The Board of Supervisors awarded the Indigenous Sovereign Nations Employee Resource Group, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the California Native American Legislative Caucus a proclamation on Tuesday for their outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the citizens. In addition, Aug. 29 was declared “California Native American Day” throughout San Diego County.
A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:
County colleagues,
At a County-hosted Pride event earlier this summer, one topic that came up concerned gender-neutral restrooms at County facilities – those for employees and for the public.
Specifically: What are we doing to make people aware of policies around restroom usage? And what are we doing when it comes to building design?
It was not the first conversation the County has had around this aspect of inclusivity. But it prompted me to address the topic with all of you.
Let’s start with where we are. We have nearly 1,700 restrooms at County-owned and -leased facilities, serving both the public and employees. These include 782 gender-neutral restrooms and 901 restrooms designated for women or men.
Under federal, state and local law, people can choose a restroom based on their gender identity or gender expression, or use a restroom identified as all-gender.
To be clear: County employees and visitors to County facilities are welcome to use the restroom facilities that most closely align with their gender identity or gender expression. No questions asked.
But there is more we need to do to increase access at our facilities. So I have directed the Department of General Services to take these steps:
Review, revise, or establish County policies related to restroom access.
Socialize current and any new guidelines.
Determine the feasibility of pilot construction projects to increase gender-neutral or universal restrooms within existing facilities.
Study the feasibility of incorporating gender-neutral or universal restrooms into new construction design standards.
Since community is always at the heart of our work, community outreach including employee engagement will be a key component of these efforts.
I want to thank the County staff that put together the event that led to my message today: members of our LGBTQ & Allies Employee Resource Group; Human Resources’ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Team; and the Planning and Development Services D&I committee. It included a talk by San Diego Pride’s executive director, Fernando Zweifach López Jr., and a panel discussion with LGBTQIA+ County employees. Watch a recording.
Two principles emerged from that discussion. Equity requires intentional consideration. And our workforce is one of our biggest assets.
Those principles shaped what I’ve shared here. We will best serve our residents when all our employees feel a sense of belonging, and I believe these steps will move us toward that vision.
The County of San Diego Translation, Language, and Culture Connection (TLCC) Workgroup received the California State Association of Counties Challenge Award during today's Board of Supervisors meeting. This award recognizes their dedicated efforts in strengthening language access throughout the enterprise.
The CSAC Challenge Awards “recognize the innovative and creative spirit of our California Counties as they find new, effective and cost-saving ways to provide programs and services to their citizens.”
Launched in July 2020, TLCC serves as a County-wide resource for guidance on developing culturally sensitive, accurately translated, trauma-informed, and accessible communications for multilingual, diverse San Diego communities.
“Emerging during the height of the pandemic, the TLCC started as a translation best practice hub. It has transformed into a space that supports and guides staff in improving other communication methods, like ensuring materials resonate with diverse communities, including culture, language, and lived experience,” said TLCC Tri-chair Justine Kozo, chief regional community coordinator for the Health and Human Services Agency’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities (HSEC).
The group is comprised of over 100 employees, representing departments across the enterprise and all four business groups with varying expertise in linguistic translation, communications, cultural sensitivity, health equity, and community engagement. Since its formation, TLCC has elevated translation and communication priorities, informed county-wide translation processes, developed trainings and guidelines, and shaped Board policy on the development and implementation of a County-wide equitable and inclusive language strategy.
The TLCC is co-chaired by Kozo, County Language Services Manager José A. Álvarez and Elizabeth Bustos, HHSA agency equity liaison. HSEC provides support to the TLCC with coordination and logistics. If interested in joining the TLCC, please contact Cassandra Muñiz at cassandra.muniz1@sdcounty.ca.gov.
For more information and resources about the County’s translation and interpretation services, visit Language Services: Inclusive & Equitable Communications.
It's Detector Dog Yeti Day in San Diego County. The Board of Supervisors recognized Yeti for protecting our environment and being such a hard-working dog. Yeti and the pest detection team were awarded a proclamation. The dogs are trained to inspect packages in delivery facilities.
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. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.
See more of Your View photos.
Housing and Community Development Services Caseworker Reina Chiong was recently recognized for her involvement in an annual cultural festival.
Chiong is a company dancer and board president of Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center, which hosted its 36th annual Philippine Cultural Arts Festival in Balboa Park on Aug. 26.
