We will now be posting the notes from each month’s Staff Advisory Council (SAC II) meetings in The Connection to allow staff members easier access to the notes from these important meetings. Click here for the October meeting notes. All SAC II meeting notes are archived on the Workgroups server>Meeting Notes>Staff Advisory Council.
If you will recall from a previous article, SAC II meetings are held monthly, September through May, except for December. The council has 30 members whose collective representation covers all areas of our agency staff. Council members serve as ambassadors of the Agency to the areas and/or workgroups they represent. The council is designed with two main purposes: 1) advise agency administration on specific issues regarding policies, procedures and agency climate and 2) share staff questions, suggestions and/or concerns. Staff members are encouraged to use their Staff Advisory Council member to bring ideas and comments to this group.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Reminder: Check the Construction Blog for Johnston REC Project Updates
Johnston REC remodeling project updates can be found at http://construction.aea11.k12.ia.us/. Check out the new photos, too!
October 2010 AEAs Impacting Lives Newsletter
October was National Physical Therapy Month and the AEA system newsletter “Impacting Lives” focused on the great services provided by Iowa’s AEA Physical Therapists. Read more at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/. Please feel free to share the blog link with family, friends, clients—whomever you think would benefit from knowing more about the AEAs!
Remember to Vote, Tomorrow November 2!
Remember to exercise your right to vote tomorrow! Find all voting information online at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/.
2011 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Now Open
The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:
• A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age.
• A dependent, spouse or parent who is physically or mentally disabled.
Our Section 125 dependent care plan runs on a calendar year basis, from January through December. Enrolling in the plan is voluntary and allows you to deduct out-of-pocket dependent care expenses from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
If you are interested in learning more about paying for your dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, or if you have been a participant in the past, but have questions about how the plan works and what type of child care expenses you can deduct on a pre-tax basis, check out the video on the Intranet under the Benefits tab > 2010 Benefit Videos > Dependent Care.
If you are currently participating in the dependent care FSA plan, an information packet with an enrollment form will be mailed to your home address the first week of November. Those not currently participating who would like an enrollment packet may request one from Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
The deadline for submitting your dependent care enrollment form for the 2011 plan year is November 30. Forms may be faxed or e-mailed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or fax (515) 270-6562. Please follow up by mailing your original enrollment form to Kathy Martin at the Johnston Administration Center.
• A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age.
• A dependent, spouse or parent who is physically or mentally disabled.
Our Section 125 dependent care plan runs on a calendar year basis, from January through December. Enrolling in the plan is voluntary and allows you to deduct out-of-pocket dependent care expenses from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
If you are interested in learning more about paying for your dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, or if you have been a participant in the past, but have questions about how the plan works and what type of child care expenses you can deduct on a pre-tax basis, check out the video on the Intranet under the Benefits tab > 2010 Benefit Videos > Dependent Care.
If you are currently participating in the dependent care FSA plan, an information packet with an enrollment form will be mailed to your home address the first week of November. Those not currently participating who would like an enrollment packet may request one from Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
The deadline for submitting your dependent care enrollment form for the 2011 plan year is November 30. Forms may be faxed or e-mailed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or fax (515) 270-6562. Please follow up by mailing your original enrollment form to Kathy Martin at the Johnston Administration Center.
Reminder: Changes in FSA & HRA Reimbursable Items Effective January 1, 2011
The following was sent via e-mail to all staff on October 27 and is repeated here for your information.
If you have a medical flexible spending arrangement (FSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) through the Agency, we wanted to remind you that it’s about to become a little less “flexible.”
Effective January 1, 2011, new federal regulations require a doctor’s prescription for drugs purchased with FSA or HRA money, limiting purchases you can make through these tax-free plans. These new provisions, which are part of the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in March, mean that you will no longer be able to purchase such items as over-the-counter cold, flu and allergy medications and pain relievers with FSA or HRA funds unless you have a prescription for them.
