In this issue

2 • IndianaStateMuseumsummercampsarein!

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasinanemailto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

Follow us on:

7

9• ExpirationofFML• Rescindtobaccouseagreement

• Run/Walksaroundthestate

• Resourcesforwalkingorrunning,etc.

Got a story?

The Torch has gone through lots of changes, with more to come

April 2013

• Towerbankoffersonlinebillpay

• ChangestoFMLpolicy

4

•WhatisInvestInYourHealth?

InconjunctionwiththeAround the Circle,The Torchhasgonethroughsomechangesandnowlooksabitdifferent.Don’tworry!YoucancontinuetolooktoThe Torchfornewsfromaroundthestateandcriticalinformationyouwillneedabouthealthbenefits,programsandevents.Thisnewlookisaccompaniedwithanewdeliverymethodaswell.InsteadofbeingdeliveredthroughOutlook,GovDeliverywillbeusedstartingnextmonth.Lookforemailscomingfrom“StatePersonnelDepartment[spd@subscriptions.in.gov]”insteadofSPDCommunications.PleasecheckyoursubscriptionstatusforTheTorchbyvisitingwww.in.gov/spd/2719.htm.WewillalsocontinuetopostPDFcopiesofeacheditiononourwebsite:www.in.gov/spd/2540.htm

Pleasesendusyourfeedbackonthenewlook.Wealsocontinuetoencourageyousendusstoryideasyouthinkwouldbenefitsstateemployees.Pleasesendthesetospdcommunications@spd.in.gov.

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheIndianaStatePersonnelDepartment,Communicationsdivision.

Artwork by Jerry Williams

The Torch 2

Registrationfor2013summercampsattheIndianaStateMuseum(ISM)ishappeningnow.Allcampsarefrom9a.m.to3p.m.

Classeshaveamaximumof30kidsorlesssomakeyourreservationssoon!Pleasecall317.232.1637tomakeyourreservations.Thecostis$100forStateMuseummembersand$125fornon-members,unlessotherwisenoted.

History Alive Camp: June 3 – 7Ages:9–13;Registerby:May20Areyoureadytobuildacabin?WereHoosiersintheCivilWar?Throughhands-onactivitiesanddemonstrations,campersexperiencewhatlifewaslikeforHoosiersduringthe19thandearly20thcenturies.Campers“pack”theirownwagonforthejourneywesttoIndiana,interactwithhistoricalre-enactorsandcharactersandseefirst-handhowtheIndianaStateMuseumpreservestheIndianastory

NEW! Science & Sci-Fi Summer Camp: June 10 – 14.Ages:9–12;Cost:$205member/$230non-memberRegisterby:May27Canthatreallyhappen?Spotthedifferencebetweenscienceandsciencefictionasyouexplorethescienceseeninthemovies.Conductyourownexperimentsingravity,electromagnetsandlightscience.Challengeyoursenses,designskillsandsci-fiknowledge.Entrancetotheexhibition Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imaginationisincludedinthecamp.

Diggin’ Indiana: Paleontology and Archaeology Camp: June 17 – 21Ages:9–12;Registerby:June3Whatdofossils,teacupsandmammothshaveincommon?TheyarejustafewoftheitemsuncoveredinIndiana!DiscovermoreaboutIndiana’smissingdinosaurrecordandtestyourskillsatthrowingspearswithanatlatl.Learnthedifferencebetweenpaleontologistsandarchaeologistswhiledelvingintoamockcaveexcavationjustlikemuseumstaff.Experiencefirst-handhowarchaeologistsandpaleontologistsuseartifactsandspecimensfrom12,000yearsagothroughtodaytopiecetogetherIndiana’shistory.

Exploring Nature Camp: June 24 – 28 Ages:7–10;Registerby:June10Getreadytohaveacloseencounterwiththewondersofthenaturalworld!JoinISMandtheEarthDiscoveryCenteratEagleCreekParkaswediscoverthefossils,plantsandwildlifefoundinourcities,parksandbackyards.CampersexploreIceAgefossils,nativespeciesandlearnhowtoprotecttheirenvironmentandthenhavetheopportunitytoputthatknowledgeintopracticethroughhiking,exploringpondlifeandcoolingoffinacrazycreekstomp!

