Feb. 2, 2023

MoDOT launches No MOre Trash! contest

MoDOT is inviting Missouri students in grades K-8 to help fight litter in Missouri – and to have creative and educational fun – by participating in the 2023 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter-Free” trash-can-decorating contest. The contest is part of MoDOT’s annual “No MOre Trash!” statewide litter campaign, which is held in April.

The contest encourages school classes and groups to join in the fight against litter by decorating a large trash can with the “No MOre Trash!” logo and a litter prevention message using a variety of creative media.

Schools may submit one entry in each competition category: grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Entries are due by March 17 and will be judged based on creativity, adherence to the contest rules and effective use of the theme and logo.

First-place winners from each competition category receive $200 awarded to the sponsoring schools. All first-place winners are then eligible for a grand prize of $600 and a trophy awarded to the sponsoring school. There is no entry fee for the contest!

Contest rules, entry forms, release forms, logos, past winners and educational information can be found at modot.org/trash-can-contest.

THINGS TO KNOW

Updates made to COVID-19 reporting guidelines

A message from Human Resources Director Ashley Halford:

We want to thank you for your diligence in following the COVID-19 guidance since the onset of the pandemic. Your efforts helped keep you, your family and your co-workers healthy.

We are now at a point that -- effective immediately -- we no longer need to report positive COVID-19 tests to Human Resources. Although we are discontinuing the practice of reporting positive COVID-19 tests, employees are still encouraged to follow health and safety best practices by monitoring any symptoms they may experience such as: fever, chills, cough, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea and vomiting.

Should you experience any of these or other similar symptoms, you should stay home and/or seek professional medical care. Please remember you should not return to work until symptoms have improved and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. For those who are interested, we still have a supply of at-home COVID-19 tests. You can request them through Central Office or the districts' Safety and Health offices.

The pandemic has left a lasting impression on us. We have all been impacted and learned a lot over the past 20-plus months. We have stayed the course, remained vigilant in our efforts and came out a stronger organization because of the experience.

Thank you and stay safe.

Next ENGAGE 2.0 quarter coming soon

March 1 will start the next evaluation period, which will end on March 31. Dashboards for the March evaluation period will also close on March 31.

ENGAGE 2.0 reviews occur twice a year - in March and September. Supervisors should continue to meet with employees and hold ENGAGE 2.0 conversations as outlined in the ENGAGE 2.0 calendar shown below.

As a best practice, MoDOT encourages supervisors to hold ENGAGE 2.0 conversation during the evaluation period as well, but it is not required. Supervisors should also be sharing the evaluation information with their staff at least twice a year during the debriefing conversations in April and October.

For more information about ENGAGE 2.0, visit the ENGAGE 2.0 SharePoint page or contact HRED@modot.mo.gov.

TEAM offering scholarship opportunities

The Transportation Engineers Association of Missouri is pleased to announce the availability of up to three scholarships, for $1,000 each, for the 2023-2024 school year. The deadline for submittal is April 17, 2023.

The scholarship is available to any non-traditional student, as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics. Such students have one or more of the following characteristics:

Delayed enrollment (20 years or older as freshman, 21 or older as sophomore, 22 or older as junior and 23 or older as senior).
Part-time enrollment.
Financial independence.
Full-time employment while enrolled.
Has dependent(s).
GED or other equivalency exam recipient.

Students must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology or similar field.

Students must be enrolled in a college/university in the State of Missouri or be a Missouri Resident.

Learn more at teamconference.org/scholarship.

Julie Garrison joins ShareLeave Committee

In July 1992, MoDOT formed the very first ShareLeave Program within Missouri State Government. Since that time, many employees have stepped up to help administer this important program. ShareLeave allows employees to help co-workers and/or their immediate family members who have a catastrophic or life-threatening illness or injury and have exhausted all of their leave time.

Employees serving on the ShareLeave Committee work very hard and make difficult decisions to protect the integrity of the program and to be good stewards of the generously donated hours. To those employees who are approved, this program is priceless.

The current ShareLeave Committee members who continue to go above and beyond expectations serving in this capacity include:

Central District Senior Transportation Planner Joanie Prenger.
Southeast District Executive Assistant to the District Engineer Joanne Hodges.
Northeast District Intermediate Maintenance Worker Stephen Helling.
Northwest District Senior Construction Inspector Nathan King.

Due to a recent vacancy, the Executive Team selected a new team member to serve on MoDOT's ShareLeave Committee. Senior System Management Specialist Julie Garrison will serve in this role beginning February 2023.

Garrison started her career with MoDOT in September 2015 as an executive assistant in General Services and currently serves as a senior system management specialist for the Maintenance Division in Central Office. Prior to joining MoDOT, she was a Jefferson City police officer.

Congratulations, Julie!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Helping you feel connected and confident

Improving the health of humanity. That’s our purpose — and it starts with ensuring you have what you need to take care of your health each day.

Here are three ways Anthem can help you create meaningful connections to care.

