Book Discussion: ‘All You Can Ever Know’

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Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month with a book discussion on “All You Can Ever Know”.

This memoir is Nicole Chung’s story of adoption and the search for her Korean birth family, when she becomes an expectant mother and is about to start her own family.

The event in partnership with the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees and the County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees Association will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4 at the Poway Library.

The Poway Library is located at 13137 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064.

Register now.

See the flyer below.

Earth Day Is Every Day Thanks to You!

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The County is kicking off a month of activities in honor of Earth Day. Our Interim Chief Administrative Officer is grateful for your commitment and invites you to celebrate.

We hope you enjoy these activities that celebrate our beautiful planet and help you care for our natural environment. We look forward to celebrating with you virtually all year long, and in person at this year's Earth Day Fair at the County Operations Center, 5500 Overland Drive, from 11 a. m. to 1 p.m. on April 22, 2024.

Chairwoman Nora Vargas and the County Supervisors wish all a Happy Earth Month. Watch Video.

Meet the 2024 CSDFEA SHEroes

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In celebration of Women's History Month, the County of San Diego Filipino American Employee Association (CSDFEA) is showcasing the personal “sheroes” of County of San Diego employees.

CSDFEA explained that a shero is defined as “a woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities; a heroine.” A shero can be a family member, friend, teacher, coach, co-worker, mentor, community advocate, famous trailblazer, etc. 

Meet the 19 amazing women in CSDFEA's 2024 SHERO program.

County Employees Give $102K in Grants

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The County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) distributed $101,507 in grants to 58 local nonprofit programs and the Employee Crisis Fund at its annual awards ceremony at the County Operations Center Friday.

Several local nonprofits, including health clinics, homeless service providers, after school programs and more, received grants. See the full list.

CECO has been the charitable arm of the County of San Diego since 1956 and strives to lend a hand to the community by way of grants to local nonprofit programs and assistance to employees and retirees in need. One hundred percent of donations made to CECO are distributed back to the community. 

Help CECO provide greater support to local nonprofits and County employees and retirees in need. Make a one-time or reoccurring donation or encourage another person to support CECO.

There’s three easy ways to give: donate through PayPal, set up a reoccurring donation or through automatic payroll deductions.

Video: Ethics Fair Fun 

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The Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards hosted a fun fair for employees on Thursday in March in honor of Ethics Awareness Month. The Ethics Fair was held at the County Operations Center. The theme this year was “Do the Right Thing.”

If you missed the speaker series, watch the webinars on “rewind”: 

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. 

Your View: The Tale of Two Palm Trees

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Borrego Springs Library staff captured this beautiful photo from the library’s Poet’s Patio of the newly fallen snow on the San Jacinto Mountains and two lovely palm trees. A rare sight in March!

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. 

Get to Know AAACE Board Member Brianna Hamilton

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The County has 11 great Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). 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 our African American Association of County Employees Board Member Brianna Hamilton.

Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?

A: I have been working with the Document Processing Center for HHSA since February 2023.

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

A: I am currently a senior office assistant. I supervise seven staff members, who are a mix of staff working permanently from home (GWOW- Government Without Walls) and staff physically in the office. I am responsible for monitoring staff activities, training, identifying additional training needs, planning daily work assignments, evaluating staff performance and counseling any staff that may be experiencing performance issues. I am responsible for writing and issuing performance appraisals on a timely basis, reviewing and approving employee timecards and conducting monthly one-on-one conferences. 

Q: What’s your workplace superpower?

A: Being able to multitask and keep a schedule that allows me to have versatility in many different aspects of my job.

Q. Who are your mentors? 

A: As of now, I am navigating my path without the support and guidance of a mentor.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: Self-motivation drives me. As I mature, I am determined to improve my own life and create a different narrative for my children. Thus, I find inspiration within myself to persist in my education, career and future aspirations.

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

A: Don’t ever stop doing what makes you happy.

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

A: Resume building and joining an employee resource group have allowed me to collaborate with many people in different classifications within the County.

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

A: I love nature. I like to hike and spend time with family and friends.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Making sure I can provide generational wealth for my future self and family.

AAACE Board Members

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: The African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) serves as an employee resource group within the County of San Diego, welcoming County employees, students and community members interested in diversity and professional development, while also celebrating African American culture locally.

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

A: My experience working at the County has been greatly enhanced by my participation in our ERG. The ERG has created a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere by engaging diverse perspectives and promoting collaboration. It has empowered me to contribute meaningfully to our organizational goals and has fostered a stronger sense of belonging and community for me.

AAACE board members

Additionally, the ERG has facilitated valuable networking opportunities and encouraged collaboration across departments, leading to increased productivity and innovation.

Overall, my involvement in the ERG has not only improved my personal satisfaction but has also positively influenced the work environment, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values within our County.

Q: What are your 3 favorite places to eat in San Diego?

A: Mana Korean Barbeque, L&L Hawaiian Food and Epic Wings and Things.

Q: Who was the top artist from Apple Music last year?

A: Brent Faiyaz or Tems. 

Also read:

Final Push for Employee Flood Relief Fund Donations Includes Pie-throwing Opportunity

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Help raise a few more thousand dollars for County team members impacted by the late January storms, and you’ll get something in return – a chance to throw a pie at the County’s top executives.  

The County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) Flood Relief Fund will accept donations through Tuesday, April 2. 

If the fund hits $30,000 by that date, all employees who donated to the fund will be entered into an opportunity drawing to toss a pie at Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Aghassi and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Michael Vu. It’s as fun as it sounds! The winners of the drawing will win the opportunity to throw a whipped cream pie at the CAO’s Office leadership. The names of four winners will be drawn.  

Approximately $100,000 in grant funds have been requested from CECO, with more than $26,000 raised so far. Impacted employees are grateful for the support provided by other employees.  

“Thank you CECO & donors for your help! This assistance not only helps me replace some of my damaged items, but also gives me relief and hope in finding an overall fix to this whole situation.” 

– County employee 

“To open your door and see your place trashed and every single thing that you own completely covered in mud and destroyed by the water. I never seen anything like this in San Diego... Thank you, County Employee's Charitable Organization (CECO) for the help. Greatly appreciated!” 

– County employee 

Donate today to reach the $30,000 goal: https://donorbox.org/ceco-flood-relief-fundraising.