Show Us How You Love Your Heart

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person giving another person a blood pressure screening

Show us how you’re celebrating American Heart Month! Snap a picture of a blood pressure screening site you visited, your Love Your Heart sticker, a healthy meal, or exercise routine. Whether it’s the view at the top of a local mountain hike, your running shoes, or yummy meal we want to get inspired by your commitment to heart health!

Email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov showing us how you Love Your Heart. Submissions will be listed here on InSite.

If you wish to visit a free blood pressure screening location, go to LoveYourHeartSD.org.

The HHSA team that helped organize Love Your Heart

rebecca bair, a program specialist II of the Document Processing center, sent in this picture of her department’s Love your heart craft day.

Girl and dog at mountain peak

Natalia santos loves her heart with a weekly hike. Here she is with her cute hiking partner on Garnet Peak in the Laguna Mountains.

Your View: Beautiful Sunset in Valley Center

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Elizabeth Aguilar from the Department of Parks and Recreation submitted a photo of a beautiful sunset overlooking the Valley Center Community Hall and Park.

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. 

Tax Forms Coming Your Way

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Most County employees will receive important 1095 tax filing forms in the mail that serve as proof of health insurance, as required under current IRS guidelines.

What You Need to Know

When filing 2024 taxes, you will need to indicate whether you had minimum essential coverage, as defined and required by the Affordable Care Act, during the year. By March 1, 2025, you will receive:

  • Form 1095-C from the County if you worked full time (30 or more hours per week) for at least one month in 2024. 

    • You may print a copy of your 1095-C from PeopleSoft Self Service today

  • Form 1095-B directly from the medical provider if you elected medical coverage through the County.

    • If you covered any dependents on your medical coverage, they will be reflected on the 1095-B from the medical provider

What You Need to Do

Upon receiving the form, you should:

  • Keep it for your records.

  • Use it as a reference when completing your 2024 taxes.

Do not send Form 1095-B or 1095-C to the IRS with your tax return. A copy of each form will be sent to the IRS by the County and your insurance provider.

You can file your federal taxes before receiving these 1095 forms.

 Learn more about the 1095 Forms and what to expect.

Communicate with Impact

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You're invited to Communicate with Impact, a dynamic new training program designed to elevate your professional growth. This program will help you strengthen communication skills, public speaking, leadership development, feedback and evaluation, networking, and community building. Take your skills to the next level with this Employee Resource Group program!

Join the kick-off meeting to learn more about the program, connect with fellow participants, and enjoy interactive public speaking icebreaker activities. The kickoff will take place from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6 at the County Operations Center, 5500 Overland Ave., Room 120.

After surveying interested participants, the program was structured into two tracks.

Level 1: Building Confidence and Foundational Speaking Skills

This group is tailored for beginners or those seeking to develop essential public speaking skills.

Topics will include:

  • Structuring speeches effectively.

  • Managing speaking anxiety.

  • Developing a clear and articulate delivery style.

Level 2: Advancing Professional and Public Speaking Skills

This group is geared toward individuals aiming to refine their speaking abilities for professional or public-facing roles.

Topics will include:

  • Crafting compelling stories.

  • Mastering persuasive communication techniques.

  • Engaging diverse audiences with confidence.

Both Level 1 and Level 2 sessions will be held monthly. Stay tuned to InSite for the announcement of the first sessions in March.

PerkSpot: Save on Valentine’s Day Gifts

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You’ll love saving money on Valentine’s Day gifts this year. Shop sweet deals on flowers, chocolates and more though PerkSpot.  

Here’s a few examples:  

  • 20% off treats and chocolate covered strawberries from Shari’s Berries 

  • Up to 25% off select flowers and gifts from 1-800-Flowers.com 

  • $15 off charcuterie boards from Boarderie 

  • 20% off jewelry from Baublebar 

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. 

Join African American Heritage Celebration

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The African American Association of County Employees invites fellow employees, family and friends to the 3rd Annual African American Heritage Celebration in Balboa Park.

This year’s theme is “African Americans in Labor: We Are the Pieces of the Workforce.”

Date: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Time: Saturday, Feb. 22
Location: HPR International Lawn Stage in Balboa Park. This stage is located within the International Cottages with a nearby street address of 2294 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101.

