HCPS 411 Update
August 31, 2023
Monthly Minute with Dr. Bulson Rescheduled for TOMORROW
To join the event tomorrow, please click here.
Forest Hill Elementary Celebrates the First Day of the 2023 - 2024 School Year!
HCPS Staff and Family First Day Photo Request
Help us spread the smiles on the first day of school! Share your first day photos on social media using the hashtag #HCPSFirstDaySmiles2023 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and help us fill everyone’s feeds with smiling faces! Use the hashtag and your picture may appear in a video we share!
Not on social media, but want to join in on the smiles? Send your photos to Kyle Andersen in the Communications Office. Email kyle.andersen@hcps.org and put “First Day Smiles” in the subject line!
Future U Academy for Aspiring Principals and Aspiring Assistant Principals
The Office of Organizational Development is excited to announce Future U Academy for Aspiring Principals and Aspiring Assistant Principals. The academy is an opportunity for current HCPS staff and leaders to take their next steps in leadership. Join us as we uncover our leadership strengths, discover the core leadership competencies, and explore strategies you can use in your current placement. Participants are selected through an application process. All applicants will receive notification via email. The academy will meet each Tuesday 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for nine weeks (October 1-December 12). Applications will be accepted through Thursday, September 7, 2023. https://harford.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=6395
Meet the Summit Squad – the 2023 Teacher of the Year Finalists
Mary Beth Stapleton sits down with the Summit Squad in this latest Real Talk as they share with parents how to support their children for successful academic progress this school year and how they can enjoy this time as a family. Their insight and tips will help ensure a great start to the 2023-24 school year!
COVID-19 Employee Protocols for 2023-2024
The protocols for employees regarding COVID-19 have changed for the 2023-2024 school year to include:
1. Absences due to COVID-19 illness should be coded to personal illness leave. Paid COVID-19 breakthrough leave ended as of 6/30/23.
2. Employees should follow established leave reporting protocols and enter sick leave in SFE or Absence Reporting System for any absences related to Covid-19 illnesses, as needed.
3. If medical documentation or photo is voluntarily submitted by an employee, (it is not required) it should be forwarded to HRcasemanager@hcps.org.
4. When an employee tests positive with COVID-19, the employee must follow the guidance from their healthcare provider. HCPS strongly encourages employees to review this link from the CDC: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC and reach out to their medical provider with any additional questions or inquiries.
5. HCPS no longer provides return to work date criteria for those testing positive for COVID-19. Questions about return-to-work dates should be directed to the employee’s healthcare provider.
6. If an employee misses more than five consecutive duty days, the employee should reach out to benefits@hcps.org regarding FMLA.
If you have any questions related to this correspondence, please reach out to benefits@hcps.org or HRcasemanager@hcps.org.
Travel and Mileage Reimbursements for Employees - Updated HCPS Administrative Procedure
Do you have any upcoming travel plans? Effective July 1, 2023, the procedure entitled Travel and Mileage Reimbursements For Employees was revised and has been posted to the Business Services SharePoint site HERE. The procedure will also be updated to the HCPS website, under BOE-HCPS Administrative Procedures. Please take the time to review the procedures BEFORE you travel. All changes/clarifications are highlighted in yellow. There is also an updated Travel and Conference Approval Request Form found here.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to Deborah Judd, in Business Services, at Deborah.Judd@hcps.org or 410-588-5321.
The Nomination Window for the First Family Friendly School Award of This School Year Opens TOMORROW!
The nomination window will be open tomorrow, Friday, September 1, through Friday, September 8, on the Parent Academy page on hcps.org.
New Mass Notifications System
Don't forget that HCPS now has an app! All systemwide communications will be sent as push notifications through the HCPS app, too. You can set your app preferences to receive notifications via the app and then determine whether you also wish to receive phone, text, and email, or any combination of the previously mentioned. We will also continue to post systemwide communications on the green News Alert on hcps.org as well as via social media channels. HCPS staff-specific messages will continue to be sent via HCPS email, too.
We will continue to share this information over the next few weeks through multiple platforms to ensure all HCPS staff has an opportunity to ensure there is no disruption or missed messages moving forward.
Harford County Public Schools App
Professional Development Announcements
Regional Training Center – Fall Offering
The Regional Training Center (RTC) will be offering off-campus and virtual classrooms for the fall. Please see the link below for additional information and schedules. For more information, please visit www.thertc.net.
