Diversity and Inclusion
Outcomes
Understanding that a culture of belonging leads to increased customer satisfaction, employee morale and innovation, the County has four desired outcomes which drive its D&I strategies. The County is excited to showcase just a few ways in which departments continue to go above and beyond implementing programs and services that support the below desired outcomes.
Distributed over 110,000 culturally relevant materials on key resources and information on health and social services to 62,264 residents through countywide community-centered outreach that prioritized impacted communities*.
Launched the Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program which provided verified applicants with expungement services, grants, business assistance, mentoring, and legal aid.
Hosted telebriefings, diversity, equity and inclusion workshops, and expert panels to disseminate information to diverse audiences that are a part of the Community, Faith-Based Organizations, and Rural sectors.
Curated 1,500 age-appropriate, trauma-informed books to update the Polinsky Children’s Center special library collection.
Recovered $5.4 million of stolen funds through civil seizure warrants and returned directly to victims through a real-time elder fraud response initiative.
Delivered emergency preparedness trainings in multiple languages and translated resources and materials for restaurant and microenterprise home kitchen operators for navigating business and safety processes.
Delivered 1.8 million meals in collaboration with community partners to reduce food insecurity and combat social isolation among older adults. A County employee was recognized as a Feeding San Diego Volunteer of the Year.
Supported 470 families through a new home visiting model that provides one-on-one support and information to families to promote positive parenting and improve child health/development.
Developed a business certificate program with input from local businesses, delivering tailored resources, workshops and tools to foster inclusivity and strengthen community connections.
Brought blood pressure screenings to impacted communities* through the Love Your Heart initiative and strategic partnerships.
Created amenities based off community input such as pickleball and basketball courts, a fitness station and an off-leash dog park at the new active recreation area at Waterfront Park.
Completed eight housing developments where 574 affordable housing units became available.
*Impacted Communities are defined as communities historically and currently suffering from inequalities and inequities in San Diego County, such as: Communities alienated by geography, Low-income populations, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, People with disabilities, Youth / Older adults, Immigrants or Refugees.
Led Jay’s Program, a 6-month, part-time, paid internship opportunity to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities improve their job skills and increase opportunities for future employment.
Served nearly 100 youth through the Client Advocate Program which helps youth navigate the criminal justice system with holistic support.
Provided trauma-informed articles and information for employees, which have been viewed over 800 times.
Participated in ongoing celebrations of diversity through regularly distributed Equity, Inclusion and Diversity newsletters, all-staff meeting presentations such as Women’s Equality Day and Neurodiversity at Work, promotion of cultural awareness topics and events, and inclusive gatherings.
Provided translated forms and information in multiple languages; and delivered bilingual presentations to farmworkers to promote health and safety.
Initiated an Intersectional Baseline Gender Equity Analysis to identify gender disparities in County policies and procedures that will help guide the creation of County and department five-year gender equity action plans.
Served more than 1,500 homebound older adults, persons with disabilities, and care providers associated with the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program through receipt of an iPad and/or data to access the internet, one-on-one in-home technology training sessions, a resource packet, assistance with goal setting, and monthly check-in calls.
Fostered meaningful family engagement through partnerships between staff, families, and youth. Employees’ lived experiences shaped policies and practices through groups and committees, enhancing service delivery and inclusivity.
Developed a volunteer program that offers students and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to contribute at animal shelters. This experience offers meaningful benefits to the participants, employees and animals.
Established focus groups to enhance communication and efficiency, to improve information flow and to demonstrate how the County values employee ideas.
Developed wellness programs including self-care webinars with topics such as practical strategies to managing stress, reinforcing a culture of mental wellness, and resilience. Some worksite locations have onsite fitness centers and a dedicated wellness committee. Wellness program offerings also include Employee Assistance Programs for all employees, peer support groups, and a wellness app that offers tips.
Launched Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Teams, with 159 representatives from all departments, facilitated JEDI office hour sessions, developed an equity action plan template, and created resources including the Budget Equity Toolkit.
Formed a team composed of members from 18 departments to develop and recommend strategies, policies, and procedures that address the needs of transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse employees.
Developed employee-led lunch and learns like, Diversity Dialogue with our Deaf Colleagues, Lunch & Language with Latino Leaders, and What Should We Know About Neurodivergence?
Implemented committees and communication channels, like the FUN Committee that fosters teamwork and connection through organizing events, the RAVES communication channel that recognizes staff achievements and celebrates successes, and D&I Committees that discuss integration of diversity and inclusion into departmental programs.
Embraced and encouraged employees to celebrate diverse cultural backgrounds by holding a variety of events such as Building the Future, Coffee with Executives, and Milestone Celebrations.
Developed an innovative program to bolster the local behavioral health workforce to help meet demand in the community. The program was designed to attract and retain behavioral health workers in the region with training, tuition support and incentive opportunities.
Launched a career discovery program to match employees with mentors for career development. Information sessions reached over 600 employees with insights from County staff in various roles.
Collected and published data on age, race, gender, location of residence and location of death of the people whose deaths were investigated. This helps to identify and address inequities in service areas.
Trained more than 10,000 employees in various trauma-informed systems trainings such as Resiliency through a Trauma-Informed Lens, Mental Health First Aid, and Compassionate Leadership.
Led the Community Event Sponsorship program where partnerships with local organizations resulted in 45 events focused on community building, increased engagement, learning, and access to resources.
Launched an interactive map showing County-restricted affordable housing developments, allowing public searches by location and providing property details, income limits, and eligible populations served. This tool offers direct links to aid and search for affordable housing.
Served 31,662 individuals through the Live Well on Wheels program, enhancing accessibility, visibility, and culturally responsive service interactions in communities.
Launched the County's Equity Indicators Report, providing a baseline understanding of where inequitable outcomes exist in San Diego County.
Launched the first Equity Impact Grant program resulting in eight community outreach sessions, a review of 325 applications, and an award of $100,000 to 10 grassroots and small nonprofit organizations that was accompanied with tailored leadership coaching.
CONTACT
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
