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​Jan. 5, 2024

CalHR Celebrates Its 2023 Accomplishments

SACRAMENTO, CA 2023 proved to be another fruitful year for CalHR. Let’s take a look at our top highlights:
  • We hosted a conference on Dec. 6, and over 850 state human resources professionals attended. Keynote speakers included Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker on business leadership, and Gallup's Ed O'Boyle, who talked about building a culture of engagement. Other speakers covered topics relating to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (#DEIA); Savings Plus retirement plans; and employee wellbeing at a state department level. Our DEIA materials have been some of our most viewed and downloaded resources.

  • We hosted our first #Work4CA No Degree Required Job Fair in partnership with Sacramento Works and the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency on Oct. 3. Attendance exceeded expectations with over 1,200 job seekers and 36 state departments. The “No Degree Required” event also attracted diverse audience of job seekers across age, gender, ethnicity, class.

  • In partnership with GovOps, we conducted a statewide Learning and Development Strategic (L&D) Plan Project. We involved all California state departments and agencies, seeking not only survey and written assessments but also interviews to gain a better understanding of each department’s L&D practices. We will develop a statewide L&D strategy based on the information and data collected from each department.

  • The DEI Office is now the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (#DEIA) Office. This name change aligns with Gov. Newsom’s vision of a California for All and continues to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility. Equity and accessibility are two closely related concepts that are essential for creating a just and inclusive society. Equity refers to fairness and impartiality, and accessibility refers to the ability to use or participate in something. Both concepts work together to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to participate in society, including the workplace. When there is equity, there is also accessibility.

  • We reached labor agreements with 13 bargaining units and negotiated six successor Memoranda of Understanding with state employee representatives, covering various and diverse classifications, including public safety, health care, professional engineers, craft and maintenance, and office and allied, among others.

  • We soft-launched our virtual benefits assistant, “Benie the Bot.” Benie was created as a website chat function to increase customer service and provide timely access to information. Benie has been programmed with responses to generic questions and has AI capabilities to learn from other questions.

  • Through extensive collaboration with the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP), we installed the new Governor’s State Employee #MedalOfValor Award SmartTV (MOV SmartTV). The MOV SmartTV will replace the former kiosk and serve as a destination wherein visitors can experience the heroic stories of past MOV awardees. Although the final home for the MOV SmartTV will be the Capitol, it can currently be seen at the Capitol Annex Swing Space (1021 O street) while the Capitol is under extensive construction. This was a multi-party project led by CalHR with the involvement of GovOps, CAHP and DGS. This wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work from our Benefits, IT and Administrative Services Divisions as well as our Communications Office.

  • We launched the Statewide Engagement Program that brings the employee wellness, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), merit awards and employee engagement programs together to holistically support the overall well-being of state employees. Our goal is to assist departments through streamlined communication centered around keeping our state employees engaged in the work they do every day through the state’s benefit programs and services.

  • On June 21, 2023, we successfully hosted the first in-person California Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award since the start of the pandemic. We honored 20 of the 23 awardees from Caltrans, CAL FIRE, CDCR and CHP, and approximately 280 guests attended. The governor was represented by Cabinet Secretary Ann Patterson who introduced the governor’s video remarks video and presented medals to the awardees.
We are looking forward to celebrating more of our employees’ accomplishments in 2024!

Sept. 22, 2023

CalHR Leads the Charge to Remove Barriers and Make It Easier to Work for California


SACRAMENTO, CAGov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order (EO) on Aug. 31, 2023 that aims to reduce barriers for state jobs related to college degrees and improve access to high-paying and fulfilling careers. The order directs CalHR to evaluate whether a college degree is needed for a particular position whenever its classification is reviewed.

As part of the EO, our outreach and education efforts that position the State of California as the employer of choice will increase through a campaign to educate and enhance awareness about the different paths toward state employment. The campaign will walk prospective applicants at all levels and abilities through the state application and hiring process, as well as highlight hiring events such as our Oct. 3 No Degree Required Job Fair.

