Help us reach our CCG goal of $150,000. Thank you for your past support of United Way and your continued support of this wonderful community.  Choose to give!

Please watch the 2023 United Way Video !

Welcome and

Congratulations to our

New Hires and Promotions for September 2023, as well as our Retirees for October 2023

COVID-19 Isolation & Exposure Update

Attached are updated guidelines for isolation and exposure related to COVID-19 incidents. The guidelines have not changed significantly since 2021; however, the attached includes minor updates and clarifications. We are entering the fall and winter seasons when people are more likely to be inside rather than outside, and there has been an uptick in COVID-19 incidents since July. The health and safety of all employees is our main priority. 

Please click the link below to view the City of Columbus Resource List.

Open Enrollment 2024

COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT

October 2-20,2023

Final Day of Open Enrollment/NFP (onsite) at the Trade Center

October 20, 2023, 10:00am-4:00pm

Health Fair

Trade Center

October 20, 2023, 10:00am-2:00pm

2024 Open Enrollment Checklist

•   Health Insurance

         _ Review Health Plan Information and Premium Information. (See Benefits Guide)

Please submit all required documents to NFP by October20, 2023, proving dependent eligibility to nfpsecustomerservice@nfp.com (ex. birth certificate, marriage certificate, court documents). Contact NFP at 1-844-505-9158 if you have additional questions concerning required documents. NOTE: IF documents are not uploaded to BSwift by the end of open enrollment, your spouse/dependent(s) will not be enrolled for the 2024 plan year.

       _   If you are on CCG’s medical plan. Complete Mandatory Personal Health Assessment (PHA) and enroll in coaching; if deem eligible to avoid the 22% increase in healthcare premiums.

(CareATC, 706-438 4595).  Spouse/Dependents are NOT required to complete the PHA.

_____Complete Tobacco Affidavit/Wellness Incentive forms by logging onto www.neogov.com then by clicking on E-FORMS to complete the forms before October 31, 2023. If the tobacco affidavit is not submitted by October 31, 2023, there will be a $75.00 monthly surcharge added to your medical premiums for the 2024 plan year.

• Aflac Products

       Review Aflac products to confirm deductions are accurate.

•   Dental Insurance

       eview Dental Plan information and premium Information.

• Vision Insurance

         Review Vision Plan information and premium Information.

•  FSA

Health Spending Account (HSA) or Dependent Care Account(DCA).

(Remember: if you are planning to enroll in an HSA/DCA for 2024, you must choose a 2024 annual amount).

Complete Online Enrollment to elect HSA or Dependent Care amounts for 2024 (note that a new enrollment must be completed every year).

        _Email or Print health election confirmation page and keep for your record.

____CONFIRM CURRENT ADDRESS

Confirm your mailing address in Advantage 4.0 and in NFP systems (2024 medical cards will be mailed from Anthem; avoid delay in receiving your 2024 medical card by confirming your mailing address).

 Basic Life, Pension, Last Pay and/or Voluntary Life

 ____ Confirm Basic Life and/or Voluntary Life beneficiaries are chosen, and beneficiary.

         percentage amounts are confirmed.

____ Confirm Dependent Life insurance coverage amount and who is covered.

____ Confirm Pension, Last Pay beneficiaries are elected, and percentage amounts. 

____ Review Benefit Enrollment Guide regarding new enrollment for increasing/decreasing    

           your life insurance coverage amounts.

          Complete Online Evidence of Insurability form, if required (if you increased your voluntary life for more than 3X your annual salary, and EOI form must be completed).

Even if you complete your TOBACCO AFFIDAVIT AND WELLNESS INCENTIVE FORMS on NFP’s system, the forms must be filled out on E-forms also. If you have not, on or before October 31, 2023, return to www.NeoGov.com to complete the forms. On E-Forms. Submit:

• 2024 Tobacco Affidavit
• 2024 Wellness Incentive Form

 Note ***E-forms will not be available to receive tobacco affidavits or wellness incentive forms after October 31, 2023***

For additional information concerning your 2024 benefits, refer to your Benefits Enrollment Guide or contact NFP at 1-844-505-9158 or call 706-653-4059.

Schedule your Personal Health Assessment (PHA) by calling 1-800-993-8244 or schedule on CareATC’s ( www.careatc.com ) portal.

Accepting Walkins------Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday-----7:00am-11:30am

New Location: 1124 Broadway, Columbus, GA 31901

Flu vaccine availability is based on a first come, first served basis.

