EMPLOYEE NEWS

April 19, 2022

Exempt Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Changes

Per recent changes to Ohio Administrative Code Section 123:1-71-03, the following changes have been made to dental, vision, and life insurance eligibility for exempt full-time and part-time permanent employees only:

• Employees will become immediately eligible to enroll in dental and vision coverage as of the date of their hire, rehire, or other eligible job status change. If coverage is elected, it will be effective the first day of the month following this qualifying event.

• Employees will be automatically enrolled in basic life insurance as of the first day of the month following their hire, rehire, or other eligible job status change.

As currently planned, the eligibility change will take effect on Friday, July 1, 2022; however, comprehensive system testing is still in progress, so this date is subject to change until testing is completed. 

A month-long special enrollment period will be opened to give all Exempt employees hired or rehired since July 1, 2021, the opportunity to enroll in dental coverage and vision coverage. Enrollment in basic life insurance will be automatic.

DAS is targeting the special enrollment period to begin June 1, 2022, and extend through June 30, 2022. Enrollment changes will take effect immediately following the special enrollment period, on July 1, 2022.

DAS plans to mail letters to affected Exempt employees in mid-May to inform them of the eligibility change and make them aware of the special enrollment period.

DAS will send weekly reminder emails to all affected Exempt employees throughout the course of the special enrollment period. 

Every dollar counts!

For every $1 donated, Mid-Ohio Food Collective can distribute up to $5.22 worth of nutritious food and groceries for our hungry neighbors. Another way to say this would be, for every $1 donated, Mid-Ohio Food Collective can provide up to 3 meals. Some of you may notice that this number has dropped a bit from past years. This change reflects the impacts they faced in calendar year 2021 due to supply chain disruptions, adjustments in gas/transportation costs, and price increases for all food items.

The 2022 Operation Feed Campaign runs through May 27, 2022. 

When you donate online, select "Ohio Dept. of Aging" as your team.

Meet Connie

Connie is used to taking care of others. As the sole provider of her four grandchildren (ages 2 months to 9 years) she is thankful for the resources Mid-Ohio Food Collective provides for her family.

“You guys have been able to keep food on my family’s table,” Connie said. “Without you guys, my kids would be going hungry right now.”

Families like Connie’s are all too familiar with making difficult choices and stretching their resources as far as they can. In Ohio, 1 in 5 people and 1 in 4 children are food insecure.

“It’s hard when you haven't got any food and you're wondering how you're going to get things,” said Connie. “It’s hard when you haven't got anybody—but you guys help.”

By offering fresh, nutritious food, we can bring more families together around the dinner table and work toward our goal of ending hunger.

Rhodes Tower Blood Drive

In continued support of the American Red Cross and the critical need for donors, a blood drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 in the Rhodes Tower Lobby Hearing Room.

The blood drive is open to state employees and their spouses. Participants must register online in advance through the American Red Cross at redcrossblood.org. On the site:

1. Enter "Rhodes" in the Find a Blood Drive search bar.
2. Find the Rhodes Tower event in the left margin and click SEE TIME to schedule your appointment.

Appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lead Ohio: Inspirational Leaders

The following Lead Ohio: Inspirational Leaders (LO:IL) courses are being offered as VILTs in May and June:

LO:IL is open to managers and leaders with a focus on the organizational challenges and difficult situations which you face daily. Learners are required to meet the criteria below:

• Pay Ranges 14 to 18, or 42 to 46
• Two or more years of state supervisory experience
• One or more direct reports

Course dates through June 2022 are available in Ohio Learn. Please remember to enroll in the Ohio Learn LO:IL learning plan prior to signing-up for the course. 

OhioLearn: How to enroll

Financial Literacy: Ohio's 529 plan

After the events of the past two years, there is a renewed push for financial literacy. By learning how to best manage your money, you can better prepare for the future, including saving for your child’s higher education with a 529 plan. 

What To Know About Ohio 529 For Financial Literacy Month (collegeadvantage.com)

You can use a 529 for your own continuing education. If you want to update your credentials, you can save for those costs in a 529 for yourself. Ohio 529 offers the smartest way to save for it tax-free.

529s Aren’t Just For Children. Adults Can Use Them, Too.

(collegeadvantage.com)

Culture Club April Topic: Sexual Assault Awareness

2022 Culture Club Topic Calendar

Take Charge. Live Well

April topic: Emotional Health

Check out this month’s blog on Emotional Health: How to Build Good Emotional Health.

April Take Charge. Live Well Events 

• Thriving with Nature - Wednesday, April 20 from 12pm -12:30pm

• TCLW Program Overview – Thursday, April 21 from 1pm – 1:30pm

• Earth Day: Walk in Nature – Friday, April 22 from 12pm – 12:30pm

Wellbeats Stress Less

Calm your mind and body in this 14-day “Stress Less” program. This includes a day-by-day schedule of yoga, cardio, mindfulness, stretching, and nutrition classes to manage stress and promote a healthy, positive mindset. No equipment needed!

You can always see what Statewide health and wellness events are taking place each month by visiting Ohio DAS’ Take Charge Live Well site. The site includes upcoming and recorded webinars, a program guide, helpful resources, and a wellness blog.