State of the County- A Community Celebration

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Christy Nealey

“I don’t know how else to say it, but this is a community celebration,” County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said in welcoming the estimated 400 guests at the Henrico Sports & Events Center on November 16. “Today is a celebration of the work efforts of our staff, of exceptional public service and all of this is … is driven by the policies and the goals and the aspirations of our Board of Supervisors.”

After a musical introduction by the Henrico High School marching band, the County Manager thanked the current Board of Supervisors for their hard work, with special mention to Patricia O’Bannon and Frank Thornton, who are both retiring after 28 years on the Board. He also thanked Tommy Brannon for his eight years on the Board and welcomed the recently elected members: Jody Rogish (Tuckahoe), Roscoe Cooper (Fairfield), and Misty Whitehead (Three Chopt).

Along with the different setting of this year’s event in the brand-new sports arena, there was also a new format. Instead of the County Manager speaking for the duration, he introduced the first of seven speakers– all department heads or other County officials, each highlighting accomplishments in key service areas: education, finance, economic development, tourism, infrastructure, housing, sustainability, and public safety.

First, Dr. Amy Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS), introduced the new school board and spoke of the top five things we need to know about HCPS:

- We put students first

- Henrico Schools is a sound return on investments

- We are dedicated to safety and wellness

- HCPS is a great place to work

- HCPS is future-ready

Second, Brandon Hinton, Deputy County Manager of Administration, took the podium and spoke of the current 401 capital projects, including the rebuilding and renovating of several elementary schools and the construction of a living Environmental Education building at Wilton Farm, 141 public works projects, the new Police Station that just broke ground in their South district, and Firehouse 23 that is currently under construction. He then gave a shout-out to Sheila Minor and Justin Crawford for creating a 20.1% growth rate in the annually compounded General Fund Balance since July 2020. He attributed the County’s success to steadfast and consistent leadership, incredible employees, businesses that have made Henrico home, and the secret ingredient: how we manage our finances. By investing in flexibility, we can manage economic downturns without raising taxes or employee layoffs. Instead, Henrico has invested in its employees, allowing them to receive, on average, a 32% increase in salary in the past two and a half years. Smart money management also permitted Henrico to provide tax relief to residents and to be the first locality in the state to take advantage of new state laws and give surplus real estate and personal property taxes back to taxpayers. Henrico also cut the already-lowest personal property tax by an additional ten cents. Brandon closed by discussing the RECap Program that will provide real estate tax relief for the qualifying Henrico property owners.

Anthony Romanello, Executive Director of the Economic Development Authority, was next on the mic and opened by stating that the County’s finances are so strong because its economy is so strong. In fact, it is the fourth strongest economy in the state and second for jobs. This is made possible by public-private partnerships and $2.5 billion in private investments such as Amazon. Richmond International Airport in Henrico being named the most efficient airport in North America also helps! Henrico isn’t just about the billions in investments but also the people and working with businesses of all sizes. The Small Business Development Center helped 225 businesses in the last year. Anthony closed out by discussing future projects such as the Willow Lawn remodel and Green City.

Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, was next up to speak and rallied the crowd with his motto of “Showtime all the time.” He went on to discuss how the new Henrico Sports and Event Center, where the meeting was held, was a huge multi-department collaboration between Recreation and Parks’ capital projects team, IT, Finance, Public Works, Public Relations, General Services, and legal. “…This Center’s production systems were designed in-house by Mike Stoeckle [with Public Relations]. This gives us television and event production capabilities that rival those of major Arenas around the country… Travis Sparrow, Brian Viscuso, and the IT team did extensive work to enhance the guest experience and overall technology capabilities in this building. By tapping the expertise of the county staff, we saved this project over a million dollars.” Dennis excitedly shared that 46 weekends of events have already been scheduled for 2024!

Looking to Henrico Parks, Dennis was proud to share the completion of the Dorey Park water park, and Deep Run Rec Center expansion, and that program participation has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Next summer, we can all look forward to the opening of Taylor Park, a 99-acre park with trails, a skate park, and a fallen heroes memorial. Pouncy Tract Park is also adding pickleball courts, and Glover Park is expanding to add a second entrance, trails, a dog park, and more multi-purpose fields. Its new baseball stadium will complement Glenn Allen Stadium and Dory Stadium, allowing Henrico to boast a Triad of stadiums, unlike any other locality in the country.

