STAFF NEWS AND UPDATES

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2021
STAFF INVITED TO BE A PART OF EXCITING AGENCY PROJECTS

The Communications Department is looking for interested staff members to be a part of two exciting agency projects.

Rebranding project
Since its founding in 1981, Options for Learning has been a leader in the child care and early learning industry. Our logo, colors and messaging should clearly and boldly represent our organization, the services we provide, and our reputation in the community. The agency’s 40th anniversary this year (along with the fact that it is common to update a logo every five to seven years) makes this an ideal time to launch a rebranding and coordinated marketing strategy in an effort to build awareness of the agency’s programs, as well as to create a unified agency identity.

Rebranding focus groups will comprise parents, providers, program alumni, board members, community groups and staff; tasks may include surveys, interviews, and/or small group meetings conducted in February or March. We will be looking to these groups to provide feedback on brand and design concepts. We do not anticipate the time commitment to be very significant so those who would like to be a part of this process are able to do so.

40th anniversary planning committee
The planning committee for the agency's 40th anniversary, which is this October, will brainstorm and plan activities to celebrate this incredible milestone; the first meeting will be in March.

Please complete this online interest form if you would like to be considered for either of these staff engagement opportunities. Questions may be directed to the Communications Department.
JANUARY IS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH

January is National Blood Donor Month, and this year, blood and platelet supplies have reached critically low levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donating blood is quick, easy and can save lives. Consider registering with one of these or the many other blood donation sites throughout our county:

People who are fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis may have antibodies in their plasma that could potentially save the lives of those fighting the disease. Learn more about donating convalescent plasma.
OPPORTUNITY TO WIN UP TO $5,000 IN SMARTDOLLAR'S FEBRUARY CASH GIVEAWAY
SmartDollar, a financial wellness program offered to all staff and paid for by Options for Learning, offers seven "Baby Steps" to help you make smart choices with your money by focusing on one goal at a time. During the month of February, SmartDollar will be giving away a total of $12,000 in cash prizes: $250 daily and a grand prize of $5,000! An Options for Learning staff member won $1,500 in their last giveaway in September! It's easy to enter:

  1. Log in to SmartDollar or sign up for your free account.
  2. Add and complete action items.
  3. BOOM! You're entered for the daily prize of $250.

If that's not enough, every day that you sign in, you'll be entered into the drawing for the $5,000 grand prize! 28 days = 28 entries! Complete rules are available online.

Not sure where to start or what comes next? The new SmartDollar action items can help guide you with personalized suggestions!
Do you have a SmartDollar story to share?
If so, we'd love to hear about it. Share your success story with us by emailing the Communications Department. See other staff testimonials on the SmartDollar page on the Employee Information Center (login required).
Please be aware that staff should not download and use the current W-2 forms that are posted on Paylocity for their tax returns. The correct forms will be available soon.

Employees who have not opted to go paperless will receive a hard copy of their correct W-2. To choose to go paperless and download your forms when they are ready, simply click "Go Paperless" in the Pay section on the Self-service Portal on Paylocity. This short 15-second video also demonstrates how to opt in for paperless delivery of documents.
STAFF SHOULD CONFIRM THEIR BENEFIT INFORMATION ON PAYLOCITY AND CARRIER SITES
This will be the first paycheck for the first pay period of the year, and it will include your new benefit deductions. Please be sure to carefully review your paystub, available on Paylocity:

After logging in, click on Self Service Portal in the left navigation, then in the Pay section, click on the paystub for 01/22/21.

We also suggest that you visit our carriers' websites (links below) to set up accounts as an added measure to make sure your coverages look correct there.


Anthem Elements Choice PPO - Group #277061M004
CA Care HMO (High) – Group #277061H004
Select HMO (Low) – Group #277061H007
Vision – Group #2770610001

Dental PPO – Group #544079
Dental HMO and supplemental plans – Group #00 519330

If you don’t have your member number yet, you can perform an easy search on the site to find it.

Notice for Guardian Dental HMO participants from 2020: Guardian issued a "pandemic credit" for the month of May 2020 which should appear on this paystub. (PPO participants did not receive this credit).

Should you have questions or concerns, please email Laura Ureta or Cindy Trinh.
ALL STAFF ARE REMINDED TO SET UP THEIR EMAIL SIGNATURES

An email signature is like a digital business card: It not only features your contact information in a professional manner, but it is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the organization.
All staff are asked to make sure their email signature is complete and accurate. Email signatures should follow the guidelines set forth in the agency's Identity Guide. Information should include name, title and division or department, address, phone number, FAX number (if necessary). There should only be one website address (www.OptionsForLearning.org). Social media symbols with links may be added as well. Staff may personalize emails with a short quote, tag line or flourish. Please make sure your signature is added on all devices where you access your Options for Learning email (i.e., desktop computer, laptop, phone).

Sample email signature:
Should you need any assistance, please contact the Communications Department.
Congratulations to Rose Gallego, associate teacher at Full-day Preschool's Memorial Park site, who received her associate's degree in child development from East Los Angeles College.

Condolences to the family of former staff member Francie Morales, who passed away on Dec. 25. Francie was an assistant teacher with State Preschool.
Should you know of a staff member who recently experienced a loss or is facing a challenging time and would appreciate being acknowledged here, please contact the Communications Department.

We would also like to include births, marriages, and other milestone accomplishments with the Options for Learning community of staff in a special celebrations section. Please feel free to share your news, along with a photo, by emailing the Communications Department.
The staff newsletter is emailed semi-monthly on pay dates.
We welcome submissions and feedback. Please feel free to send
suggestions for consideration to the Communications Team.
OPTIONS FOR LEARNING