Neurodiversity

Illustrative graphic of wheelchair and person "Not all disabilities look like this...some disabilities look like this"

Welcome!

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!

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.

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.

Jay's Program

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Jay’s Program is a 6-month internship program at the County of San Diego that gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to learn job skills and gain real work experience. Interns work on County teams, get help from mentors, and build confidence as they explore possible careers in public service.
Jay’s Program | San Diego County News Center
Jay’s Program Helping People with Developmental Disabilities - GB Magazine - Giving Back
County of San Diego Recruits People with Disabilities for Paid Internships
Jay's Program Celebrates 5 Years of Empowering Individuals with Disabilities - PRIDE Industries
Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Webinar and Career Panel

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Live Well San Diego’s Advancing Throughout the Year team hosted an important Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace Webinar & Career Panel on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
This fantastic opportunity deepened our collective understanding of neurodiversity and its impact in the workplace. Brain Balance, a Live Well partner, kicked off the webinar with insights into:
- Introduction to Neurodiversity & Workplace Considerations
- Common neurodivergent experiences (e.g., ADHD, sensory processing, anxiety)
- Strengths, challenges, and accommodations for neurodivergent employees
The County contributed to this conversation by sharing real-world applications of neurodiversity in the workplace, including:
- Our work with Jay’s Program and Neurodivergent Excellence
- The County’s approach, programs, and tools for inclusion
- Storytelling-based examples showcasing impact
To bring these insights to life, the Career Panel featured neurodivergent County employees who shared their first-hand experiences, challenges, and successes in the workplace.
Board Letter - Neurodiverse Recruitment

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Opening 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)
Neurodiversity Mural - Revision

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The 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)
Blue Envelope Program

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Blue 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)
The Blue Envelope Program – Safety, Communication, and Relationships with our Disabled Communities (Justice Clearing House webinar recap)
2024 NACo Award

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Department 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.