Dennis then passed the ball to Terrell Hughes, Director of Public Works, to discuss infrastructure efforts to improve quality of life and secure a long-term future for residents. He started with the Fall Line project that broke ground in October and will add 14 miles of bike lanes and connect to the Capital Trail. There are also 120 transportation projects in the works, most of which are adding sidewalks and pedestrian safety. Through the partnership with the Greater Richmond Transit Commission (GRTC), there are projects to expand bus routes and add bus stop enhancements. Along with transportation, water and internet have been big priorities, especially in the more rural parts of the County. Henrico has been proactively replacing underground sewer and water lines, connected 30 houses to County water that were previously on wells, and soon 100% of County residents will have broadband access. There have been multiple drainage and Wastewater facility improvements. The Westwood pump station is being designed, water and sewer is expanding to southeast Henrico, and the Cobbs Creek Reservoir is nearly completed, which will secure the County’s drinking water for the next 50 years. As far as road projects go, several rural roads have been expanded, and roundabouts have been added throughout the County. Next year, the County can look forward to the building of the Magellan Parkways and a new bridge over I95, Saddler Road widening, utility work at Three Chopt Road, and I64 Highway improvements near Short Pump.

Next, Eric Leabough, Director of Community Revitalization, took the stage to discuss housing. There has been an uptick in the number of people living out of hotels, couch surfing, or unsheltered. To combat the lack of supply of homes, Henrico is constructing Cool Lane Commons, an 86-unit apartment building for people without housing; helped Housing Families First expand their family shelter; and cultivating partnerships to provide greater levels of housing affordability, including five current memorandums of understanding (MOUs) which represents about 1,000 units. Creating the Hotel to Home program has helped people living in hotels move into permanent housing. This initiative came from the hotel task force, which involved working with the Police Division, the Division of Fire, Mental Health and Developmental Services, Building Inspections, the Health Department, the County Attorney’s Office, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Joe Emerson and the planning team have created tools, zoning ordinances, and a fast-track approval process to help the building process. Henrico also partnered with the broader development community to bring units online faster and on a larger scale to meet the growing affordable housing needs such as Arcadia and River East. It isn’t just about providing housing, but also the maintenance and upkeep of current housing. There are partnerships through Project Homes and Richmond Habitat that, on average, support 70 homeowners annually. Community Revitalization and Building Inspections partnered to assist the residents of Glenwood Farms in improving their conditions. Affordability has been another major issue when it comes to housing. Considering this, Henrico is rolling out the Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program (EHPAP) to provide down-payment and closing cost assistance to employees purchasing their first home in Henrico County.

After a short video on Henrico’s sustainability efforts featuring the 90,000 new recycling carts, tripled solar production, the launch of Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART), and reforesting, the Chief of Staff, Cari Tretina, took the stage as the final presenter. She discussed the Encore program created by Yvette George, Director of Human Resources, that allows retirees to come back to work part-time. The program has seen success in the Division of Fire and with the newly created Emergency Communications Division, which increased staffing by 38%. The introduction of eight weeks of parental leave is also an added benefit for employees. Cari went on to say, “We need great employees in public safety because Henrico isn’t immune to the challenges we face as a nation. Gun violence, particularly involving our youth, has dramatically increased, and so have our struggles with mental health, our Justice and medical systems are stressed like never before, but as a county, we’re meeting the challenges with teamwork and swift action.” By the end of 2023, officers removed more than 900 guns from the street. Multi-agency teams of first responders and human services professionals, such as the Star Team, the Care Team, and the Crisis Response Teams, have been instrumental in getting residents the care they need. The Mental Health Docket, which diverts individuals from jail to get treatment, has seen a 96% graduation rate, meaning the individual got a job and the treatment they needed and was reunited with family.

Substance Abuse has also been an issue in the community. MHDS has expanded its mobile services and created a program providing comprehensive family support for pregnant and parenting mothers who are working to overcome substance abuse disorders. Henrico has also partnered with St. Joseph’s Villa to create the Youth Regional Crisis Receiving Center and implemented the Community Service Art Project that allows teens in our justice system to express themselves and find hidden talents through painting. This project has resulted in three beautiful murals.

Cari stated, “It serves as a daily reminder of what we can accomplish when we believe in our youth and give them opportunities to grow.”