KEPRO Has a New Name: Acentra Health
KEPRO is the Employee Assistance Program Provider
With over six decades of combined experience, CNSI, a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions, and Kepro, a leading provider of technology-enabled care management, quality oversight, and clinical assessment services, announced the combined organization has rebranded as Acentra Health. Acentra Health's mission is to continually innovate solutions that deliver maximum value and impact to the healthcare delivery system. Its power lies in the marriage of developing advanced claims and encounters and providing solutions that drive efficiency and cost savings with high-quality care management, quality oversight, and clinical assessment capabilities. By leveraging rich data sets – provider, health plan beneficiary and member, claims and encounters, and social determinants of health – Acentra Health transforms insights into action by bridging the gaps between technology suppliers, policy advisors, and clinicians.
For information on Acentra Health, including a new company video and an organization timeline, visit acentra.com. A comprehensive new website will launch later this summer. Until then, employees can continue to access the EAP program and resources by phone at (866) 795-5701 or by visiting their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com, company code: HCPS. For more information on CNSI and Kepro, visit cns-inc.com and kepro.com.
Dental Network Transitioned to CareFirst BlueDental Effective July 1, 2023
REMINDER: HCPS has transitioned dental insurance carriers from Delta Dental to CareFirst. Unless you elected to change your plan, those enrolled in the Delta Dental PPO Comprehensive plan transitioned to the CareFirst Dental PPO Comprehensive plan on July 1, 2023. Likewise, members who were enrolled in the Delta Dental Premier Standard plan transitioned to the CareFirst PPO Standard plan as of the same date if an active change election was not submitted during the open enrollment period. Please contact your dentist's office to verify if your provider participates with the new dental plan.
NEW ID CARDS: Every employee enrolled in a dental plan had new dental and vision, if elected, ID cards mailed to them in late June. If you did not receive an ID card, you can request new ID cards be mailed to your home through your online member portal at www.carefirst.com. Members can call CareFirst at (866) 891-2802 to request ID cards.
To find an in-network dental provider, members can visit BlueCross BlueShield BlueDental Lookup. On this page, please be sure to adjust the location of the search area on the page before entering your provider's name. Please Note: You must search by your dentist's name and not the dental practice's name; the search tool will not return results for group dental practices.
If you have any questions, contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org.
CareFirst Wellness Announcements: Focusing on Finances
September is Self-Improvement Month at CareFirst
Financial well-being is one of the key players in whole health. It includes understanding the financial processes related to savings, income, and debt and learning to live within your means while setting short- and long-term goals to improve. This month's wellness newsletter features factors that impact your financial health and tips to improve your financial health. To learn more, click here.
September CareFirst WellBeing Challenge – The 7 Days of Savings Challenge
Many people think of exercise or nutrition when it comes to improving their well-being, but worrying about finances is Americans' leading cause of stress. September is Self-Improvement Month and the perfect time to start changing your spending habits to help ease your mind. Click here to learn more about the CareFirst WellBeing challenge and how to join.
Access the Dave Ramsey SmartDollar Financial Wellness Solution by clicking here: SmartDollar Financial Wellness Solutions.
Thinking About the Future: Create Your Personal Financial Profile
Keep track of your financial and digital life with MetLife.
Placing your financial and digital life together for a resource for your loved ones in the event of your passing or unexpected illness or injury seems like such a big job, and it is difficult to know where to start. The best way to start is to break it into smaller parts and take it one step at a time.
MetLife has provided access to an excellent resource for all employees, regardless of whether you carry life insurance benefits through Harford County Public Schools. This resource can help you gather all your information to provide to your beneficiary(ies) so they know how and where to start managing your financials if you can no longer. To access this tool, follow this link: Personal-Financial-Profile-2021-Digital-Home-print-exp0823.docx (live.com)
September is Family Health Month at BurnAlong
Focus on family health: health at every stage of life.
This month, the spotlight is on family. Join BurnAlong as they explore ways to promote overall health at any stage of life, embrace the benefits of including pets as valued family members, and incorporate family into fitness sessions. The BurnAlong team will discuss tips and insights from renowned health professionals on optimizing your well-being at any stage of life. Add the link below to your calendar to avoid missing this valuable opportunity to enhance your health and live your best life!
Coming to You Live in September!
This month, it’s all about family. During the sessions below, BurnAlong will provide tips on being healthy at any age, the benefits of having pets (because they’re part of the family, too), and how to include family in your workouts.
- September 14 at 12:00 p.m.: Make Fitness a Family Fun Affair
- September 20 at 12:00 p.m.: Be Healthy at Any Stage of Life
- September 28 at 12:00 p.m.: The Benefits of Having Pets
Need Help Kick-Starting Your Family Health Journey?
