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Receive a presentation by the Department of Veteran Services on the selection of Joel Ceja, Veterans Benefits Counselor, as “Employee of the Month” for December 2023 making Mr. Ceja eligible to use the parking space designated for this program
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board receive a presentation by the Department of Veteran Services on the selection of Joel Ceja, Veterans Benefits Counselor, as “Employee of the Month” for December 2023 making Mr. Ceja eligible to use the parking space designated for this program.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
On September 13, 2005, the Board of Supervisors established the County Government Center “Employee of the Month” parking program for County employees. Each month a County department is designated to select one of its employees as “Employee of the Month.” The Department of Veteran Services (VSO) has been designated to select an employee for December 2023 and has selected Joel Ceja, Veterans Benefits Counselor.
Joel Ceja joined the Solano County VSO on October 3, 2022 as a Veterans Benefits Counselor. Since being hired, Joel has provided counseling advice and service to hundreds of Solano County veterans and their families, seeing an average of 40 clients per week and helping them gain access to the benefits they have earned as part of their military service. In addition to helping veterans and their families with benefit claims, Joel has also stepped up to volunteer as the Veterans Treatment Court Mentor Coordinator.
As an immigrant from Mexico, Joel was brought to the United States when he was just a year old. Feeling a desire to support the country that provided him with his citizenship, Joel enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As part of his service, Joel was deployed in Iraq in 2005 to 2006, a tour lasting just over 14 months. He is the first person in his family to serve in the armed forces, as well as earn a bachelor’s degree, something he credits being able to pursue as one of the benefits of his military service. After earning a degree, Joel sought out the opportunity to help others like him.
Prior to becoming a Veteran Benefits Counselor with the Solano County VSO, Joel served as a Veterans Service Representative for more than three years in Kern County, California. He is married, has three children, two boys and a girl. Joel’s hobbies involve everything his kids are into, which at the moment is building Legos and practicing Jiu Jitsu. The Solano County VSO is honored to have Joel Ceja as a valued member of the small (but mighty) VSO team and honor him as our employee of the month.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this designation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could elect to name someone else as the Employee of the Month or dissolve the award program; however, these alternatives are not consistent with the Board’s “Employee of the Month Parking” program.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION