May 1, 2020 — As we welcome a new month, we should be grateful for all our blessings and keep moving forward. Starting today some businesses — including retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls — begin partial reopening in phase one of Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to reopen Texas. Now more than ever the battle against coronavirus continues and we should keep doing everything in our power to stop the spread.
This month we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. One of my priorities is caring for those suffering from a mental health issue.
Earlier this year, Dr. Robert Seals, a clinical psychologist, joined our team. He is a military veteran, who understands the importance of providing mental health support to first responders. He’s been a great addition and couldn’t have arrived at a better time, as we fight against this pandemic. Being able to provide free, confidential care to our teammates is priceless.
Our HCSO family deserves access to the best care possible. I encourage all our teammates to reach out to Dr. Seals and take advantage of his expertise. Call 346-286-3150 for more information or to make an appointment. Remote visits are now available as well. Here’s a short video to help you get to know him better.
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COVID-19 REPORT
The number of Harris County Sheriff’s Office employees diagnosed with coronavirus has reached 238, including 211 who work in the jail.
There are currently 402 Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies, detention officers, and support staff on quarantine for possible COVID-19 exposure. As of Friday, 289 previously quarantined employees have returned to duty, including 70 who had tested positive for the virus. Thirteen Sheriff’s Office employees are currently hospitalized because of the virus.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with Harris County Public Health to identify co-workers, inmates, and members of the public who may have had close contact with the diagnosed employees so they can take necessary precautions, including quarantine and testing for those with symptoms.
A recent expansion of testing
–
which now includes inmates who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are believed to have been exposed to the virus – has helped medical staff identify 411 infected inmates. This number includes 92 inmates who previously tested positive for coronavirus and have now recovered and 145 inmates who tested positive but have no symptoms.
CARING FOR OUR HCSO FAMILY
This week we are extremely sad because Deputy Alfred Herdon lost his daughter. If you would like to help his family please click
here
. Please keep the Herdon family in your thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.
HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES’ ORGANIZATION FOP LODGE 39 will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for Sheriff’s Office employees and county first responders to refill hand sanitizer bottles and receive one PPE mask per person. Coffee, Breakfast, and other refreshments will be available. Harris County Deputies’ Organization FOP 39 was able to procure this equipment and will be distributing items MONDAY – FRIDAY until supplies last. The HCDO FOP lodge is located at 3130 North Freeway (45N at Link inside the Loop). We welcome all essential personnel, not just Union members. If you have any questions, please call HCDO FOP at 713-659-0005.
Much-needed supplies, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, are continuing to arrive for distribution to our teammates daily. If you need supplies, please contact your supervisor so that we can take care of your needs.
In keeping with our Fifth Core Value, our Wellness Unit, as well as our Chaplaincy, are available to assist you. Should you or your family have a physical need for hard-find-supplies, financial assistance, emotional, and or spiritual support, please reach out to them.
Lt. Shannon Bowdoin 936-776-6537
Don Savell 832-233-4387
Dr. Robert Seals
As we work to free ourselves from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to thank all my teammates for the sacrifices and commitment to protecting our community. I’m optimistic this month will bring new opportunities for all of us. Let’s continue to serve and stay strong. God bless you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Sincerely,
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez
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"Last month HCSO Deputy Ravin Washington tested positive for COVID-19. “People don’t want to be around you,” she said. “People don’t want to touch you.” When she finally healed, she worried about getting sick again — about whether her colleagues would want her back.She returned to patrol this month and found the situation suddenly reversed. Her colleagues gave her hugs. “People feel like, ‘Hey, you have the antibodies. You’re the cure,’” she said."
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“Harris County sheriff’s deputies also will receive masks to give people who lack a face covering, said Jason Spencer. “We've instructed our deputies that we're taking an educational approach to enforcement and seeking voluntary compliance.”
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"Our call volume has seen a gradual increase since the end of February in all categories of family violence," HCSO Director of Public Affairs Jason Spencer said. "People are confined from their homes, (and) many people are not working or working from home. Those that are not working have no income so their stress is up, which can cause them to lash out much more quickly."
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Do you or your family need assistance?
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In keeping with our 5th core value, our Wellness Unit as well as our Chaplaincy are available to assist you. Should you or your family have a physical need for hard-find-supplies, financial assistance, emotional and or spiritual support, please reach out to us.
Lt. Shannon Bowdoin 936-776-6537
Don Savell 832-233-4387
Dr. Robert Seals
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Seminars
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As an employee or retiree you have access to a valuable Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Cigna at no additional cost. EAP personal advocates will work with you and your household family members to help you resolve issues you may be facing, connect you with the right mental health professionals, direct you to a variety of helpful resources in your community and more. The EAP offers access to face-to-face counselors in your area, as well as Cigna EAP phone consultants to help process life stresses and improve well-being.
The EAP benefit is… A household benefit. Confidential. Prepaid by employer (No cost to you). Available 24/7/365.
