| Current Announcements |
| Posting Date |
Sponsor |
| November 10 |
Health Care Authority |
Don’t forget—The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program's annual open enrollment ends November 30. Find out about what changes you can make during open enrollment, what's changed for 2010, and how a flexible spending account can help you save money. View the open enrollment reminder.
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| November 10 |
Department of Social and Health Services |
November is National Family Caregiver Month
During November, we want to educate as many people as possible that unpaid caregivers are not alone and resources are available to support them. Help us get these simple and very important messages to the more than 600,000 unpaid family caregivers in our state.
If you are a caregiver or know someone who is caring for an adult, pass it on! There:
- Is a website that offers links and resources (articles, tips, shortcuts, free publications) on a variety of caregiving topics that address their needs, questions and challenges. Go to www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/caregiving.
- Are knowledgeable and caring people in your local community that can help connect caregivers to resources, information and services. Learn more about the Family Caregiver Support Program.
For grandparents and other relatives raising children, go to www.dshs.wa.gov/kinshipcare to learn more about related resources and services.
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| October 26 |
Health Care Authority |
The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program’s open enrollment runs October 26 through November 30. This is the one time of year that employees can make certain enrollment and plan changes without a qualifying event. Find out more... (PDF)
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| October 9 |
Guaranteed Education Tuition Program |
GET Enrollment Now Open
Guarantee your child’s future. Buy tomorrow’s college tuition today.
Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition Program helps families like yours save for college. With a state guarantee, tax benefits, flexible payments and a nationwide choice of colleges, GET makes it easy to save now for your child’s future. GET is the fastest growing prepaid college tuition plan in the country. You can learn all about it and enroll online at www.get.wa.gov.
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| September 10 |
Multiple State Agencies |
To coincide with National Preparedness Month, the third annual Public Employees Safety Awareness and Preparedness Fair is being organized through the cooperative efforts of agency safety offices in numerous agencies. It will be held on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, WA on September 11, 2009 from 10:00AM-2:00PM. This event is designed to raise the awareness of both the public and public employees about safety related issues, offers the opportunity for state agencies and local emergency service providers to share information about their public safety services, and offers the opportunity for vendors to provide valuable safety information and to provide safety related merchandise for purchase. (Not to mention, special guest appearances by Smokey Bear!)
For more information and to see videos from last year's event, check out the 2009 Public Employees Safety Awareness & Preparedness Fair.
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| September 10 |
Department of Personnel |
The Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and you can be a part of it. Agencies and campuses all throughout the state will be hosting a wide range of CFD events and gatherings. We encourage you to join in on the fun. You can also participate by giving to your favorite charity through the CFD. It’s easy, convenient and charities say that it the preferred way for them to receive your gifts. Learn more... Word file PDF file
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| September 10 |
Dept. of Social and Health Services |
Governor Gregoire has proclaimed September as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Washington. The DSHS Health and Recovery Services Administration - Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is joining the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in recognizing the impact that real people and real stories have on recovery, and celebrating those who have worked to advance treatment and recovery.
DBHR will be hosting an informational forum for state employees to learn more about treatment and recovery for drug use disorders:
Sept. 22nd, noon to 1pm, at the DSHS OB-2 Auditorium
Learn more... Word file PDF file
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| August 25 |
Department of Veterans Affairs |
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Women Veterans Advisory Committee is asking women veterans to register today for the free “Celebrating Women Veterans Legacy of Service Summit”, Saturday, September 12th from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, in Tacoma, WA. http://www.dva.wa.gov/women_vets.html
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| July 10 |
Department of Labor and Industries and Department of Personnel |
It’s that time of the year again! The 9th annual Diversity Fair will be held on August 4, 2009, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way in Tumwater. This event is proudly sponsored by the Department of Labor and Industries and co-sponsored by the Department of Personnel. This year’s theme is, “We All Smile in the Same Language”. For more information, visit the website at www.dop.wa.gov/diversityfair2009.
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| July 10 |
Department of Social and Health Services |
July is Adult Abuse Awareness month
DID YOU KNOW?...
- In 2008 Adult Protective Services (APS) received 14,288 reports of mistreatment of vulnerable adults.
- Only 1 in 5 cases of abuse of a vulnerable adult are ever reported to authorities.
- Studies show that up to 90% of individuals with a developmental disability experience abuse at some point in their lives.
- Abusers are usually those closest to the vulnerable adult such as a spouse, adult child or grandchild, or caregiver.
It’s up to all of us to stop adult abuse! Do your part in DSHS’ Adult Abuse Prevention campaign by wearing a purple ribbon through the month of July to show your support for ending the mistreatment of vulnerable adults.
Report suspected abuse, abandonment, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult to your local Adult Protective Services office or call the statewide hotline number at 1-866-EndHarm (1-866-363-4276)
For more information, visit our web at: www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/APS
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| June 25 |
Department of Retirement Systems |
There is Still Time…
…to help yourself achieve your retirement goals and pay less to Uncle Sam at the same time. Remember to pay yourself first - Join the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) and or increase your current deferral amount. If you are not currently in DCP – checkout the DCP Overview and then consider joining. You can start with just $15.00 per paycheck and pay less in federal income taxes.
For PERS Plan 2 members, your take home pay will change on July 25th. Now is the time to increase your contributions to DCP – use the new rate (3.89%) and the current rate (5.45%) to determine how much less will be deducted for PERS. Then add this amount to your current DCP deferral. Choosing to increase your contributions to DCP by June 30th will be effective with your July 25th paycheck.
