The HUB - Community Options
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Community Options exists to help people live individually and be active in their community.
May 2018 | Volume 5 | Issue 5
The HUB
The Community Options Day Program in Bismarck is off and running at the “HUB”. April has flown by
and the “HUB” is a popular place. Customers are busy working on arts and crafts, challenging their
peers in air hockey and researching local events and activities in the computer lab. Those interested in
music have been spending time learning to play the guitar and singing. Bowling has been a big hit on
the Wii and the treadmill and elliptical machine are a great way to start the day. Many customers have
taken advantage of the sensory room that offers light music, relaxing scenery and soft lighting to relax
after a busy day.
The HUB has provided a central location for customers to start and end their day. Throughout the day
customers continue to participate in activities in the community including bowling, going to the YMCA
to exercise and swim, THEO arts for Craft Skills and volunteering at various locations. Summer will
soon be here and customers will be able to play kick ball and walk on the trails in the local parks.
If you would like to visit the HUB please contact Nicole Lewis at 223-2417 ext. 117. The HUB is located
at 807 Century Avenue in Bismarck.
SHINING STARS
Julie W. (Residential Habilitation, Bismarck)
Julie goes above and beyond when on shift. She has a positive attitude and the customers and staff she
works with enjoy being around her. Julie is a hard worker and takes extra steps to ensure that paperwork is
completed and takes items to that office when needed. Julie competes tasks during her shift to ensure that
they are completed even when not asked to complete them.
Nominated by Audrey F.
Ashley M. (Day Habilitation, Grand Forks)
Ashely knows her customer plans well and assures they ae safe while in the community. She is a quick
thinker and great problem solver. The customers feel like they can trust her and go to her if they are having
concerns or problems.
Nominated by anonymous
Johanna W. (Day Habilitation, Grand Forks)
Johanna goes above and beyond! Always doing more than what is expected. She is loved by all consumers
and co-workers. Her bubbly personality makes the work day a good one. Customers look forward to being
with Johanna. She is a team player.
Nominated by Darla A.
Lacey H. (Fargo Residential)
Lacey has seamlessly transitioned to the role of Director in Fargo. Lacey goes above and beyond in the di-
rector role. Lacey will come in early and stay late if needed to ensure that everything gets done. She takes
the initiative to handle things efficiently and quickly. Lacey is a team player and does a great job communi-
cating with teams and ensuring that she is up to date on information for all customers in her region. Lacey
is great under pressure and handles any situation in a calm manner. Lacey advocates for the customers in
her region to assist them in their goals.
Wishing all our
Mothers a very
happy and relaxed
Mother’s Day!
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
Jeff M., DSP in ISLA, Bismarck - 7 yrs. Leslie L., Sup. Spec. in JOBS, Devils Lake - 3 yrs.
Hope K., DSP in FS, Jamestown - 5 yrs. Cathy S., DSP in ISLA, Bismarck - 3 yrs.
Raquel K., DSP in FS, Bismarck - 5 yrs. Victoria J., DSP in AYS, Fargo - 3 yrs.
Scott W., Aut. Spec. in DD, Bismarck - 5 yrs.
Congratulations!
Success Stories
Pabi Rai- Grand Forks
I arrived in the U.S. on October 19th, 2017, from a refugee camp in Nepal. I had only hopes
and dreams for a better future, living and schooling for my son and me. But to start my life in a
completely new country and environment was very hard for me for the first few months. And
as a single mother there was much hardship. But now I have a job and a steady income and
support of agencies like Lutheran Social Services and Community Options, and my life is
starting to have some normalcy.
My son was admitted to elementary school a couple weeks after our arrival. The next thing
was for me to find a job. For this I started job hunting online as well as manually. After two
months from my arrival, I got a job in a hospital as a food service worker.
The credit for finding the suitable job goes to Community Options. They helped me fill out
online forms, took me to job fairs, and helped me fill out forms for various jobs. At last I was
called by this hospital and accepted the job as the schedules were suitable with my daily rou-
tine. And the pay wasn’t bad for a new-comer!
Now I am able to pay my house rent, utilities, and other household expenses. I can buy the
things I need for my son and me.
From the beginning Community Options has helped me, and is still helping me to get settled
and stable in living, as well as in this country. Community Options assisted me in job hunting,
money learning, my monthly reports for TANF and SNAP, as well as giving me insights to track
income and expenditures and how to save for my future goals. The staff are amazing and al-
ways eager to help me with everything.
JUST ASK HR
May 2018
QUESTION 1
I am interested in the company 401K plan. How do I get involved with this plan?
