Open Enrollment & Voluntary Benefits

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 Christy Nealey

The open enrollment period for Henrico County’s core benefits (health, dental, STIP, flexible spending accounts) and voluntary benefits is coming soon! For benefit-eligible employees, Open Enrollment will be from October 1 to October 27, 2023, with coverage effective January 1, 2024.

We are excited to introduce TWO additional voluntary benefit offerings through our third-party administrator, Pierce Insurance Agency… Vision and Pet Insurance!

The Henrico County Employee Benefits Committee, in partnership with Pierce Insurance Agency, continually monitors your total benefits package to ensure access to the most cost-effective options available. Current voluntary benefit plans include Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Cancer, Identity Theft Protection, Legal Plan, and Life Insurance with Long Term Care. New for the 2024 plan year is the addition of Vision and Pet Insurance!

The supplemental plans provide financial protection with benefits paid directly to you regardless of any other insurance you may have.

You are encouraged to attend a voluntary benefits information session with Pierce Insurance Agency. During Open Enrollment, employees can schedule an appointment to meet one-on-one with a Pierce Insurance Agency benefits counselor to review the voluntary benefit plans and assist with enrollment. In late September, more information will be announced regarding registration and sign-up for individual meetings.

Visit pierceins.com/Henrico for details.

There will be TWO Voluntary Benefits Information Sessions before the start of Open Enrollment. No sign-up is required to attend:

Thursday, September 21, 2023

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern Government Center

Community Room

3820 Nine Mile Road

Thursday, September 28, 2023

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Henrico Training Center

7701 E. Parham Road

Rooms 2029/2030

Stay Tuned for the Next Issue of the County Connection

The next issue, coming in October, will include more information about our core benefits, including medical, dental, and flexible spending. We will also update the employee website later this month (September) to include the new Open Enrollment Benefits and the current benefits.

Enhancing Health and Wellness: Empowering Positive Change

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 Christy Nealey

Henrico County is making an effort to improve employee health and wellness by fostering sustainable behavior changes. From interactive lunch and learn sessions to in-service training for police officers and functional movement screens for fire personnel, these initiatives significantly impact the overall well-being of individuals and our community.

Nourishing Body and Mind: The Healthy Eating Lunch and Learn Series

Embarking on a journey towards better nutrition isn’t just about temporary diets; it’s about embracing long-lasting changes that fuel our bodies and minds. The monthly Healthy Eating Lunch and Learn series is a testament to this philosophy. These sessions provide a platform for participants to delve into the realm of sustainable behavior changes surrounding nutrition.

By exploring the science behind food choices and understanding the connection between food and mood, participants gain valuable insights into how to make informed decisions about what they consume. This series emphasizes the importance of balanced eating, portion control, and mindful consumption. Through interactive discussions and expert guidance, attendees are equipped with the tools they need to make healthier food choices a part of their daily lives.

Strengthening Protectors: Fit For Duty – Experiences and Strategies For Our Tactical Athletes

Police officers are the backbone of community safety, and their physical and mental well-being are paramount. In-service training takes on a new dimension with weekly sessions to empower police officers with strategies and applications for enhancing their fitness, nutrition, and injury mitigation techniques.

These tailored presentations delve into the unique challenges that law enforcement professionals face. By providing actionable tips for maintaining physical fitness and adopting a balanced diet, officers are better equipped to manage the demands of their jobs. Moreover, insights into injury prevention and recovery strategies serve as crucial tools to ensure officers can perform at their best while safeguarding their long-term health.

Moving with Purpose: Functional Movement Screens for Fire Personnel

The Division of Fire is no stranger to physically demanding tasks that require optimal movement quality. To mitigate injuries and improve the overall performance of fire personnel, the introduction of functional movement screens is a game-changer. These screens offer a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s movement patterns, identifying areas of strength and areas that need improvement.

By pinpointing movement deficiencies, Fire personnel can work on targeted exercises to enhance their mobility, flexibility, and overall movement mechanics. This minimizes the risk of injuries during intense tasks and ensures that firefighters are better equipped to respond effectively to emergencies. Functional movement screenings empower Fire personnel to move purposefully, efficiently, and confidently.

These health and wellness initiatives are more than just programs; they are pathways to positive change. From fostering sustainable eating habits to providing essential training for police officers and enhancing movement quality for Fire personnel, these initiatives reflect a commitment to holistic well-being. By empowering individuals to make informed choices and prioritize their health, these initiatives have a far-reaching impact that resonates throughout communities and professions.

Professionally Developing Students Through Internships

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 Christy Nealey

As summer comes to a close, Henrico County’s internship program has successfully hosted high school and undergraduate students this summer leading to the County being recognized as a 2023 Top Virginia Employer for Interns.

