Check Your Paystub!
Active employees and retirees still receiving a paycheck will see the new insurance rates that took effect October 1, 2015, reflected on your 10/30/2015 paystub. Retirees who have arranged for payment from a bank account will see the change in rates in the November 5 ACH payment.
Under the Pre-Tax Deductions section, you should see your monthly insurance premium as well as any money you deposit into a Flexible Spending Account or Tax Sheltered Annuity. In the After-Tax Deductions, you’ll see the premiums for any optional life insurance you purchased. Please take a few minutes to verify that your deductions and plan elections are correct.
Flexible Spending Roll Over
If you had a 2014-15 Flexible Spending Account and did not use all of your FSA money set aside for unreimbursed eligible health-related expenses, up to $500 of that unused money rolled over into the new 2015-16 plan year. Because you have until December 31, 2015, to submit receipts for expenses incurred during the October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015 plan year, the funds have not yet been released to cover expenses occurring on or after October 1, 2015. PacificSource Administrators (PSA) allows a run out period of 90 days to submit claims for the recently concluded plan year. The carryover of remaining funds will happen automatically after December 31, 2015.
Need your roll over amount sooner than January 1, 2016? PacificSource will grant requests of funds to roll early; however, once the funds roll the member can no longer submit claims for the 2014/15 plan year. Please be advised that any early roll requests take 7-10 days to complete. For assistance contact PacificSource at 541-485-7488.
If you had a Dependent Care FSA for the October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015 plan year, any unused money left in that account at the end of the plan year is forfeited, as part of the IRS regulations.
Sick Leave Bank Membership 2015-16
Because of a healthy carry over balance of contributed Sick Leave Bank (SLB) hours from last year, classified employees who elected to join the SLB last spring for the 2015-16 school year will not see the required donation(s) deducted from individual sick leave this fall. Should the sick leave bank become depleted of contributed days at a later date, the Sick Leave Bank Committee, at its discretion, may assess the 2015-16 participating members one (1) day.
Classified Professional Education Program (PEP) Fund Information
The purpose of the fund is to provide opportunities in professional development and is intended to help classified employees improve professional knowledge, competence, skills, and effectiveness relevant to their current district position.* The program allows for reimbursement for job-related training activities, tuition reimbursement, registration or material costs, and conferences and workshops. Normal program rules allow one request per fiscal (school) year, up to $300 for workshops, classes, books or other expenses related to professional development. Requests are processed on a first-come, first served basis until funds run out. PEP fund requests can be found on the HR website: http://www.4j.lane.edu/hr/forms/
Send completed forms to:
PEP Fund, Ed Center Attn.: Diana McElhinney
Having trouble finding a PEP fund form? Give me call at x7679, or e-mail (mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu) and I’ll send one to you via district mail or return e-mail.
*PEP funds are limited for staff development options that are initiated by employees. District mandated trainings are not eligible for reimbursement. Employees must obtain principal/supervisor permission to attend all PEP fund eligible professional development. Your building is responsible for coverage and if a substitute is needed please use the Building Professional Development/Activity code in AESOP. Second requests may be granted upon mid-year review of available fund balances and under the same guidelines as the first request, up to $200.
EAP ~ Balance Your Life
Call the Employee Assistance Program
The EAP provides services to help employees privately resolve problems that may interfere with work, family, and other important areas of life. EAP services include counseling, work-life balance, and wellness resources. As an OEBB member, there is no cost to you or your family members for using EAP services. It’s fast, easy, and confidential to access EAP services. When you call EAP, you just need to provide 4J District as your employer and basic contact information. During a crisis, you can call to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day. Call the EAP at 1-866-750-1327 or go on line at www.myrbh.com – use access code: OEBB.
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.
Meet the 4J Wellness Clinic Staff
For those of you who have yet to visit the 4J Wellness Clinic, you are missing out on a valuable service. For those of you who are clinic regulars, you may have noticed a few new faces. Please allow me to introduce you to the 4J Wellness Clinic staff team.