See the flyer below.

Knowing Your Blood Pressure Saves Lives, Know Your Numbers

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February is American Heart Month, making it the perfect time to reflect on the loved ones we have in our lives and our own heart health. 

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and second leading cause of death in San Diego County.  

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. High blood pressure typically has no signs or symptoms. It is often called a silent killer. 

That’s why it is important to get your blood pressure checked and “know your numbers.” Knowledge is power, and in this case, potentially lifesaving. 

For the last 14 years Love Your Heart has shown the County’s commitment to promoting and providing free blood pressure screenings and education. This effort reaches across the border in Mexico, under Ama tu Corazón.

This year Love Your Heart officially starts Feb. 10, and runs through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Many County workplaces are offering free screenings. A list of sites throughout the County is online at LoveYourHeartSD.org.

Please mark your calendar and try to make the time to get screened and learn your numbers. It only takes five minutes. 

In addition, the Department of Human Resources is offering two free webinars during the County’s Love Your Heart annual event inviting  local  experts to speak on heart health. Both events will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025. 

VEBA/UnitedHealthCare Hosted Event 
Time: 11a.m. to noon 
Link to join 

Kaiser Permanente Hosted Event 
Time: Noon to 1 p.m. 
Link to join 

Registration is not required.  You may use the links above to access the webinar.  

What's Your Favorite Taco Shop?

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Sheriff’s Department employees recently shared some of their favorite taco shops. Now, we’re inviting you to get in on the conversation. What is your go-to place?

Email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov with the name and location of your favorite taco shop. Submissions will be listed here on InSite.

Julie Lara, Program Specialist II
Aging & Independence Services

Taco Shop: Lolitas on L St. in Chula Vista!

Angel Gonzalez, Program Specialist II
Self-Sufficiency Services

Taco Shop: Armandos Taco Shop, 2295 Palm Ave., San Diego, CA 92154 and/or El Pollo Grill, 3041 Bonita Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Marcus Lubich, Project Manager
General Services

Taco Shop: The Taco Stand, 645 B Street, San Diego, CA

Kassandra Saucedo, Student Worker
Recorder/County Clerk

Taco Shop: La Central Birrieria y Menuderia by Miguel Fernandez in the South Bay Nestor Area!

Esteffania Bautista, Human Services Specialist
Self-Sufficiency Services, North Inland Family Resource Center

Taco Shop: Fridas Tacos, in Escondido!

Erik Aguilar, Administrative Secretary II
Office of Homeless Solutions

Taco Shop: Tacos El Gordo: 511 F Street, San Diego, CA 92102
Tacos El Trompo: 1879 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

Sir Milo Loftin, Communications Specialist
Communications Office

Taco Shop: Herrera's Mexican & Sea Food. 6914 Federal Blvd, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Get the Tony’s Burrito! Trust me.

Shayla Harvey, Records Clerk
Child Welfare Services

Taco Shop: Los Reyes Taco Shop off of Broadway and 25th

Kathryn Simmons, Human Services Specialist
Self Sufficiency Services-North Central Family Resource Center

Taco Shop: Sarita’s Taco Shop at 9906 Campo Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. They may not be gourmet, but they are tasty and the burritos are as big as your arm! 😊

Cecelia De La Pena, Office Assistant
Self Sufficiency Services – Document Processing Center

Taco Shop: Castaneda’s Mexican Food – 1090 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, Ca 91911 – Open 24 hours

Sally Espinoza, Supervising Office Assistant
Health & Human Services Agency

Taco Shop: Taco Nazo 10326 Alondra Blvd, Bellflower, CA 

Jessica Geiszler, Program Manager
Environmental Health and Quality

Taco Shop: Rosarito’s in La Mesa has the best chicken rolled tacos with guacamole. And Los Tito’s (also La Mesa) has the best soyrizo breakfast burrito – not to mention an uber-spicy (and equally delicious) shrimp diablo burrito.    

