Fireside Chat: Strengths of Generational Diversity

Join the next Employee Resource Group Fireside Chat on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. This is the 12th ERG Fireside Chat in the series between County leaders and our County community.

Emerging Workforce Association (EWA) invites you into the conversation focused on addressing misconceptions of age, and how an intergenerational workforce creates diverse perspectives and opportunities for mentorship. EWA is a free employee resource group.

Panelists are HHSA Equity Liaison Elizabeth Bustos, Land Use and Environment Group Executive Assistant Tahaiti Tinsley, and Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs Administrative Analyst Mica Miragliotta.

Register now

or

Join online on Oct. 23 with meeting ID 230 670 623 570 and password LTD78f

Registrar Recruiting Employees for Ballot Collection Teams

County employees are invited to apply for paid positions on ballot collection teams for the upcoming November Presidential Election.  

You can work up to five evenings or just on election night, Tuesday, November 5th. You will be paired with a partner to collect ballots from vote centers, or work as part of a team at the Registrar of Voters office receiving ballots.

Pay, stipends and training vary depending on the position. For more information and to participate, complete the form by Friday, Oct. 25: https://forms.office.com/g/TC58MrnV02.

Enter Pumpkin Decorating Showcase

Carve out some fun this fall! Enter the County’s Pumpkin Showcase.

All skill levels are encouraged to participate. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are welcome, as long as they are real pumpkins. They can be carved, painted or decorated.

Email a photo of your creation to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov by noon on Monday, Oct. 28.

Five finalists will be named on Oct. 29 and employees will be able to pick their favorite pumpkin in a poll on InSite through 5 p.m. on Oct. 30. The winner will be crowned on Halloween Day!

Stay tuned for more details about upcoming frighteningly fun Halloween activities including a virtual costume party, trivia and more.

Kristin Masangkay, HHSA Fiscal 

Carmen Leedham, HHSA -Office of Business Intelligence

Kristin Masangkay, HHSA Fiscal 

Get to Know SDCLA President Daniel Izaguirre

The County has 11 great Employee Resource Groups. They are each led by a respective board of directors who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community. 

Get to know Daniel Izaguirre, president of the San Diego County Latino Association.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: I just reached my 10 years at the County working all of them in the Health and Human Services Agency – Self-Sufficiency Services. I started off as a human services specialist and promoted to supervising human services specialist in the South Region Live Well Center, Chula Vista. Then I promoted to a program specialist for the Eligibility Training Center where I do training and development for a variety of staff in Self-Sufficiency Services through in-person and virtual training. I also work on video production for training videos for our department.

Q: What’s your workplace superpower?

A: Making good decisions on coffee beans would be one superpower. My second would be my ability to communicate with people.

Q. Who are your mentors? Who inspires you?

A: I have had many mentors; however, my parents and brother were incredible mentors to me. They showed me what hard work really meant at a young age and the value of family. In my professional life I had many mentors who were my former and current managers that I learned something from.

The reality is that anyone can really be a mentor because everyone has something they can teach you.

Who inspires me are my nieces and nephews. Seeing them grow and become the people they have gave me an appreciation to the future generations and the spirit to work in public service. 

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

A: First some quotes that I really appreciate from mentors are “Knowledge is power… as long as you share it” and “treat others the way they want to be treated”.

My biggest mentors have gone along the same route for this advice in that it is important to remain curious in learning. That means that we should always be willing to ask questions on the task at hand, ask for advice and be appreciative in constructive criticism in our work environment.

Finally, being cognizant in the biases that you may have. We all have some type of bias and knowing that will help in communicating better with people inside and outside of work.

Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?

A: Take advantage of the services at your local public libraries and through the employee assistance programs. Looking for a therapist and not sure where to start? Psychologytoday.com is a good resource. 

Q: Who are you outside of work and types of activities do you enjoy?

A: Music, art, travel and sports. I just recently came back from a three-week trip in Europe where I got to visit five countries. Got to enjoy the different sights and sounds of each place (Vienna, Austria was my favorite). Oh, and how could I forget about food? I consider discovering and trying new cuisine an activity. Best meal I had? Duck paella in Barcelona, Spain. Hands down.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: From a young age it has always been about helping others. The intrinsic reward i get is why I am all about “The Noblest Motive Being the Public Good.” I am passionate about teaching and mentoring. When I am no longer here, I would like to know that I gave something back to people’s growth. I will always believe that when I work with people that if they succeed, I succeed.  

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: Our employee resource group is the San Diego County Latino Association. The organization has been around now for over 40 years. We are here to service as a valuable resource for not only the employees of the County of San Diego, but to the San Diego community at large. We strive to be a resource that promotes professional excellence, leadership, and cultural awareness, while serving as a strategic partner for community achievement and the County’s success.

Q: How has being in your ERG improved your experience working at the County?

A: I joined ERG back in 2017 when I was 3 years into my career as a human services specialist. Through networking events I was able to get guidance from people more experienced in the government field which helped me decide in what direction to go for my growth.

I give a lot of thanks to the former board members for the imprint they left one me and the opportunity to give back to members.

I have created lifelong friendships because of this organization, and I can’t wait to make more.

Q: What are your favorite places to eat in San Diego? Or what is your most favorite meal?

A: Oh wow! This is a tough question because I appreciate all cuisine.

Favorite place to eat for a quick bite (cheat meal) will def be India Bonita down in West Chula Vista off Orange and Melrose. Get their Cali burrito add American guac.