Alison Nance, FNP – Alison is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner who obtained her Bachelor of Arts from New York University and Masters in Nursing from Pacific Lutheran University. She has been a Nurse Practitioner for 6 years, and has been at the 4J Wellness Clinic since 2013. She likes reading books – fiction, non-fiction, everything, walking in the woods, the fun things about gardening, and hanging out with her family.
Sylvia Gregory, PA-C – Sylvia is a nationally certified Physician Assistant who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Colorado and her Behavioral Health Science & Physician Assistant degree from Duke University Medical School in Durham, North Carolina. She has 32 years of experience practicing family medicine and urgent care services. She is delighted to be able to serve 4J employees and their families. In her spare time she enjoys social justice work. Sylvia has been with the 4J clinic since 2013.
Judy Zehr, LPC – Judy is a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years of experience helping adults, children, couples and families in health care and other settings. Judy received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Lewis and Clark College along with a Master’s from University of Utah. She recently moved to Eugene after working at SW Medical Center in Vancouver and Kaiser Permanente in Portland. She is our newest member of the 4J staff and is thrilled to be able to serve 4J and the Eugene community. Judy loves to hike, bike and enjoy our beautiful Oregon landscape.
Elainea Graham – Program Assistant has over 10 years experience working in the medical field. Before coming to the 4J Wellness clinic she worked at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, OR in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a nursing assistant/scheduler. Family brought her back to Eugene were she began working for the 4J School District at the Churchill Health Center as an assistant to three providers. Almost three years ago she had the great opportunity to join the 4J Wellness Clinic, where she’s been ever since. In her spare time she enjoys her three beautiful children and traveling.
Sarah Nagy, BA – Program Coordinator helps with various administrative responsibilities at the clinic. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business at the University of Oregon in 2014. “I truly enjoy working for Cascade Health Solutions and at the 4J Wellness Clinic, which I started in October of 2014”, says Sarah. She is soon to be married, has two dogs and a horse. Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking and camping.
Cindy Stamps, NCMA/LXMO – Cindy earned her Associates of Applied Science as a nationally certified medical assistant and limited x-ray technician. She has been with 4J since June 2015. In her spare time she enjoys raising goats, photography, amateur mycology and bug pinning.
Penny DeMello, CMA – Penny is a Registered Medical Assistant who earned her training and certification from Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR. She has 30 plus years’ experience working in family medicine, pediatrics and gastroenterology as well as Urgent Care. She is delighted to be part of the 4J Wellness Clinic serving the employees and their families. In her spare time she enjoys canning and RV camping with her family. Penny has been with the clinic since 2014.
Jennifer Wilson, EMT II – Jennifer started her career as an EMT at Cascade Health Solutions in 2008 with MedExpress. She obtained a degree as a licensed Paramedic in 2010 at which point she began working at the Springfield Municipal Jail. She has been utilized in many departments and in August of 2013 she joined the team at the 4J Wellness Clinic. Jennifer’s training as a Paramedic is a great resource for the clinic. Prior to her career in the health care field she was a preschool teacher for seven years. Jennifer, originally from Eastern Oregon, moved to Eugene in 2002 and has fallen in love with the city and its surroundings.
Wellness Clinic Closure Dates
The 4J Wellness Clinic will be closed the following dates:
Thanksgiving – November 26 & 27
Winter Break: – December 24 – January 1
If you need a prescription refilled over winter break, please plan ahead. Regular clinic hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The clinic is closed for lunch from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Call 541-686-1427 to schedule an appointment.
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Arts and Crafts Buoy the Brain
People who participated in crafts such as painting and ceramics in middle age and older were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment over the next four years, researchers have found.
Source: Neurology, April 8, 2015
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This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by the District 4J and OSEA representatives of the Classified Joint Benefits Committee (JBC). The information in this newsletter is summarized, and is not intended as advice or counsel.
