Don’t Miss Deadline to File Your Spending Account Reimbursements

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There are just a few more days to file your spending account receipts for reimbursement on approved medical expenses from 2023. All documents and supporting receipts are due to ASI Flex on or before March 31, 2024—so don’t be late!

This deadline applies to Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSAs), Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs).

Approved medical expenses include doctor office visits and prescription copays, chiropractic visits, eyeglasses, dental work and many other health expenditures. Services and purchases need to have been made between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, or while your account was active. For a complete list of eligible purchases, refer to ASI Flex.

In addition, you may be able to roll over some of your unspent 2023 funds into 2024. Employees may carry over up to $610 into this year’s flex spending account. This IRS guideline applies to employees not enrolled in a high deductible health care plan.

If you are not sure how much you have left in your flex spending account, check your account balance through ASI Flex’s website, or smartphone users can use the ASI app.

You may submit claims and the required supporting documentation in multiple ways:

  • Submit the claim online through your Account Detail. Visit asiflex.com/sdcounty and click “Employee (Participant) Login.” If you have not established your account previously, you can just click “Create an Account.”

  • Submit the claim through the mobile app. The app is free and available on Google Play or the App store.

  • Fax or Mail. Visit asiflex.com/sdcounty/Forms for the form and contact information.

Supporting documentation for claims must include:

  1. Provider name/address (or where items were purchased).

  2. Patient name.

  3. Date the service was being provided (regardless of when paid or billed).

  4. Description of the service or supply.

  5. Dollar amount owed.

You can also provide your insurance plan’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to document expenses.

For dependent care claims, you can just have the day care provider sign the claim form. No additional documentation is needed.

For more information on the Department of Human Resources’ Benefits division, visit their website on InSite.

You Can Now Add Pronouns to Your Microsoft Teams Profile

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The County is now offering a new Microsoft Teams feature that allows employees to display their preferred pronouns. The use of correct pronouns acknowledges and respects someone’s gender identity.

The County Technology Office rolled out the feature on Friday with guidance from the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group. This feature is in alignment with the Department of Human Resources Pronouns Policy.

“Correctly using pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show that we value being inclusive and respectful,” said LGBTQ&A ERG Vice-Chair Tamara Watson-Foster. “When we are referred by the wrong pronoun, it may make us feel disrespected, invalidated and alienated. In a hybrid multicultural workplace, the simple act of using the right pronouns for one another can help build trust and improve communication among colleagues.”

Choosing to use the pronouns feature in Teams as an individual user is optional.

Learn how to add your pronouns in Teams. Check out this knowledge article on the Help Me kNow Hub. Add Pronouns to Your Microsoft Profile in Teams.

Rewind: How to Report a Privacy Incident

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If you missed the Ethics Awareness Month Speakers Series on “How to Report a Privacy Incident” on Thursday, watch it now! 

Chief Privacy Officer Todd Hood and HHSA Business Assurance and Compliance Director Christy Carlson shared the ins and outs of reporting. 

The webinar was a part of the Ethics Awareness Month activities series. Mark your calendar for upcoming events. 

Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Prevention Policy 
Date: March 14 
Time: Noon to 12:30 p.m. 
Location: Join on Teams 
Speakers:  
Branden Butler, Director of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards 
Frances Rogers, Senior Deputy County Counsel 

Conflicts of Interest 
Date: March 21 
Time: Noon to 12:30 p.m. 
Location: Join on Teams 
Speakers: 
Mia Watson, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer
Randall Sjoblom, Senior Deputy County Counsel 

Ethics Fair 
Date: March 28 
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Location: County Operations Center Plaza, outside 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA Activities: Numerous County departments, games, activities and guest speakers 

If you have questions about Ethics and Compliance training and other resources, contact the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.   

HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Business Assurance and Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807.  

For more information, email oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 619-531-5174. In addition, you can visit OECLS’s InSite page. 

Everything to Know About Our Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Prevention Policy

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On March 14, Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards Director Branden Butler and Senior Deputy County Counsel Frances Rogers will discuss the ins and outs of our discrimination, harassment and retaliation policy. The virtual event will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Teams.

The webinar is a part of the Ethics Awareness Month activities series. Mark your calendar for upcoming events.

Conflicts of Interest
Date: March 21
Time: Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Join on Teams
Speakers:
Mia Watson, Chief Ethics & Compliance Office
Randall Sjoblom, Senior Deputy County Counsel

Ethics Fair
Date: March 28
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: County Operations Center Plaza, outside 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA
Activities: Numerous County departments, games, activities and guest speakers

If you have questions about Ethics and Compliance training and other resources, contact the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.  

HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Business Assurance and Compliance team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807. 

For more information, email oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 619-531-5174. In addition, you can visit OECLS’s InSite page.

Take a Pie in the Eye for the CECO Flood Relief Fund for Employees

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One department went the extra mile to help raise funds through the County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) for many of our fellow coworkers who are in the long recovery process after the Jan. 21-23 storms and catastrophic flooding.