Sit down or order for delivery? Olympic Café off University Ave (North Park Area). I haven’t had one bad thing there. My go too is their chicken and steak kabob plate.

Favorite meal? I am Peruvian so I must stick with their cuisine and the dish “chupe de camarones.” It’s a Peruvian shrimp chowder that I will always order if it is on the menu.

Oh, check out Eli’s Peruvian Kitchen and Sanguecheria Peruvian Street Food if you want some Peruvian cuisine in San Diego.

Q: Name one (or more) musicians/bands you are listening to right now?

A: So many artists and groups to choose from. I’ll keep it to genres I’m currently listening to 1990/2000’s hip hop and R&B, rock, and EDM with tech-house at the forefront.

Also read:

Gallery: No Tricks, Just Pet Treats

County Animal Services is offering a Halloween treat to all. Free pet adoptions, if you mention that you saw these costumed cuties on InSite. Visit the adoptions page to learn more about these animals and others looking for forever homes.

To help inspire your fellow employees to adopt by Halloween, share a photo of your own pet in a costume. Email one photo to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov by Halloween.

Images will post below.


Employee Pet Photos

Natalia Santos, Self Sufficiency Services - Chula Vista Family Resource Center 

Pug in a pumpkin costume

Ivan Noriega, Workforce training & development HHSA

cat w/ crystal ball

Yvette Urrea Moe, Communications Office

Jessica Demirdjian, Economic Development and Government Affairs

Barbara Catalogna Owens, Self Sufficiency Services

cat with flower on neck

Yvette Urrea Moe, Communications Office

Michael Arce, Behavioral Health Services

Lance Edwards, Public Defender

tortie cat in Easter bunny costume

Sara wilson, Edgemoor, BHS, HHSA

sir milo loftin, communications office

susie valenzuela, Edgemoor, BHS, HHSA

Jennifer Hernandez, Department of Environmental Health & Quality

Michelle Hollie-Luterick, Public Health Services

Melissa Moreno-Contreras, Self-Sufficiency Services

Carolina Arriaga-Contreras, Self Sufficiency Services – Chula Vista Family Resource Center

Jeska Chuaunsu, Self-Sufficiency Services

Alyssa Stewart, Self-Sufficiency Services | Finance and Contracts Dept.

Mike mallowe, registrar of voters

Olga Lucia Acosta, Del Mar Branch Library

pug in skeleton pajamas

Kathryn Lee, Edgemoor, BHS, HHSA

Philip Ainsworth, Behavioral Health Services

Felicitas Nunez, Public Health Services

Katherine Sahagun, Public Health Services, Epidemiology & Immunization Services Branch

cat with bat wings

Yvette Urrea Moe, Communications Office

Casey Bartolomucci, Self-Sufficiency Services – Access

Daniel Manzo, Public Health Services - Maternal, Child and Family Health Services

Jessica Watson, Public Health Services, North Coastal Region

Marissa Milloy, Fleet Support

Joanna Rivera, Aging & Independent Services / IHSS

Joanna Rivera, Aging & Independent Services / IHSS

Charlie Ramirez, Registrar of Voters

Esther Yorba, Office of Revenue and Recovery

Sam Hallis, Public Health Laboratory

LAcey Sopher, Public defender

Tito Airheart (formerly Escalante), Behavioral Health Services

Tito Airheart (formerly Escalante), Behavioral Health Services

Christine Lafontant, Parks and Recreation

AAACE Hosting Beach Bonfire and S’mores Gathering

AAACE logo

The African American Association of County Employees is hosting a Bonfire and S’mores gathering on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

This event is perfect for all ages, so come on out and make some sweet memories with AAACE.

Meet at Lifeguard Station #13 (left of the bathrooms) in Mission Beach, 3200 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego.

Bring chairs or blankets.

RSVP now.

See the flyer below.

What You Need to Know About Halloween Happenings

Get ready for frighteningly fun Halloween activities! So many tricks and treats are planned all October.

This year we are expanding the opportunity for participation by going virtual. This means employees working all shifts and in all corners of the County will be able to join the fun on InSite.

Stay tuned for weekly announcements of Halloween happenings. All activities will be posted here.

This week’s announcement is a big one. Lip Sync Battle is back! Interested contestants are invited to submit a video of their lip sync performance. No in-person event will be held this year.

While last year’s Lip Sync Battle was decided by applause at the County Operations Center, this year you will be the judge. Employees will be asked to vote on InSite for their favorite finalist on Halloween Day. The entry with the most votes will be crowned the Lip Sync Battle champion!

How to Enter

Entering is easy. Submit a video by 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28. Include your name and department. If you are submitting as a group, include the names and departments of all employees.

No auditions are necessary. Your video is your entry. So, get creative - you can dance and don a costume, if you choose.

See an example from Public Safety Group Program Manager Royce Abalos.

This contest is 100% online - making it easy for employees to participate. The Halloween committee will select finalists from the video submissions on Oct. 30. And employees will vote on InSite for their favorite of those finalists’ videos.

There are multiple ways to submit your video:

  1. Text it to 619-481-4309.

  2. Email it to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

  3. Share it via Teams.

Rules

  • Solo acts and groups are welcome.

  • All participants must be County employees.

  • Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28.

  • Video entries should be no longer than 1 minute. Send videos as an MP4 or MOV.

  • All song lyrics, dance moves and costumes must be work appropriate.

  • Video must be recorded in October 2024.

  • Have fun.