Suggest a Story

We’re always looking for new and interesting stories to share here on InSite. But if we don’t know about them, how can we bring them to you? That’s where you come in. If you know of something that might make a great story, we want you to share it with us!

Things to think about:

  • How is the story connected to the County? Does it directly involve an employee, service, initiative or department?

  • If it’s about extracurricular activity of an employee, what makes it unique?

  • Does it tie into any County events/news?

  • Is it different from other stories we’ve done? News is what’s new!

  • Is it timely? Ideally, we hear about things before they happen.

Did you so yes? Then, send it in!

What to include:

  • Brief description of the story idea

  • Name

  • Phone number

  • Department

Thanks for visiting InSite and sharing your ideas.

Your View: Edgemoor DP Skilled Nursing Facility at Job Fair

This photo was submitted by Felicia Alcaraz from the County’s Edgemoor DP Skilled Nursing Facility where staff handed out their promotional swag at the Grossmont Health Occupation Center Job Fair to provide information on the many job and training opportunities at Edgemoor.

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. 

Employees Get a Look at Emerging Tech at Innovation Day 2024

The County Technology Office (CTO) recently hosted its annual Innovation Day at the County Operations Center.

The event showcased emerging technologies that could shape the County's business practices and interactions with its customers.  

This year's theme was Harvesting Ideas, building on the recent County Ideathon, where multiple ideas were submitted across all County groups. Innovation Day 2024 highlighted several ideas currently being developed to meet business challenges.

Presentations and booths let County staff explore topics like automating processes, alerting the County to cyber threats, large data lake modeling, customer-first digital experiences and mobile check-ins for appointments.

Artificial intelligence was the day’s most talked-about topic, with several vendors sharing how they are incorporating AI into their products, including:

  • Google: A tool that turns lengthy recordings or transcripts, such as those from meetings or hearings, into summary podcasts.

  • Microsoft: Integration of AI into its Office tools.

  • ServiceNow: Enhancements to its product using AI.

County staff also experienced generative AI through a hands-on workstation.

The event highlighted several other innovative technologies, including:

  • AT&T: Discussed how low-orbit satellites can improve internet access in areas in the county with poor or no connectivity. The County has begun using the service at several sites. AT&T and CTO are looking at how to make it standard.

  • Amazon Web Services: Demonstrated how its technology can use AI to power data analytics.

  • Accela: Showed how its software can streamline a customer’s application for a permit.

  • Zoom: Introduced features like workspace reservations.

  • Peraton and CTO: Provided a variety of laptops for attendees to try out.

For a full list of vendors and their presentations, visit the Innovation Day website.

CTO and Peraton have an active innovation program that sponsors pilots for new ideas. County employees are encouraged to submit suggestions, which are sent to a review board for possible development.

You can see more pictures from the event below.

Volunteers Needed to Help in Yearly Count of People Experiencing Homelessness

Your help is needed for the 2025 Point in Time Count. The annual snapshot of people experiencing homelessness around the county is on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.

Volunteer opportunities for County employees are paid and on County time thanks to approval by the Board of Supervisors. Shifts are available on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Volunteers are asked to participate only in one of the available shifts.

Each year, the Point in Time Count begins our region’s effort to develop a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night of the year. Volunteers speak with people to collect information about their circumstances and needs. Last year, volunteers counted 10,600 people experiencing homelessness in San Diego County with about 4,500 in shelters and the remainer unsheltered.

This count helps our region apply for federal and state funding to help serve this vulnerable population while also measuring on one day our region’s efforts to reduce homelessness.

Employees who receive approval to take part from their supervisors are encouraged to register as soon as possible because deployment sites fill up quickly. The deadline to sign up is 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27.

Sign up in three steps:

  1. Review the FAQ’s

  2. Obtain approval from your supervisor via the supervisor approval form.

  3. Once you get approval, please sign up here.

After you’ve signed up, you will receive an email receipt for this event. In the email there will be a link to a training for you to review from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, which is leading the local point-in-time effort with the WeALLCount campaign.

Morning volunteers will be asked to arrive at their deployment locations by 3:45 a.m. to give themselves time to become familiar with a mobile counting app and receive your count area map.

The 2025 count is directed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will again use a survey-based approach. People on the streets will be surveyed as they are encountered, rather than just an observational count.

This will be the 11th year County employees have volunteered to take part in the count. Last year, around 170 County employees volunteered. Everyone who is interested is encouraged to take part in this important effort. Members of the public can also join the count. If you have family or friends who would like to participate, they too can sign in to sign up to volunteer.

Get to Know Your DCAO: Andrew Strong, PSG

Get to know the County’s new leadership team in a series of stories highlighting some professional and personal highlights. It started with Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton

In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the CAO’s leadership team – the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and Chief Financial Officer. 

Andrew Strong smiles

Right now, it’s Andrew Strong’s turn. He’s the new DCAO for the Public Safety Group. Previously, he was the director for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice.

What is your leadership style? I lead with grace, an open mind, accountability and by seeing everyone’s humanity.

Advice to someone just starting out in their career? Be open-minded and remember that relationships are the most important things in life. Your co-workers, supervisors, leadership, friends and family are all important. It’s a balance but keeping that in mind will keep you balanced and lead to significant social capital in the workforce.