NEW! Indiana Fashion Runway: June 24 – 28Ages:10–14;Registerby:June10.Haveyoueverwantedtocreateyourownclothesormakeyourownmarkonyourcloset?IndianaFashionRunwaycampistheplacewhereyoucandothat.Discoverhowtocreateyourowndesigns,makeapatternandcompleteatotallyuniquegarment.Usetoolsofthetradeandexplorethemuseum’scollectionofclothingandcostumes.SeeifyouhavetheskillstobecomeIndiana’snextfashionstar!

Indiana Artists Camp: July 8 - 12 Ages:10–14;Registerby:June24Letyourartisticsideshineasyouusemediasuchaspaint,yarnandrecycledmaterialstocreateindividualworksofart!Fromexploringyourart-makingskillstopaintingoutsidelikemanyHoosierartists,youearnabouttheuniqueartthathasbeencreatedinourstate.BecomeinspiredasyoustrollthroughthemuseumandWhiteRiverStateParktoseeifyouarethenextgreatIndianaartist.

Paleontology Camp II: The Pipe Creek Experience: July 15 – 19Age:11–14;Cost:$185Members/$210non-members;Registerby:July1.GetreadytoexploretheIndianaoffivemillionyearsagoduringthePipeCreekExperience.Workwithmuseumpaleontologistsasyoudigin,screenthroughandencounterthewildlifethatcalledIndianahomebeforetheIceAge.CamperstoworkwithrealmaterialfromthePipeCreekJuniorsitelookingforactualremainsofrhinos,camelsandotherstrangeanduniquecreatures.Beapaleontologistsweatingwhileyoudig,gettingwetscreeningatawaterscreenandpeeringthroughmicroscopeslookingforthesmallestbitsoflife.UncoveryourinnerpaleontologistandunearththesecretstoIndiana’spast.

Crime Scene Indiana State Museum: July 22 – 26Ages:9–12;Registerby:July8Piecesofvaluableartaremissingfromthemuseum!Thinkyouhavetheskillstofindthecrooks?Thenuseyourpowersofdeductiontobecomeasupersleuthasyousolvethisandothermysteries.Astheleadinvestigatoronthecase,youexamineevidence,liftfingerprintsandanalyzemockcrimescenes.Investigatorsseehowbugscanbeusedatacrimescene,meetrealforensicexpertsandseethesciencebehindtheinvestigativetechniques.

Indiana State Museum summer camps are open for registrationSummer 2013

The Torch3

What is Invest In Your Health and why is it important?Youprobablyhaveseenthelogo,shownabove,recentlymaybeontheStatehouseMarketpageorrecentemails.AnytimeyouseethislogoyoushouldknowthatitisaprogramortoolorganizedbytheStatePersonnelDepartment(SPD).YoucantrustthateachprogramlistedunderInvestInYourHealthisonethathasbeenthoroughlyvettedbySPDandcanhelpyounavigateyourwaythroughheathissues.GovernorMikePenceandhisfamilyaresupportingthisinitiativeandareparticipatingalongsideyou.Additionalprogramsandtoolsarebeinglaunchedoverthenexttwoyears.

Beinganactivepartnerinyourhealthmaximizesyourchancesoflivingalong,healthyandproductivelife.SPD’sInvestInYourHealthprogramhasseveraloptionstoinformyouaboutthehealthcaresystemandspendyourtimeanddollarsmorewisely.

AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),70percentofdiseasesarepreventable,whichmeansmorethan980,000deathsarecausedbyapreventablediseaseeachyear.Yourlifestylechoiceshavemoreimpactonyourhealthandlongevitythananythingelse.

Onewaytopreventpossiblediseasesistoliveahealthylifestyle.Fourmodifiablehealthriskbehaviors—lackofphysicalactivity,poornutrition,tobaccouseand

excessivealcoholconsumption—areresponsibleformuchoftheillness,sufferingandearlydeathrelatedtochronicdiseases.Thebestwaytohaveahealthylifestyleissomethingyoualreadyknow:makegooddecisionsforyou.Whichofthesehealthychoiceshaveyoualreadymade?

• Maintaintherecommendedbodyweight

• Eatabalanceddietwithmoderateportions

• Engageinregularphysicalactivity• Donotsmokeorusedrugs• Usealcoholinmoderation• Drinkmorewater• Getcontroloveryourstresslevel• Haveannualphysicalexams

Doyoufollowmostoftheseguidelines?Ifso,great!Youaretakingpersonalresponsibilityforyourownhealthandwellbeinganddecreasingyourriskofdevelopingdisease.Ifnot,InvestinYourHealthcangetyoustartedonthepathtoincreaseyourchancesoflivinghealthierandlongerlives.

