Courtesy photo.
By Erin Niemi • Public Service Intern at the County of Ventura
VENTURA — From the moment Anna Kumor started her career, she knew she wanted to help people. “It’s part of my DNA,” said Kumor. “[Helping people] was a part of how I was raised.” It’s no wonder she is the Ventura County Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Director, which provides counseling and mental health services to County employees and their family members. She and a team of licensed mental health professionals use their expertise to help County employees navigate work and personal relationships, as well as teach mindfulness techniques to help employees succeed. Kumor has brought nearly 10 years of clinical experience to her role at the County of Ventura, and after hoping to find an opportunity to work with public servants in particular, she landed in her leadership role as agency director of the Ventura County EAP.
Her connection to public servitude is why she feels called to use her skills in the public sector, and enjoys getting to learn about the journeys of others through her work. “Just meeting all of the different people and hearing about everyone’s stories makes me want to make them successful,” said Kumor. “I’ve met so many people who care so much about their community, and I care so much about their wellbeing. It’s this beautiful ripple effect that just goes on.” Kumor continues to cultivate this ripple-effect by leading by example within her practice, and equipping people with the tools to learn how to do that for themselves as well. “Leading by example means taking care of yourself. If you’re in a good state of mind, and health, then you can help others achieve the same,” said Kumor. “It helps if you can manage your own emotions. If you do your deep breathing, or whatever it takes, and if you’re a good listener, you make a really big difference in the world.”
Although leading during the COVID-19 pandemic is no easy feat, Anna Kumor is doing so in stride and with hope that she can build a community of support to navigate the challenges presented to the world as a result of social distancing. To achieve this, she leads a County-wide conversation around mindfulness. “When the pandemic started here, social distancing was traumatic for folks. I wanted to find a way to build community, to help build resilience, and to help people manage their emotions,” said Kumor. Kumor has spearheaded the effort of creating mindfulness videos and leading morning meditations daily at 7:45AM on Microsoft Teams, as well as by leading a workshop in mindfulness Wednesday’s at 12:45PM. She also does it in her own daily health practice and has said her life has changed since she’s started. “To just stop for that 10-15 minutes and put yourself in the right frame of mind before your work completely changes the energy,” said Kumor. “And that’s what the difference is.”
Positive mental health in the workplace makes a significant difference according to Kumor, and she believes that mental health encompasses all areas of life which in turn, affect people’s careers. According to Kumor, mental health isn’t an isolated element of personal life, it includes managing relationships well, managing emotions well, self-esteem, thoughts and behaviors, and knowing your own limits. “Mental health is knowing when to pace yourself, knowing how to respect your own boundaries and limits as a human being, and making conscious choices on how to be healthier in the workplace,” Kumor said.
The County of Ventura EAP is unique, according to Kumor, because of its personal touch. She says it is quicker and easier than having to go outside for care, and care at the County can encompass all areas of client life including personal, familial, work and children’s therapy. In addition to counseling, the EAP also does trainings and management consultations with focuses on stress management, communication, respectful work relationships, and resilience for professionals. All of these services are confidential as well, and everything is done “by the book,” said Kumor.
To Kumor, being a public servant means more than just being a leader and helping people, it also includes being a part of the community and participating actively in that community. “It includes giving and not just taking, and volunteering. It’s knowing you have impact,” said Kumor. She is moved by the spirit of public servitude in the County of Ventura and appreciates the variety of landscapes including the farms, the ocean, and industrial. In addition to leading others through her journey of public servitude, she loves kayaking at the Ventura Harbor and adventuring atop the water.
Kumor says now that she is here in Ventura, she doesn’t plan on leaving. “There is such a spirit of public servitude here, and that means a lot,” said Kumor. “It makes me feel like I fit in in that way.”
Feeling inspired by Kumor’s story? Visit https://hr.ventura.org to learn more about how the County of Ventura prioritizes mental health in its employees and cares about the community. While you’re there, find your future role with the County of Ventura by visiting our website: www.ventura.org/jobs and applying to one of our open positions today!