CalHR has removed employment barriers from 169 job classifications where a degree or other education requirements are not necessary. This effort will expand opportunities and access to well-paying jobs in public service. The latest change was on March 9, 2023 when CalHR proposed to revise and update the minimum qualifications of the Staff Services Analyst classification not to require a college degree. The State Personnel Board adopted the change, and the minimum qualifications now require the “equivalent to completion of the 12th grade” for its education requirement. 

In addition, CalHR will continue to evaluate classifications for potentially unnecessary education requirements as we work on additional classification consolidations. CalHR recently published a policy clarifying that formal education requirements, including degrees, certificates and licenses, may create unnecessary barriers for applicants and should not be required unless supporting data demonstrates a direct nexus between successful performance of the essential job functions and the proposed job-related educational requirements.


Additional efforts to assist state human resource offices are ongoing. CalHR offers a Selection Analyst Training Cohort that instructs on how to complete Job Analysis in parallel with classification studies. The cohort has been updated to convey any consideration for a degree in determining entrance requirements is explicitly analyzed and, if determined to be a required component for success in the position, that a justification is included with the job analysis that demonstrates the necessity.


About CalHR

CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown's Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California's two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.

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June 21, 2023

State of California Honors 23 with Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award


SACRAMENTO, CA – The State of California honored 23 state employees with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award (Medal of Valor Award) for their acts of heroism in a ceremony at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento.  The Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor the state can bestow upon its employees, given on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom.

“I am honored to recognize these awardees” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Rare is my opportunity to thank these individuals and the families of these heroes for their actions, but today I can. Thank you, so much, for sharing your bravery and heroism with California.”

Actions taken by this year’s recipients include saving countless lives in vehicle fires and accidents; approaching a suspected gunman at a Walmart store; saving a 4-year-old boy from his mother who was intentionally smothering him in muddy water; and a sedan traveling 90-100 miles per hour in the wrong direction, sustaining a violent head-on collision and injuries.

This year’s recipients, the level of their award and their employing department are as follows:
  1. Jake Bibby, Silver, CAL FIRE
  2.  Luis Cardenas, Gold, CDCR
  3.  Ryan Ayers, Gold, CHP
  4.  Eric Jorgensen, Gold, CHP
  5.  Kenneth Weckman, Gold, CHP
  6.  Jeremy M. Welch, Gold, CHP
  7.  Troy David Wiltshire, Gold, CHP
  8.  William T. Fitzgerald, Silver, CHP
  9.   Kasey Ryan Simas, Silver, CHP
  10.   Chris Williams, Silver, CHP
  11.   Aaron Roth Adair, Gold, CHP
  12.   Steven Strobel, Gold, CHP
  13.   Cody Collins, Silver Caltrans
  14.   Jeffrey Scardine, Silver, Caltrans
  15.   Brian Rubalcava, Silver, Caltrans
  16.  Jason Lofton, Silver, Caltrans
  17.  Jeremy Maraviov, Silver, Caltrans
  18.  Scott Davidson, Silver, Caltrans
  19.  Trevor Gipson, Silver, Caltrans
  20.   Nicholas Macias, Silver, Caltrans
  21.   Robert Hernandez, Silver, Caltrans
  22.   Roberto Lopez, Gold, Caltrans
  23.  William S. Miller, Silver, Caltrans
Other state officials participating in the ceremony included Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, Amy Tong; State Transportation Agency Secretary, Toks Omishakin; Caltrans Director, Tony Tavares; California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner, Sean Duryee; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary, Jeff Macomber; CDCR Division of Adult Parole Operations Director Marvin Speed; California Natural Resource Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot; Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Director, Joe Tyler; and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Director, Eraina Ortega.

The Medal of Valor Award is sponsored by CalHR. Award nominations are made by the employee’s department, reviewed by the statewide Merit Award Board and approved by the Director of CalHR. Since the program began in 1959, over 700 state employees have received the Medal of Valor Award.

