HCG Connection May 2013

7/30/2019 HCG Connection May 2013

1/12

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

ExecutiveSummary

1

HR Update 2

Lincoln Financial &Upper Chesapeake

Health

5

Employee of the

Month6

Sustainability Office 7

National StrokeAwareness

8

Tech Tips 11

Milestones & BJs 12

A N E W S L E T T E R B YA N D F O R T H EE M P L O Y E E S O F

H A R F O R D C O U N T YG O V E R N M E N T

HCG CONNECTIONM A Y 2 0 1 3V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 5

On April 15, 2013, in accordance with the Charter of Harford Counsubmitted the proposed FY 2014 budget to President Billy Bonifacethe Harford County Council.

The budget reflects a balanced approach to governing, the realities fragile economy and the priorities of our community. The proposed2014 budget was crafted by adhering to sound fiscal management polthat help keep Harford County operating within its means witincreasing taxes.

As with prior years, there continues to be efforts by the State and Fedgovernment to pass along to counties, unfunded mandates, additiresponsibilities and unsustainable costs.

Through tough economic times the past few years, perhaps far mchallenging than in several decades, we have kept our tax rate low and worked with the Harford CouSheriffs Office, Board of Education, Harford Community College, Harford County Library and othehold the line on spending. This has resulted in significant savings to the taxpayers, while we work hamanage government in the most economical and efficient manner possible.

During the past several years, a number of revenue streams have been adversely affected by various facoutside the control of this Administration. A lagging national economy, unfunded mandates and lowerevenues have resulted in a lean budget, both Operating and Capital for FY 2014. The General FOperating Budget reflects an increase of only $6 million over the previous fiscal years budget.

Without question, the proposed FY 2014 Operating and Capital Budgets are one of the leanest budgetsAdministration has prepared during my term in office. We have done our best with projected resourcemeet the needs of the citizens of Harford County without increasing taxes or the size of government.

Due to the fiscal realities of the proposed FY 2014 budget, there will be no wage or salary enhancemfor County employees, employees of the Harford County Sheriffs Office, or Harford County PuLibrary. Furthermore, the County is now required by the State to fund an additional $15 million for teapensions in the coming year. However, the Administration is providing an additional $1,952,485 toBoard of Education above and beyond Maintenance of Effort.

Overall, the proposed FY 2014 budget reflects a balance of many divergent wants and needs of the Couwith the ability of government to provide for them through the taxes our citizens pay. Despite teconomic challenging times, Harford County remains a vibrant community full of opportunity and prom

The proposed FY 2014 budget reflects our collective values, while continuing our tradition of strong, sofinancial management for the people who call Harford County home.

Cordially,

David R. Craig,

Harford County Executive

Executive Summary: The Proposed FY 2014 Budget for Harford County

David R. Craig

Harford County Executive


2/12

P A G

Department of Human Resources Update

H C G C O N N E C T I O N

V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 5

BlueChoice Opt Out Plus submitted by Beth Griffith

CELL PHONE POLICY submitted by Janet Schaub

Policy 08-20-41, Cell Phones, became effective on April 2, 2013. It is available on Interactive Workforce (IW) underEmployee Handbook and then under Policies. We recommend that all employees review the policy.

This policy governs cell phones and cell phone usage as it relates to work. The policy covers a wide variety of topicsto include County-Issued Cell Phones, Personal Use of County-Issued Cell Phones, Security of County-Issued Phones,Personal Cell Phones at Work, Dont Use a Cell Phone While Driving, Hands-Free Equipment, and Cell Phone/PhoneReimbursement Authorization Form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at 410-638-3201.

Our first enrollment year with the BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Plan has been a huge success. What

are you waiting for? You could potentially be saving up to $2,700 annually in payroll deductions

alone. Dont forget the co-pays are lower for office visits along with prescription drugs. Here is

what your co-workers are saying about the plan.

Employee from 220 South Main StreetAs you contemplate your elections this year for health care coverage, I thought I would share withyou my personal experience this past year under the countys BlueChoice plan. Last year when

the county provided the new BlueChoice option for my health insurance, I thought I would investigate itfurther. What I found out actually excited me. By moving from the highly coveted PPO option to the BlueChoice

program, I learned that I was able to keep many of my current doctors, reduce my out of pocket co-pay charges andreduce my overall insurance premium! Since we all contribute a portion of our salaries to pay our healthcarepremiums, the cost savings by switching from PPO to BlueChoice was duly noted in the bump I received in my bi-weekly take home pay. Not only did I save myself money, I also was happy to say that I saved the county money aswell. Now, the true test. Was the cost savings by switching from PPO to BlueChoice worth it? Well, I must say,after a year under the BlueChoice plan my family and I did not notice one bit of difference in the quality of or access tohealth care. What we did notice was more take home pay and smaller co-pays at the doctors! So, what am I going todo this year? Im sticking with BlueChoice! For those who have not made the switch, I say, give yourself a raise,lower your co-pays and still enjoy the same quality of healthcare you experienced under the PPO plan. Its a no

brainer.