Speaking of youth, Cari proudly remarked on the inaugural Team Summit RVA, a regional event organized by our very own Deputy County Manager Monica Callahan, where more than 540 students attended and learned about jobs and community resources and were given a platform to be heard.
She also congratulated the County’s Internship Program for receiving a “Top Employer for Interns in Virginia” Award from the Governor. She ultimately closed her speech by noting that the County Manager started his career as an intern and that “Henrico and this region continue to benefit from the opportunity [the County Manager] was given.”

Finally, the County Manager took the stage to close out the program. “Like I said in the beginning, you know Henrico County is not a locality where we can come out and show a year’s worth of work in fifteen minutes. I certainly hope we never get to that point. I am so proud of the staff, and I’m so thankful to the Board of Supervisors and the School Board for the opportunities… you continue to give us… I believe the best days are ahead of us.”

You can watch the full address on the Henrico County Government YouTube Channel.

Building Connections: Navigating Inclusion and Belonging as the Year Concludes

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Christy Nealey

Autumn leaves, heavier jackets for the chilly Virginia breeze, and shorter days signal the final wrap-up of the year. It is also historically and widely known as a time for gatherings and observances. As we gear up for celebrations and glad tidings in the workplace, consider that not every employee gathers and celebrates for the same reason or even at all. Navigating this time of the year in the workplace can be the perfect opportunity to practice courageous curiosity in the efforts to embrace experiences, traditions, and customs apart from your own. This may look different for everyone. To help you out, here are a few ways to practice inclusion as we wrap up the year:

Be mindful and considerate. Around this time of year, we tend to see more celebrations of all sorts with delicious food, beautiful decorations, well wishes, and additional opportunities to socialize with other employees. As you plan and strategize, consider those with dietary restrictions when serving food. Also, look for ways to ensure decorations for common spaces are inclusive for everyone. Be aware of the language you are using to wish your coworkers a happy and enjoyable time.

Invite opportunities for learning through connection. The best way to be inclusive with the people in your workplace is to inquire with respect. Avoid assumptions about how people in your workplace enjoy the season by identifying creative ways for everyone to have the chance to share and connect on similarities and learn more about differences. To assist you as you inquire with respect, here is a resource from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities on asking effective questions.

Recognize other celebrations and observances outside of the “traditional” holidays. While “traditional” holidays can still be celebrated, identify other celebrations around the same time of the year to be included as well. An extensive list of holidays, heritages, and celebrations can be found here. Depending on the diverse perspectives in your workplace, another option is to focus on themes instead of holidays. Other general themes may include acts of kindness, employee appreciation, the end of the year, giving back, and community recognition. These are essential ways to foster an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging.

It’s important to understand that everyone may not want to participate in holiday celebrations. Some may find this time of year challenging, such as introverted or grieving employees or those affiliated with certain beliefs. All employees should be welcomed and invited but not required to attend activities.

Navigating the workplace at the end of the year presents great opportunities to learn more about the people you work with daily. These tips are not just for the end of the year but can be used year-round. As Henrico employees, we want to take actionable steps to create an atmosphere where everyone feels included and has a sense of belonging while incorporating the inclusion element of the Henrico Capability Model.

If you have ideas for inclusive ways that Henrico can highlight different holidays and cultures, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Human Resources’ DEI Division at HR-DEI@henrico.us.

Introducing the EHPAP!

November 30, 2023December 4, 2023 Christy Nealey

We are excited to announce the launch of the Henrico County Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program (EHPAP), effective December 4, 2023. This program, available to full-time permanent employees of Henrico County General Government, Henrico County Public Schools, and County constitutional officers (e.g., Circuit Court Clerk, Commonwealth’s Attorney and Sheriff), provides up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for the purchase of a home located within Henrico County.

For additional information about EHPAP, please visit https://employees.henrico.us/info/ehpap/ or email ehpap@henrico.us.

Team Henrico Captures First Place in the Concept 2 Fall Team Challenge Rowing Competition

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Christy Nealey

Every year, Concept 2 launches a Fall Team Rowing Challenge from September 15th through October 15th, and the goal is to create a team and collectively row as many meters as possible against hundreds of other teams worldwide (view Concept 2’s Challenges). Team Henrico has been conquering since their first 1st Place Corporate Division finishes in 2019 and then again in 2020. After a loss in 2021 and taking a year off in 2022, Team Henrico rejoined this year with a fresh new outlook.

