thanks for presenting your Rose Diseases program Monday night.  We had at least four Rose Society members who had never attended one of our meetings in the audience because of you.  I’m sure that you received many compliments because the feedback to me was very positive.  We were richly fed.”

Karen Tolliver (Housing and Community Development)

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Karen Tolliver received several “excellent customer service” comments.

            “She arrived exactly on time and she was so courteous, especially important to those on of us on HUD.  She went beyond the call of duty with some very thorough information and she was very kind and respectful.”

            “I was pleasantly surprised with her relaxed, professional appearance and demeanor.  She explained everything to a first time landlord in simple terms.”

            “Karen was very thorough and knowledgeable.  I want to thank her very much for paying attention to all of the details.”

Ashraf Hassan (Housing and Community Development)

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Ashraf Hassan “made me feel as though I was his only client.”

            “I am a first-time owner and wasn’t sure if I wanted to rent to Section 8 tenants, as I’d heard that the process was long and tedious with an indefinite run-around.  That was not the case at all.  I was so very fortunate to be assigned to Ashraf.  He kept me informed every step of the way and assured me every time we talked.  My calls were always returned the same day.

            “You have quite an asset in Ashraf, which I can very much appreciate as I also work for the Government as a Federal Officer with Customs.  I thank you for all of your hard work.”

Kesone Luangvannasy (Housing and Community Development)

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Kesone Luangvannasy (Housing and Community Development) “is an asset to the social service community.”

            “Please accept my wholehearted thanks for being such a patient caseworker and one who is compassionate and considerate but still upholds the rules.  Thank you for being so understanding with my whole transitioning process.”

 

And another kudo from a property manager:

            “Wow!  You are so prompt.  I’ll tell my landlords to attend the next workshop.  You are wonderful!  Thanks for all of your help.”

Probation Officers

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Kudos to Probation

            “I’ve had the pleasure of working with the County’s Probation Crew Officers from San Pasqual to San Ysidro.  The crew is a vital asset to the City of San Diego’s Park and Recreation Department, Open Space Division. The brush management crew exceeded their 590 acre goal.

            Southern California represents one of the most hazardous fuel situations in the United States and San Diego County is considered a very high fire-prone environment.  The Probation Officers are to be commended for providing the necessary leadership and stewardship while supervising probationers in an efficient manner, optimizing productivity while removing tons of fuel from open-space environments.”

Edgemoor Staff

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From a client letter to the Edgemoor staff:

"I hold many Edgemoor memories – some sad, some aggravating, some hysterically funny and many touching...What a gift to have been treated so lovingly by staff members. The love that was shown covered me like a soft, warm blanket. There was such an outpouring of love for [my daughter] in her final days here on this earth. I consider it a blessing that she was on the Sierra Unit with those who knew her well and each one made a special effort to make sure she was cradled in caring…I can’t thank you enough. What a privilege it has been to have this experience forever branded on my heart."