Employee from HighwaysI made the change from Maryland Point of Service to the BlueChoice Opt Out Plus plan and saved money from my pay

check and when I go to see my physician. Most of my issues with MPOS were referral related. The new no-referralplan has made my life easier.

Employee from Water & SewerI was concerned about switching from the PPO to BlueChoice last enrollment year because of long term health issueswith my family members. I was surprised that the specialists that we were using were actually in the BlueChoicenetwork. I am happy that I took the time to research my physicians. Staying enrolled in BlueChoice versus PPO wasa good decision for my family.

Scott T. Gibson,

Human Resources

Director


3/12

P A G

Department of Human Resources Update (contd)



Open Enrollment submitted by Beth GriffithOpen Enrollment for health insurance benefits begins May 15 and will end on May 29. Enrollment

Guides along with rate information will be accessible in Interactive Workforce beginning on May 15.

Representatives from CareFirst, Delta Dental, Hirsch Financial Services, AFLAC and Liberty Mutual will

be available on May 15, May 21, May 23 and May 29 in the Department of Human Resources

Conference Room. Open Enrollment Sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Effective July 1, 2013 there will be enhancements in preventive services as required by the Patient

Protection and Affordable Care Act. These services are at no cost to you and CareFirst has instructed us

that no office visit should be charged for the immunizations or screenings. Please contact the

Department of Human Resources if you experience any difficulties with any of these services. A

summary is provided below and is also included in the Enrollment Guide.

Children

Well child visits (birth to age 21) to

include:

Screenings for autismDevelopmental screenings - under age 3Hearing screenings for newbornsScreening for cervical dysplasia for

sexually active femalesHematocrit or hemoglobin screenings

HIV screeningVision screeningObesity screeningTesting for leadCertain diagnostic screenings for

newborns

Summary of Preventive ServicesAs of April, 2013

The preventive services set forth below apply to plans that have elected or are required to provide

preventive services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Such preventive services

are covered where clinically appropriate, under recommendations of the United States Preventive

Services Task Force and supporting evidence. Limitations may apply with respect to the availability,

setting, frequency, or method of a service or treatment.

Immunizations for Children

Diphtheria, Tetanus, PertussisHepatitis AHepatitis BHuman PapillomavirusInfluenzaInfluenza BMeasles, mumps and rubellaMeningococcal

PneumococcalVaricellaRotavirusInactivated Polio

Health, diet and weight counseling

Alcohol and drug assessments for older

children


4/12

P A G

Department of Human Resources Update (contd)



Open Enrollment (contd)submitted by Beth GriffithSummary of Preventive Services

AdultsPreventive Care Visits include screenings for:

Cholesterol

High blood pressure

Type 2 diabetes

Depression

Alcohol misuse

HIVObesity

One-time screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Osteoporosis

Anemia

Cervical cancer screening

Hepatitis B

Sexually transmitted diseases

Rh incompatibility and urinary tract infection screenings for pregnant women

Mammograms

Colonoscopies

Gestational diabetes screeningHPV DNA testing

Intimate partner, interpersonal and domestic violence screening and counseling

Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling

FDA approved contraceptive methods and counseling

Health, diet and weight counseling for qualifying adults

Tobacco use screenings and cessation counseling

Preventive Drugs for Children

Fluoride preschool age (P)

Iron 6-12 mo. risk of anemia (OTC*)

Preventive Drugs for AdultsFolic Acid women of childbearing age (P)

Smoking Cessation (OTC*)

Aspirin (81mg) (OTC*)


5/12

Boomers and the Bear



P A G E

Our representative from Lincoln Financial will be available:

Wednesday, May 22, 2013The meetings will take place in the Department of Human Resources for new enrollments and

changes/updates to existing accounts. Appointments are required. Please contact Beth Griffith

at 410-638-3202 or

[email protected].

Cardiovascular Screening

When: Wednesday, May 15, 8 am4 pm, Where: Harford Memorial Hospital

Description: Registration is required by calling 1-800-515-0044

Angiogram of a

healthy heart

Damaged Heart
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


6/12

April Employee of the Month submitted by Robert B. Thomas, Jr.

P A G E 6V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 5

Wanda Bhola Named Employee of the Month for April(Bel Air, MD) - - Wanda Bhola, Housing Services Coordinator

with the Department of Community Services has been named

Employee of the Month for April 2013. Ms. Bhola was nominated by

Elizabeth S. Hendrix, Director of the Department of Community

Services.

