Neurodiversity
Welcome to the Engage page for the County of San Diego neurodiversity program: Neurodivergent Excellence!
We're excited to share our journey toward making our community and workforce more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism.
This platform is designed to provide both employees and the public with everything you need to know about our program's goals, actions, and impact.
Our mission is to improve recruitment processes, provide meaningful education, and build awareness around neurodiversity. We believe everyone deserves an environment that values their unique strengths, and we're working hard to make this a reality.
By enhancing outreach, offering targeted training, and partnering with community organizations, we aim to break down barriers and create a supportive culture where all individuals can thrive.
Our ultimate goal is to set a national example of what it means to have a diverse and fully inclusive workforce—one that reflects the richness of our community.
Explore the site to learn more about our efforts, success stories, and how you can get involved in supporting neurodiversity in the County of San Diego. Together, we can open more doors and create lasting, positive change for everyone.
Welcome to the Engage page for the County of San Diego neurodiversity program: Neurodivergent Excellence!
We're excited to share our journey toward making our community and workforce more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism.
This platform is designed to provide both employees and the public with everything you need to know about our program's goals, actions, and impact.
Our mission is to improve recruitment processes, provide meaningful education, and build awareness around neurodiversity. We believe everyone deserves an environment that values their unique strengths, and we're working hard to make this a reality.
By enhancing outreach, offering targeted training, and partnering with community organizations, we aim to break down barriers and create a supportive culture where all individuals can thrive.
Our ultimate goal is to set a national example of what it means to have a diverse and fully inclusive workforce—one that reflects the richness of our community.
Explore the site to learn more about our efforts, success stories, and how you can get involved in supporting neurodiversity in the County of San Diego. Together, we can open more doors and create lasting, positive change for everyone.
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Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment
Share Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment on Facebook Share Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment on Twitter Share Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment on Linkedin Email Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment linkOpening More Doors to Workers Who Are Neurodivergent, Including Autism (Districts: All) Board Letter - June 14, 2022
Supervisors Approve Recruitment Effort For Neurodiverse Community (Article from Patch)
San Diego County Aims to Recruit More Neurodivergent Employees (Article from California County News)
Supervisors Approve County Workforce Recruitment Effort for Neurodiverse Community (Article from Times of San Diego)
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Neurodiversity Mural - Revision
Share Neurodiversity Mural - Revision on Facebook Share Neurodiversity Mural - Revision on Twitter Share Neurodiversity Mural - Revision on Linkedin Email Neurodiversity Mural - Revision linkThe Talented Artists at SDRC (Article from GB Magazine)
New San Diego mural celebrates neurodiversity (video and transcript from kpbs)
New Mural Supports Commitment to Neurodiversity (post from County News Center)
This new Waterfront Park mural is more than a work of art (article from Fox 5 San Diego)
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Blue Envelope Program
Share Blue Envelope Program on Facebook Share Blue Envelope Program on Twitter Share Blue Envelope Program on Linkedin Email Blue Envelope Program linkBlue Envelope Program | San Diego County Sheriff (sdsheriff.gov)
Blue Envelope Program Update and Recommendations (Districts: All) Board Letter - February 27, 2024
San Diego County’s ‘Blue Envelope’ program is rolling out. Here is how it works (Article from Fox 5 San Diego)
San Diego County program aims to bridge gap between authorities, special-needs residents (Article from North Coast Current)
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2024 NACo Award
Share 2024 NACo Award on Facebook Share 2024 NACo Award on Twitter Share 2024 NACo Award on Linkedin Email 2024 NACo Award linkDepartment of Human Resources – Neurodivergent Excellence Initiative
The County of San Diego’s Neurodivergent Excellence Initiative, led by the Department of Human Resources (DHR), is revolutionizing the recruitment process and creating a more equitable work environment for neurodivergent individuals. Anchored in three strategic pillars —surveying/engagement, employee training, and Departmental Work Plans (DWP)—the initiative is designed to set a national standard for equity, diversity, and inclusion. DWPs are created to promote inclusive practices and enhance outreach and recruitment. The initiative introduces annual training tools for all County staff and supervisors, addressing disability and neurodiversity, and are designed for flexible delivery.
To measure impact, anonymous surveys are conducted to assess the number of neurodivergent employees in the County workforce and gauge their sense of belonging in the workplace. DHR, alongside its core team and consultants, engages with community-based organizations, hosts informational sessions, and has made the application process more inclusive based on feedback from neurodivergent individuals and experts. The County envisions a workplace where differences are celebrated, fostering a sense of belonging and setting a benchmark for equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Neurodivergent Excellence Initiative is a commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for everyone.