Under the guidance of Debbie Lumpkin, Internship Program Coordinator, the program began in the summer of 2012. Since then, the number of students participating in Henrico internships has increased exponentially yearly. This year, interns have come from as near as local Henrico high schools to as far as universities across the East Coast.

The internship program is about giving students “opportunities to open their eyes to the ways in which county employees serve the community,” said Mrs. Lumpkin. “I always recommend to a student that the more you put in, the more you get out,” she said. The program focuses on “teaching people how to work, what is expected at work, [and] how to communicate,” among many other skill sets.

Interns work on various projects within their departments while gaining professional business skills. David Sacks, Community Development Manager, explains how his interns participate in the office. It is “very common for interns to develop the annual action plan,” and “we’ll have an intern working with us to develop the annual report.” The intern’s role is to manage the department throughout these projects. “I teach them to be a project manager,” said Mr. Sacks.

In the County Manager’s office, intern Sincere Slade-Reading, has had the chance to explore multiple avenues of work. She explained that her typical day could consist of “brainstorming with deputy county managers, spending time in the Varina community with Supervisor Nelson, attending committee meetings, or researching solutions to Henrico issues.” Throughout the summer, “the ability to advocate for myself, manage projects, and form connections that … will not only make me a better student but also put me ahead in my planned future career in law,” said Ms. Slade-Reading.

Chance Phillips, the budget office’s intern, echoed these sentiments. He said, “I’ve definitely had and appreciated the opportunity to develop my professional communication skills and the general skills and habits required to work in an office environment.” In addition to his strengthened skillsets, Mr. Phillips said he “enjoyed the ability to become acquainted with everyone working in the Budget office the most.”

The internship program provides a space for interns and supervisors to engage and create connections. Senior Victim Specialist Nicole Mayton was once a County intern herself and said that the program is “a chance to see different perspectives.” While hosting students, “I enjoy being able to share with interns and like to see them learn … and see how it impacts them,” she said.

In many departments, this summer has been filled with meaningful learning for interns and supervisors. Now is the time to start thinking about your workload, projects, and ability to mentor a student for upcoming semesters. Please submit your request to Debbie Lumpkin by September 30 for spring 2024 interns and by December 1 for summer 2024 interns.

Introducing Our New Training and Adoption Site!

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 Christy Nealey

We are thrilled to introduce our new training and adoption site designed to improve your experience with our supported applications!

You can view the site by locating the Training tile on the County Intranet homepage and then selecting Visit the Training and Adoption Site on the subsequent page.

Visit directly https://henricova.sharepoint.com/sites/TrainingandAdoption

Here’s what you can expect from our site:

Top Requested Applications:

At the top of the page, you’ll find a set of images representing the most requested applications. These will periodically change based on their popularity among users.

IT Supported Applications:

You will find a comprehensive list of IT-supported applications available to all users represented by graphic tiles like the above.

Included applications are Adobe Sign, Efax, Microsoft O365, MOVEit, and many more.

For each application, we have included links to the most desired features. This will help you quickly navigate and utilize the applications more efficiently.

Microsoft Learning Pathways:

Microsoft 365 Learning Pathways serves as a comprehensive learning solution provided by Microsoft for departments to equip their workforce with the necessary skills utilizing Microsoft 365 applications and services. At the County of Henrico, this platform offers a range of learning materials, including videos, articles, and interactive guides, catering to diverse learning styles and needs. This platform is particularly useful for helping users become proficient in using various Microsoft 365 tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, OneNote, and more. Offering step-by-step tutorials, tips, and best practices, Microsoft 365 Learning Pathways aids in boosting user adoption and competency. It ultimately contributes to enhancing productivity and collaboration across the department by ensuring that employees are well-versed in leveraging the capabilities of Microsoft 365 tools. Microsoft updates all apps from their ecosystem, which means all content stays current with the latest features. This approach ensures users remain proficient in utilizing the evolving features of Microsoft 365 applications and tools.

Adobe Learning Pathways:

We have also added an Adobe Learning Pathways featuring Adobe Sign and Adobe Acrobat training videos led by certified Adobe Instructors. These videos offer valuable resources designed to help users harness the full potential of these applications. In these videos, you can learn essential skills such as creating, editing, and managing PDF documents efficiently with Adobe Acrobat and streamlining electronic signature workflows using Adobe Sign. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your expertise, these training videos offer step-by-step guidance, tips, and best practices, enabling you to work smarter and more effectively with these Adobe applications.

We hope our newly relaunched Training and Adoption site serves as your dedicated pathway to achieving technological prowess, as we cater to learners of every stage. Our goal is to ensure that your experience with our applications is seamless and productive, enabling you to confidently navigate the technological landscape.

If you have any questions or comments about the Training and Adoption site, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].