As promised, we are giving you an update of what the state and federal governments are telling us about budgets and the monies coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (stimulus plan) of 2009.
On March 12, an overview of what we know, what we don’t know and some of the processes was presented to Staff Advisory Council. You can read the updated document by clicking here.*
Although, we have few additional specifics for the federal money, we are staying in touch with all identified parties to stay on top of things. This includes the Department of Education and the federal government representatives, allowing us to move quickly once we have the specifics.
We know that we will get Part B monies as early as April, 2009 and October, 2009 and will be required to be spent by the end of FY2010-2011. We also know that there will be strict and comprehensive accountability reporting requirements.
We know from the Department of Education that the monies are being distributed to states within the following seven areas:
• State Fiscal Stabilization (replenish cuts at the state level)
• IDEA Part B
• IDEA Preschool
• IDEA Part C
• Educational Technology
• Title I
• Vocational Rehabilitation
On March 13, we implemented the new withholding taxes. Also, nonqualified dependents on our insurance plans were identified and information was sent to those individuals to provide information for the changes and to complete new paperwork.
You may have heard in the news that Iowa's revenue projections fell another $400 million for the current and upcoming July 1 fiscal year. At this time, we don't know what this will mean for our budget.
Other non-personnel reductions that were suggested by staff members at the last regional meeting are being reviewed and many will be implemented in the near future.
Negotiations are still in progress.
Questions and or comments can be sent to Maxine Kilcrease, Laura Gillon or Steve Prall.
*This document will also be placed on the Intranet under the Critical Communication tab.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Benefits Update: New Electronic Enrollment & Plan Changes
Plan to attend one of the benefit meetings scheduled in your area to learn about the changes to Heartland benefits and the new process we will use for benefit enrollment. Click here for a list of the meetings. No registration is necessary, and employees may attend whatever meeting works best with their schedule.
This year, thanks to the very hard work of our Technology Department, staff members will enroll for all benefits via the IFAS Dashboard. The enrollment process will feature a different section for each benefit option where you will be able to view your current coverage and make your selections for the coming year.
The Agency will again be offering health insurance through Wellmark Blue Choice. However, the zero deductible plan will no longer be available. Staff will select from the $500 deductible or $1,500 deductible plans. There will be a slight increase in drug co-pays and a few plan enhancements. This is an ANNUAL enrollment year, and not an OPEN enrollment year. This means that if you currently have single coverage, you will not be permitted to bring any family members on the plan. If you currently have family coverage, you will not be permitted to add additional family members this year. The next opportunity to bring your family on your health plan or add additional family members without a change in family status event will be 2011. You will be able to review the family members who are currently covered by your plan and remove them from coverage if necessary. The system will also display Primary Care Physician (PCP) information for you and your covered dependents. You will not be able to make changes to your PCP via the online enrollment, but you can do so by calling Wellmark’s customer service line. The change will then be effective the first of the following month.
For dental insurance, the Agency will continue to use Delta Dental. Those wishing to bring family members on their dental plan will be permitted to do so.
For vision insurance, the Agency will again be offering coverage through Ameritas. For this benefit, employees will be able to choose among several plan options or waive the coverage.
Employees will also have an opportunity to enroll in the medical flex benefit plan, which has a maximum annual election of $5,000.
Employees are encouraged to attend one of the benefit meetings. Since our new system will be available via the IFAS Dashboard, no paper materials will be distributed. Questions about the benefit meetings may be directed to Benefits Specialists Kathy Martin at ext. 14385 or Steve Zimmerman at ext. 14534.
This year, thanks to the very hard work of our Technology Department, staff members will enroll for all benefits via the IFAS Dashboard. The enrollment process will feature a different section for each benefit option where you will be able to view your current coverage and make your selections for the coming year.
The Agency will again be offering health insurance through Wellmark Blue Choice. However, the zero deductible plan will no longer be available. Staff will select from the $500 deductible or $1,500 deductible plans. There will be a slight increase in drug co-pays and a few plan enhancements. This is an ANNUAL enrollment year, and not an OPEN enrollment year. This means that if you currently have single coverage, you will not be permitted to bring any family members on the plan. If you currently have family coverage, you will not be permitted to add additional family members this year. The next opportunity to bring your family on your health plan or add additional family members without a change in family status event will be 2011. You will be able to review the family members who are currently covered by your plan and remove them from coverage if necessary. The system will also display Primary Care Physician (PCP) information for you and your covered dependents. You will not be able to make changes to your PCP via the online enrollment, but you can do so by calling Wellmark’s customer service line. The change will then be effective the first of the following month.
For dental insurance, the Agency will continue to use Delta Dental. Those wishing to bring family members on their dental plan will be permitted to do so.
For vision insurance, the Agency will again be offering coverage through Ameritas. For this benefit, employees will be able to choose among several plan options or waive the coverage.