Team Captain and Public Safety Fitness Trainer Joshua Gaskins began to recruit employees in a new way. He enlisted participation from the Division of Fire’s (DOF) 80th Recruit Academy, Henrico Police Division’s 78th and 79th Basic Recruit Academies, the Sheriff’s Office 66th Recruit Academy, the Public Safety Tactical Strength & Conditioning Class, the Fire Training Tower Fitness Class, the Fit Plus exercise group, and Senior Fitness Trainer Joey Pacelli’s Foundations class, to the many already individually registered employees from all public safety divisions and general government. Throughout the competition, participants completed Joshua’s uniquely designed rowing workouts to enhance adherence and enjoyment and increase the meters rowed.

After much diligence, Team Henrico completed a total of 4,164,729 meters and achieved 1st place in the Corporate Division for the 3rd time! They also placed 7th overall worldwide, excluding the virtual teams competition (view results here)! The DOF 80th Recruit Academy led the team with 759,962 meters, and Deputy Fire Chief Douglas Clevert achieved a new all-time individual participant record with 501,409 meters.

Team Henrico celebrated with a pizza party hosted at the Woodman Road Fire Training Facility, where Joshua Gaskins gave kudos and well-earned calories to the team members (the number of calories burned rowing 4 million meters equals 109 large pepperoni pizzas). An achievement award was given by the Human Resources (HR) Department and can be seen above the check-in computer at the Henrico Training Center gym.

For 2024, Team Henrico is ready to strive for 1st place worldwide, but not without the help of more avid Henrico County employees. Although Joshua and the Fitness and Wellness Division of HR are still working on a game plan for 2024, their vision includes teams from each department that could designate at least once per week to utilize a Concept 2 Rower to add additional meters to the team total.

Go Team Henrico! “We Don’t Quit.”

Apply Now for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Christy Nealey

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federal program that forgives student loan debt for borrowers who work for a government organization or a non-profit employer such as teachers, firefighters, nurses, members of the military, and other public service workers. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans, after you have made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments or while working full-time for an eligible employer. Whether or not you have made 120 payments, you should still complete the PSLF form annually to obtain credit. As a Henrico County employee, it may include you!

To apply and be considered for PSLF, you only need to submit a PSLF form. The easiest way to do this is by using the PSLF Help tool at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/. Follow the link and log in if you already have an account or create a new account. Prepare and sign your PSLF form digitally by following all the steps, and with the last step, request certification and electronic signature from your employer by entering the Human Resources General Government contact email address wit018@henrico.us.

If you have any questions or need any additional help, please get in touch with Patricia Witmer, HR Business Supervisor, at 804-501-5078 or wit018@henrico.us.

How’s it Growing? Join Henrico CASA and Henrico Firefighters for a Fuzzy Fundraiser

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Christy Nealey

Henrico CASA has teamed up with Henrico Firefighters for the Mustaches for Kids (M4K) fundraiser, an annual mustache-growing event in November that benefits kids throughout Central Virginia. All county employees are invited to participate in the fun by joining Henrico CASA and Henrico Firefighters as members of team Henrico Heroes.

And here’s a furry fact: Mustaches are optional.

“It’s true,” said Jeannine Panzera, Executive Director of Henrico CASA. “Just like firefighters and police officers and administrators and educators all have different superpowers — we can all grow different mustaches for a good cause.”

So let’s get creative, Henrico. Grow your best real or faux mustache. It can be distinguished or droopy, sculpted or shaggy, bushy or pencil-thin. What matters the most is that you enjoy yourself and have a good time supporting a good cause.

“Our mission at Henrico CASA is to advocate for vulnerable children and ensure that they can thrive in their homes,” Panzera said. “We’re thankful to the firefighters who are supporting M4K and Henrico CASA and want everyone who gets involved to have a great time.”

Bill Boger, a longtime Henrico Firefighter and President of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1568, agreed. “The Mustaches for Kids campaign resonates with firefighters,” he said, citing the IAFF’s 2022 participation. “We had 26 members combine to raise $13,000 for M4K last year. This year, we hope to exceed that, and we invite all county emergency responders, county employees and their friends and families to join us on team ‘Henrico Heroes’.”

