Daily Update for March 17
/Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer
We continue to take swift actions to respond to COVID-19 and protect the public’s health while also making sure we serve our customers. As I’ve said, the way we deliver our services is going to look different, as we follow social distancing guidelines. That look is changing rapidly. In the coming days, departments will be communicating more changes in the way we deliver public counter services.
One example: tomorrow, our County Library branches are moving to curbside pickup of materials. Customers can order books or other items online or over the phone, then drive by to collect them.
It’s a new way of doing things. Simple, gets people what they need. We’re going to be doing more of that kind of quick pivoting in the days ahead.
Change is hard. High-speed change is really hard. Keeping it up, harder yet. It’s a real strain. With all this focus on physical health, I want you to make sure you’re taking care of your mental health. Please remember – and if you need to, take advantage of – our Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counseling.
We’ll have an EAP counselor at the County Operations Center starting March 18 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for employees who would like a confidential one-on-one session with a counselor. The counselor will be available daily until further notice. The sessions will be held at 5530 Overland Avenue, 2nd floor, in the Julian Training Room.
If you can’t get to the COC, you can visit the EAP website to reach someone or call 888-777-6665. (Sheriff professional staff and sworn use “Counseling Team” EAP is 800-222-9691 and Anthem 888-777-6665.)
We’ll get through this, but we have a ways to go. Continue to follow the rules we’re sharing with the public. Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, stay home when you’re sick.
Thank you so much for your extraordinary efforts and continued flexibility with this rapidly evolving situation. I’m so proud of each and every one of you! Keep watching for a daily update as this fluid situation continues to evolve.