Participate in BurnAlong’s Family Health challenge, which kicks off on September 1. Everyone can participate simply by picking an age-relevant program to complete with someone you love. To participate, ask a family member or loved one to commit to completing a BurnAlong program with you. Find an age-appropriate program and complete it together throughout September. Courses for this challenge can be accessed through your online BurnAlong account.
Have You Taken Your BurnAlong Break Today?
Take time to stretch, breathe, and move your body. All you need is a few minutes. BurnAlong has created a playlist of 15 classes, all under five minutes. Scan the QR code to view the classes on the playlist. Recommended classes on the playlist include:
- 4-minute Desk Stretch: Wrists & Shoulders
- 5-minute Meditation: Loving-Kindness
- 5-minute Movements: Spine Mobility
Looking for More Class Recommendations?
Click on the calendar below to access suggested classes for September:
Did you know BurnAlong is FREE for you and your friends? You have access to four (4) free family subaccounts, so you can start sharing today! It takes just a minute to send one, and they'll get free, unlimited access to BurnAlong all year. Click here to invite a subaccount.
Take BurnAlong with You! Join thousands of others on their health and wellness journey by downloading the Mobile App. Available in iOS and Android, take BurnAlong with you by downloading the app today!
What is BurnAlong? As a reminder, BurnAlong is our health and wellness partner who provides you and your family with more than 23,000 live and on-demand online classes from 5,000+ credentialed instructors at no cost to you.
To activate your complimentary account, get started by visiting https://fit.burnalong.com/hcps. If you have any trouble accessing your account, contact customercare@burnalong.com. Find out more about BurnAlong in this brief video.
CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool
Employees who wish to provide feedback on their experience(s) obtaining medications through CVS retail pharmacies are advised to complete the CVS/Caremark Service Reporting Tool, available on SharePoint. This report is monitored bi-weekly by a member of the Benefits Office for further assistance and tracking of member service feedback. To access this form, visit the Harford County Public Schools – SharePoint Home Page.
As always, if there is an immediate need or concern when obtaining medication, please email benefits@hcps.org so that a member of the Benefits Office can assist you more quickly.
Upcoming Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Pre-Retirement Webinars and Seminars
The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and the Community College of Baltimore County are providing State Pension members the opportunity to participate in pre-retirement webinars. These sessions provide vital retirement information to pension system members, including the Maryland State Pension, Legal Issues, Social Security Benefits, and Financial Planning. The seminar/webinars will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Webinars:
- September 13 (CRN 73354)
- September 26 & 27 (CRN 73356) *Two evenings
- October 16 & 17 (CRN 73283) *Two evenings
- November 2 (CRN 73299)
- November 29 (CRN 73303)
- December 19 (CRN 73288)
- December 7 – Harford Community College (CRN 73279)
To register, please visit https://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-county. You will receive an email with site-specific information for those participating in person. Those participating in the online events will receive a separate link to join the date-specific event.
Please Note: These sessions are not affiliated with HCPS and will not include HCPS-specific information, such as retiree healthcare.
EAP Webinar: Money Management – Digging Deep
Presented by Acentra Health (Formally KEPRO) Employee Assistance Program
Managing or changing your financial habits can be difficult. This session will explore how to have smart financial management and learn practical steps on getting out of financial ruts. Click here to learn more.
Date: Available on demand now
Broadcast Length: 50 minutes
How to Access: Go to your EAP website: www.EAPHelpLink.com. Enter your code: HCPS and look for Online Seminars in the lower left-hand corner of this homepage, or you can search for them by title.
The Employee Assistance Program is available to employees and their families anytime, any day, and is a free, confidential program to help you balance your work, family, and personal life.
Employees and their family members can call Acentra Health 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, toll-free at (866) 795-5701 to visit their website online at www.EAPhelplink.com.
Understanding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Rights and Support for Employees
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law enacted in 1993 that allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. Eligible employees include:
- Have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, which do not have to be consecutive, and
- Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the FMLA leave.
The FMLA was designed to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of employees to attend to their own health and well-being, as well as the needs of their families. The FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave* in a 12-month period. This leave can be used for various reasons, such as:
- The birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child,
- Caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition or
- A serious health condition that prevents the employee from performing their job.
- Qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or called to covered active-duty status as a member of the National Guard or Reserves.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a serious health condition is defined as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves one or more of the following:
- Inpatient Care: Any period spent in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility, including any subsequent treatment in connection with the inpatient care.
- Incapacity and Treatment: A condition that causes the employee to be unable to perform their job functions or attend school or other regular daily activities, along with the requirement of ongoing treatment by a healthcare provider. The treatment may include but is not limited to visits to a doctor, physical therapy, or prescription medication.
