Graduation is a milestone for any youth, and it's the same for 31 foster youth at San Pasqual Academy. However, these youth have beaten the odds to earn their diploma. While the nationwide foster youth graduation rate hovers around 50 percent, San Pasqual Academy's graduation rate is approximately 95 percent.
The Cool Zones program, initiated by County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, has established a network of Cool Zone sites for seniors and persons with disabilities to escape the extreme heat during the summer. There are more than 100 locations throughout San Diego County. Cool Zones are designated, air-conditioned buildings, identified by a Polar Bear Cool Zone logo.
Save the date for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department 2011 Women's Career Exhibition. You will learn about a wide variety of employment opportunities that our agency offers.
The exhibition is Saturday, August 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sheriff's Department Main Office, 9621 Ridgehaven Court.
They are creating a large pool of diverse and qualified female candidates for the 2016 opening of the Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee. The department has 170 vacancies in law enforcement, detentions and professional divisions for both men and women.
To learn more about the expo, please call Cynthia Montgomery at (858) 974-2338. To apply online visit http://www.joinsdsheriff.net/.
Congratulations to the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA) for being named Small Public Plan of the Year by Institutional Investor magazine at the Hedge Fund Industry Awards on June 20.
Nominees were selected based on demonstrated skill in absolute return investing during the past year as well as an overall ability to construct and manage hedge fund portfolios. SDCERA's portfolio for the 2010 calendar year generated a 12.2% rate of return, exceeding the 8% assumed rate of return and outpacing the 11.03% benchmark by 1.17%.
SDCERA credits sound policies and diversification to yielding a healthy average rate of return of 9.59% over the past 25 years. In addition to surpassing that rate in 2010, the fund has earned $1.6 billion, or a positive return of 22%, through April this fiscal year.
Visit the SDCERA website at www.sdcera.org to read the full press release
Sometimes people are wise beyond their years, and 11-year-old Alexis is one of them. Through the kindness of her heart, Alexis knew that instead of reaping the rewards of turning 11, she wanted to touch the lives of other, less fortunate children.
Instead of the usual presents from friends and relatives, Alexis instead asked people celebrating her 11th birthday to bring $11 to donate to the Polinsky Children's Center instead of a gift for her.
Alexis then met with Polinsky Center Director Cathi Palatella to present her with the $175 she collected and a letter explaining her donation.
The letter reads in part, "Thank you for making me appreciate what I have, and how I'm lucky. Thank you for giving me the chance to help someone in need. Your friend, Alexis."
A Fresh Start: A Healthy Future Starts Now!” event was held recently at the A.B & Jessie Polinsky Children Center. The event targeted teen-aged foster youth and their caregivers to deliver the Building Better Health 3:4:50 message.
The event focused on healthy nutrition, daily movement/exercise, and other health related topics. Dr. Nick Yphantides, MD, MPH, gave the keynote address. There were speakers, information booths, physical activity demonstrations and healthy nutrition demonstrations/samples throughout the day. A wide variety of booths conducted interactive activities with the attendees and gave out healthy living information.
Several chefs cooked up healthy meal and snack samples. Chef Ricardo Heredia, a former foster youth and chef/owner of Alchemy Restaurant in South Park, donated his time to work with the youth as they made grilled whole wheat pizzas. Some of the physical activity demonstrations included jump roping and a wide variety of dancing. More than 400 youth and caregivers were in attendance for a fun and informative day.
Homebound senior citizens could be enjoying the taste and health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables in their home if the More on the Menu (MOM) fresh-produce program has its way.
A prescription drug abuse task force, homeless prevention for students, water conserving landscaping and a traffic school of sorts for pet owners are among the County of San Diego’s innovative programs that won national recognition and the second highest number of awards in the country by the National Association of Counties (NACo).
“The County of San Diego is recognized nationally for the exemplary way it serves the citizens of our region. The latest affirmation comes from NACo, which recognized our County team with 28 Achievement Awards,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn. “I’m proud of our entire team of professionals, especially the many people whose work is reflected in these honors.”
The Achievement Awards are earned by county programs that are innovative, successful, save time and money and improve service to residents across the nation. The NACo awards were created in 1970 to modernize and streamline county government.