For example, if during an exam your doctor says, “give your toddler Children’s Tylenol,” ask him or her to write you a prescription so you can buy the Tylenol with FSA or HRA money. This will be handled the same as vitamins and supplements are currently handled; Kabel Business Services will need a doctor’s prescription with each claim submission, and it must state what drug the doctor is prescribing and for what medical condition.
The good news is the new rule pertains only to drugs and medications—you can still purchase over-the-counter medical supplies such as crutches, medical-testing kits and joint supports and standard items such as Band-Aids and contact lens solution using FSA and HRA funds. Reimbursement for prescription eyeglasses is also still allowed, as is reimbursement of insulin without a prescription.
However, you will not be able to use your FSA debit card for over-the-counter items after December 31, even if you have a prescription from your doctor. Smart FSA and HRA users may want to stock up on over-the-counter medications before January 1.
Another change relating to medical FSAs is coming in 2013. That’s when the government puts a $2,500 cap on money you can put in a medical FSA, which is half of what Heartland currently allows you to put in your medical FSA. Heartland will need to implement the $2,500 cap beginning with the June 2012 FSA enrollment.
In summary, medical co-pays and deductibles, medical supplies without a prescription, dental and vision expenses, and over-the-counter medicines without a prescription purchased in 2010 but not reimbursed until 2011 are all still expenses eligible for reimbursement after January 1, 2011. Over-the-counter medicines without a prescription that are purchased after December 31, 2010 will not be eligible for reimbursement under either your FSA or HRA.
Questions about which items are eligible for reimbursement after December 31, 2010 may be directed to Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691. Questions about Heartland's FSA and HRA plans can be directed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
If you have a medical flexible spending arrangement (FSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) through the Agency, we wanted to remind you that it’s about to become a little less “flexible.”
Effective January 1, 2011, new federal regulations require a doctor’s prescription for drugs purchased with FSA or HRA money, limiting purchases you can make through these tax-free plans. These new provisions, which are part of the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in March, mean that you will no longer be able to purchase such items as over-the-counter cold, flu and allergy medications and pain relievers with FSA or HRA funds unless you have a prescription for them.
For example, if during an exam your doctor says, “give your toddler Children’s Tylenol,” ask him or her to write you a prescription so you can buy the Tylenol with FSA or HRA money. This will be handled the same as vitamins and supplements are currently handled; Kabel Business Services will need a doctor’s prescription with each claim submission, and it must state what drug the doctor is prescribing and for what medical condition.
The good news is the new rule pertains only to drugs and medications—you can still purchase over-the-counter medical supplies such as crutches, medical-testing kits and joint supports and standard items such as Band-Aids and contact lens solution using FSA and HRA funds. Reimbursement for prescription eyeglasses is also still allowed, as is reimbursement of insulin without a prescription.
However, you will not be able to use your FSA debit card for over-the-counter items after December 31, even if you have a prescription from your doctor. Smart FSA and HRA users may want to stock up on over-the-counter medications before January 1.
Another change relating to medical FSAs is coming in 2013. That’s when the government puts a $2,500 cap on money you can put in a medical FSA, which is half of what Heartland currently allows you to put in your medical FSA. Heartland will need to implement the $2,500 cap beginning with the June 2012 FSA enrollment.
In summary, medical co-pays and deductibles, medical supplies without a prescription, dental and vision expenses, and over-the-counter medicines without a prescription purchased in 2010 but not reimbursed until 2011 are all still expenses eligible for reimbursement after January 1, 2011. Over-the-counter medicines without a prescription that are purchased after December 31, 2010 will not be eligible for reimbursement under either your FSA or HRA.
Questions about which items are eligible for reimbursement after December 31, 2010 may be directed to Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691. Questions about Heartland's FSA and HRA plans can be directed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Evaluation Standards Updated on Intranet
Evaluation standards for staff are currently posted on the Intranet>Human Resources tab>Staff Performance Evaluation. A request was made to have these documents in a format that could be cut and pasted into other programs such as wikis; therefore, these documents have been updated accordingly.
