September 2021: Volume 4, Issue 3
Our Mission: To provide merit-based, innovative workforce solutions which enable state government to attract, develop and retain a productive, diverse and engaged workforce that excels in delivering quality services to the citizens of Louisiana.
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Candidates Set for LASERS Board of Trustees Election
Voting begins September 24 in the 2021 Board of Trustees Election. Six candidates are eligible to run in this year’s active member election with three open seats to be filled:
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Amy A. Mathews
Department of the Treasury
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Byron P. Decoteau, Jr.
Louisiana State Civil Service
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Catherine Herman
Louisiana State University
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Reggie P. Dupre, Jr.
Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District
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Theresa Delafosse
Department of Environmental Quality
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Ternisa Hutchinson
Division of Administration, Office of Planning and Budget
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Active LASERS members may vote via the Internet, telephone, or by mail. Votes must be received by 4:30 p.m. (Central Time), October 22.
LASERS Reports 35.6% Investment Return
LASERS reported a 35.6% investment return for the 12-month period that ended June 30, 2021, which is the highest in the System’s 75-year history.
“I must recognize the guidance from our Board of Trustees and our forward-thinking investment team led by Chief Investment Officer Bobby Beale,” said LASERS Executive Director Cindy Rougeou. “Their ability to cope with the challenges of a pandemic environment reflects their continued dedication to provide retirement security for our members and beneficiaries. The recovery of the market and our investment performance will be remembered far into the future.”
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OGB Annual Enrollment: What you need to know |
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Annual Enrollment for the 2022 plan year is upon us. The Office of Group Benefits (OGB) would like to update you on a few changes you will need to know going into annual enrollment this year.
The ever changing costs of healthcare requires OGB to occasionally make changes to our health plans in order to continue to provide our members with the coverage they are accustomed to. Therefore, effective January 1, 2022, premium rates for the Pelican and Magnolia plans will increase by 5 percent. Vantage Health Plan also will raise their rates by 10 percent.
All informational meetings for Active Employees will be held online. These sessions will be held by region, twice a day beginning Monday, September 27, 2021. A recorded version of the presentation will be available on the OGB annual enrollment website, annualenrollment.groupbenefits.org/meetings, beginning Monday September 27, 2021.
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September 27, 9:00 a.m.
Reg. 1 & 2: Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, EBR, WBR, Livingston, Ascension, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, East and West Feliciana Parishes
September 27, 2:00 p.m.
Reg. 1 & 2: Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, EBR, WBR, Livingston, Ascension, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, East and West Feliciana Parishes
September 28, 9:00 a.m.
Reg. 3 & 4: Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafayette, Evangeline, St. Landry, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia, Vermilion and St. Mary Parishes
September 28, 2:00 p.m.
Reg. 3 & 4: Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafayette, Evangeline, St. Landry, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia, Vermilion and St. Mary Parishes
September 29, 9:00 a.m.
Reg. 5 & 6: Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Cameron, Vernon, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, LaSalle, Catahoula, Concordia and Avoyelles Parishes
September 29, 2:00 p.m.
Reg. 5 & 6: Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Cameron, Vernon, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, LaSalle, Catahoula, Concordia and Avoyelles Parishes
September 30, 9:00 a.m.
Reg. 7 & 8: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, DeSoto, Ouachita, Union, Lincoln, Jackson, Caldwell, Richland, Morehouse, Franklin, West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes
September 30, 2:00 p.m.
Reg. 7 & 8: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, DeSoto, Ouachita, Union, Lincoln, Jackson, Caldwell, Richland, Morehouse, Franklin, West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas Parishes
October 1, 9:00 a.m.
Reg. 9: Washington, St. Tammany, St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parishes
October 1, 2:00 p.m.
Reg. 9: Washington, St. Tammany, St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parishes
Copies of the OGB Annual Enrollment Guide for Plan Year 2022 will be available for download on the OGB annual enrollment website, annualenrollment.groupbenefits.org, beginning September 27, 2021
If you have any questions, please contact OGB customer service at 1-800-272-8451.
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In July, Commissioner Jay Dardenne and the state of Louisiana partnered with Compete LA to introduce state employees to a program that helps Louisiana adults finish the degrees they started. The partnership has resulted in state employees joining Compete LA.
The program features more than 60 online degree programs specifically designed for adults ready to return to college. Each Compete LA student is paired with a free coach who makes the re-enrollment process easy. The coach starts by assessing previous college credit, learning more about students’ career goals and discussing university preferences. Compete LA coaches can access transcripts for students who previously attended a University of Louisiana member institution—Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe or University of New Orleans—or provide guidance to retrieve transcripts from outside the System.
Once the student decides which university to attend and what to study, the coach assists in the application process. Through Compete LA, all application fees are waived. Additionally, students enrolled through Compete LA are eligible for significantly discounted tuition.
The relatively young program has celebrated 75 graduates in its first two academic years and has assisted more than 500 students in returning to their studies. The ultimate goal is to increase Louisiana’s educational attainment through personalized service at a reasonable price.
State Employee Student Highlight: Yolanda Wilson
Agency: Shreveport Office of Motor Vehicles
Hometown: Bastrop, La.
University: Grambling State University
Major: General Studies with a minor in Juvenile Behavioral Studies
When were you last enrolled in college?
It has been 21 years since I was a full time student at Grambling.
How did the Compete LA program help you get back to school?
Complete LA helped me get back into school because it offered a discount that made it affordable to attend. I also had a coach that was not only able but was willing to get the things done that I was too busy to handle during the day. She made it her business to email me with information and made sure I had all the necessary tools for enrollment.
Why did you make the decision to go back to school?
I felt the need to go back to school because it was always a goal of mine to complete my Bachelor's degree. I always talk to a lot of young adults about getting their education and how important it is and just wanted to be able to back those words and not just speak about it but do it.
How are classes going? Has it been hard to transition back to school?
My classes are going really well although it was a little bit of a transition for me getting back into the swing of reading and completing homework and especially taking tests. I had to learn the new technique of submitting everything through the campus portal but I feel it was time well invested.
When will you graduate?
My advisor has me set for graduation Fall 2022, but I am taking more classes than she expected and pushing to graduate Summer Session II 2022.
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month |
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The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. Browse our website for ideas and resources for employers, community organizations, state and local governments, advocacy groups and schools to participate in celebrating NDEAM through events and activities centered around the theme of “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”
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Have Something To Add?
This publication is intended to provide for increased communication between the Department of State Civil Service and all stakeholders within our system. Email your questions, comments, or suggestions to us, and we'll do our best to respond promptly. Your feedback may even be chosen for publication as part of this feature! Participants will remain anonymous if requested. Please note that not all feedback will be published and that only fact-based questions will receive a response.
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