Thefirst,andprobablythemost

difficult,stepisknowingwhereandhowtostartbeingmorehealthy.SPDhaspartneredwithAnthemandHealthwaystoprovideatechnologytooltohelpyoustart.It’scalledHealthyLifestyles.HealthyLifestylesismorethanhealthandwellness.Theprogramis:• Designedtoofferemployeesanddependentstheresourcesandguidancetheyneedtobecomeengagedinimprovingtheirlifestyle,changingbehaviorsandenhancingtheirwell-being

• Deliveredonatechnologyplatformtosupportwell-beingimprovement,withasuiteofonlineresources.

StartwithahealthassessmentanddiscoveravarietyoftoolsandsupportatMyHealthyLifestyles.com.

Followingtheserecommendationscanleadtoabetterhealthexperience,acollaborativerelationshipwithyourhealthcareprovidersand,ultimately,betterhealthoutcomes.Reducingyourlifestylerisksnotonlyprotectsyoufromlong-termdisease,butcansaveyoufromcatastrophicinjuryordeath.

Youaretheonewhocanmakethebiggestimpactonyourownhealth.Tomaintainorimproveyourhealth,younotonlyneedtomakegoodlifestylechoices–youneedsupportandhelptodoso.Sothinkaboutwhatyouwantinyourhealthcareandgoforit.Becomeintentional,informedandinvolved.Youwillundoubtedlyseesomepersonalhealthbenefits.

The Torch 4

Asspringdrawsnear,itisagreattimetostartyournewplantogethealthythisyear.AvarietyoflocalrunsorwalksarefeaturedinthisandupcomingTorcheditions,sobeonthelookout.

National Get Walking Day: April 3MarkyourcalendarforApril3-NationalGetWalkingDay!Onthisday(andeveryday),everyoneisencouragedtowalkforatleast30minutes.TheAmericanHeartAssociationprovidestoolkitsforcompaniestousetocreatetheirownNationalGetWalkingDayevents.

Thetoolkitincludesposters,PowerPointpresentations,andsignstocreateyourownwalkingpathsatyourworksite.Thisisagreatopportunitytojoinanationalmovementtogetmovingandgethealthy!

Indiana Trail 100: April 20-21AllRunnersarewelcometojointheonly100miletrailraceinIndiana.ItisatChainO’LakesStateParkinAlbion,IndianaonApril20-21,2013.

Pleasenotethatthereisa50mileraceoptiononthesamecoursewiththe100milerace.Therewillbea30hourtimelimitforthe100milersanda15hourtimelimitforthe50milers.Registrationisnowopen,soweinvitesoon!Toregisterortolearnmoreinformationvisitwww.indianatrail100.com.

Rock the Relay: April 13OnSaturday,April13,at8a.m.(EST)takearelayrunthroughWhiteRiver

StatePark,indowntownIndianapolis.RocktheRelayoffersadistanceforeveryone,bothrunnerandwalkeralike.Teamsof1-6participantsrunapathonthe2.2milelooparoundbeautifulWhiteRiverStatePark.Visitwww.rock-the-relay.comformoreinformation.

Talk, Walk Run: April 27Warm-uptotheMini,withthischallengingrunwhichwrapsaroundalakeintherollinghillsofFortHarrisonStateParkwitha5K,10K,&KidsRun.Selectthecompetitiverun(5Kor10K),orjusttakearelaxingstroll.Clickhereformoreinformaitonortoregister.

7th Annual Pokagon State Park Triathlon: May 18Thetriathlonstartsat9a.m.andrunswithintheparkandoutintoSteubenCounty.TheeventisbeingorganizedandconductedbyTriFortTriathletes.ParticipantswillcompeteinthisOlympicdistanceeventbeingstagedatthePokagonStatePark’sCCCshelter.

Course info• 1.5-kilometerswimfromthe

PokagonmainbeachalongthepopularLakeJamesslalomskicourse.

• 40-kilometerbikerideonroadsovertherollingterrainfeaturingthefields,forestsandwetlandsofruralSteubenCounty.

• 10-kilometerrunontherollingandwoodedtrailsofPokagonStatePark.

Formoreinformationandtoregisteron-line,visitwww.active.com.