The award comes in two distinctions: the Special Service Award (Silver) for an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property, and the Special Act Award (Gold) for an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

For more information about the Medal of Valor Award, visit the Medal of Valor website. Details of each recipient’s award will be posted to the website after the ceremony.

About CalHR

CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown's Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California's two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.

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November 15, 2022

State of California Honors 33 with Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award


Award is the highest honor state bestows on its public servants

​​
SACRAMENTO, CA – The State of California honored 33 state employees with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award (Medal of Valor Award) for acts of heroism. The Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor the state can bestow upon its employees, given on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom.

“These individuals are heroes, not because they sought out glory, or even recognition, but because they acted without hesitation when the time for action and calling came,” said Governor Newsom, who recorded a video address for the ceremony. “I thank these individuals for their extraordinary actions and for the crucial work they do, day in and day out, to support and protect and serve everyone in our state.”

Actions taken by this year’s recipients include saving countless lives during fires across the state; communicating with suicidal individuals until help could arrive preventing tragedy; talking down an armed trespasser; and rescuing people from burning vehicles and an airplane crash.

Recipients of the distinguished 2022 Medal of Valor awards, the level of their award and their employing department are as follows:
  • Heriberto Mora, Silver, CDCR
  • Mayra Mora, Silver, CDCR
  • John Bradley, Silver, CDCR
  • Ryan Wallace, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Tom Crass, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Tyler Williams, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Omar Desiderio, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Robert Rubalcava, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Alfonso Moreno, Silver, CAL FIRE
  • Barbara Loescher, Silver, CAL FIRE
  • Eric Ayers, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Jared Gotro, Silver, CAL FIRE
  • Martin Newman, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Cory Souza, Silver, CAL FIRE
  • Michael Berry, Gold, CHP
  • Jeff Edgerton, Gold, CHP
  • Jeff Hatcher, Gold, CHP
  • Eric Pohrman, Gold, CHP
  • Erik Mallory, Gold, CHP
  • Steve Weyand, Gold, CHP
  • Patrick Bourassa, Gold, CHP
  • John Gallemore, Gold, CHP
  • Wesley Barnes, Gold, CHP
  • Verna Mondell, Gold, CHP
  • James Burkhouse, Silver, Caltrans
  • Matthew Pina, Silver, Caltrans
  • Ryan Aguirre, Silver, Caltrans
  • Travis Sutton, Silver, Caltrans
  • Abby LeCureux, Silver, Department of Consumer Affairs
  • Camille Morgan, Silver, Department of Industrial Relations
  • Cristi Valencia, Silver, Department of Industrial Relations
  • Karla Castro, Silver, Department of Industrial Relations
  • Jason Schilling, Gold, California Military Department
The Medal of Valor Award is sponsored by the California Department of Human Resources. Award nominations are made by the employee’s department, reviewed by the statewide Merit Award Board, and selected by the Director of CalHR. Since the program began in 1959, over 700 state employees have received Medals of Valor.

The award comes in two distinctions: the Special Service Award (Silver) for an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property and the Special Act Award (Gold) for an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

The Medal of Valor Awards were presented virtually to the recipients. Government Operations Agency Secretary Amy Tong introduced the agency secretaries who honored recipients by telling their brave acts of heroism. Medals were presented to the 33 individuals across six state agencies on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom. Agency secretaries include Kathleen Allison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Wade Crowfoot, Natural Resources Agency; Toks Omishakin, Transportation Agency; Natalie Palugyai, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency; Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; and Major General Matthew Beevers, Deputy Adjutant General, California Military Department.

To view the award ceremony, you can visit CalHR’s YouTube page. For more information about the award, visit the Medal of Valor website. Details of each recipient’s award will be posted to the website after the ceremony.

About CalHR

CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown's Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California's two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.