Making healthcare more accessible

It’s important to have the best possible physical and mental health. Your health plan makes it easier than ever for you to:

Find high-quality care and manage your healthcare costs. You’ll save when you choose to see healthcare professionals who are in your plan’s network.
Use technology that brings doctors closer to you. Nearly 100,000 people have counted on virtual care so far for routine care, managing chronic health conditions, and more.

Making healthcare more personal

Health is personal, and personalized care experiences lead to better health outcomes. Tailoring care opportunities to each person’s needs has led to:

A 17% increase in child wellness visits. Preventive care is an important part of every child’s growth and development.
Significant increases in health screenings. For example, breast cancer screenings have gone up by 85% in the past three years.

Making sure you feel confident

You’re more likely to use your health plan when you feel confident about it. Your health plan enables you to:

Chat with us through our mobile app or website whenever you have questions or would like support.
Compare prices for the care you need before you visit a doctor or hospital.

To learn more about how Anthem approaches whole-person health, please visit elevancehealth.com.

Kansas City students show appreciation for MoDOT

Mrs. Cindy Snow’s third-grade class from Odessa Upper Elementary took some time after a recent snow event to create thank you cards for MoDOT workers. Twelve drawings were created with comments such as:

“Thank you for working so hard even when it is cold and dangerous you keep our roads safe.”
“Thank you so much for keeping our roads safe. I hope you have an amazing day.”
“You are amazing! Thank you for working so hard.”

SHOW-ME MODOT

Kristy Pettit

Southeast District Senior Financial Services Specialist

Senior Financial Services Specialist Kristy Pettit has been with MoDOT for 29 years. Kristy works with employees and retirees on benefits, payroll and retirement. She assists with a variety of tasks including enrolling, changing and canceling policies; answering questions; and working through hurdles and issues. As time permits, she also assists the Financial Services department with vendor statements and invoices.

Building constructive relationships, the diversity of work associated with her job duties and the satisfaction felt in resolving challenging situations are what Kristy enjoys most about her role at MoDOT.

“There are many highlights to this job in 29 years. From seeing a smile on someone’s face because of a phone call made on their behalf for an insurance concern, to congratulating someone who has just retired after spending much of their life working here,” said Kristy.

She also appreciates the benefits and flexibility that come with working for MoDOT and fellow employees and retirees who have become dear friends.

Kristy likes helping people as matters arise.

“It is very humbling to get a ‘thank you’ or ‘appreciate your help’ when I feel like I am just doing my job. It truly means a lot,” says Kristy. “So many times, especially these days, people don’t seem to really care about other people. I try to make a difference, hopefully for the better, in every situation.”

EMPLOYEE UPDATES

February service anniversaries

35 Years

Ronald Cook II SE

25 Years

Michael Mooney NW

Christopher Weikel KC

Marlene Hale SW

Cynthia Gamache NW

Warren Stalker NW

Mark Wilde CO

20 Years

Arisa Prapaisilp SL

Mendy Sundermeyer CO

Randy Whyde KC

Terry Blankenship CD

Patrick Keller SL

Jennifer Hall CO

Donald Maddox CD

15 Years

Dennis Hagen CD

Eric Turner SW

Christopher Bauer CO

Danny Ivie SE

Jeffrey Hardy KC

George Plunk, Jr. SL

Stephen Georges SL

Jerry Howard II KC

Casey Ballew CD

Noel Norman KC

Dwayne Lamar CD

Justin Roark CO

Bryan Overstreet SW

Stacey Mckinley KC

Mark Gott SW

10 Years

Ray Miller SL

Dawn Amatey CO

Aaron Masters SW

Benjamin Curtis NE

Derek Harms SW

5 Years

Alec Schlotzhauer CO

Bryan Jackson CO

Tara Van Loo CO

Shane Wood SE

Jenna Keyes NW

Chucky Burns KC

Justin Colston SE

In memoriam

The following active employee passed away:

Robert B. Griffin

NW – Dec. 29

The following retirees passed away:

Ambrose S. Haller

CO – Jan. 3

Rebecca M. Howard

CO – Jan. 12

Mary J. Wissman

CO – Jan. 8

Charles R. Belsher

NE – Jan. 24

Robert M. Peters

KC – Dec. 27

Ronald D. Baldwin

CD – Jan. 5

Melvin A. Koch

CD – Jan. 10

Arnold E. Spry

CD – Jan. 5

William J. Brewen III

SL – Jan. 26

Bobbie K. Brown

SL – Dec. 28

Cleophus Cummings

SL – Jan. 7

Carrie L. Kooman

SL – Jan. 23

James L. Ownbey

SL – Jan. 19

Barry N. Perkins

SL – Jan. 7

Marion L. Cooper

SW – Jan. 8

John Moneyhun

SE – Jan. 17

The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news

and feature articles that connect employees statewide.

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bethany.belt@modot.mo.gov

MoDOT Communications

P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, Mo 65102

573-751-2840 | www.modot.org

Editor: Sr. Communications Specialist Bethany Belt

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