Thereareanumberofdifferentbenefitsanindividualcangainfromrunningonaregularbasis.Therearesomerunnerswhorunsimplyforthejoyofrunning,butothersrunbecauseforhealthbenefits.Someofthesebenefitsmayincludeweightloss,improvedcardiovascularhealth,improvedbonehealth,improvedmoodandbettercoordination.

Individualswhowishtoutilizearunningprogramtohelpthemloseweightshouldbegintheirrunningprogrambyconsultingwiththeirdoctor.Logontowww.runnersworld.comfornutrition,shoereveiws,generalinformationandmore.

Hereareafewothergreatresourcestogetyouinvolvedinavarietyofoutdooractivies:

Running, Triathlons: • www.tuxbro.com

Running:• www.indyrunners.org• www.kenlongassoc.com• www.mag7raceseries.com

Running, Cycling, Triathlons, Mountain Biking, Adventure Racing:• www.dinoseries.com• www.planetadventurerace.com

Cycling:• www.cibaride.org• www.brinin.org

Check out these run/walks around IndianaRunning has more than one benefit

The Torch5

It pays to be good to yourself. Get to the PoInts

It’s often said that good health is its own reward . . . and while that’s true, isn’t it nice to get a little something extra for being good to yourself?

When you participate in Healthy Lifestyles, you get more than just the tools and support to live a healthier life. You earn points for improving your health — points that earn rewards.

here are a few ways to earn reward points:

the more you do, the more you’ll be rewarded – you’ll earn points for reporting healthy activities, completing action items from your Well-Being Plan and more!

sign up and let the rewarding begin!Living a healthy lifestyle is rewarding in so many ways. Sign up and start earning points today.

1. Go to MyhealthyLifestyles.com and select sign Up.

2. After entering your information, select Well-Being Assessment to get started – and earn your first 2,500 reward points.

3. Congratulations! You now have the tools and resources that will help you reach your goals.

Get your score by taking your Well-Being Assessment (WBA). Once per year.

Set up your Well-Being Plan. Once per year.

Write an entry in your journal. Once per day.

Track your body weight. Once per week.

Track your exercise, steps, nutrition or food servings. Once per day.

+2,500PTS

+500PTS

+5PTS

+50PTS

+25PTS

The Torch 6

The Healthy Lifestyles programs are administered by Healthways, Inc., an independent company. © 2012 Healthways, Inc. All rights reserved. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area): RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), which underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), which underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively, which underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Log on to MyhealthyLifestyles.com and click on the Rewards tab to see the entire catalog.Colors, styles and models are subject to change. Rewards are subject to change based on availability.

With 5,000 points, you can reward yourself with:

With 10,000 points, you can reward yourself with:

With 15,000 points, you can reward yourself with:

Reusable Grocery Bags 65cm Balance BallHealthy Indoor Grill

Kettlebell Immersion Hand BlenderCool Mist Humidifier

Food Processor 6-Quart Slow Cooker2GB iPod Shuffle

Look how rewarding it is to be healthy . . .Here are just a few examples of the rewards you can earn from Healthy Lifestyles.

The Torch7

Youmaynotknowthatfamily-medicalleave(FML)isavailableforcertaineventsrelatedtothedeploymentofanemployee’sspouse,childorparentandforanemployeetocareforhis/herspouse,child,parent,ornextofkinwhowasinjuredduringactivemilitaryduty.Thoseprovisionswereaddedtoourpolicyin2010,butthefinalfederalregulationshavejustbeenissued.Thepolicyisnowrevisedtoincludethatlanguage.

Herearethehighlightsofthosechanges:

•Leaveforaservicemember’srestandrecuperationleaveisexpandedfromfiveto15calendardayswithacopyoftheR&Rorders.

•AnewQualifyingExigencyhasbeenaddedconcerningcarefortheparentsofacoveredservicememberduringhis/herdeployment.

•“Coveredactiveduty”requiresdeploymenttoaforeigncountry.

•CertificationoftheinjuryorillnessofacoveredservicemembercannowbecompletedbyhealthcareprovidersnotaffiliatedwithDOD,VA,orTRICARE.

IfyouhaveasituationthatmayqualifyforFML,particularlyrelatedtoyourspouse,child,orparent’smilitaryservice,pleasecontacttheFMLLineat317.234.7955ortoll-freeat1.855.SPD.INHR(1.855.773.4647)andchoosetheFMLoption.

ThisandotherinformationaboutFMLcanbefoundatwww.in.gov/spd/2397.htm.

FML policy changes concerning Military leave

Employee relations

March 4 — Governor Mike Pence joins NextGear Capital executives in Carmel to help announce the plan to expand the company’s headquarters and create up to 169 new jobs by 2015. Since Governor Pence took office in January, 56 companies have committed to locating or growing in Indiana, accounting for 3,442 projected new jobs and more than $402 million in capital investment. To see more pictures of Governor Pence visit www.in.gov/gov/2387.htm.

Nowit’seasierthanevertoorganizeandpayyourmedicalexpenses.WithOnlineBillPay,youcanpayyourbillsfromonewebsite,withonepassword,foronelowperitemfee.Plus,you’llbeabletoquicklyreviewwhoyoupaid,howmuch,andwhenwithjusttheclickofyourmouse.

WithOnlineBillPay,youget:• Control–Change,editorstoppendingpayments• Convenience–Payanyoneyounormallypaybycheck• Organization–Manageallyourpaymentsfromoneconvenientlocation• Affordable–Eachtransactiononlycosts$0.72,savingyouthetime,the

stamp,andtheenvelope!

Formoreinformationcall888-472-8697,ext.1orlogintoonlinebankingattheHSAauthority.comandviewtheOnlineBillPaydemonstration.

Online Bill PayEASY AND CONVENIENT

The Torch 8

InOctober,formerLt.GovernorBeckySkillmanandCongressmanLeeHamiltonunveiledthenewIndianaBicentenniallicenseplatethatisnowthenewstandardforallIndianapassengervehicles.TheBicentennialplatereplacesthecurrentbluebackground“Torch”plateandmaybefeaturedonnearlytwomillionvehiclesstatewide.TheBicentennialplaterunsforafiveyearcycleasthestatepreparesforthe200anniversaryofstatehoodin2016.

TheBureauofMotorVehicles(BMV)issuestheBicentennialplateatnoadditionalchargetoHoosiers.TheBicentennialCommissiondoesnotreceiveanyfundingfromvehicleregistrationrenewals.

“Thestate’sbicentennialisinfouryearsandwhatbetterwaytomarketthecelebrationthanonthebumpersofHoosiervehicles,”Lt.Governor

Skillmansaidwhentheplatewasunveiled.“WeknowHoosiersareproudoftheirheritageandwe’reexcitedforthemtoshowcasetheirprideastheytravelaroundourstateandcountry.”

“Newsofthe200yearcelebrationwillspreadquicklyastheselicenseplatesbeginappearingaroundthestate,”CongressmanHamiltonsaid.“Wecan’tcelebrateourstatehoodwithout

thehelpofHoosiers,andwehopethiswilldrawchatterandexcitementaroundthestate.”

TheBMVandtheIndianaStateMuseumcollaboratedonthedesignoftheBicentennialplate.ThenewBicentennialplatefeaturesabluestateofIndianalogowitha200marqueeacrossthefrontand19stars,whichencirclethestateemblem.The19thstarrepresentsIndiana’sadmittanceintotheUnitedStates.Thereisalsoagoldbanneracrossthebottomwiththeinscription,“Bicentennial1816-2016.”

The“InGodWeTrust”standardlicenseplateisavailableasanoptionforthenextfiveyears.Hoosiersmayselectseveraldifferentmethodsforrenewingtheirlicenseplate;includingonlineatwww.mybmv.com,ataBMVLicenseBranchorbyphoneat888-692-6841.

Bicentennial Plate is the new standard for Hoosier vehiclesLicense plates

Asastateemployee,doyouevergetacallthatisoutsideyourareaofexpertise?

Since1999,theStateInformationCenter(SIC)hasbeen“HelpingHoosiers”toprovidequalitycustomerserviceandtosupplyanswerstopublicinquiriesregardingstateprogramsandservices.Additionally,SICprovidesdirectcontactinformationforagencieswhenclarificationorconfidentialinformationisneeded.SIC’sgoalistoprovidethemostefficientservicewiththeleastamountofcallsforthecustomer.Theresultreducesguessworkandmakesstategovernmentmoretransparentwhileprovidingapositiveexperienceforcitizens.In2013,SICassistedmorethan128,900individualsseeking

informationrelatedtostateagenciesandtheirprograms,aswellascity/county/federalgovernmentandnot-for-profitsorganizations,viaoneofthesetools:

• Calls-To317-233-0800or1-800-457-8283

• Live Chats -Onwww.In.Gov(http://iot.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch),

• Ask a Question -Tohttp://iot.custhelp.com

• E-mails-ToSICwww.in.gov/core/help.htmlorstinfo@sic.IN.gov.

