Caroline Smith to Serve as Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Health and Human Services Agency

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Caroline Smith has been named the County’s interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Health and Human Services Agency to replace Dr. Eric McDonald who announced his retirement.

The Health and Human Services Agency oversees numerous programs and has nearly 8,000 employees who directly provide services to more than a third of the region’s residents.

Smith brings a passion for policy and public service combined with broad experience supporting the Health and Human Services Agency in her 18 years with the County. She currently serves as the Director of the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs, working with all County departments and diverse, regional stakeholders to maintain the Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Program, create a vibrant economic development strategy, expand the County’s role in arts and culture, and track and identify grant funding opportunities for County departments.

Previously, Caroline worked in a County Supervisor’s office and in the Office Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs, later joining the Health and Human Services Agency and serving as the Assistant Director of Aging & Independence Services. With her leadership, the department developed impactful programs to support local seniors and their caregivers, including the innovative Aging Roadmap and the Alzheimer’s Response Team Pilot project, training more than 350 first responders to provide crisis intervention and long-term support to families experiencing an Alzheimer’s disease-related crisis.

In her role as the Director of the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs, she continues to support the health of the region, including supporting the implementation of the CARE Act and SB 43 to help those with severe behavioral health disorders.

In addition, Caroline co-led the enterprise-wide team that developed the County’s new mission, values and strategic initiatives, as well as the overall vision of a just, sustainable and resilient future for all with community engagement and equity at its core.

Caroline will join the Health and Human Services Agency May 31, working with Dr. McDonald as they transition positions until the end of June. The recruitment process for a permanent Agency Deputy Chief Administrative Officer will take place once a new Chief Administrative Officer has been appointed.  

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

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May is Mental Health Matters Month, a time to highlight the importance of mental health and recognize that we are not alone when it comes to mental health struggles.  

This month people are encouraged to check-in, learn more and get support for their mental health or that of a loved one.  

Mental health challenges can affect someone’s thinking, emotions, behaviors or mood.  

For some people, talking about mental health can be difficult because of stigma. Yet we know that normalizing talking about challenges can empower people to get the support they need.  

Here are some steps all of us can take to make conversations around mental health easier: 

  • Treat others with respect. Avoid hurtful or judgmental language. 

  • Educate yourself about different mental health challenges. 

  • Understand that people are more than just their mental health condition. 

  • Use “person-first” language, meaning that you should refer to someone as a “person with bipolar disorder” rather than a “bipolar person”. 

  • Speak up when you hear incorrect information being shared. 

  • Learn about mental health resources so you’re better prepared to help someone in need. 

Being open and honest about our own mental health challenges can help people feel empowered, not alone and encourage more comfortable conversations. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health challenge, call the Access and Crisis Line. It’s Up to Us SD has information on how you can support your mental health and help others in need.   

More resources are available via the County’s Employee Assistance Program. 

Your View: State-of-the-Art Public Health Lab

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The County’s Public Health Lab construction is underway! The General Services Department shared a few photos of the 2-story lab and 6-level parking structure at the County Operations Center.

The new $93.3 million lab will be nearly three times the size of the old, cramped and outdated building on Rosecrans. The facility closed due to its aging infrastructure.

The new two-story facility will measure 52,000 square feet and create space for nearly 90 employees and contractors, and still allow room to grow.

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. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Join AAPI Heritage Month Celebration

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An Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18. There will be Japanese drummers, Filipino dancers, traditional Chinese music, martial arts demonstrations, crafts and more.  

The County Library, Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees and several community partners are hosting this festive event at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064.

See the flyer below.

Are You Prepared to Perform CPR?

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person performs CPR on a mannequin turso

Anyone can be a hero. Learning hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could help you save someone’s life. Several classes and resources are available to County employees.

Hands-only CPR involves chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute without using mouth-to-mouth breathing. Properly performed while waiting for medical professionals to arrive, it can double or triple a person’s likelihood of survival. For every minute CPR is delayed, survival from cardiac arrest decreases by 7% to 10%.

County Classes

The County is offering a new hands-only CPR class to employees.

This 2-hour course gives a brief overview of CPR techniques, including hands-only CPR and AED use for adults, children and infants. The class also presents an overview of basic first aid to include bleeding control, EpiPen administration for anaphylaxis, Narcan for opioid overdoses and how to relieve a choking victim. Employees may receive a certificate of completion, but they do not receive an official certification in CPR.

You can find additional First Aid with CPR and AED Certification classes by visiting the Learning Management System (LMS) and searching “CPR”.

Revive and Survive

Earlier this year, the County partnered with UC San Diego to launch a new initiative to help save lives. The program, Revive & Survive, was created to train 1 million San Diegans on how to perform hands-only CPR for people in cardiac arrest

For more information about Revive & Survive San Diego, including opportunities for CPR training, visit revivesurvive.ucsd.edu.

This App Could Save a Life

Finding and deploying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can help save a life in those critical minutes before a paramedic arrives. In fact, you’re twice as likely to survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest if you receive both CPR and AED assistance, compared to CPR alone. 

The PulsePoint Respond app provides a map of nearby AEDs. Download it today.

San Diego has used the PulsePoint AED app to build one of the most comprehensive and model AED registries in the country with more than 145,000 monthly active users.

Heart Health Tips

There are a lot of steps you can take—literally—to be heart-healthy. Here are 10 steps, including calling your mom, which will help get your heart—and your whole body—healthier.

PerkSpot: Treat the Moms in Your Life

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person holds card with heart and mom on it as younger person looks over their shoulder

Show the moms and mother figures in your life how much they mean to you on Mother’s Day. Find them a great gift for less on PerkSpot! The online employee discount program has deals on flowers, sweets, jewelry and more. 

Mother’s Day deals included 25% off 1-800-Flowers.com, up to 93% off custom Canvas Prints and 20% off Spafinder Wellness gift cards. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop.