County honors employees and cross‑department teams at 2025 Employee Recognition Program

Riverside County on Tuesday recognized employees and teams across county departments at its 2025 Employee Recognition Program, awarding 53 honorees in six categories and presenting the inaugural Rivco 1 Award of Excellence to a cross‑department Community Health Worker Hub.

Human resources director Tammy Douglas and the board announced winners across categories including innovation, stellar customer service, essence of leadership, lean improvement, and exceptional results through teamwork. Countywide winners highlighted specific accomplishments: Joseph Roca for an elections calendar automation that reduced manual processes and saved thousands of dollars; Susan Boweto for exceptional customer service at the Riverside University Health System cafeteria; Christine Castro for leadership in the probation department; and Patricia Perez for a lean initiative that increased on‑time payments from 42% to nearly 97% at First 5.

The new Rivco 1 Award of Excellence went to the Community Health Worker Hub, a cross‑department effort including staff from the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), the executive office, the Office on Aging, probation, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, and RUHS Public Health. County materials say the hub connects residents with social services, probation, health services and resource navigation using a "no‑wrong‑door" approach to address social determinants of health.

The board and HR officials framed the awards as recognition of staff who streamline work, improve customer experience and strengthen cross‑departmental collaboration. The board noted that employee‑led innovations and process improvements can reduce costs and improve outcomes for residents.

What’s next: Award winners will be recognized publicly and departments will continue to scale successful initiatives described during the presentation.