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​January 18, 2022

2021 SLAA Report Published

Government Code sections 13400 through 13407, known as the State Leadership Accountability Act (SLAA), was enacted to reduce the waste of resources and strengthen internal control. SLAA requires each state agency to maintain effective systems of internal control, to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of these controls on an ongoing basis, and to biennially report on the adequacy of the agency's systems of internal control. To learn more about CalHR's efforts, read CalHR's SLAA Report.
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December 16, 2021

Sta​te of California Honors 46 with Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award


Award is the highest honor state bestows on its public servants

​​
SACRAMENTO, CA – The State of California honored 46 state employees​ with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award (Medal of Valor Award) for acts of heroism. The Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor the state can bestow upon its employees, given on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom.

“These 46 civil and public servants went above and beyond the call of duty to protect their fellow Californians, demonstrating that we are at our best when we stand up in service of others,” said Governor Newsom, who recorded a video address for the ceremony Thursday. “Their dedication is an inspiration to all of us and I thank them for their selfless acts of courage and the crucial work they do every day to support our communities.”

Actions taken by this year’s recipients include saving an individual from a shark attack; saving countless lives during the Camp and Carr Fires; stopping the bleeding of a stabbing victim; rescuing people from vehicle fires; and pulling a suicidal person from a freeway overpass which nearly resulted in the officer falling with the suicidal individual.

Recipients of the distinguished Medal of Valor awards, the level of their award and their employing department are as follows:

  • Hector Villarreal, Gold, CDCR
  • April Esconde, Silver, Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Nathan Smith, Gold, Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Jeff Edson, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Elliot Hopkins, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Sims Hawkins, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Joe Kennedy, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Nicholas Lopes, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Shawn Raley, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Darren Stewart, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Erich Schwab, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Byron Vance, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Jason Dyer, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Chad Burns, Gold, CAL FIRE
  • Richard Siemers, Silver, Franchise Tax Board
  • FannieLyn Rodriguez, Silver, Department of General Services
  • Michael Basile, Gold, CHP
  • Nhan Mai, Gold, CHP
  • Michael Panlilio, Gold, CHP
  • Alexander Stirling, Silver, CHP
  • Shaun Conner, Gold, CHP
  • Matthew Frattaroli, Gold, CHP
  • Dionte Hall, Gold, CHP
  • Aaron Maurer, Gold, CHP
  • Vince Mendoza, Gold, CHP
  • Robert Paul, Gold, CHP
  • Michael Qualls, Gold, CHP
  • Ryan Smith, Gold, CHP
  • Wesley Tom, Gold, CHP
  • Christopher Beehner, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Sabrina Buis, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Zackery Chambers, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Kirk Coon, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Travis Gee, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Mark Hofer, Gold & Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Daniel Marinella, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Eldon McBride, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Scott Sipes, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Matthew Stalter, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Lori Martin, Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Michael Van Pelt, Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Ean Miller, Gold, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Chris Hendricks, Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Bret Weber, Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Andrew Helble, Silver, Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Royce Hiner, Silver, Caltrans
The Medal of Valor Award is sponsored by the California Department of Human Resources. Award nominations are made by the employee’s department, reviewed by the statewide Merit Award Board, and selected by the Director of CalHR. Since the program began in 1959, 700 state employees have received Medals of Valor.

The award comes in two distinctions: the Special Service Award (Silver) for an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property and the Special Act Award (Gold) for an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Medal of Valor Awards were presented virtually to the recipients. CalHR Department Director Eraina Ortega introduced the agency secretaries who honored recipients by telling their brave acts of heroism. Medals were presented to the 46 individuals across eight state departments on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom. Agency secretaries include Kathleen Allison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR); Wade Crowfoot, Natural Resources Agency; David S. Kim, Transportation Agency; and Yolanda Richardson, Government Operations Agency.

To view the award ceremony, you can visit CalHR’s YouTube page. For more information about the award, visit the Medal of Valor website. Details of each recipient’s award will be posted to the website after the ceremony.

About CalHR

CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown's Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California's two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.

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​June 4, 2020

Some State Offices will Remain Closed on Friday

SACRAMEN​TO, CA  Following consultation with Administration officials and the California Highway Patrol, the decision was made today for state offices in the following locations to be closed tomorrow, June 5:
  • City of Los Angeles (downtown areas)
  • City of San Francisco (downtown areas)
  • City of Oakland (downtown areas)
All other state offices should be open. 

 
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) informed all state agencies and departments of these closings this afternoon. In addition, CalHR instructed departments to monitor circumstances as they change and adjust schedules to accommodate any local curfew orders. 

 
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​​​​​June 3, 2020

Some State Offices to Remain Closed on Thursday​

SACRAMENTO, CA  Following consultation with Administration officials and the California Highway Patrol, the decision was made today for state offices in the following locations to be closed tomorrow, June 4:
  • City of Los Angeles (downtown areas)
  • City of San Francisco (downtown areas)
  • City of Oakland (downtown areas)
  • City of San Jose (downtown areas)
All other state offices should be open. 
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) informed all state agencies and departments of these closings this afternoon. In addition, CalHR instructed departments to monitor circumstances as they change and adjust schedules to accommodate any local curfew orders. 

 
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​March 19, 2020

State Takes Extra Steps to Protect Employees, Keep Operations Running Smoothly

Plans include using telework widely, instilling safe distances in offices

SACRAMENTO, CA – California’s Department of Human Resources (CalHR) has issued directives to departments on how to manage the state workforce to keep employees safe while continuing to provide Californians critical support and services.

The state is focused on long-term planning to ensure critical state operations continue and to protect the health of state employees over the entire length of this crisis. CalHR issued a memo to state departments with clear directives and, separately, a letter to all state employees informing them of the plans and providing other information and resources.

Departments should be mindful of recommendations made by state and local health officials and develop plans accordingly, the memo said. Departments should make sure offices have safe social distances among employees who continue to work there and allow many to work from home, using telework for as many employees as possible, with priority given to employees who are 65 and older or have chronic health conditions.

Other employees could be shifted to different duties or if not, as a last resort, provided with Administrative Time Off (ATO).

“As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, we need to shift from the immediate response guidance that has been provided previously to longer-term planning for how to keep our workforce safe and healthy so our work can continue,” the memo said.

“Effective immediately departments should establish a staff management plan that allows for effective social distancing for those in the office, takes into consideration stay-at-home directives from state and local public health departments, and protects the health of employees over the entire length of this crisis.”

Departments are to develop plans to rotate staff who work in the office and in turn stay home teleworking. Departments must also submit daily absenteeism reports.

In a letter to state employees, CalHR Director Eraina Ortega acknowledged that the coronavirus (COVID-19) has created a big challenge for workers and their families. She thanked state employees for their dedication and their commitment to limiting the spread of COVID-19, and she advised them to access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if they need greater support and assistance. 

“We are so proud of your commitment to continue to balance your job duties with your family responsibilities during this difficult time,” the letter said. “We are here to support you as the needs of the state change in the coming weeks and months.”

CalHR has been issuing guidance to departments since the outbreak first became a state concern in January.

The state continues to monitor the latest developments and will make adjustments and issue further guidance, as changing conditions merit.

Read the memo to departments and the letter to state workers on CalHR’s COVID-19 information page for state employees.  

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 October 15, 2019

Event Highlights Donations to Feed Hungry Earned by State Workers

Oct. 22 Ceremony to Celebrate 7,595 Meal Donations for Food Banks


SACRAMENTO, CA
– State workers who participate in Healthier U Connections, an online wellness service managed by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) that encourages exercise and healthy living, have earned 7,595 meal donations for the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB).

The donations will be recognized at a ceremony to be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Department of Health Care Services Auditorium, 1500 Capitol Mall, Sacramento.

