The Current - January 8, 2024

The Current

January 8, 2024

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Coats of Kindness Program Receives Sponsorship

Thank you to A&M Home Care for sponsoring our Coats of Kindness program! A&M Home Care is located in Brewer. We first met these wonderful folks at the Turkey Drive and have been so appreciative of their support of Penquis and the community. We are grateful for their help keeping people warm during these cold winter months.

Transportation Services Awarded Grants

Transportation Services has been awarded two grants totaling $65,000.

The Maine Cancer Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to the Accessing Cancer Care program, which provides transportation assistance for cancer treatment and support services for individuals in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. The grant will support transportation assistance over a two-year period, helping more than 300 patients each year.

The Maine Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to support transportation for adults aged 60+ in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. With the assistance of grant funds, transportation will be provided at no cost to older adults who need rides for any purpose, including medical appointments, grocery shopping, and socialization.

Mandatory Annual VDT Training (Ergonomics)

All Penquis employees who work at a computer at least 4 hours per day are required to do annual VDT Training, otherwise known as Ergonomics. Required employees will receive an email from Human Resources Generalist Jodie Dyer in March with instructions on how to complete the training.

HR Generalist Jodie Dyer

Point-in-Time Count Volunteer Opportunity

What is it?

The Point-in-Time Count is an annual count required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development of people in our communities who are currently experiencing homelessness. Volunteers will administer brief, anonymous surveys and/or hand out warm items to people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers will receive training on survey administration.

When is it?

The count is conducted the night of January 23, 2024 at sundown, and we will have follow up days collecting this data on January 24-26. We are looking for volunteers for the night of the 23rd to conduct surveys with folks experiencing homelessness unsheltered in encampments and in warming centers. In some situations it is more appropriate to conduct the surveys on the follow up days, we will also need volunteers on these days as well. You can sign up at www.mainepit.org.

Why is it important?

The PIT Count data helps raise awareness of homelessness in the community, create funding opportunities, services, and programs that can help people experiencing homelessness, and is used to analyze trends and measure performance toward preventing and ending homelessness.

Who is organizing the count?

The Maine Continuum of Care oversees the statewide count with support from MaineHousing. The nine Homeless Response Service Hub Coordinators are organizing the counts for their respective hubs. Jennifer Weatherbee will be organizing the count for Hub 7.

How do I get involved?

If you would like to get involved, you can sign up at mainepit.org/volunteer or contact Jennifer Weatherbee at [email protected] for more information.

Make sure to sign up if you haven’t at:

www.Mainepit.org

Click on Volunteer and make sure to indicate Hub 7 (Penobscot/Piscataquis).

Employee Appreciation Committee

Twenty-three employees volunteered to be on the inaugural Employee Appreciation Committee! We are so excited to get this rolling! New members chosen are Robyn Cooper, Jodie Dyer, Stacey Foster, Cassidy Grindle, Bridgett Ireland, David Nevers, Amy Redford, Lisa Richards, Stephanie Richards, Maria Staples, Emily Watkins and Janelle Wuoristo. The committee will hold it’s first meeting on January 18th.

Chair and HR Manager Kim Johnson

Congratulations!

To Child Development's Client Services Representative Heather Charity

on obtaining her Associate's Degree in Mental Health and Human Services!

Open Enrollment is Over

More than 450 employees completed the MyVista Open Enrollment Wizard in December, and enrollments have been processed. Below are some statistics you may find interesting:

70% of Penquis employees enrolled in health insurance.
16% chose the H.S.A. 3200 plan.
54% chose the H.S.A. 5000 plan.
30% chose the HMO plan.
67% of employees enrolled in dental insurance.
63% of employees enrolled in vision insurance.
9% of employees enrolled in an FSA plan.
9% of employees enrolled in Identity Theft insurance.

Items to note:

-If you enrolled in an HSA plan, you will receive a NEW Benefit Wallet debit card that will have a different number than the Benefit Wallet number you may have today. Please destroy the old Benefit Wallet debit card. Use the new debit card for services on/after 1/1/2024. The Cigna medical ID card and Cigna/Benefit Wallet debit card will arrive at your home address in separate mailings.