Employees will also have an opportunity to enroll in the medical flex benefit plan, which has a maximum annual election of $5,000.
Employees are encouraged to attend one of the benefit meetings. Since our new system will be available via the IFAS Dashboard, no paper materials will be distributed. Questions about the benefit meetings may be directed to Benefits Specialists Kathy Martin at ext. 14385 or Steve Zimmerman at ext. 14534.
Work-at-Home Manual & Application Now Available
The new Work-at-Home operations manual and application form are now available on the Intranet under the Human Resources tab. You can also click here for the manual or click here for the application. Staff members who are eligible to apply for Work-at-Home can do so at any time, but partnership directors will act on requests received on June 1, therefore, staff should apply in advance.
Corrected Addendum Directory
The Addendum Directory that was sent out to staff members a few weeks ago listed an outdated office phone number for the Carroll office in the alphabetical and workgroup listings. The correct number is (712) 792-3102. Click here for the directory with the updated phone number.
Years of Service Awards to be Presented in April
Years of service awards will be presented to employees who have worked for the Agency for 30, 25, 20, 15 and 10 years at the April office meetings. Recipients for 2008 were to have received their awards at the all-staff meeting in September of ’08, but since that meeting was not held, they will receive their awards next month along with the 2009 recipients.
Reminder: Johnston Office Lunch & Learn: Students & Gangs
Bring your lunch and join us for the Students and Gangs Lunch & Learn event!
When: March 31 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Registration Number: IN009392110907
When: March 31 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Where: Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Registration Number: IN009392110907
Technology Update
Document Cameras Added to Checkout Collections
Nine document cameras have been purchased for the general checkout collections. Document cameras can be used with LCD projectors to project an image of hard copy documents or real objects, similar to what you may have done in the past with an opaque projector. You can also connect your computer and switch between projecting the computer image and the hard copy or object placed on the document camera. A document camera is now available in each branch office and can be reserved through the Resource Scheduler. Select “CAMERAS – Document” in the CATEGORY drop-down menu. Please remember to also reserve a projector.
Dave Booth is currently scheduling training in the use of document cameras for secretaries and other staff in branch offices. If you would like to learn more about document cameras and how to use them, please feel free to contact David Booth at ext. 14438 or Jane Quanbeck at ext. 14409.
Dial-Through Phone Access Code Change
On April 1 the access code for “dial-through” service will be changed. “Work At Home” staff or other employees who must use personal cell phones to conduct agency business may contact their supervisor for the new code beginning May 25. This service is intended to protect the privacy of staff working in these environments and to ensure that return calls are not made to personal lines outside of business hours. Using the service consists of calling a toll-free number in much the same way that you would use a calling card. No personal charges will be incurred for using this service other than cellular airtime, which may be reimbursed.
Polycom Video Conferencing Made Simpler
The Polycom video conferencing equipment at the Johnston office has been moved to Kathy Martin’s former office off the main lobby. Staff can now simply reserve the “Video Conference Room (Polycom)” in the Resource Scheduler and the equipment will be in the room. You will not have to make a separate equipment reservation for a videoconference. The key to the room may be obtained from the receptionist at the front desk. If assistance is required, Thanh Le in Equipment Repair will still be available to assist you.
Nine document cameras have been purchased for the general checkout collections. Document cameras can be used with LCD projectors to project an image of hard copy documents or real objects, similar to what you may have done in the past with an opaque projector. You can also connect your computer and switch between projecting the computer image and the hard copy or object placed on the document camera. A document camera is now available in each branch office and can be reserved through the Resource Scheduler. Select “CAMERAS – Document” in the CATEGORY drop-down menu. Please remember to also reserve a projector.
Dave Booth is currently scheduling training in the use of document cameras for secretaries and other staff in branch offices. If you would like to learn more about document cameras and how to use them, please feel free to contact David Booth at ext. 14438 or Jane Quanbeck at ext. 14409.
Dial-Through Phone Access Code Change
On April 1 the access code for “dial-through” service will be changed. “Work At Home” staff or other employees who must use personal cell phones to conduct agency business may contact their supervisor for the new code beginning May 25. This service is intended to protect the privacy of staff working in these environments and to ensure that return calls are not made to personal lines outside of business hours. Using the service consists of calling a toll-free number in much the same way that you would use a calling card. No personal charges will be incurred for using this service other than cellular airtime, which may be reimbursed.
Polycom Video Conferencing Made Simpler
The Polycom video conferencing equipment at the Johnston office has been moved to Kathy Martin’s former office off the main lobby. Staff can now simply reserve the “Video Conference Room (Polycom)” in the Resource Scheduler and the equipment will be in the room. You will not have to make a separate equipment reservation for a videoconference. The key to the room may be obtained from the receptionist at the front desk. If assistance is required, Thanh Le in Equipment Repair will still be available to assist you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)