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Home My WebLink About1992-01 1 11 Newsletter fo 7 r ..:.,i:I.: :::::::::::::::::: a irees Employees a and t R of Tompkins kins Count 7 I Dip 0 . January, 1992 Volume /V, No. X ct :::.: rrrir .......:... R & R For WHAT IS AN The Caregiver "EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE By: Sally Ryan - COFA PROGRAM "? I started the new year with Office for the Aging as the new Case Manager for the Respite Program. Like many Ithacans, I by Louise McEwen, Benefits Manager returned to Ithaca in 1990 after getting hooked on the "good life" here while a So- employee assistance program is just paid per visit, total payment maximum, etc.). cial work student at Cornell. what its name implies -- a source available to help employees and members of their The Respite program is a wonderful ser- immediate families in dealing with confus- All Tompkins County employees are vice for people caring for an older family ing or painful problems which might need covered by this program. All calls to the member or friend. It's a time our from the some objective, outside input on a strictly Employee Assistance Program at 273 -1129 responsibilities of providing constant care to CONFIDENTIAL basis. are CONFIDENTIAL and you may call be- your family member. Although rewarding, caregiving can be tiring and difficult. To In Tompkins County, our EAP is ad- tween 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. any weekday, or in an emergency situation, a 24 -hour meet those challenges, respite offers a ministered through the Family and answering service is available at the 273 -1129 change pace that can benefit you and your Children's Service of Ithaca. They provide number. Callers must identify themselves as older relative. A break from caregiving professional, trained counselors in many tasks can relax you, renew your patience and covered under the Tompkins County pro - il i ability to cope. areas of concerns such as family/marital gram. Every new County employee is given problems, alcohol/substance abuse, emo- an EAP pamphlet which describes the pro - To qualify for Respite, you must be 60 +, tional distress, stress, or work - related con- gram a bit better. We encourage any ineligible for Medicaid and must live with or terns, to name a few. For employees ex- employee or immediate family member to have a very involved caregiver. If you, or periencing financial difficulties who need a use the EAP resources when a problem ex- someone you know may benefit from bit of help to "get them through ", our EAP ists which simply cannot be worked out Respite, please feel free to call Sally Ryan at can also provide experienced credit coun- without some professional assistance. 277 -0148. My first order of business will be selors to give confidential and beneficial reaching those in need of a break from credit advice. caregiving. Respite can increase your physi- 1 cal and mental well -being and help you con - The County pays 100% of the ad- tinue on in your caregiving role. fees for this program. The and/or immediate family mem- bers receive up to eight visits free of charge ' ` _ unless the counselor feels it necessary to ; 1N 4611 N is i. ^ ` /!!- ;: 0 , �! . refer the employee /family member to a spe •�. 0, `, Cab ii 110_ -. cialized community resource earlier than \ f s ', y % the end of the eight visits in which instance u;r" , ( 1 AO the employee would use his/her personal s �'� i �"�, � k - i J I I �;� �11 + . health insurance to help pay for such coun- ' 1 � ` i / ' ''" seling (all employees or spouses should be r �- lei,' aware of health insurance coverage in this ' � ~ — ' h e y N area particularly with regard to maximum - 'r,,., is Recycled paper COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT By: Scott Heyman - County Ad- ministrator 1992 Budget Revisited since that time toward the objective of per - and analyzed in March. County employees, I reported in this column last month that witting Board members to pick and choose as well as non -County elected officials and while the County Board had approved the among competing budget requests within representatives of advocacy groups, will be 1992 budget, many of the biggest issues, in- the context of a priorities plan. invited to participate in developing and eluding most of those of direct interest to As a first step the group divided all ap- reviewing survey questions and format. County employees, would not be resolved propriations and revenues for service When the survey has been analyzed, the until early 1992. delivery items in the County budget into six committee intends to organize a follow -up At this writing the County Board is (6) categories -- human services, health, process, including such events as public scheduled on January 21st to address the public safety, community services, public hearings and focus groups. issues of whether to raise the local sales tax, works and education; they separated out a The process is scheduled to conclude in if so by how much and when, and whether seventh funding area, general government June with establishment by the County and how much to reduce County spending support. Board of a more refined priority setting during 1992 below the amount