Terminology
Program Goals
Goal 1:
Increase Recruitment and Outreach
Set a County Enterprise Goal to expand recruitment and outreach efforts for neurodivergent applicants, including those with autism, by 2030.
Goal 2:
Accessibility and Inclusivity Survey
Develop and administer a biannual, voluntary, anonymous survey to measure accessibility and workplace culture for neurodivergent employees, ensuring progress is tracked effectively.
Goal 3:
Participation in Contracting Opportunities
Create a program to encourage the participation of neurodivergent individuals in County contracting opportunities.
Goal 4:
Recruitment, Outreach, and Training Plans
Develop and implement Disability & Neurodiversity Recruitment, Outreach, and Training Plans across all County groups, departments, and programs, in partnership with community organizations.
Goal 5:
Comprehensive Workforce Training
Implement mandatory annual training on disability and neurodiversity for all County staff, with additional targeted training for supervisors and managers to support an inclusive work environment.
Lifecycle
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June 2022 Board of Supervisors Board Letter
Neurodiversity has finished this stageOPENING MORE DOORS TO WORKERS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT, INCLUDING AUTISM
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December 2022 Contract awarded
Neurodiversity has finished this stagePLAN DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING FOR EXCELLENCE IN NEURODIVERGENT INCLUSION
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February 2023 – Baselines internal county-wide survey or baselining county employee survey
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe County conducted an initial baselining survey to evaluate workplace accessibility and culture for neurodivergent employees. Distributed to all County staff, the voluntary and anonymous survey gathered feedback to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This information was used to guide initial program strategies, with biannual surveys planned to track progress and provide ongoing program guidance.
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June 2023 Board of Supervisors Report Back
Neurodiversity has finished this stageOPENING MORE DOORS TO WORKERS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT, INCLUDING AUTISM REPORT BACK #1
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July 2023 Initial Countywide Training
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe County launched the Neurodivergent Excellence: Insights and Understandings training series, a mandatory three-part e-learning program for all County staff to foster an inclusive culture. Covering Disability, Neurodiversity, and Autism, the training equips staff with knowledge and tools to break down barriers for neurodivergent individuals. This annual training is key to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of neurological profile.
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October 2023 Department approve Workplans
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe department work plans are key to expanding inclusion through universal design. Departments create 2-3 tailored strategies and actions for 1) increasing inclusive practices, 2) enhancing outreach and recruitment, and 3) completing neurodivergence training. The focus is on small, impactful steps that build over time to grow an inclusive culture.
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October 2023 Rollout Supervisor Training Part 1
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe Neurodivergent Excellence Supervisor Trainings: Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace Series Part 1 were rolled out in October 2023, providing additional mandatory training for supervisors and unclassified staff to support an inclusive work environment. This series includes modules on Empathy and Supports & Accommodations, offering practical guidance for understanding neurodivergent experiences and championing inclusion. The training ensures supervisors have the tools to create a workplace where neurodivergent individuals can thrive.
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April 2024 Department Workplans Due
Neurodiversity has finished this stage -
June 2024 Board of Supervisors Report Back
Neurodiversity has finished this stageOPENING MORE DOORS TO WORKERS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT, INCLUDING AUTISM REPORT BACK #2
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July 2024 Rollout Supervisor Training Part 2
Neurodiversity has finished this stageCultivating an Inclusive Workplace – Neurodivergent Excellence Supervisor Series Part 2. This was the series final module on Inclusive Interviewing, offering practical guidance for understanding neurodivergent experiences and championing inclusion. The training ensures supervisors have the tools to create a workplace where neurodivergent individuals can thrive.
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Oct 2024 Department approve Workplans
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe department work plans are key to expanding inclusion through universal design. Departments create 2-3 tailored strategies and actions for 1) increasing inclusive practices, 2) enhancing outreach and recruitment, and 3) completing neurodivergence training. The focus is on small, impactful steps that build over time to grow an inclusive culture.
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October 2024 2nd Countywide Training
Neurodiversity has finished this stageThe County of San Diego has assigned updated modules for the Neurodivergent Excellence: Insights and Understandings (Disability, Neurodiversity, and Autism) to all staff Countywide. Entering the second year of these trainings, we’re continuing to build a workplace where everyone can thrive, no matter their neurological profile. This three-part e-learning series, developed in partnership with our neurodiversity consultants, combines lived experiences and best practices to help us deepen our understanding of neurodiversity and break down barriers together.
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April 2025 Department Workplans Due
Neurodiversity is currently at this stage
Follow Project
Program Staff
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HR
Phone (619) 236-2191 Email Jobs@sdcounty.ca.gov