DPSS Annual Report 24_25 FLIP v16_compressed

The Office of Health and Wellness

The Office of Health and Wellness was established to strengthen the well-being and resilience of DPSS staff, recognizing that people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and equipped to grow. Since its launch, the office has developed into a hub of resources that elevates the department’s workforce and advances staff driven ideas that strengthen how the department serves the community. “We are here to make sure staff feel supported and never have to face the challenges of this work alone,” said OHW Deputy Director and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Lonetta R. Bryan. “This year, we saw that com mitment take shape in real, meaningful ways, and the impact was unmistakable.” DPSS Director Charity Douglas said it is imperative for all staff to feel valued, heard and directly involved in giving their input to the supports and programs OHW is developing. “This work is incredibly difficult,” said Douglas, who spent much of her pro fessional life as a social worker serving children and families. “We serve people impacted by abuse, poverty and the dai ly challenges of trying to move forward in their lives. Many of us have been do ing this for a long time, and we know the weight of that responsibility.” Office of Health and Wellness Supports Resilience and Workforce Satisfaction

OHW Clinical Therapist and Peer Support Coach Dr. Rebekah Taylor and OHW Deputy Direc tor and Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach Lonetta R. Bryan conduct a staff recess.

With a commitment to staff well-be ing at the forefront, OHW expanded its work and impact in Fiscal Year 2024/25. A redesigned SharePoint site, voted a 2024 DPSS SharePoint Superstar, put self-care tools within easy reach. New platforms such as the Well Talk pod cast, wellness campaigns, peer support coaching, pet therapy and post critical incident response opened more path ways for staff to access support. The office also went beyond the depart ment to create initiatives with county partners, including sustainability and composting outreach with Waste Man agement that doubled as hands on ed ucation tied to the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. “Connection is crucial,” said OHW Clin ical Therapist and Peer Support Coach, Dr. Rebekah Taylor. “When staff feel supported, their capacity to serve grows, as does their own resilience and workplace satisfaction.” In the fiscal year ahead, OHW will expand trauma informed wellness programming, strengthen interdepartmental partner ships and elevate staff voices through new creative initiatives, Taylor said. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, OHW remains committed to cultivating a strong and supported work force ready to deliver exceptional service to all Riverside County residents.

If I could talk to my younger professional self I would say, ‘don’t wait to discuss things that may be bothering you to find out what the resources are. There is no shame in

needing support.’ — Charity Douglas, DPSS Director

If Douglas could speak to her young er professional self about the weight of this work, she said she would offer this advice: “Don’t wait to talk about what’s bothering you or to learn what resources are available. There is no shame in need ing support.”

Riverside County Department of Public Social Services | Annual Report 2024 - 2025

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