Reminder: Regional & Office Meetings This Week
Below is a list of the dates and locations for this week’s regional and office meetings.
Johnston Central Office Teaching & Learning Staff Meeting
November 3, St. Mary’s Church, Des Moines, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Regional Staff Meetings
November 4, UPDATE: Webinar and office meeting in the morning, Learning Teams in the afternoon
Locations:
Region 1 & 2, Annunciation Church, Coon Rapids
Region 3, Adel AEA office
Region 4, United Methodist Church, Adel
Regions 5, 6, & 7, Ames AEA office
Region 8, Johnston Lions Club
Region 9, Johnston REC, Conf. Rooms 3 & 4/ICN Room
Region 10, Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines
Region 11, Indianola AEA office
Region 12 & 14, Third Reformed Church, Pella
Region 13, Clay Elementary, Altoona
Regional and Central Office Meeting Materials
Materials for the office meetings this week will be available via the Professional Development Resources tab on the Intranet. Materials will be available by noon on Tuesday.
Regional Staff Need to Register for a Moodle Account
In order to be most efficient with our time, regional staff members should make sure they have access to the Agency’s Moodle site: http://205.221.40.124/moodle/. If you need assistance with the registration process, there is a short video on Eduvision that will help you: https://aea111.eduvision.tv/default.aspx. Type in Moodle in the channel search window to find the video “Moodle – creating an account.”
Team Shirt Day
Remember that the Agency will kick off the 2010 United Way campaign with a Team Shirt Day at the office and regional meetings. For a $5 contribution, you may wear your favorite college, school or team shirt with jeans to your office or regional meeting. To participate, please write a check for $5 to the United Way and put in the memo section of the check which United Way you want the money to go to.
Johnston Central Office Teaching & Learning Staff Meeting
November 3, St. Mary’s Church, Des Moines, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Regional Staff Meetings
November 4, UPDATE: Webinar and office meeting in the morning, Learning Teams in the afternoon
Locations:
Region 1 & 2, Annunciation Church, Coon Rapids
Region 3, Adel AEA office
Region 4, United Methodist Church, Adel
Regions 5, 6, & 7, Ames AEA office
Region 8, Johnston Lions Club
Region 9, Johnston REC, Conf. Rooms 3 & 4/ICN Room
Region 10, Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines
Region 11, Indianola AEA office
Region 12 & 14, Third Reformed Church, Pella
Region 13, Clay Elementary, Altoona
Regional and Central Office Meeting Materials
Materials for the office meetings this week will be available via the Professional Development Resources tab on the Intranet. Materials will be available by noon on Tuesday.
Regional Staff Need to Register for a Moodle Account
In order to be most efficient with our time, regional staff members should make sure they have access to the Agency’s Moodle site: http://205.221.40.124/moodle/. If you need assistance with the registration process, there is a short video on Eduvision that will help you: https://aea111.eduvision.tv/default.aspx. Type in Moodle in the channel search window to find the video “Moodle – creating an account.”
Team Shirt Day
Remember that the Agency will kick off the 2010 United Way campaign with a Team Shirt Day at the office and regional meetings. For a $5 contribution, you may wear your favorite college, school or team shirt with jeans to your office or regional meeting. To participate, please write a check for $5 to the United Way and put in the memo section of the check which United Way you want the money to go to.
Additional Session Added for Winter Special Education Institute
Due to requests for an additional day, we’ve added a session of the Winter Special Education Institute on January 4, 2011. Registration information is included below. This session will focus on statewide changes to the EER. If you have already registered and would like to switch sessions, please call Professional Development at ext. 14701 to cancel out of your previous session. You only need to register for and attend one session. Please register for the session you plan to attend by Friday, November 12.
December 17 – Activity Number IN038199991101
December 21 – Activity Number IN038199991102
December 22 – Activity Number IN038199991103
January 4 – Activity Number IN038199991104
December 17 – Activity Number IN038199991101
December 21 – Activity Number IN038199991102
December 22 – Activity Number IN038199991103
January 4 – Activity Number IN038199991104
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)