-Digital Cigna ID Cards: Enjoy easy, secure access to your ID cards. No longer worry about misplacing your ID. Simply log in to the myCigna® mobile app or website to view your digital ID card. Getting your digital ID card is easy!

Log in to myCigna® website or app.
Click or tap “ID Cards.”
View your card(s) and the cards of any dependents.

You can show your digital ID card on your phone screen, print it, or email it to your doctor’s office.

Remember to visit the Benefit Information folder on PenquisPlace for all benefit related summaries, flyers, etc. Take a moment to check it out!

W2's Coming Soon

W2’s will be mailed to employees by January 31st. Is Your Name and Address Correct in Vista? To check and/or change your mailing address, first log into MyVista. Click on “Update My Home Address” and/or “Update My Primary Phone” in the Shortcut section in the middle of the page and make those changes. Click “OK” and your changes will be sent to Human Resources for approval.

PLEASE NOTE: Your first and last name must match the name on file with the Social Security Administration. If you need to update your name, please contact me at [email protected].

2024 Art Calendars For Sale!

The 2024 Art Calendars have arrived and they are beautiful! Art Calendars are $5 each, and the funds support the art program within Charlotte White Support Services (CWSS). The calendars include artwork by talented (CWSS) artists. All chosen artists are compensated for the use of their artwork and are so pleased to have their art included in the annual Art Calendar.

To purchase a 2024 Art Calendar, please contact Christine Rice at [email protected].

Some of CWSS' artists delivering a 2024 Art Calendar to a

happy customer (Cindy Freeman Cyr, far left.)

Education Loan Deadline

The next Education Loan deadline is Friday, January 12, 2024. Please submit completed applications to HR Manager Kim Johnson at [email protected]. Blank applications can be found here: Education Loan Application 2023.pdf

Do you have clients in need of assistance from

DHHS in the Piscataquis County area?

Cold temperatures are here.

If you have a client in need of a coat to help keep them warm, Coats of Kindness is here to help. Coats are available in the lobby by the Receptionists at our Harlow Street location on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis (Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 8 am-4:30 pm). Please note that the available coat sizes change week to week depending on the donations we receive. If you can’t find a particular size on the rack one week, you may be able to find it the next. We are also keeping a limited supply of coats at other Penquis locations. Contact Chantelle Haltizer at [email protected] if you have a question regarding those locations.

Do you want to help with the cause? People are encouraged to drop off “gently worn” coats of all sizes at Gold Star Cleaners locations in Penobscot County where, thanks to the incredible generosity of Gold Star Cleaners, they will once again be cleaned for free! New this year, we also have a Coats of Kindness collection box located at Penquis at Harlow Street in the area outside of the HEAP offices.

Please look in your closets and see if there are any coats that you or your children have outgrown that could help someone else stay warm this winter season. Thank you for your consideration!

Gold Star Cleaners drop-off locations:

220 Union Street, Bangor

Brewer Shopping Center, Brewer

200 Wilson Street, Brewer

Corner of Main & Depot, Lincoln

University Mall, Orono

Old Town Plaza, Old Town

Resource Development Coordinator Chantelle Haltizer

All Things Wellness!

Four new employees have been added to the Penquis Wellness Committee, and Lynn Lugdon has stepped down; we appreciate the many years she has served on this committee! Members now include Don Avery (new), Jason Clarke (new), Lucinda Gross (new), Sheree Brown (new), Alexa Conner, Amanda Chambers, Bernadette Brown, Danielle Goodale, Dianna Weigel, Donna Rollings, Jennifer Lary, Terry Bennett, Trudy Bacon, and Chair Kim Johnson.

What local winter activities happen in your area? Are there indoor walking groups, outdoor hiking, or snowshoeing groups? Cross country skiing? Email me the winter “happenings” where you live so we can share with staff.

Our recent fitness challenge ended December 30th and prizes will be awarded once all tracking sheets are collected. What challenges would you like to see for 2024? Do you prefer exercise challenges or food related challenges? Would you like to see a mindfulness challenge or one encouraging journaling? We want to promote what YOU are interested in.

Please share all related feedback with me, Kim Johnson, [email protected].