Panzera said that Henrico CASA and Henrico firefighters had separate teams during the 2022 campaign and decided this year to combine their efforts with a goal to grow a team of 75 Henrico Heroes and raise $50,000.

Henrico Fire Chief Jackson Baynard applauded the partnership. “Service is at the heart of everything we do in the fire service,” he said. “And the connection between mustaches and firefighters is a fun aspect of our culture. A fundraiser that combines those two things and that also supports great organizations like Henrico CASA is a natural fit.”

Are you up for the challenge? We know you are! After all — With a Great ‘Stache Comes Great Responsibility! So, grow your stache and raise some cash with us. REGISTER as a Henrico Heroes team member and sport a mustache this November or DONATE in honor of your favorite Henrico Hero.

7 Tips to Meet the Early Timecard Deadlines

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Christy Nealey

Did you know that four of the next six timecard deadlines are early? Below are some other important reminders to help you and your employees get your timecard in on time this upcoming holiday season.

Remember that timecard deadlines are for all timecards to be submitted and approved for HR. We suggest that departments set earlier internal deadlines.
Non-exempt employees should record their regularly scheduled hours on the early submission dates. For example, employees who typically work 8 hours on Thursday and Friday should record 8 hours for those days before submitting their timecards for approval.
Supervisors must review each timecard before approving. Please ensure that your direct reports have entered their time as regular hours, even if the total number of hours will exceed 40 hours for the week.
Supervisors must confirm that employees actually worked the hours recorded in advance. Any changes can be made as a correction on the retro timecard or as a payroll adjustment.
Timekeepers should advise supervisors with scheduled time off to set a vacation rule in Oracle, designating an alternate approver in their absence. For more information, please see the vacation rule guide.
Timekeepers must designate a backup for scheduled time off.
No timecards should be in ‘Not Started’ status on the deadline date. Timekeepers should utilize the timecard dashboards before the due date.

Departmental timekeepers should be the first point of contact for questions about recording time. Please consult the Policies and Procedures on the HR Employee Portal for more information.

National Career Development Month: Take Charge of Your Career

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Christy Nealey

Have you thought about your career lately? Well, now is the time! November is National Career Development Month, so whether you’re currently working on your career goals or it’s been a while since you reviewed your resume, now is the perfect time to focus on your career path and aspirations.

Career development for people at all stages of their professional journeys is the purpose of National Career Development Month. It’s a reminder of the importance of taking charge of your own career and professional growth to increase your job satisfaction and fulfillment. Henrico County supports this mission through our HR Career Resources Program, where you can find tools, resources, and personalized guidance to help you along your career journey.

There are many ways to invest in your career development. If you need ideas or inspiration to get started, here are some examples:

Self-reflection: Set some time aside to reflect on your current job and what you want to achieve in your career. Some questions you might ask yourself include:
- Am I happy with my current role?
- Do I already have a career path in mind or am I struggling with direction?
- What are my interests?
- What kinds of tasks and projects do I love doing? How can I fit them into my career?

Career coaching and assessments: If you’re not sure which career is the best choice for you, there are assessments that can help you match your skills and interests with a variety of jobs. Many qualified career counselors or coaches can administer and interpret these assessments to help you discover your ideal job fit.

Researching different jobs and careers: Another way to find the job or field that interests you is to do some research to get a better understanding of the knowledge and skills that are needed. Reviewing job descriptions, classifications, or postings will provide specific information, and websites like O*Net OnLine allow you to research careers using criteria like interest, abilities, and work values.

Informational interviewing: One of the best ways to find out what an occupation is really like is to have a conversation with someone who does the job. This is known as an informational interview, and it’s a great opportunity to get a more realistic idea about the job or career and what key skills and abilities are needed. You can view our informational interviewing video to learn more about how to conduct one.

Creating a career plan: Once you have decided on the job or career you want to pursue, devise an action plan to identify your goals and outline steps to reach them. Include short and long-term goals, action items, deadlines, and support/resources (people, finances, organizations, etc.) in your plan. Check with your department to see if they have their own career development plans or equivalent resources for employees, or use the Individual Learning Plan created by the Human Resources Department.

Discuss your career plan with your supervisor. While they can help you chart a course toward your goals, it’s up to you to start the conversation and make things happen.