The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors department took photos of the staff throwing pies at their department head, Andrew Potter.  

For a minimum $25 donation to CECO, anyone who wanted to have a little fun and help their coworkers and colleagues who have lost so much could throw a whipped cream pie at Andrew’s face.

Approximately $100,000 in grant funds have been requested from CECO, and while we want to help them all, we need your help. A little goes a long way in helping with loss and repairs. If every County employee donated $5, it would raise $100,000.

There is still time to raise these much-needed funds, so why not try a pie or other challenge to have some fun while also supporting your coworkers impacted by the catastrophic flooding in January?

Below are a few you may want to try. Choose one, a couple or make up your own.

Pie in the Eye

Does your team want to hit you with a whipping cream pie? Let them—and raise some money for flood survivors in the process.

Coffee Break

You know that $5 you’d spend on a coffee? Slip it into the office coffee cup, donation box or Venmo account instead. 

Matching Gifts

Challenge your team to raise money by matching what they raise—either in full or during a set period.

Collection Box in the Common Area

Sometimes it is as simple as a collection box, pail or basket by the water cooler.

Donations can be made online at: https://donorbox.org/ceco-flood-relief-fundraising

“My whole downstairs was flooded, everything was ruined, and my car was totaled.”

– County employee

“Water was almost 5 feet high and filled the entire home… everything will have to be rebuilt.”

– County employee

What Is the Equity Indicator Report?

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By the Office of Equity and Racial Justice

The first Equity Indicator Report was launched on Feb. 7, 2024, with the County of San Diego’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. You might ask, what is the Equity Indicator Report?

Let’s discuss! In January of 2021, the Board of Supervisors declared racism as a public health crisis. As such, the Board directed the Office of Equity and Racial Justice to enhance data collection as part of several efforts to address the root causes for systemic and structural racism. This led to the creation of the Equity Indicator Report.

The report provides a baseline understanding of where inequitable outcomes exist within 34 indicators across 10 themes such as education, crime and the legal system and infrastructure. It outlines where the greatest disparities exist within the County and will be annually updated to keep track of our progress towards eliminating these disparities. Supporting our countywide efforts related to equity and racial justice, this will help drive the strategies and interventions needed to address inequity and improve the quality of life for all.

To learn more about the Equity Indicator Report, visit Equity Indicators or read the County’s news article New County Report to Address Inequity in the Region.

Join Virtual Job Interview Preparation Workshop

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Enhance your interview skills and confidence from the comfort of your home. Join the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) for a one-hour, virtual job interview workshop.

Discover the five stages of the interview process, learn how to answer the dreaded weakness question and create an impressive elevator pitch.

The event will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 21 on Zoom.

To learn more and register scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/sdwp_interviewprep.

See the flyer below.

Interim CAO Message: Celebrating You on Employee Appreciation Day and Every Day! 

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A message from Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Aghassi: 

Today we celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, but really, every day is Employee Appreciation Day. I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your selfless contributions, your unwavering commitment, and your steadfast dedication to the well-being of our community. 

In recognition of your dedication, all eligible employees will be given 8 hours of recognition leave. You can take the leave anytime in the coming fiscal year, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. Learn more about the eligibility details, and if you have additional questions, please contact your department’s HR representative.  

Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for being the heart and soul of the County of San Diego. 

Praise From Across the County

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Today we applaud you—all of you! See videos, photos and notes of appreciation from across the County below.

Also read: Interim CAO Message: Celebrating You on Employee Appreciation Day and Every Day!

a message from Maria Gomez, Interim Policy Director, Land Use & Environment Group

a Message from Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Andrew Potter

A message from Tammy Burmeister, Protective Services Supervisor, Child and Family Well-Being Department

A message from Amy Menolez, Chief Deputy Registrar, Office of Vital Records

Message from Caroline Smith, Director of the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs

A message from Elizabeth A. Hernandez, Director of Public Health Services

A message from Amaya Ly, Public Health Nurse Manager at Medical Care Services - North Coastal Public Health Center

A message from PAul Rodriguez, Public Defender

A message from Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director, First 5 San Diego & Child and Family Well-Being

A message for the Department of Animal Services

a Message from Erin Chancler, Administrator/Deputy Director of Edgemoor DPSNF

Message from Maggie Ramsberger, Director of the Agency Support Team

A message from the Interim Agency Director, Dr. Eric McDonald and HHSA Executive Team 

A message from the DHR Management Team

A special shout out to four amazing Section Chiefs:

Julie Downing    Brian Riley
Kelly Dulin          Esther Yorba

 Happy Employee Appreciation Day!  Your hard work, dedication and positive attitude are the driving forces behind our success. Today we celebrate you and all the wonderful contributions you make to your team and our division. Thank you for being such an integral part of the Office of Revenue & Recovery.

 ----Rick Cacha, Manager, A&C, Office of Revenue & Recovery