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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.
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.
February 2023 – Baselines internal county-wide survey or baselining county employee survey
Neurodiversity has finished this stage
The 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.
The 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.
October 2023 Department approve Workplans
Neurodiversity has finished this stage
The 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.
October 2023 Rollout Supervisor Training Part 1
Neurodiversity has finished this stage
The 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.
Cultivating 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.
Oct 2024 Department approve Workplans
Neurodiversity has finished this stage
The 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.
October 2024 2nd Countywide Training
Neurodiversity has finished this stage
The 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.