- Stress management
- Family or parenting issues
- Substance abuse/misuse
- Work/life balance
- Burnout
- Marital/relationship problems
- Child and elder care
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger management
- Legal concerns
- Financial issues
- Coping with change
- Self-esteem
The focus of this program includes:
- Work/life balance
- Improved lifestyle
- Better physical and mental health
- Total well-being
To explore your EAP benefits, please see the contact information below:
ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL BETWEEN CIGNA (EAP) AND EMPLOYEE
For additional information, please contact
:
Ronisha Mathis, HCSO Human Resources
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Upcoming LIVE Wellness Webinars
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Healthy Actions Medical Plan (HAMP) credit will be provided for those in attendance.
All wellness training in person is now canceled through April, so we will continue to have trainings online. Here is a list of our upcoming live webinars for April 2020. These classes are taught by our Cigna Health Coaches Sam and Brandy. Please visit the below links for additional information and registration. These classes do not come with an automated certificate. If a certificate is needed for work credit, please reach out to the wellness inbox (
wellness@bmd.hctx.net
) with the class title and date of completion.
- 5/06/2020: WELL Living: Healthy Steps Toward Habit Change 11AM – 12PM
- 5/07/2020: WELL Living: Preventative Care, Healthier You 10AM – 11AM
- 5/13/2020: WELL Living: Mind Your Food 11AM – 12PM
- 5/14/2020: WELL Living: Barriers to Healthy Weight Loss 10AM – 11AM
- 5/20/2020: WELL Living: Stepping Up Your Exercise Game 11AM – 12PM
- 5/21/2020: WELL Living: Nutrition Myths + Coach Q&A 10AM – 11AM
- 5/27/2020: WELL Living: Jump Start Your Weight Loss 11AM – 12PM
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Child care options for essential Harris County personnel
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Harris County recognizes that with school closures, and the closure of some child care facilities, some families--including Harris County employees--are faced with the challenge of finding child care solutions while still being called upon to provide essential services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Hidalgo's office has partnered with Collaborative for Children and others to offer a resource to help address this challenge.
The
Child Care Now
registration page is now available to assist essential Harris County personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be able to register for child care options through this program. As part of the program, applicants may request financial support from the State of Texas, facilitated by Workforce Solutions, to pay for child care services.
For questions, please contact:
The Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo
Additionally, Harris County employees may request child care service provider information from our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by contacting the Cigna Voluntary EAP directly at 1-855-626-0739.
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Basic Peace Officer's Course physical agility test
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With the new changes to the entrance into the BPOC, the academy staff will be conducting Physical Agility Testing at the front entrance into The Harris County Sheriff's Academy, 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble Texas 77396. We are limiting the testing to a maximum of 10 candidates during a single session. In order for your application to be processed by Human Resources you must successfully pass the Physical Agility Test.
The PAT consist of the following:
• Radio manipulation
• Weapon manipulation (Pistol & Shotgun)
• Push-ups (20 in one (1) minute)
• Sit-ups (45 in two (2) minutes)
• 1.5 mile run (15 minutes and 30 seconds or less)
If, you fail any portion of the test, you will not continue forward for that session. The academy staff will allow you some time to go home and practice. An additional test will be set up on a later date.
You are allowed a maximum of three (3) attempts to pass the physical agility test. You must contact Sergeant Williams through email
charlotte.williams@sheriff.hctx.net
or Deputy Sled at
daniel.sled@sheriff.hctx.net
to schedule a Physical Agility Test. Only the candidates who are scheduled will be allowed to participate in the test. Once you are scheduled for a PAT, it is imperative to attend on your assigned test date and time since the test is limited to 10 candidates.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact Sergeant Williams (713) 274-4923 or Deputy Sled (713) 274-4913. Upon arrival for the PAT, your identification will be checked at the front entrance of the academy building. The testing will start promptly start at 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Please wait at the front entrance and be prepared to be screened prior to testing.
You should be dressed in appropriate fitness attire; no sheer garments, ensure your fitness garment covers your torso and extends to the thighs. Please bring your face covering, gloves and water for hydration.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, you will not be allowed into the academy building for any reason.
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Online training available for HCSO employees
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Harris County Human Resources & Risk Management is working with a new vendor, KnowledgeCity, to meet the current need for online training.
Online training classes will be available to Harris County employees starting, Wednesday, April 1st.
Please click
here
for the course catalog for KnowledgeCity, and
here
for the list detailing the duration of each class.
To get started, please contact your supervisor to request permission. Employees
MUST
be approved by their supervisor to register for the online training courses. Once approval is received, employees can submit an email request to register for online training to
Syrenthia.Bonds@sheriff.hctx.net
(Please CC: supervisor). Thereafter, a link will be sent to for the requesting employee to register for the available training courses online.
***Important***
Employees who are on the following may NOT take the online training courses:
*FMLA
*Using Sick time or Compensation (Comp) time
*Regular Days Off (RDO)
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Miss Last Week's Newsletter?
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HCSO Newsletter #62 - We are in this Together!
"World War II veteran Lt.Thomas Morgan died at 99 years old on Tuesday. The Harris County Sheriff's Office Reserve Command honored Morgan last year, thanking him for his service. He retired as Texas' oldest certified lawman at the age of 98. He...
Read more
myemail.constantcontact.com
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