San Diego County’s award-winning programs represent each of the County’s five major groups: Public Safety, Health & Human Services Agency, Land Use & Environment, Community Services and Finance & General Government.
Among the 28 initiatives honored were the HOPE re-entry resource program for inmates released from local jails; a veteran’s internship program that assists those seeking paid work experience in county government; and a sheriff’s management academy that is a Peace Officers Standards and Training certified program which serves to provide an overview in contracts and fiscal responsibility as well as leadership training and management skills.
NACo website complete list of awards
The following County of San Diego programs received awards:
Animal Control Lt. Eugene Cikanek, left, and Animal Services Medical Operations Manager Dave Johnson, Registered Veterinary Technician prepare to take Johnny to the animal hospital.
Animal Services staff freed and treated a cat that somehow became impaled on a piece of rebar Thursday morning.
On Friday, “Johnny” was recovering at a Pacific Beach animal hospital after undergoing emergency surgery the day before.
“We’re relieved Johnny is going to recover from his terrible ordeal,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. “I’m proud of how quickly and effectively our staff responded to the emergency. Their care and professionalism illustrates Animal Services’ devotion to the well-being of animals in our community.”
At 9:08 on Thursday morning, County Animal Services received a call about the distressed animal. The responding animal control officer arrived in seven minutes and found the orange short-haired cat on his back, stuck on a metal post that went all the way through his right hind-leg.
It’s not clear how long the kitty had been stuck; his injuries appeared fresh. The cat had apparently jumped or fallen from a wall or the roof of a single-story home and become impaled on the rebar, which was protruding from concrete work on a home under construction.
The animal control officer assessed the situation and called her supervisor, Lt. Eugene Cikanek, who quickly contacted Animal Services Medical Operations Manager Dave Johnson, a Registered Veterinary Technician. Johnson gathered medical supplies, and he and Cikanek rushed to help.
They arrived at 9:40 a.m., finding a panicked cat who thrashed as people approached. Johnson administered a sedative to the suffering animal, and he and Cikanek supported the still-struggling cat until the medicine took effect to protect him from injuring himself further on the post. The pair then carefully lifted the kitty off the rebar, and Johnson bandaged his wounds.
The cat’s owner, who lives next door to the construction site, was at the scene of the rescue. She and Animal Services staff took the cat to Turquoise Animal Hospital, just a mile away. The 5-year-old Johnny is expected to recover full use of his leg.
“He definitely used one of his nine lives yesterday”, Johnson said.
For more information on the County Department of Animal Services, call 619-767-2675 or visit www.sddac.com.
A new school immunization law requires all students entering 7th through 12th grades in the 2011-2012 school year in California to be immunized with a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called Tdap.
Pertussis is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. The symptoms can last for months. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies.
Here in San Diego County, we have experienced just how serious whooping cough can be. Last year, 1,144 cases of whooping cough were reported. Two babies died.
A booster vaccine is needed in addition to the regular young childhood series of vaccines that protect against pertussis. This is because vaccine protection diminishes over time. Any immunity developed after having whooping cough disease also wears off, so people who have had whooping cough can get it again.
The new school entry booster dose is very important. Not only does it protect schoolchildren, but it can also protect babies who are too young to have received the initial series of pertussis vaccine. And it helps protect the whole community; when enough people are protected against it, it’s much less likely that pertussis will spread and possibly infect babies and others who may not have been able to receive the vaccine themselves.
The new requirement affects all students – current, new, and transfers – in public and private schools. The law has two phases:
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency urges parents of children who will start 7th-12th grades this fall to get their kids protected now. Parents should contact their children’s doctor or other regular source of health care to find out if their children need this vaccine.
If parents wait until later in the summer, there may be no doctor’s appointments available. They could face long lines at doctor’s offices and clinics. And if children don’t have proof of immunization with this vaccine, they may not be able to enter school.
Find out more about the new requirement, pertussis, and other immunization topics at:
County of San Diego Immunization Program
California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Immunization Branch
CDPH’s Shots for School Website
Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccines and Immunizations Website