Ms. Bhola was nominated for her efforts in coordinating and

facilitating a county-wide count of Harford Countys homeless

population in January of this year. Ms. Bhola worked to bring togetherfaith based groups, non-profit agencies, law enforcement, concerned citizens and county employees

to serve as outreach teams for the count.

In her nomination, Director Hendrix stated, To ensure the outreach teams reached all

possible homeless individuals, Ms. Bhola worked months in advance with mental health providers,

church groups, police and non-profit groups to identify where homeless persons are located. In

addition to providing this information to the outreach team, she also organized the collection of

care kits of food vouchers, blankets, bus passes and emergency supplies to give to each homeless

person encountered during the county.

Director Hendrix added, the information collected from the Homeless Point-In-Time Countwill be used to provide better coordinated services to those in need as well as to help us apply for

grand funds to serve the low income in Harford County.

Commenting on being recognized as Employee of the Month for April, Ms. Bhola said, I am

honored by the recognition of my Director, Beth Hendrix, and appreciate all the efforts of the non-

profits, faith based organizations, and volunteers that work with the homeless population in

Harford County on a daily basis.

During one of the coldest days of the year, Wanda Bhola and a dedicated, well organized

team worked tirelessly to help the Department of Community Services gather the annual count of

the homeless population in Harford County, County Executive David R. Craig said. I commend

Wanda for her efforts in reaching out to help some of our most vulnerable citizens and look

forward to her continued service to the people of Harford County, Craig remarked.

Wanda Bhola and County Executive Craig


Preserving Harfords past; promoting Harfords future


7/12


V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 5 P A G E 7

Do you know someone who should be recognized as a Green Star? If so, please share her/his Green Star action by

e-mailing Marlana McKenna [email protected]

To learn more about all of our Green Stars, please visit the Sustainability Office website. www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/index

SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE

Meet our newest Green StarsCouncil Members McMahan, Shrodes and Lisanti for expanding renewable energy opportunities. WandaButrim of the Budget Office and Marlana McKenna of the Sustainability Office for starting Lunch-timeComposting.

Would you like to try composting?What is composting?

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Theprocess of composting simply requires making a heap of wetted organic matter and waiting for the materials tobreak down turning it into a nutrient rich soil..compost!

Organic material means any material that was once alive and, in an office setting, includes fruit or vegetable peelsleftover from lunch, coffee grounds, or even leaves that have dropped from nearby trees.

Why do it at work?

If you're already conserving energy, reusing and recycling paper, and purchasing green office products at work,

the next step can be composting. A natural recycling system, composting keeps excess food from piling up at

landfills.

Harford Waste Disposal Center Compost and Mulch Facility is open Monday thru Saturday from 7:00 a.m.

2:45 p.m. and is located at 3135 Scarboro Road in Street, Maryland. Call 410-638-3636 for more information.

Harford County Office of Recyclingoffers backyard composting workshops in the Spring. Class size is limited.

Call for reservations, 410-638-3417.

For more information or questions about composting please call or email Jessica Green, [email protected].

Green Star of the Quarter (January March 2013)Denise Carnaggio of the Office of Economic Development for Reducing and Rethinking

with Technology.
mailto:[email protected]://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/index.cfm?ID=345http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/indexhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_amendmenthttp://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/green-energy/http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/reducing-and-recycling/http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/composting/http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/composting/http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/reducing-and-recycling/http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/green-energy/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_amendmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matterhttp://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/indexhttp://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/index.cfm?ID=345mailto:[email protected]


8/12

P A G E 8



May is National Stroke Awareness Month


9/12

P A G E 9



May is National Stroke Awareness Month (contd)

Stroke is an Emergency. Act FAST and Call

9-1-1

Few in the U.S. know the warning signs of stroke.Learning them and acting FAST when they occurcould save your life or the life of a loved one.

Use the FAST test to remember warning signs of stroke.

F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech

sound slurred or strange?T = TIME If you observe any of these signs (independently or together), call

9-1-1immediately.

Reducing Stroke Risk: Many risk factors are beyond your control, includingbeing over age 55, being a male, being African-American, having diabetes, andhaving a family history of stroke. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is

even more important that you learn about the lifestyle and medical changes youcan make to prevent a stroke. However, everyone should do what they can toreduce their risk for stroke learn more by reading and following the StrokePrevention Guidelines below.

Medical stroke risk factors include: Previous stroke, previous episode of TIA(or mini stroke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, atrialfibrillation and carotid artery disease. These risk factors can be controlled andmanaged with the help of a healthcare professional.

