Consider CECO on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. This Giving Tuesday, consider donating to the County of San Diego charitable arm, the County Employees Charitable Organization (CECO). 

CECO has donated more than $7 million since its inception in 1956. CECO is fully funded and managed by County employees and retirees. In 2024 alone, CECO gave $101,507 to 58 local nonprofits. In January 2024, with the help of various donations, CECO granted over $38,000 to County employees who were affected by the 2024 January floods. One hundred percent of donated funds from employees and retirees go back to local nonprofit agencies and employees or retirees in crisis. CECO is employees managed and volunteered-based. 

There are two simple ways to give to CECO:  

  1. Become a biweekly contributor for as little as $2 per pay period or increase your current biweekly contribution by $1.  

  2. Make a one-time donation with cash, by check or via Venmo or PayPal

    Don’t forget to write your name and information for CECO to thank you. 

To donate cash, email sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov

To donate by check, mail check to: 

CECO
1600 Pacific Highway, #209 
San Diego, CA 92101 

Learn more about CECO. 

Your View: Community Health Workers at Adelante Promotores Conference

This photo was submitted by Azucena Lopez de Nava from the County’s Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities where staff presented at the annual Adelante Promotores Conference.

The purpose of the conference is to inspire, educate, and provide skill-building opportunities for Community Health Workers and promotores; supporting their work to strengthen community health and wellness throughout San Diego County. 

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. 

CAO Message: Thankful for You and the Work You Do

A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the incredible work you do every day to ensure everyone in our region is served. What you do truly makes a difference, and I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing, diverse team.

This year, I’m feeling especially thankful for the chance to start this new chapter in my public service journey surrounded by such talented and dedicated people. Our team is strengthened by the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences each of you brings, and that diversity is what makes us not just greater, but more impactful in advancing the strategic vision of our Board and the work we do for our community. Supported by this new leadership team, our diverse perspectives and collective innovation will undoubtedly elevate the County to new heights.

How ever you may be celebrating—whether through traditional Thanksgiving customs, cultural traditions, or simply taking time to reflect—I hope this season brings you warmth, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As I look forward to spending time with my family and thinking about what I’m most grateful for, you’ll be right there at the top of my list.

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, meaningful, and memorable Thanksgiving.

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