Offered at

CCG Health and Wellness Center

1124 Broadway

Columbus, GA 31901

Mon  8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:30pm Tues  7:00am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:30pm Wed  8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:30pm Thu   8:30am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:30pm Fri   7:00am - 12:30pm / 1:30 - 5:30pm

Pay nothing, get everything

•  Available to all CCG employees (full time, part time, and retirees) (CCG ID or Uniform required)
•  Available to spouses and dependents ages 4+ on the healthcare plan.
• While supplies last. Flu Mist not available.

Three ways to schedule:

 800.993.8244

 www.careatc.com/patients  CareATC app



Activate your account to schedule by visiting www.careatc.com/activate or by downloading the CareATC app and following the “New here?” prompts.

Welcome Consolidated Government of Columbus!

Welcome! This is your opportunity to ensure you choose to apply for the benefits best for you or make changes to your elections. Click HERE to see your current coverage, make a change to your information or file a claim.

Workplace Safety Tip:

Don’t operate equipment without proper training - In some offices, the only equipment present may be a fax machine, a telephone, and a copier. These tools very rarely pose serious risk of causing personal injury, although changing out components and repairing said equipment does hold dangerous potential. Other workspaces, however, may contain office safety hazards such as paper shredders, cutters, heating devices, and machines with multiple moving parts. Even though these tools may be sitting out for anyone to access, make it policy that no one operates equipment they haven’t been trained for.

Employee Safety Spotlight:

As part of our commitment to safety in the workplace, we would like to acknowledge employees who demonstrate safe behaviors on the job. If you have an employee that has shown superior safety practices, please let us know and we will highlight them in the Insight Newsletter! Please email the employee’s name, a photo, and how they showed safety practices to

Lauren Vance, Risk Management.

Click the link below to view

Fire & EMS news and past events !

CCG Aerobics

 Fitness Class

WTVM Hiring Event

Click the link below to view Columbus Parks & Recreation programs and events for the month of October!

Participation Start Date:

Sunday, October 1^st ,2023

Registration End Date:

Monday, October 9^th, 2023

Let’s Record Those Steps!!!

GOAL:

Earn 1 leaf a day, 7 days a week by tracking steps.

6000-7999 steps = Red leaf

8000-9999 = Orange leaf

10,000+ steps = Gold leaf

Last day of the competition:

 Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Last day to Log Activity:

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023

Team Reminder: If you are on an official team, you will have the opportunity to participate in Thrive Thursday to earn bonus points toward your team. Check your email and complete before midnight CT.

Top 10 weekly winners will receive a $10 Gift Card

For non-walking activities, enter the activity and minutes into the WALKTOBER Log Drawer to make step conversions. 

METRA Transit is excited to announce public meetings in various locations to discuss providing premium transit services beyond the required ¾ of a mile service area minimum. We invite community members to join us and share their thoughts and ideas on how we can improve transit services in your area. Your input is essential to help us shape the future of transit in your community. We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your thoughts on how we can continue to improve. Join us for these informative meetings and help us build a better transit system for everyone.

We are gearing up for the 4th Annual River City Motorcycle Rodeo on October 7, 2023 at Rally Point Harley Davidson on Williams Road. 

T-Shirts are available for sale at this time.

Cost $15.00 (cash, checks and money orders accepted) If paying with cash, exact change is greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to Rally Point Harley Davidson.

Sizes from Small to XXXL

You can email acaldwell@columbusga.org to place orders.

Shirts will also be available at the event on Saturday starting at 12:00 noon.

Please support this event as we are trying to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Greater Columbus Fair October 19^th - 29^th 

Calling all local businesses, civic organizations, churches, volunteer groups, sororities, fraternities, and fraternal organizations.

Are you ready for Spooktacular 2023?

This year we will be hosting Spooktacular at Lakebottom Park and would love to have you join us. The event will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 11 AM – 1 PM on 17th Street between 18th Avenue and Cherokee Avenue.

We are looking forward to another great year. In the past years, we have seen an average attendance of about 3,000 – 5,000 children, and we are hoping to have more this year. Now this is where you come in. Does your organization love giving back and supporting the youth and families in our community? Are you looking for a new way to share your company/ business name but aren’t sure how? Please come join us this year for a family-friendly event that is sure to be lots of fun. We are looking for organizations willing to bring candy or other treats to hand out to the children in attendance. A space will be provided for your group, and we would love it if you could do an activity in that space i.e., pumpkin bowling, go fish, face painting, hair decorating, etc. Please bring your own tent, tables, and chairs. Feel free to decorate your space in your own Fall or Halloween way and costumes are a plus if you feel inclined to come out in disguise.