Lifestyle stroke risk factors include:Smoking, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. You can control theserisk factors by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, watching what and how muchyou eat and limiting alcohol consumption.


10/12

P A G E 1 0



May is National Stroke Awareness Month (contd)

Stroke Prevention Guidelines

1. Know blood pressure (hypertension) - High blood pressure is a major strokerisk factor if left untreated. Have blood pressure checked yearly by a doctor or athealth fairs, a local pharmacy or supermarket or with an automatic blood pressuremachine.

2. Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib) - Afib is an abnormal heartbeat that can increasestroke risk by 500 percent. Afib can cause blood to pool in the heart and may form aclot and cause a stroke. A doctor must diagnose and treat Afib.

3. Stop smoking - Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. It damages blood vesselwalls, speeds up artery clogging, raises blood pressure and makes the heart workharder. Stopping smoking today will immediately begin to decrease risk.

4. Control alcohol use - Alcohol use has been linked to stroke in many studies.Most doctors recommend not drinking or drinking only in moderation no more thantwo drinks each day. Remember that alcohol can negatively interact with other drugsyou are taking.

5. Know cholesterol levels - Cholesterol is a fatty substance in blood that is made

by the body. It also comes in food. High cholesterol levels can clog arteries andcause a stroke. See a doctor if your total cholesterol level is more than 200.

6. Control diabetes - Many people with diabetes have health problems that are alsostroke risk factors. Your doctor can prescribe a nutrition program, lifestyle changesand medicine to help control your diabetes.

7. Manage exercise and diet - Excess weight strains the circulatory system. Exer-cise five times a week. Maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fatsand cholesterol. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

8. Treat circulation problems - Fatty deposits can block arteries carrying blood tothe brain and lead to a stroke. Other problems such as sickle cell disease or severeanemia should be treated.

9. Act FAST at the first warning sign of stroke - If you have any stroke symptoms,seek immediate medical attention.


11/12

V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 5 P A G E 1


Tech Tipssubmitted by the Office of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Excel 2010 - Print Row Headings on Every Printed Page

By default, Excel does not print the row headings on all pages of a worksheet or report. Excel 2010s Print Titles command enables

you to print particular row headings on each page of the report. Print titles are important in multi-page reports where the columns

and rows of related data spill over to other pages that no longer show the row headings.

The following procedure will show you how to print row headings on every page of the printed worksheet.

Click the Print Titles button on the Ribbons Page Layout tab.

The Page Setup dialog box appears with the Sheet Tab displayed.

To designate specific rows as print titles, select the Rows to Repeat at Top text box and then drag

through the row number(s) on your report which contain data you want to appear at the top of each

page.

Click OK. You can preview the report to determine if the print titles are set up correctly.


12/12

David R. Craig,Harford County ExecutivePreserving Harfords past;

Promoting Harfords future

Published by

Harford CountyDepartment of Human ResourcesScott T. Gibson, Director

Sharon Ballweg

Editor & Graphic Design

Department of Human Resources

410-638-3019

[email protected]

Robert B. Thomas, Jr.Contributor

Office of the County Executive

410-638-3258

[email protected]

Rebecca Macek - Contributor

Department of Community Services

410-638-3389

[email protected]

Erin Ferriter-Contributor

Sustainability Office410-638-4707

[email protected]

Joan Ingold Contributor

Information and Communication Technology

410-638-1231

[email protected]

Is there someone in yourworkplace who goes

above and beyond forHarford County?

Why notnominatethis individual as

Employee of the Month?

What a great way to recognize yourco-workers for their contribution to

Harford County.

For details contact

Sharon Ballweg at

[email protected]

or call 410-638-3019

WITH THE NEW YEAR JUSTGETTING STARTED, NOW IS AGREAT TIME TO RENEW OR JOIN!!!

To process your BJs membership we will need:

A completed membership Application/Renewal

form which can be sent to you through inter-

office mail or you can stop by the Departmentof Human Resources between the hours of 8

a.m. 5 p.m.

Your payment of $40 which gives you 15 month

membership. Payment can be made in the form

of personal check or credit card. Checks should

be made payable to B.J.s Cash is not

accepted.

Once the paperwork and payment has been

received in the Department of Human Resources, it

will be forwarded to B.J.s for processing. Please

keep the gold page for your records and use as your

temporary membership pass until you receive your

membership card. Normal processing time is 30days.

If you have any questions or need additional

information, please contact Tamara Simmons at

410-638-4871 or email her @[email protected].

Milestones

We would like to include yourmilestone in the next HCGConnection. Please submit

information by the15th of the month to

[email protected].

P A G E 1 2V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 4

Congratulations to Nikki andBrian McGuire who were married

on March 24, 2013. Nikki is aDispatcher at EOC.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

HCG Connection May 2013