StayWell, the vendor that the State of California contracts with to provide the online service, will give CAFB a check for $15,420.78 for the cost of the meals.

Meal donations are earned by State of California employees actively participating in Healthier U Connections. One donation is earned upon registration for the platform, and up to three additional can be earned throughout the year when participants hit certain healthy milestones. The donations are paid for by the Healthier U Connections vendor StayWell.

“A big thank you is in order to state employees, for earning these meal donations, and to StayWell, for making them," said Eraina Ortega, Director of CalHR. “This is an outstanding program that gives state workers incentives for getting healthier that also, in turn, benefit the community. I look forward to seeing participation in Healthier U Connections – and food bank meal donations – continue to grow each year."

“Creating a supportive environment where employees participate in fun fitness programs, make healthier choices, and improve their own health awareness is key to supporting long-term well-being," said StayWell CEO Nicole Latimer. “StayWell is proud to support the Healthier U Connections' program, helping to bring these elements together to enhance the lives of state employees and support its commitment to the local community through the donation of meals."

"We're grateful to the State of California and to StayWell for your support — and, in turn, supporting many hungry members throughout our California community. Right now, more than 4 million Californians face hunger. We must continue to work together to reduce that number to zero," said, Kathleen Odne, Interim Executive Director for California Association of Food Banks. "CAFB is proud to be a part of the Healthier U Connections program because we believe that nutrition is fundamental to the health and well-being of each and every community member."

Healthier U Connections, launched in 2017, is an innovative, online wellness service that allows state employees to continually track health behaviors and access wellness resources, such as healthy recipes, exercise videos, advice from physicians, and much more. This resource is available for free to all state employees.

Focusing on intrinsic motivation, state employees can meet milestones and earn up to 20,000 total meals annually to be donated to CAFB.  

Team building and friendly competition are encouraged. Join us in our quest to reduce preventable chronic disease, improve employee morale and productivity, and establish a culture of health for our employees statewide. Healthier U Connections is designed to inspire healthy habits, healthy minds, and healthy bodies.

The ceremony highlights the meals earned in 2018. The two state departments that earned the most meals were the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which earned 1,895 meals, and the Franchise Tax Board, which earned 724.

The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and include CalHR Chief Deputy Director Adria Jenkins-Jones, StayWell CEO Nicole Latimer, and CAFB Interim Executive Director Kathleen Odne.

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May 2, 2019

State of California Honors 14 with Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award

Award is the highest honor California bestows on its public servants


SACRAMENTO, CA
– The State of California today honored 14 state employees with the Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award (Medal of Valor Award) for acts of heroism during a ceremony at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. The Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor the state can give its employees.

Medals were presented to the 14 recipients from four state departments on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom by Chief of Staff Ann O'Leary. Other state officials participating in the ceremony included Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara; Brian Annis, Secretary of the Transportation Agency; Warren Stanley, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP); Thom Porter, Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire); Laurie Berman, Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); Eraina Ortega, Director of the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR); and George Mueller, Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement at the Department of Insurance.

In a letter commemorating Public Service Recognition Week, which begins on Sunday, Governor Newsom praised the dedication and courageousness of California's public servants and Medal of Valor winners.

"Our state firefighters, officers and many other state workers who demonstrate incredible bravery and selflessness in responding to devastating wildfires and other emergencies are just some of the heroes serving in a state workforce of 220,000, tasked with everything from maintaining our roads to providing social services to the needy in our communities," Newsom wrote. "California could not be the land of opportunity and success it is today without its legion of committed public servants who carry out government's long list of important – though sometimes thankless – responsibilities."

"Every day, millions of Californians benefit from the hard work performed by the state's public servants," said Eraina Ortega, Director of CalHR. "Not only do state workers do important jobs, but sometimes they risk their own lives in very dangerous situations to save others and protect their fellow citizens. The Medal of Valor honors these heroic acts of bravery that represent the very best of public service."