approved in In recent months the group has been process for the 1993 budget. This might the adopted budget. working with the Local Government Pro - include varying targets for spending levels gram at Cornell University to develop a among the different categories. Board Setting Budget Priorities - 1993 communitywide survey whose objective will members' intent is to replace to some de- In June 1990 the County Board set in be to determine levels of satisfaction among gree the often unfocused scramble for motion a project aimed at improving budget the general public for each of the service County funding that occurs just prior to decisions effective in 1993. delivery categories and to determine the budget adoption with the more rational A three person sub - committee of the strength of public opinion in favor of spend- process above. County Board made up of Robert Watros, ing for each of those categories. The survey Mary Call and Stuart Stein has been working is scheduled to be conducted in February NOTES FROM YOUR EMPLOYEE WELLNESS COMMITTEE If you'd like to stop smoking in 1992, show up on February 4 (and each of six don't forget that smoking cessation classes 90- minute sessions after that). Remember! Low impact aerobics classes will be com- begin on February 4, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., ... good health not only affects you and your ing your way soon. As soon as details are in the Sadd Conference Room, Biggs. This family but how much you and the County worked out, we'll keep departments posted. is open to any County employee and pay, and will pay, for health insurance. spouse /significant other. The total cost for We'd like to remind you -- if there's some - the course, under the sponsorship of the We have approximately 45 participants in thing you'd like to see on the County's Well - American Lung Association, is $50, with the Weight Watchers "At Work Program" ness agenda, please get in touch with a mem- Wellness funds paying $30 for an employee which began January 7. Everyone is very ber of the Committee. Committee members' or $20 for a spouse /significant other. What enthused about the program and instructor names were posted in departments in better way to start the New Year -- im- ... if this group does well, we'll consider December. If you don't have access to that proved health and a saving of big bucks!! running another program in the spring. posting, send a note to Louise at Personnel. Think about it and if you're interested, just Keep watch for further wellness committee We appreciate any and all input! bulletins in your department. LABEL LOGIC "No cholesterol" on a particular brand does not always mean that the other brands DO contain cholesterol. NO plant product contains cholesterol, so when a peanut butter or vegetable oil advertises "no cholesterol," the same is true of ALL peanut butters and vegetable oils. Ingredients are always listed in order of descending weight (predominant ingredients listed first). If a fat is listed as the first or second ingredient, it's probably a high fat item. Beware especially of a saturated fat listed first or second. Nutrition labels give a good picture of the fat and cholesterol content of foods. Be sure to check them out. Compliments of the Health Department 1 'I 1 I EMPLOYEE COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS 3F3r f t In lieu of a regular December meeting, the Council attended a training session with Communications Jerry Bukiewicz on December 9th in the Mental Health Conference Room. • 1. By May 1992, publish a draft of prin- ' Jerry discussed the elements of effective ciples and practices for good corn- ,, : meetings: purpose, desired results, munications stakeholders, participants, roles, and '"• • 2. By July 1992, secure departmental decision making processes. The Council held a meeting with Mr. and Council approval for recommen- w,. Bukiewicz assisting. The roles of leader, dations a group members, content facilitator, Process • 3. By September 1992, implement ' ' , facilitator, and recorder were assigned to y p p `,' certain members of the Council. Parts of a education and feedback policy on ' g ' ` meet which were emphasized were es- good communications * _ , < tablishing the purpose of the meeting, creat- •' ing solutions and making decisions which Professional Growth 4. V ` would be recorded. • 1. Complete a training needs assess - The afternoon training session consisted ment survey by 4/1/92 of small group sessions for goal setting and developing objectives in each subcommit- • 2. Develop a one year training action A,, tee. Goals which were identified for each plan by 5/31/92 ,.., team are as follows: • 3. Meet with Management Training F: Compensation and Reward Council by 1/31/92 = • 1. D evelop ways for recognition by 6/1/92 Human Resources Shown here is Nicholas Stilwell (son of • 1. Develop an Advisory Board to Per - Cynthia Stilwell - DSS), at the Tompkins • 2. Make recommendations to Vend - as Employee Daycare Center, enjoying his ing Committee to increase interest in sonnet ce a clearinghouse for Human choo -choo. the next Picnic by 3/1/92 Resource issues. January meetings of the Council were • 3. Survey to find out contract informa- scheduled for January 6th and January 27th tion for employee groups by 8/1/92 at 9:00 a.m. in the Biggs A Conference Room. ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES 50 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER! By Louise McEwen, Benefits Manager I'll be happy to schedule another pre RETIREMENT SEMINAR Several years ago, in cooperation with retirement planning session if there's personnel from our local BOCES, we held enough interest. Because of the time in- what I thought was a valuable and well- volved in lining up speakers, a meeting NAME received seminar directed at employees (and place, and ironing out other details, 1 would spouses) 50 years of age and older, to assist prefer to have a good idea of how many them in areas of concern surrounding retire- employees would, in fact, attend. DEPT. ment within the next 5 to 10 years. An attor- If this appeals to you in your retirement ney was present who discussed trusts, wills, planning, please drop me a note (or fill out TOPICS YOU'D LIKE TO SEE.... living wills, etc.; a health professional was the coupon) at Personnel with your name, present who presented ideas on nutrition, department, what topic(s) you'd like to see hypertension, physical and mental well -being on the agenda, and what time of day would after one retires and a host of other topics; be best (early morning, during work hours, and a mental health professional was present after work, or...), by February 14. If suffi- to discuss concerns about going from an or- cient interest exists, I will work on schedul- TIME OF DAY BEST FOR YOU... ganized busy day to a day where one had a ing such a get- together during March. whole day of leisure time ahead of him/her -- quite a change! Return to Personnel J • WANTED: Reading and activity PERSONNEL material for children! PERSONALS CONGRATULATIONS TO... By: Mary Pat Dolan, Commissioner, DSS New Parents... As many of you may know, the new DSS waiting room renovations are Alison Barrett, Social Services, on the almost complete. In the waiting room will be a special activity corner for birth of a baby boy young children. As part of that activity corner, we would like to have a Roxan Noble, Probation, on the birth of supply of reading material appropriate for children of various ages. Going a baby girl out and buying subscriptions and magazines or purchasing materials Paul Cowles, Solid Waste, on the birth of doesn't necessarily seem the wise thing to do, particularly with our em- a b aby b ie y o Laur Crandall, Buildings and Grounds, phasis on recycling. on the birth of a baby girl If you have material that you would be willing to donate to us at DSS for use in the waiting room for children, would you please contact Kathleen New Grandparents... Drew at 274 -5252, and we will get back to you to find out what material Bill and Shirley Hilker on the birth of a you have and how we can make arrangements for pick up. grandson Many thanks. Bridie Hockenberry, Mental Health, on the birth of a granddaughter SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO: New Hires... Cindy Buchta hired as a Sr. Caseworker Cheryl Gaydosh, Mental Health, on the loss of her mother in the Child Protective Investigation Unit, The family of Edward P. Hall, Sr., who retired in August of 1991 after almost 25 years December 30th. Cindy was hired from of service in the Sheriff's Department and who passed away suddenly on December 28, Cortland County DSS where she worked in 1991 Children's Services for 31/2 years. Michelle Sturm, Health, on the death of her grandfather COUNTY CORRIDORS UNCLASSIFIEDS Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer FOR SALE: CAMARO; 1986, excellent condition, cruise, sunroof, tilt, automatic, many editorial board based on their interest to extras -- $3,500 or B.O.- -844 -3194 after 5:00 p.m. Tompkins County employees and retirees. Material is solicited from current FOR SALE: 1980 Ford Pinto Hatchback, 64,000 org. miles, automatic, dark turquoise employees, retirees and others. metallic, 2 door, am and fm radio, snow tires - asking $1,200, call 607-564-6494 after 6 p.m. County . Corridors is published by County Purchasing and Central Services using "desktop publishing" typography and layout. FREE UNCLASSIFIEDS board Material for publication selected by the editorial b w which h reserves the right to Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and edit any submissions. The editorial board is their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads will be made up of: Karen Barry, Purchasing and accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in the ads. Use Central Services; Bill Chapp, Social Scr- this coupon to send your ad to Corridors c/o Central Services. PLEASE TYPE OR vices; Sharon Cooper, Assessment; Iretta PRINT LEGIBLY. Ellis, Public Works; Scott Heyman, County Administrator; Louise McEwen, Person- nel; Joyce Musson, County Administra- tion; Marilyn Strassberg, Office for the Aging; and Judy Tynyk, Weights and Measures. Correspondence may be sent through County inter -office mail to:County Cor- ridors, c/o Purchasing and Central Ser- vices: or contact any board member, or via US Mail to: County Corridors, c/o Pur- chasing and Central Services, 301 Harris B. Dates Dr. Ithaca, NY 14850