For more information please contact:

Janet Langan, Columbus Parks, and Recreation 706-225-4638, JLangan@columbusga.org

Click the link below to view the Free & Discounted City Services!

Callaway Resort & Gardens is pleased to offer CCG employees a special discount for our Pumpkins at Callaway.  A 20% discount will be offered for both the Value Nights and Prime Nights. 

Pumpkins at Callaway Dates:

           Value Nights

                       September 15, 16, 17, 22, 24, 29

                       October 1, 5, 9, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29

           Prime Nights

                       September 23, 30

                       October 6, 7, 8, 14, 21, 28

For any questions or concerns, please contact

Sandy McKeen: 706.663.5185, smckeen@callawaygardens.com

Click the link below to Order Tickets

Uptown Nutrition Discount!

10% discount for all employees

with a valid CCG ID.

Located: 11 W 11th St Suite 48A, Columbus, GA 31901

Also take advantage of the free customer VIP program. In the program you will be sent several coupons, promotions, and even chances to win free teas each week! There is also a birthday feature in the program that will provide qualifying members an opportunity to receive free loaded tea on their birthday!

How to get started: Visit the link, become a member, enter company code, or work email address to create an account



Use Our Company Code: COLGA

and start saving on:

• Work From Home Essentials

• Streaming Services: Disney+, Showtime and more

• Entertainment: Attractions, Shows, Sporting Events, and Concerts.

• Hotels and rental cars

• Sam’s Club Memberships – over 40% off

• Education & Enrichment: Language Learning, Audiobooks and more

• Health & Wellness

• Financial Services

• Insurance, Home Security and Protection Services

• Food & Wine

• Online Shopping: Walmart, Walgreens, Macy’s



• Financial Services

• Pet Supplies

• Home Office: Electronics, Laptops and more

• And so much more!

National Protect Your Hearing Month is an annual event to raise awareness about hearing and hearing loss. Hearing loss is permanent and there is no cure! 

Did you know?

• Repeated exposure to loud noise over the years can damage your hearing even after the exposure has stopped
• Everyday activities can also damage your hearing (power tools, lawn mower)
• Even a hair dryer over time can damage hearing 

Useful Information

•  Give your ears a break
•  Turn down the volume
•  Use hearing protection

Take the quiz to find out if you need a hearing test

Monday October 9, 2023

Tuesday October 31, 2023

Test your nutritional IQ with a quick quiz

1. What is the main nutrient responsible for providing energy to the body? A)Carbohydrates B)Vitamins.
2. Which nutrient is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body? A)Protein B)Fiber.
3. What is the recommended daily intake of water for an average adult? A)8 glasses of water B)12 glasses of water.
4. Which vitamin is commonly found in citrus fruits and is known for its role in boosting the immune system? A)Vitamin C B)Vitamin A.
5. Which mineral is crucial for maintaining healthy bones and teeth? A)Calcium B)Iron.
6. What is the term for a unit of measurement for energy provided by food? A)Calorie B)gram.
7. Which type of fat is considered good for heart health and is found in foods like avocados and nuts? A)Unsaturated Fats B)Saturated Fats.
8. How many essential amino acids are there that the body cannot produce on its own? A)9 B)5.
9. Which of the following foods is a good source of dietary fiber? A)Oatmeal B)White Bread.
10. What is the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet? A)5 servings B)1 serving.

Answers

1.A), 2. A), 3. B), 4. A), 5. A), 6. A), 7. A), 8. A), 9. A), 10. A)

Healthy Latin American Recipes

Sweet Potato - Black Bean Tacos

Empanadas with Chorizo & Potato

Baked Churros

Low-Sugar Mexican Flan

October Seasonal Produce Guide

Pears

Apples

Figs

Quince

Pumpkin

Kabocha

Butternut Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Delicata Squash

Parsnips

Celery Root

Rutabagas

Beets

Fingerling Potatoes

Swiss Chard

Ginger

Jerusalem Artichokes

Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup

Ginger Beef

Stir Fry

Ginger Scones

Pear Tarte Tatin