The award comes in two distinctions, the Special Service Award (Silver) for an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property, and the Special Act Award (Gold) for an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life.

The 2019 Medal of Valor recipients include CHP officers who continuously flew their helicopters in heavy smoke and 70-mph winds to rescue residents from a rapidly spreading fire in the Atlas Peak area of Sonoma County; a fire apparatus engineer with Cal Fire who helped bring two men out of the line of fire at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival shootings; and a tree maintenance supervisor with Caltrans who rescued a mother and her three children trapped in their vehicle on Highway 20 in Mendocino County when the Ranch Fire broke out. 

Recipients of today's awards, the level of their award, and their employing department are as follows:

  • Phil Agdeppa, Gold, CHP
  • Benjamin Anderson, Silver, Caltrans
  • Thomas Britt, Silver, Caltrans
  • Gilbert Caldera, Gold, CHP
  • Broderick Carmichael, Silver, Caltrans
  • Pete Gavitte, Gold, CHP
  • Whitney Lowe, Gold, CHP
  • Paul Melendrez, Silver, Cal Fire
  • Chad Milward, Gold, CHP
  • Michael Gilbert Quinliven, Gold and Silver, Caltrans
  • Jose Serrano, Silver, CHP
  • Lonnie Swartout, Silver, Caltrans
  • Christopher Wetzel, Gold, Cal Fire

The Medal of Valor Award is sponsored by CalHR. Award nominations are made by the employee's department, reviewed by the statewide Merit Award Board, and selected by CalHR's director. The program began in 1959, and since then, 640 state employees have received Medals of Valor.

For more information about the Medal of Valor Award, visit www.medalofvalor.ca.gov. Details of recipients' awards, and what they did to earn them, are posted on the website. 

CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by the department. 

CalHR was established on July 1, 2012, by Governor Jerry Brown's Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011, which combined the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board to create the new department. For more information about CalHR, visit www.calhr.ca.gov.

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​May 6, 2019

State of California Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week

Events to be held May 5 through May 11


SACRAMENTO, CA – Celebrated annually, Public Service Recognition Week honors the important contributions of the nation's public servants. These workers support California's government and are directly responsible for administering its services and programs. These vital efforts include providing California's residents with access to clean drinking water, safe parks, healthcare, and much more. Public servants help to create a better California every day.

This year, Public Service Recognition Week runs May 5-May 11. In California, a multi-department work group focused on improving employee engagement compiled a set of no-cost events departments can host to celebrate California's public servants.  Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement in support of all of our public workers.

"California could not be the land of opportunity and success it is today without its legion of committed public servants who carry out government's long list of important – though sometimes thankless – responsibilities," Newsom's message said. "During Public Service Recognition Week, we celebrate civil and public servants at all levels and the crucial work they do with passion, expertise and dedication in order to improve our lives and help build a California for all."

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) encourages all state entities to participate in recognition activities across the state. Departments are encouraged to celebrate employees' years of service and their successes from the last year, as well as to give back to their local communities. One event, "Thankful Thursday," encourages departments to donate to local food banks.

California's Public Service Recognition Week is also a time for employees to reflect on the work they do every day.  Quotes from state employees:

"When you think of yourself as a public servant and that you are contributing to safety of the bridges, dams, high-rises, fire stations, and hospitals, definitely motivates me and it's a great feeling." – Vladimir Yanusik, Department of Conservation

"We will help people get through some of the worst times in their lives. I'm just so grateful that I can help people recover from pain and really move to place of healing and knowing that we're part of that healing process." – Anita Ahuja, CA Victim Compensation Board

More than 220,000 state employees do all manner of work to keep California safe, clean and prosperous.  Their commitment to service should be recognized and valued. California's Public Service Recognition Week activities reached more than 78,000 employees last year. Throughout the week, departments can share their celebrations on social media using #PSRWCA.

For more information about California's Public Service Recognition Week, visit http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/Public-Service-Recognition-Week.aspx.

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