Read the article.
The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees recently distributed food to more than 150 families in the community. ERG members volunteered with Feeding San Diego at Poway Library on Aug. 16 .
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. One image will be posted to InSite every week and may be shared on social media.
See more of Your View photos.
Why can't so many of us shake unfounded feelings of self-doubt? As many as 70% of people will feel undeserving of their accomplishments at least once in their lives. Attend a townhall to hear how some County leaders overcome this barrier known as imposter-ism or imposter syndrome.
This Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council event will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 31. There are three ways to join.
Join in-person in the County Operation Center Chambers, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123. Map.
Join on MS Teams with meeting ID: 296 746 012 375. Register to get an automated calendar link. (Open in Edge.)
Call in at 619-343-2539, Phone Conference ID: 317 636 098#.
Speakers
Moderator: Natalia Bravo, D&I Exec Council Chair and CAO Chief of Staff
Panelist: Lucero Chavez Basilio, D&I Exec Council Member and Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs in the Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities department
Panelist: Edith Sanchez Cruz, Public Affairs Officer for the Sheriff's Department
Panelist: Ebony Shelton, Finance and General Government Deputy Chief Administrator and Chief Financial Officer
Panelist: Andrew Strong, D&I Exec Council Member and Office of Equity and Racial Justice Director
Panelist: Tamara Watson-Foster, LGBTQ&A ERG Board Member and Human Services Specialist at the Northeastern FRC
Panelist: Matthew Parr, Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs Deputy Director
Learn more about imposter syndrome prior to this session. Watch this short video.
This session will be recorded.
A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:
County Team,
I hope Tropical Cyclone Hilary’s passage through San Diego did not cause much disruption to your lives or any issues with your property. From initial reports, it doesn’t appear the county as a whole had any widespread trouble.
I want to thank everyone at the County who sprang into action when it became clear this unusual weather event would affect the region. Our Emergency Services team, coordinating with numerous agencies to get ready and respond as needed. Public Works crews, who are always out there 24/7 when bad weather hits. Sheriff’s deputies on the streets. A variety of staff in many other roles monitoring the situation and standing by if things got worse. I appreciate everyone’s dedication to keeping the public safe.
And I thank all of you who took the advice to get your household ready, hunker down, and stay off the roads. Anyone who heeds warnings makes all the responders’ jobs so much easier.
I also want to extend my appreciation to Chairwoman Nora Vargas, who supported our outstanding team in the Emergency Operations Center throughout the event. She is just as thankful for everyone’s efforts.
“I am so impressed by the staff's depth of knowledge and their exceptional ability to manage such a complex operation with remarkable ease," said Chairwoman Vargas. "Their dedication to protecting our residents brings me great comfort.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our regional response teams for their work preparing for any challenges the storm might have brought our way. We are truly fortunate to benefit from this level of collaboration in our region. Again, I’m immensely grateful to County staff for all they do to keep our region safe.”
The storm turned out not as bad as it had the potential to be. As in so many things, prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
That mindset needs to stay with us in the months ahead. It may seem strange to bring up wildfires when the ground is still soaked, but the risk is still expected to be high this fall, or even beyond. And it’s not just fires. Ventura County had an earthquake yesterday, in the middle of a tropical storm!
So stay ready for anything. Stock up on supplies. Make your disaster plan. Sign your cellphone up to get calls to evacuate. Remind relatives and friends to do the same. Download our emergency app for updates.
And, an important reminder that all County employees are designated disaster service workers. Many of you already have an assigned role in your department during an emergency. There is also a program called Ready Disaster Service Worker coordinated by our Office of Emergency Services to provide training so you can serve in other ways depending on the need. You can read program details and talk your supervisor is you’re interested in participating.
Thanks again to everyone, and let’s keep working together to keep ourselves and our residents safe.
Connect with the African American Association of County Employees’ executive board. Join a virtual meet and mingle event on Wednesday, Aug. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. The event will be held on MS Teams.
If you have any questions, email aaace@sdcounty.ca.gov.
See the flyer below.
Departments shared diversity and inclusion best practices at a D&I Showcase on Tuesday. Watch the recording to learn about the many creative, innovative and educational examples of fostering diversity and inclusion.
Presentations were made by D&I champions from the Clerk of the Board, Planning and Development Services, Public Health Services and the Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to the video, the presentations are available to view online:
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