Flor Campos-Cerna, Probation Aide
Probation Department

Taco Shop: Frida’s Taqueria
Escondido: 675 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Oceanside: 2011 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058

Yerat Christian Cervantes, Human Services Control Specialist
Self-Sufficiency Services

Taco Shop: Vallarta Express in La Mesa at 5341 Jackson Drive, La Mesa, California 91942

Fali Field, Sr Geographic Info Sys Analyst
Strategic Facilities Planning

Taco Shop: Mike’s Taco Club, 5060 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

Kaylee Fisher, Management Fellow
Communications Office

Taco Shop: Los Reyes – Golden Hill, 2496 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92102

Jose Valdez, Toxicologist II
Medical Examiner

Taco Shop: Los Panchos Taco Shop, 2130 Birch Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91915

Steven Wells, Acting Deputy Director
Child and Family Well-Being – Office of Child Safety

Taco Shop: Colima’s - 2302 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104.

Lorena Talavera, Office Assistant
Self-Sufficiency Services - El Cajon Family Resource Center

Taco Shop: Bad Hombres in Santee CA. 😊

Henderson Hsu, Senior Agricultural/Standards Inspector
Agriculture/Weights & Measures

Taco Shop: Tacos El Gordo on 511 F street in San Diego for their Carne Asada Tacos, TJ Tacos on 802 E Valley Parkway in Escondido for their Adobada tacos, and Tacos Alex at 250 W Mission Road #1645 in San Marcos for their Cabeza tacos. If I had to choose a favorite, I’d go for Tacos Alex. They’ve got more of a family style type of service; they take a long time but you can be sure that they taste amazing.

Daniel M. Vasquez, Group Program Manager
Human Resources | Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Taco Shop: Tacos El Cabron in the Gaslamp

Michael Arce, Administrative Analyst II
Behavioral Health Services

Taco Shop: My go to Taco Shop is: La Lomita Mexican Grill, 3100 E. 8th St. National City CA, 91950. The Cali Burrito is legit.

Michael Topacio, Administrative Analyst III
Behavioral Health Services

Taco Shops: TJ Tacos, 802 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
Mike’s Red Tacos, 3365 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92110

Daniel Owen, Park Maintenance Worker
Parks and Recreation

Taco Shop: JV's Mexican Food - 1112 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

Avaz Ganjeh, Human Services Specialist
Self-Sufficiency Services

Taco Shop: El Pueblo located in Carmel Valley, Del Mar and Encinitas! The Carmel Valley and Del Mar locations have great food/drinks happy hour from 2pm-7pm and 11pm to Midnight!

Mark Martinez, Supervising Pest Management Technician
Agriculture, Weights & Measures

Taco Shop: Roberto’s Taco Shop #10, 2744 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92104

Lynlee Nordgren, Analyst - Bringing Families Home Coordination
Child and Family Well-Being

Taco Shops:
Authentic: City Heights, Tacos El Panson 4433 El Cajon Blvd
Trendy but tasty: Hillcrest, La Vecindad 3827 5th Av
Lamb: City Heights, El Borrego 4280 El Cajon Blvd

Brian Day, Supervising Probation Officer
Pretrial Services

Taco Shops:
Taco Machin: 4228 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902
Carnitas Uraupan: 4233 Spring St, La Mesa, CA 91941

Jesse Ortiz, Library Technician I
County Library

Taco Shop: El Nuevo Milenio. 2323 Division St, National City, CA 91950. My go to order is a California burrito, add sour cream & extra cheese!

Claudia Brightwell, Property Assessment Specialist II
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

Taco Shop: Tacos TiaJuana, 135 Mace St. Chula Vista

Mark Navarro, Program Specialist II
In Home Supportive Services

Taco Shop: Tacos El Panson, Location – 4433 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115

Juan Salgado, Administrative Analyst
General Services

Taco Shops:
For tacos: Tacos El Cabron, because they actually grill their carne asada, not on a flattop.
For the best tacos: D’Poly Taco Grill in El Centro, CA (110 miles east of here, and worth every mile).
For good burritos: California Burritos in Birdland near the Probation YTC.
For touristy, Instagrammable burritos: Sayulitas
For 2AM burritos: Taco Fiesta in Mission Gorge

Debra Davis, Office Assistant
North Central Family Resource Center

Taco Shops: Roberto’s Taco Shop on Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach & El Puerto on Bancroft St. in Spring Valley.