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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES | 17

T he Office of Health and Wellness was established in early 2023 with support from the DPSS and Riverside County executive offices, to promote the well-being of social services professionals through confidential coaching, resources, and self-care tools. “The OHW orchestrated a comprehensive array of initiatives for staff throughout Fiscal Year 23/24,” says Deputy Director Lonetta Richardson Bryan, who leads the OHW team. “We are here to help staff flourish, be resilient in their work, and celebrate a thriving culture that recognizes the value our workforce brings to the community.” The OHW is driven by staff input, which includes a governance council of social service professionals from the Adult’s, Children’s, and Self-Sufficiency divisions. Richardson Bryan says the OHW strives to be inclusive in its engagement and learn from the experiences of all staff. “We have a wonderfully diverse and dynamic workforce,” Richardson Bryan says. “It’s truly an honor to serve professionals who consistently respond to the needs of others and who sometimes find themselves on the frontlines of crisis and trauma.”

It was really nice to go into Recess on lunch break and do some arts and crafts. Peer coach Rebekah was very fun and informative on available services from Office of Health and Wellness. — Recent Participant

Support Coach Rebekah Taylor, LCSW, began onsite support twice a month for the staff at the Harmony Haven Children and Youth Center. The OHW SharePoint site continues to evolve as a resource for information and scheduling confidential coaching appointments. Combined, these efforts benefited about 2,800 staff members, yielding overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participations expressed appreciation for the mental breaks, stress relief, and internal community- building facilitated by the OHW initiatives and its coaches.

The OHW expanded services throughout the year. Peer

Fiscal Year Activities by the Numbers | 2,800 Staff Engaged in Fiscal Year 23/24

RECESS EVENTS 26 730+ Participants

WELLNESS PRESENTATIONS 1 EXTERNAL PRESENTATION PARTNERSHIPS for Well-Being Institute (UC Davis) 1300+ Participants 50 Participants 28 78 CONFIDENTIAL COACHING SESSIONS 101 Participants

POST-CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSES 20 2 46 TOWNHALL EVENTS 95 Participants 900 Total Participants 46 Total WELLNESS WEDNESDAY EMAILS