Getting the skills/training/education you need: Identify the gaps between your current skills and those needed for the job you want. Then, determine what you need to do to acquire them. Can you learn these skills on the job? In a single class, such as Excel? Through more formal training and/or education? Through volunteer or other outside activities? OLTD offers a variety of learning opportunities and videos that can help you learn new skills. For leadership skill development, consider joining Leadership Henrico (LH)or the Emerging Leaders Certification Program (ELCP).

An excellent way to grow your skills on the job is to ask for stretch assignments. These are projects or tasks that are just beyond your current skill level or experience. If this isn’t an option, you may be able to do so in a volunteer position you hold in a civic organization in your community, giving you an opportunity to gain or practice key skills and helping organizations fill vital roles. For more ideas around on-the-job skill development, check out this Upskilling video.

If you need more formal training, like a certification or degree, check with your department to see if they offer specific classes or programs to help you fulfill this requirement. Henrico County also offers tuition reimbursement and education leave, so check with your department on what’s available to you.

Building and keeping your network strong: Maintaining good relationships and building new ones is critical to career success. Your network should include contacts internal to your organization as well as outside it. Attend work and organization functions, OLTD classes or join programs such as LH or ELCP to build your internal network. Externally, reach out to former colleagues, join professional associations, and get active on professional online networks like LinkedIn.

Updating your resume and/or your LinkedIn profile: Don’t wait until you apply for a job to create or update your resume or LinkedIn profile. Update them regularly so they reflect your current role and accomplishments. If you need resume assistance, our HR Career Coaches can review your resume and provide recommendations. You can also get tips from our resume videos in the Career Development section of our HR YouTube page as well as find helpful articles and videos on our Career Development Resources page.

Brushing up on your interviewing skills: Many of us would agree that interviewing is stressful. Make sure you’re prepared to make a great impression on your interviewer by preparing and practicing ahead of time. That might mean preparing behavioral examples for potential interview questions, or practicing answering your prepared responses to interview questions with a friend, mentor, or career coach. Our Career Resources Program offers individualized interview preparation assistance as well as videos in the Career Development section of our HR YouTube page to help you prepare. You can also find helpful resources on our Career Development Resources page.

Taking charge of your career development has many benefits, including boosting your confidence, increasing your satisfaction with your career, and enhancing your value to an organization. Take advantage of National Career Development Month and the many resources Henrico has to offer to take your career to the next level.

Vaccine Recommendations from Employee Health Services (EHS)

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 Christy Nealey

In the fall, we all hear about getting the annual flu shot. Questions about that and other vaccines arise yearly, especially since COVID-19 in 2020. Who should get a flu shot, and when should I get one? What other vaccines should I be considering?

Where can I get these vaccines? Can I get more than one at a time? And the list can go on. We hope to answer a few of those questions this month.

Who and When

Most people six months and older should receive an annual flu shot. The vaccines are based on the virus that was present at the end of the last season. While it may not be 100% effective against keeping you from getting sick, it lowers the severity and the number of influenza-related hospitalizations. The elderly and young are most affected, as well as those with other health issues, including breathing problems, heart issues, and diabetes. Please stay healthy for those around you, too!

CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends the flu vaccine be administered in September or October to last into the influenza season.

It takes two weeks to take effect in your body. The newest recommendations also state that EGG ALLERGY is no longer a contraindication to vaccines.

Other vaccines to consider:

COVID: a new vaccine is being made for the fall of 2023, and recommendations will be made when available.

Pneumonia: adult vaccines include PCV 15 or 20 and PPSV23. Please speak with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or pharmacist about your requirements.

Tetanus (Td/Tdap): should be given every ten years or sooner with certain injuries; at least one Tdap as an adult to prevent pertussis (whooping cough)

Shingles: for those with lowered immune systems and 60+ years of age

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)- common cold-like symptoms but can be severe in infants and older adults; will soon be offered to those 60+ years of age.

Where to get vaccines

Your PCP or local pharmacy can provide you with these vaccines.

Can I get more than one vaccine at a time?

If you can only get one vaccine appointment, it is typically safe to receive more than one vaccine at a given time.

Try to get them in separate arms, and beware that the side effects like fatigue and arm soreness may be more significant with more vaccines at once.

Let’s all do our part to stay healthy this fall and winter with up-to-date vaccinations.

Many questions can be answered on the Anthem website, the CDC website, or with your PCP.