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| June 10 |
Department of Revenue |
Do you know a homeowner on a limited income struggling to make ends meet? The Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Deferral Program for Homeowners with Limited Income pays 50 percent of property taxes and/or special assessments (second half installment due on October 31) on behalf of the owner. The taxes are postponed and must be paid when the homeowner no longer owns and uses the property as their primary home.
The requirements to participate are:
• Annual household income of $57,000 or less (from previous year)
• Home used as primary residence
• Home owned for five years
• Sufficient equity in home
The application period is May through August for the current year’s taxes. For more information, visit dor.wa.gov, or call (360) 570-5900 or the local county assessor’s office.
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| May 22 |
Department of Personnel |
Numerous resources are available to assist employees impacted by layoffs. The State of Washington, like many other states, is facing a budget shortfall. Government programs are being eliminated and staffing levels reduced. In addition to your own agency HR Office, the Department of Personnel (DOP) has many layoff tools and resources to assist you. Whether you are directly involved, such as the person being laid off, or a supervisor having to make tough business decisions around layoff, at risk of being bumped by someone more senior, or an individual left to continue delivering services after the layoffs, there are tools to support you. View a summary of available resources: PDF file Word file
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| May 22 |
Health Care Authority |
Thousands of Washington residents will lose their health care coverage this year. The state’s budget problems resulted in drastic cuts to Basic Health, an innovative state program that provides subsidized health care to 100,000 low income people. But public employees can help. Legislation involving the Basic Health cuts establishes a program to “Save the Safety Net.” The program is still in the planning stages, but you will be able to offer one-time or ongoing support to help Washington families maintain their health care coverage with Basic Health. Go to www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov/safetynet if you think you might be interested in helping. There is no obligation to donate. At this time we are just collecting names of interested public employees. More information will be available on the Web site as it becomes available.
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| May 11 |
Governor's Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) |
In light of current economic times, the Governor and ICSEW will not be hosting a Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day (TODSTW®D) event at the Capitol Building this spring. However, we are encouraging observance of the day and assisting agencies in conducting their own events.
Due to the Governor’s concern over observance of the National Day during WASL testing (April/May) and current results from an ICSEW preference survey, TODSTW®D will be observed on June 25, 2009.
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| April 24 |
Governor's Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) |
| Passport to Wellness - Save the Date!
The Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW), in collaboration with the Department of Health, L&I, DSHS and the Health Care Authority, will present the 2009 Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Labor and Industries Building in Tumwater. The event marks a day celebrating women’s health. It is being held on Washington State Women’s Health Day during national Women’s Health Week.
The event, “Passport to Wellness,” will offer all state employees information, ideas, and resources to help us thrive in difficult times. In addition to an auditorium filled with community resources, presenters will offer 12 workshops throughout the day. More information about the health fair and directions to the event can be found at www.icsew.wa.gov
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| March 25 |
Washington State Department of Revenue |
Avoid the pitfalls of dealing with unregistered and unlicensed businesses. The Department of Revenue, in cooperation with other state agencies, created a central web site with links to consumer fraud services. SuspectFraud.com allows consumers find out if a business is registered and report them if they are not. "Check with the State Before it's Too Late" at SuspectFraud.com or call 1-800-647-7706.
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February 25
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Higher Education Coordinating Board |
| GET Enrollment Deadline March 31. Guarantee your child's college tuition. Guarantee peace of mind. Washington's Guaranteed Education Tuition Program helps families like yours save for college. With a state guarantee, tax benefits, flexible payments and a nationwide choice of colleges, GET makes it easy and safe to plan for your child or grandchild's future. Click here for more information. Learn why GET is the fastest growing prepaid college tuition plan in the country. Enroll by March 31 at www.get.wa.gov.
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February 25
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DSHS Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse |
| There is help and hope for those with gambling problems. If you or someone you love has a gambling problem, call 1-800-547-6133 any time to get the help needed. March 1-7 is National Problem Gambling Awareness Week. For more information, go to www.dshs.wa.gov/dasa or to www.notagame.org for information on youth gambling.
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November 25
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Washington State Patrol |
| Buy a Washington State Parks 2009 Wall Calendar! The beauty of our state is showcased in the 2009 calendar, now available for purchase. It represents the natural, cultural and historical diversity of state parks. Each photograph captures a spectacular view, and exemplifies the types of scenery that can be enjoyed at the 121 state parks throughout Washington. Makes a perfect item for home or office and an excellent holiday present. Price: $12.95. Order by mail or on-line: www.parks.wa.gov/specialoffers.
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November 10
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Health Care Authority |
| The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program's annual open enrollment is October 27 - November 30, 2008. This is the one time each year when public employees and retirees can change their health plans, add a current family member to their PEBB health coverage, enroll/re-enroll in the flexible spending account (FSA), and enroll/re-enroll in the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). All changes become effective January 1, 2009. View PDF flyer. View text version.
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November 10
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Health Care Authority |
| New hospital safety data available. Learn how to compare quality and safety of the hospitals in your area. Making the right choice can be a life-altering decision. The Washington State Health Care Authority is part of The Leapfrog Group, working to educate consumers about the importance of health care quality and how to make informed health care decisions. The latest survey data is available on The Leapfrog Group's Web site. Please share this information with your family and friends.
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