Advice to someone who wants to move ahead in their career. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t sell yourself short. Sometimes you have to go back to move forward, meaning if a position pays less but gives you more opportunity to build relationships and gain visibility, it could be worth it! 

Recommend any professional development resources like books, podcasts, YouTube channels, etc. (efficiency, careers, getting ahead, etc.)? 

I highly recommend the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Following those principles will keep you focused, and lead to balance and success in your life and career. 

What prompted you to apply for a job at the County? 

Getting out of the Navy and I wanted to get my foot in the door somewhere that I felt would provide security and benefits for my family, and the County seemed like a great place to be! 

Do you have a particular philosophy? Motto? Saying that inspires you/that you live by? 

My motto/saying for when times get tough is “this too shall pass." It serves as a powerful reminder that both good and bad times come and go.

Louisiana flag

Where did you grow up? 

Bossier City, Louisiana.  

 First job? 

Working for my dad. After he retired from the Air Force, he started his own cleaning business. Of course, I was one of his first employees and it was my first job. Good old, Happy Andy’s Cleaning service. 

How do you relieve stress?  

Going to the gym and pushing myself to the limit with my workouts. 

cruise ship

What do you like to do on vacations? 

I love a good cruise! Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean you name it. I love being out to sea and pulling into ports to explore. 

Do you have any pets and what do you like about them? 

I have a miniature poodle mix named Mikey. I love dogs and not a fan of cats!  

jambalaya

Favorite food or cuisine? 

I love some good Cajun and Creole cuisine! Jambalaya, gumbo, fried catfish, it’s all good and a little taste of home. 

Least favorite food? 

Not a fan of calamari! 

What keeps you grounded? 

My family and remembering where I come from keeps me grounded. When I need to be centered, I think of my children and my 109-year-old grandma. What she has been through and what I need to do to leave a legacy for my family. 

Also read:

Get to Know Your DCAO: Brian Albright, FG3

Get to Know Your DCAO: Kim Giardina, HHSA

Get to Know Your DCAO: Dahvia Lynch, LUEG

Get to Know Your ACAO: Caroline Smith

Get to Know Your CFO: Joan Bracci

Call for CSDFEA Board of Directors Nominations

The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees Association (CSDFEA) is now accepting nominations for the 2025-26 Board of Directors. Open positions are president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, auditor and three general member positions. See position descriptions.

Submit your nomination by Friday, Nov. 22. Email submissions or questions to csdfea@sdcounty.ca.gov.

County Hosts Annual Tribal Flag Ceremony for Native American Heritage Month

The County of San Diego hosted its annual Tribal Flag Raising event at the County Administration Center on Friday in honor of Native American Heritage Month.

The ceremony highlighted the County’s commitment to improving government-to-government relationships and recognizing the region’s First Peoples’ resiliency, identity and culture.

Chairwoman Erica Pinto of the Jamul Indian Village, Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians and Chairman Robert H. Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians joined County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas on behalf of the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA).

The SCTCA is an association of all Tribal Chairpersons in the region along with tribes in the San Bernadino and Riverside Counties.

See Who Won the Employee Wellness Softball Tournament

Team “Lysis to Kill” won the 2024 Employee Wellness Intramural Softball Tournament at Sweetwater Sports Complex this weekend. The friendly competition promotes camaraderie, teamwork and physical activity.

1st Place - Team Lysis to Kill

Nick Castro, Public Health
Mathew Lui, Public Health
Paul Temprendola, Public Health
Sarah Stous, Public Health
Rorick Luepton, HHSA
Olivia Springfield, Public Health
Lisa Perez, Public Health
Rosanne Alfonso, Probation
Nicole Chris, Probation
Jocelyn Nunez, Behavioral Health Services
Nicholas Rhoades, Public Health


2nd Place – Team Right in the Piehole

Leonard Hopper, Child and Family Well-Being
Jade Nieto, Child and Family Well-Being
Alex Kahn, Child and Family Well-Being
Tania Jimenez, Child and Family Well-Being
Matthew Hargrove, Behavioral Health Services
Steve Wells, Child and Family Well-Being
Samuel Murray , Planning & Development Services
Linda (Joanna) Alcaraz, Child and Family Well-Being
Fanita Durham-McLennan, Child and Family Well-Being
Lisa Salsbury, Child and Family Well-Being


3rd Place – Team Base Invaders
Ryan Johnson, Environmental Health and Quality
Joann Lee, Environmental Health and Quality
Ernesto Reyes, Environmental Health and Quality
Rayvin Bautista, Environmental Health and Quality
Mukhambika Adapa, Environmental Health and Quality
Mike Daoud, Environmental Health and Quality
Dennis Dangca, Environmental Health and Quality
Steven Tamayo, Environmental Health and Quality
Joanne Seo, Public Works
Leon Wirschem, Environmental Health and Quality
Linda Wirschem, Environmental Health and Quality
James Wyatt, Environmental Health and Quality
Itzel Toscano, Environmental Health and Quality
Diego Velasquez, Environmental Health and Quality

See a gallery below.