- Chronic Conditions Requiring Periodic Treatment: A condition that requires periodic visits to a healthcare provider for treatment, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy. These conditions may cause episodic rather than continuous periods of incapacity.
- Pregnancy or Prenatal Care: Any period of incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical care, or related conditions. This includes incapacity due to severe morning sickness or the need for prenatal rest. Please note that using this leave before a child's birth impacts the FMLA entitlement for recovery and child bonding.
- Chronic Conditions Requiring Supervision: A chronic condition that requires supervision by a healthcare provider but may not necessarily involve active treatment. Examples include Alzheimer's, severe arthritis, or a severe stroke with residual effects.
- Permanent or Long-Term Conditions: Any period of incapacity due to a condition that is not expected to improve significantly or has an indefinite duration, such as terminal illnesses.
The determination of a serious health condition is based on the professional judgment of a healthcare provider and will require medical certification to support the need for FMLA leave.
There are two types of leave under FMLA: continuous and intermittent.
- Continuous FMLA leave refers to taking an uninterrupted block of time off for a qualifying FMLA reason. HCPS requires that employees who are absent for more than five consecutive duty days apply for continuous FMLA.
- Intermittent FMLA leave refers to taking FMLA leave in separate blocks of time rather than in one continuous period. It allows employees to take leave in smaller increments or on an as-needed basis due to their own or a family member's serious health condition. Intermittent FMLA leave can be taken in hourly, daily, or even shorter increments, depending on the employer's policies and the employee's needs. Care, recovery, or treatment should be scheduled outside regular business hours when possible so as to not unduly impact HCPS operations.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR INSTRUCTIONALLY RELATED STAFF AND INTERMITTENT LEAVE: Under FMLA, instructional personnel can take no more than 20% of their scheduled work time off, which equates to about one day per week or about four (4) days per month. If more leave time is needed, you must arrange to take continuous FMLA leave.
During FMLA leave, eligible employees are entitled to maintain their group health benefits and have the right to return to their same or equivalent job upon their return to work. The FMLA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law. Under the FMLA, eligible employees have several rights and protections, including:
- The right to take FMLA leave for qualifying reasons without fear of losing their job.
- The right to maintain their group health benefits during FMLA leave.
- The right to be reinstated to their same or equivalent position after FMLA leave.
- Protection against retaliation for exercising their rights under the FMLA.
Should you feel that your circumstances and work/life balance require the use of FMLA, please follow the steps outlined here: https://hcps365.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResources/Benefits/INFO%20%20FORMS/FMLA%20and%20Leave%20of%20Absence%20Information/FMLA%20Instructions%20to%20Apply/Steps%20to%20apply%20for%20FMLA.pdf.
If you have additional questions, contact the HCPS Benefits Office at (410) 588-5275 or benefits@hcps.org.
Department of Labor FMLA Eligibility Poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf
*HCPS requires employees to utilize their available paid leave to cover their absence.
Shout Outs!
"A huge shout out to Tiffany Sawyer in Facilities! She has been incredibly helpful to me as a new principal. Tiffany has been nothing short of awesome as she has helped me with work order after work order! She is friendly, patient, attentive, informative, and did I say patient!! It was wonderful to be able to meet and thank her in person, too! Thank you, Tiffany!
A gigantic shout out to Ken Earle! Ken is the Custodial Coordinator for Hickory Elementary School, and he simply worked his MAGIC! He found ways to assist our awesome custodial crew prepare our school for students and families after ESY! We appreciate all the extra help he was able to provide in and outside of our school. Ken even found furniture we could use to replace our older stained chairs/tables etc.
As a new principal, I’d be lost without the help of Facilities! Way to go, HCPS! Thank you for your support!"
-Stacey McCord, Principal, Hickory Elementary School
"Huge Shout Out to Ken Earle, Custodial Service Coordinator. He made it his priority to get a long unused technology lab into working order. It looks fabulous."
-Helen E. Miller, Ed.D., Principal, Southampton Middle School
"The beginning of the school year is always busy for everyone, but our secretary, Candice Bomert at Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School, does it with grace, kindness, and poise every moment! She has only been with the county for one year and is also training a new secretary, and she is a true rock star! She answers every single phone call with a smile on her face and a smile in her tone, no matter how many plates she is juggling in the air at that moment. She is the true MVP and we would be lost without this shining star of our school!! Thank you, Candice we all love and appreciate, you so!!!!!!!"
-Anjelena Miller, Title I Teacher Specialist, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School
*To submit an HCPS Shout Out, please email the information to HCPS.411@hcps.org.
Office of Communications and Family Outreach
Email: HCPS.411@hcps.org
Website: www.hcps.org
Location: 102 South Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD, USA