Category: News

Imperial County has been made aware of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee against Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar. We take these allegations seriously and remain committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all employees.

While the County cannot comment on the specifics of pending litigation, we want to reaffirm our commitment to accountability, transparency, and the well-being of our workforce. As part of that commitment, the County is taking immediate action to address these concerns.  Additionally, the County is taking the following proactive steps to reinforce workplace safety and trust:

1.  Requiring mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for all County employees and elected officials.
2.  Establishing a confidential hotline for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior.
3.  Exploring the implementation of a digital reporting and alert system, such as STOPit, to allow for timely and anonymous reporting.

Employees who wish to report concerns, misconduct, or inappropriate behavior are encouraged to contact our Equal Employment Opportunity Officer at (442) 265-1017.

“Leadership and accountability go hand in hand,” said Chairman John Hawk. “We are committed to acting responsibly and ensuring our workplace remains one where every employee feels safe, supported, and respected.”

Due to the legal nature of this matter, no further comment will be provided at this time.

Join the County of Imperial and IID for a fun-filled End of Summer Bash at Sunbeam Lake on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM! Enjoy water activities, free hot dogs (250 available while supplies last), shaved ice, refreshing drinks, and a special appearance by IID’s Dippy Duck from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. This free family event is proudly sponsored by IID’s Summer Water Activities Grant—don’t miss out!

Imperial County, CA — Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) is proud to announce that it has officially received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to establish as a Psychiatry Residency Program. This achievement follows wo-year collaborative efforts with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and was made possible by a $2.5 million grant awarded in January 2023 by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). 

“This is a significant milestone for our department and Imperial County as a whole,” said Leticia Plancarte-García, Imperial County Behavioral Health Services Director. “It marks a moment of progress and partnership. By investing in the education and development of future psychiatrists, we are also investing in the long-term health and well-being of our community.” 

“We are proud to mark this moment of progress and partnership,” said Leticia Plancarte-García, Imperial County Behavioral Health Services Director “This program is not only an investment in future physicians but a direct investment in the health and well-being of our community.” 

Dr. Steve Koh, Chief Clinical Professor and Director of the UCSD Community Psychiatry Fellowship, has been instrumental in guiding the program’s development. UCSD’s leadership, faculty, and administrative teams have provided invaluable support throughout this journey, offering their expertise in curriculum development, accreditation readiness, and clinical training infrastructure. Their partnership has been critical to the successful launch of this program. 

UCSD staff will join ICBHS and County leadership to formally recognize this achievement during a special presentation to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on June 10, 2025.This new psychiatric residency program reflects the County’s long-term strategy to retain talent and improve access to care by preparing providers who understand and are committed to serving the unique needs of the region. Recruitment for the inaugural class of psychiatry residents is expected to begin later this year. 

While this is a significant step forward in the County’s ongoing efforts to improve access to behavioral health care, ICBHS remains committed to open communication with residents about mental health services and operations to ensure that residents voices remain central to future developments.