• Walk-in customers-AtIGCSRoom160-A

• SIC links-Foundonmoststateagencywebpages,bysimplyclickingononeoftheselinks:?-icon,Help,orFAQ.

AnyagencystaffmembermaydirectcallerstotheStateInformationCenterat317-233-0800or1-800-457-8283whentheyreceiveacallthatisnottheiragency’sareaofexpertise.Additionalquestionsorcomments

shouldbedirectedtotheSICDirectorRitaAndersonatranderson@sic.in.govor317-233-0966.TheSICofficeislocatedintheIGC-Southbuilding,Rm.W160A

(MondaythroughFriday,7a.m.to5p.m.).Youarewelcometostopin.

Indiana’s one stop shop for state government knowledge

The SIC provides quality customer service regarding state programs and services.

The Bicentennial license plate, featured above, is now the standard for all Indiana passenger vehicles.

The Torch9

Ifyousignedupduringopenenrollmentpromisingnottousetobaccoproductsduring2013andyouarestillusingtobaccoproducts,yourfailuretokeepyourpromisetorefrainfromtobaccouseisplacingyourjobatrisk.Thenamesofeveryemployeewhosignedtheagreementhavebeenplacedinapoolforrandomselectiontobetestedfortobaccothroughoutthiscalendaryear.Testingdatesandlocationsarenotidentifiedinadvance,andanyonetestingpositiveissubjecttodismissalfromemployment.EmployeesarealsosubjecttotestingunderreasonablesuspicioniftheStatereceivesareportthatanemployeewhohassignedtheagreementis,infact,usingtobaccoproducts.

Mostagreethatquittingsmoking(orotheruseoftobacco)isoneofthemostdifficultthingstodo;therefore,ifyouhavetriedtoquit,butareunsuccessfulatthispoint,youneedtoimmediatelyrescindyouragreementbyloggingintoPeopleSoft.TogettotheRescissionRequestpage,goto:SelfService>Benefits>RescindNon-TobaccoUseAgreement.Followthepromptstosubmityourrequesttorescindtheagreement.Ifyouneedassistance,contacttheStatePersonnelDepartmentBenefitsDivisionat232-1167ortoll-freeat877-248-0007.

Onceyouhavesubmittedyourrequestandyourrescissionisapproved,yourhealthcareinsurancepremiumincreasesby$35biweeklyandanypremiumsfrompayperiodsinwhichyoureceivedtheincentivearecollected.However,yourjobwillbesecure.Forassistanceinbecomingtobaccofree,youmaycalltheIndianaTobaccoQuitlineat1-800-Quit-Now.ThisfreeserviceisavailabletoallHoosiers7daysaweekfrom8a.m.untilmid-night.

Benefits

Check your tobacco agreement status

IfyouhaveacurrentFamilyMedicalLeave(FML)approvalforintermittentleaveyoumaybewonderingwhathappenstothatapprovalattheendofthefiscalyearorwhathappensifyourneedforleavecontinuesbeyondJune30.

Indianastategovernmenthasdesignatedthefiscalyearasthetwelve-monthperiodtocalculateFML.ThefiscalyearrunsfromJuly1throughJune30.AllFMLapproval(s)forintermittentleaveexpireJune30,withthenewfiscalyearbeginningJuly1.

EmployeeswhohaveanapprovalforintermittentFMLinthecurrentfiscalyear(July1,2012throughJune30,2013),andanticipatethattheneedforFMLwillcontinueafterJune30ofthisyear,arerequiredtolog-intoPeopleSoft®Self-ServiceandcompletetheonlinerequestanduploadanewCertificationofHealthCareProviderdocumentingthatneed.

YournewFMLrequestmustbeaccompaniedbyanewlycompletedCertificationofHealthCareProvider(CHCP)formthatisbasedonarecent,in-personmedicalexam.Absencesforcontinuingconditionsareforeseeable;therefore,yourrequestandCHCPshouldbesubmitted30daysinadvanceofthenewfiscalyear.TheCHCPformmustbefilledoutcompletelybythehealthcareproviderandneedstoincludeadescriptionand/ordetailsofthemedicalnecessityforleaveandtheestimatedfrequencyanddurationofabsencesforwhichyouarerequestingleave.