Answer There are certain criteria that must be met to be eligible for the 401K plan. You must be 21 years of
age, must have completed one (1) year of service and worked a minimum of 1,000 hours during the year. The
company plan is administered by Mutual of America.
QUESTION 2
If I am eligible for the 401K plan, can I join at any time?
Answer You can only sign up for the 401K plan during an enrollment period. There are two (2) open enroll-
ment periods each year effective in January and July. The company matches your contribution up to 4% of
your gross income each month. You also now have the choice of a pre-tax plan or the Roth plan. Mutual of
America representatives will help you understand the difference at the time of sign up.
QUESTION 3
How will I know if I am eligible to sign up for the 401K plan?
Answer Employees who may be eligible for the 401K plan will be mailed a notice of eligibility for enroll-
ment for the plan. Enclosed will be a form to answer (Yes) or (No) on whether you would like to participate in
the plan if you are eligible. This form would be completed and returned to your supervisor by the noted sub-
mission date. An overview of the plan is also sent with the letter. More details are available upon request.
Once you have indicated your interest in the plan, then it will be determined if you are eligible to enroll in the
plan based on the eligibility criteria.
QUESTION 4
If I am already enrolled in the 401K plan, can I increase my election % of contribution at any time?
Answer You can only increase your election % at the enrollment dates which are effective January 1st and
July 1st of each year. You may decrease your election % at any time.
If you have a question you would like to ask HR submit it to BradW@coresinc.org .
Mark Your Calendars!
Face It Together Training
May 17th at 1:00pm
Now is the time for eligible employees to sign up for Community Options’ 401(k) plan.
To be eligible to participate in the plan, employees must meet the following criteria:
• Must be 21 years of age before July 1, 2018;
• Must complete one (1) year of service on or before June 30, 2018; and
• Must complete 1,000 hours of service before June 30th.
Possible eligible employees will receive written notification of the open enrollment period or may request
an enrollment interest form by contacting the Human Resource department.
Important Dates:
• The enrollment interest form must be completed and turned into your supervisor on or before
May 18, 2018.
• Eligible employees will meet with a representative from Mutual of America and must complete the
401(k) applications before June 18, 2018.
• July 1, 2018 is the effective date for enrollment; the first deduction for the employee’s 401(k)
contribution will be made on the August 10, 2018 paycheck for the July 2018 enrollment.
Remember – employees are eligible to receive up to a 4% matching contribution from the company. Also,
employees who are currently participating in the company’s 401(k) plan can increase their contribution dur-
ing the open enrollment period. If you have any questions, please contact the HR department for assistance.
With eternal gratitude
Monday, May 28th
Employee Loyalty Program
Community Options encourages a culture of rewards and recognition. To support this effort, we have updat-
ed the Employee Loyalty Program! Effective May 01, 2018 staff will be able to select from the new Employee
Loyalty items based on their anniversary milestone year. Employee Loyalty Programs will continue to be
awarded within the following milestones: 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, 7 year, 10 year, 15 year, 20 year, and 25
years.
Items for the new program are selected based on employee feedback from focus groups that were held last
winter. Catalogues for employee loyalty items can be found online within our internal website under :
Employee Home> Loyalty & Referral Program
Supervisors can access the Employee Loyalty Order form and policy on the internal website. Any questions
regarding the new program should be directed to your supervisor.Employee Assistance Program
Effective June 1, 2018, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Community Options’ employees will be
delivered by a new provider, HealthAdvocate. EAP services are available to help employees and their families
find solutions for the everyday challenges at work or at home as well as more serious issues involving their
emotional and physical well-being. Some of the services include:
• Child care and/or elder care referrals
• Personal relationship information
• Health information and online tools
• Legal consultations with licensed attorneys
• Financial planning assistance
• Stress management
• Career development
With HealthAdvocate, EAP services will be offered with other enhancements including an expanded counse-
lor network, video counseling as part of requested services and Medical Bill Saver which is a service to help
employees understand their medical bills which may help them reduce non-reimbursed medical expenses.
More information regarding the EAP services will be available for Community Options’ staff before the June
1st start date including the phone number and other contact information for HealthAdvocate.
My DVD Movie Review
By Kylie Peck
Mission to Mars
Released 3/14/2000
I enjoy watching the movie Mission to Mars which features Gary Sinise and Jerry O’Connell. My fa-
vorite part on Mission to Mars is when Jerry O’Connell floated the M&M candies and Gary Sinise
ate the M&M candies. That is the special Gary Sinise movie I always recommend.You can also read