Check Your Symptoms or Call EHS

If you are feeling under the weather, check out this symptom chart and get an idea of the cause. While Employee Health Services (EHS) does not replace your primary care provider, they can treat employees’ minor illnesses and injuries, including prescription medication if needed. Examples of these types of minor illnesses include:

Sore /strep throat
Cold/Flu
Allergy symptoms
Eye Problems (scratch, pink eye)
Ear Problems (infection, wax build-up)
Cough
Urinary Tract/Bladder Infection
Skin Rashes /Insect Bite
Minor cuts/Abrasions
Strains/Sprains

Call 804-501-1600 to schedule an appointment. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please visit the Employee Health Service webpage for more information on their services.

Also, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Visit https://www.covid.gov/tests for more information.

Cold, flu, COVID or allergies: what are my symptoms?

Common Symptom	COLD	FLU	COVID	ALLERGIES
Onset	gradual	fast	within 14 days	gradual
Lasts	4-10 days	5-7 days	varies	seasonal
Body aches	slight	yes	sometimes	no
Cough	yes	yes	yes	yes
Fatigue/weak	mild	yes	sometimes	slight
Fever/chills	rare	yes	sometimes	no
Headache	sometimes	yes	sometimes	sinus
Itchy eyes	no	no	no	yes
Nasal congestion	yes	yes	sometimes	yes
Nausea/vomiting	sometimes	sometimes	sometimes	no
New loss taste/smell	sometimes	sometimes	sometimes	sometimes
Runny nose	yes	sometimes	sometimes	yes
Short of breath	rare	rare	serious infection	sometimes
Sneezing	yes	yes	sometimes	yes
Sore throat	yes	yes	sometimes	sometimes

*Symptoms may vary depending on vaccine status and underlying health problems

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

https://www.anthem.com/preventive-care/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/fall-2023-vaccination-guide-7642488

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/infographics/it-cold-flu-or-covid-19

gundersonhealth.org/health-wellness/be-well/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-cold-the-flu-or-covid-19

https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/health-information/health-infographics/allergies-cold-flu-or-covid-19-virus

Open Enrollment for 2024 Benefits Need to Knows

September 29, 2023October 2, 2023 Christy Nealey

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll or change your coverage and add or drop dependents for your health, dental, short-term income protection, and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Open Enrollment will be Sunday, October 1 through Friday, October 27, 2023. All changes must be submitted through Employee Direct Access by 4:30 p.m. on October 27, 2023.

We will be re-introducing Open Enrollment Information Sessions this year! Consider attending a session to learn more about our plans and speak with benefits staff and our various vendors. No sign-up is required, and the sessions will be “open house” style.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Henrico Training Center

7701 E. Parham Road

Rooms 2029/2030

Thursday, October 19, 2023

12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern Government Center

Community Room

3820 Nine Mile Road

What do you need to know?

Healthcare rates will not increase for full-time employees! Anthem will continue to administer our health care and prescription drug benefits. There will be new group numbers in 2024, so plan participants will receive new insurance cards for 2024. Please make sure you use the new card for services starting January 1, 2024.
1. Due to IRS inflation guidelines, there will be an increase to the high-deductible health plan (HDHP)’s deductible. For employee-only coverage, the deductible will increase by $200, totaling $3,200. The deductible for any dependent-level coverage will increase by $400, totaling $6,400.
Delta Dental will continue offering the same plan options for 2024 with a minimal rate increase.
TASC will continue to provide our Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) benefit. This year, the minimum annual election for both healthcare and dependent (day) care FSAs will be $100. The new maximum to the healthcare FSA will be $3,050. The dependent (day) care FSA limit will remain at $5,000.

What do you have to do as an employee?

Re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts if you wish to participate in 2024.
1. Up to $570 will roll over into your 2024 healthcare flexible spending account.
Review your current plan and dependents to see if changes need to be made.

Note: Healthcare, dental, and short-term income protection enrollments will roll over for 2024 unless you change them during Open Enrollment.

We encourage you to take advantage of Open Enrollment to choose the benefits that are right for you and your family. Visit our dedicated Open Enrollment webpage at https://employees.henrico.us/info/oe for more information!

As a reminder, Open Enrollment for Voluntary Benefits will also be from October 1, 2023 – October 27, 2023. Enrollments and changes to your voluntary benefits are handled through Pierce Insurance Agency, Inc. on the web at pierceins.com/henrico or call 800-421-3142 ext. 170.