Timelysubmissionofthedocumentationisyourresponsibility,notthehealthcareprovider’s.Proper

andtimelycompletionoftherequiredformsshouldreducethenumberofrequestsforadditionalinformationandrecertificationsneededduringtheyear.

EligibilityforFMLiscalculatedforthenewfiscalyear,soemployeeswhohavebeenemployedlessthan12monthsand/orwhohavenotworkedatleast1250hoursintheimmediately-precedingtwelve-monthperiodarenoteligibleforFMLinFY2013/14untiltheymeetthosethresholdrequirements.Additionally,secondandthirdmedicalopinionsmayberequired.

WhatifyouneedacontinuousleaveforsomethinglikeasurgeryscheduledinMayorJuneandyourrecoverycontinuesbeyondJune30?Ifyoureceiveapprovalforacontinuousfamily-medicalleavethatcrossesthefiscalyearmark,thenyoudonotneedtosubmitnewdocumentationjusttosupportthepartofthatapprovedleavethatoccursafterJune.However,ifadditionalleaveisneededinthenewfiscalyearbeyondtheinitialreturntoworkdateintheapproval;thennewrequestsandcertificationsmustbesubmitteddocumentingthechangedcircumstances.

Formoreinformation,includingeligibilityrequirements,formstobesubmitted,policies,andFAQs,pleasevisittheSPDFamily&MedicalLeavepageatwww.in.gov/spd/2397.htm.

Ifyouhaveadditionalquestions,pleasecalltheFMLlineat317-234-7955,ortollfreeatStatePersonnel’sCallCenterat1-855-SPD-INHR(1-855-773-4647)andchoosetheFMLoption.

What does end of fiscal year mean for Family-Medical Leave and FML recertification?

The Torch 10

CatchtheexcitementofRedsbaseballthissummerwiththeexclusivestateemployeediscountoffer.Forthebestseats,chooseyourgamestoday!Pricesmayvaryfromgametogame.

Discountticketsforthisoffercanbepurchasedonlineatwww.reds.com/indiana.Theonlinepromocodeforthisofferis:indy(alllowercase).

HerearetheSundaygamedatesofferedinthediscount:

• May26,vs.ChicagoCubs• June9,vs.St.LouisCardinals• July21,vs.PittsburghPirates• Aug.4,vs.St.LouisCardinals• Sept.8,vs.LosAngelesDodgers

IfyouareinterestedingettingmoreinformationaboutCincinnatiRedsgrouptickets,premiumseatingoptions,hospitalityareasorfundraisingforyourgroup,feelfreetocontactBartConwayat(513)765-7474orbconway@reds.com.ConwayistheprimarycontactforthestateemployeeticketdiscountsandishappytoworkwithanyoneinterestedinbringingagrouptoGreatAmericanBallParkandenjoyingaRedsgame.

Holocaust rescuers honored at April programTheDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCommission,theIndianaCivilRightsCommission,theIndianapolisJewishCommunityRelationsCouncilandtheBureauofJewishEducationannouncedthatthe15thAnnualHolocaustDayofRemembrance:HonoringtheRescuerswillbeheldonWednesday,April10,2013at12:30pmintheIndianaStatehouseRotundainIndianapolis.

TheprogramishighlightedbyastudentpresentationbytheHastenHebrewAcademyofIndianapolis(HHAI).TheHHAIhasservedtheIndianapoliscommunitysince1971,offeringanenvironmentthatfostersthereligious,socialandacademicgrowthoftheirstudentswhichrangeinagefrom18monthsto8thgrade.

TheprogramincludesremarksbyIndianaGovernorMikePence,ToddMaurer,PresidentoftheIndianapolisJewishCommunityRelationsCouncil,ClaytonGraham,Esq.,ChairpersonoftheDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCommissionandJamalL.Smith,ExecutiveDirectoroftheIndianaCivilRightsCommission.

TheDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.IndianaHolidayCommissionwascreatedbystatutetocommemoratethelifeandworksofDr.King.Onemeaningfulmethodofpreservinglegacyisthroughtheactsofservicethatmeetfundamentalcommunityneed.Forinformationonyear-round,communityserviceopportunitiesvisit:www.in.gov/ofbci/volunteerorwww.mlkday.gov.

Formoreinformation,emailBradMeadowsorcall(317)232-2651.

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