ARCC Chief Deputy Receives Women of Influence Honors

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.” 

Celebrate Lunar New Year with APACE at Poway Library

The Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees invites the community to a Lunar New Year celebration at Poway Library on Feb. 18. There will be lion dancers, cultural performances and crafts.

Date: Feb. 18

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, Poway, CA  92064

See the flyer below.

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

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

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

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’

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

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. 

Play an Important Role in Emergencies, Join the Ready Disaster Service Worker Team

Want to play a critical role in the County’s emergency response and recovery efforts? Join the Ready Disaster Service Worker (DSW) team!

The Ready DSW program provides the foundation to have an established team of knowledgeable and well-trained staff ready before a disaster or emergency. The training is an opportunity to get specialized training in an area you are passionate about, like working in a shelter or with Animal Services receiving household pets, horses, or livestock to assist families who have been evacuated.

Join the Ready DSW team by scanning the QR code or clicking this link to submit an application and see specific positions. Note that your manager will need to sign off before you submit the application.

If you are selected for a position with the Ready DSW Team, you may be invited to a training and/or to take part in emergency drills involving your position. You will be paid your normal rate and could be asked to work a different schedule.

It is important to note, that all County employees are disaster service workers. Many employees have preestablished roles during emergencies. For example, dozens of employees staffed the Local Assistance Center in Spring Valley following recent flooding.

The Ready DSW Team is for future emergencies. A workforce that is well-trained and knowledgeable in recovery and response skills before a disaster will reduce the overall recovery timeline and make San Diego County more resilient.

For questions, email OESgen.ODP@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Your View: County Prepares Sandbags Ahead of Storm

CAL FIRE shared this photo of them preparing free sandbags for residents and businesses in the unincorporated area. Our region experienced heavy rains during the January storm and more is in the forecast.

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. 

County Employees Impacted by Storm Report Devastating Damage – Your Donation Can Help

Imagine your home suddenly flooding with inches, even feet of water, ruining everything. Many County team members are among the San Diegans starting the long recovery process after the Jan. 22 storm, and your donation can help them.

Funds raised thru 3/25/24

The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) has launched a Flood Relief Fund for County employees. CECO has received grant applications from impacted employees for $99,095.

Among the stories of devastation employees have reported - water damage to floors, dry wall and support beams in their home. Another shared that everything they owned was ruined and their car was severely damaged. Others reported mold, loss of furniture and personal belongings. Many also said they were displaced.

Help by donating to the Relief Fund. A little can go a long way. If every County employee donated $5, it would raise $100,000. Your donations will go directly to employees and contracted employees impacted by the storm.

“While hundreds of employees are out in the community assisting with services to help people recover from the storm, we can also assist our fellow employees with grants to help them with efforts to repair and replace damaged items,” CECO President Nadia Moshirian Binderup. “Any support and contribution makes a difference.”

To apply for a Flood Relief Fund grant, submit a crisis fund application. The maximum grant amount is $1,500. Application requests may assist with repairs, household items, food, temporary hotel relocation, and other items impacted by flood damage. Applicants must provide photos of damage from the winter storms. The program will close on Feb. 29.