issue 06-03

March, 2006  

Inside this issue...

ACS Adopt a Valentine event a success - Page 1
Deadline draws near for required Disaster Training  - Page 1
Poll Workers Needed - Page 2
March is National Nutrition Month^®   - Page 2
April Health Observances  - Page 2
Cancer Detection Partnership receives donation  - Page 3
Community service recognized - Page 3
LMC Award deadline is April 12   - Page 3
PH nurses serve as student mentors and educators   - Page 4
Mileage Claim Rates  - Page 4
Compliance Survey - Page 4
RHS staff receive recognition - Page 5
Public Health Week Quiz -Test Your Knowledge!  - Page 6
Calendar of Events  - Page 6
 

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ACS Adopt a Valentine event a success

Kathy King and her group of Girl Scouts did a great job of decorating the bunny cages at ACS

Plans were made, promotions were set and as the last Valentine decoration was hung, it was easy to see that Cupid had spread his love throughout the shelter. All that was left was for the public to come through and adopt their Valentine match! On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, Animal Care Services (ACS) hosted its 1^st annual “Adopt a Valentine” event with much success.

ACS staff and volunteers truly made every effort to make the day special. The most important goal was to draw the public’s attention toward the many wonderful animals available for adoption. Prior to the event, ACS was pleased to welcome two Girl Scout troops to come through the shelter and deliver Valen-tine’s to the animals. The personal notes and cards that were created definitely added a special touch to the shelter’s overall presence. 

ACS’ “New Leash on Life”  volunteer program created a photo station where candy bags, activity coloring books and food and refreshments. members of the public could have their adoption gift bags courtesy of ACS and Love was definitely in the air as the pictures taken with their newly adopted the volunteer program. The Explorer Post Animal Care Center was able to adopt pets. Visitors were also given Valentine 538 program raised money by selling more than 30 animals on this day! All of the efforts of ACS’ staff and volunteers helped to create another great event for our animals and community.

 

Visitors to the Adopt a Valentine event on Feb. 11found their Valentine match as they posed for a photo with their newly adopted animal.

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Deadline draws near for required Disaster Training

As government employees who are designated disaster service workers, all HCA staff is required to complete the Disaster Service Worker and National Incident Management (NIMS) training by March 31, 2006.

To assure emergency preparedness, many staff has completed HCA’s introductory level Disaster Service Worker/Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) training last year. Since effective disaster preparedness requires periodic refresher training and as the Agency is now required to be NIMS compliant, this year’s Disaster Service Worker training includes a link to NIMS training which is required of all agency staff.

The training can be accessed online at www.ocready.com/bptu/nims. Follow the instructions and prompts to complete the online training, which should take no more than approximately two hours. The 2006 training consists of three parts:

1. A video presentation by the Sheriff’s Department

2. A primer on HCA’s notification systems and personal preparedness

3. A link to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) IS-700 course on NIMS.

Should you experience problems when taking the training online, please report them to the Help Desk at (714) 834-3128. Limited, instructor-led training sessions are available for HCA employees without computer access. For more information regard-ing the training, please call the Bioterrorism Preparedness Program at (714) 834-6587.

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It’s election season in Orange County and several elections are just around the corner. The 35^th State Senate District Primary Election is on April 11; the Gubernatorial Primary will be June 6; and planning is in progress for the Gubernatorial General Election scheduled for November 7.

As County employees, HCA staff have the opportunity to volunteer at a polling place and participate in the election process. Your efforts can help ensure that the County’s elections will take place with the highest degree of professionalism and accuracy.

Bilingual poll workers are especially needed. For more information on eligibility, responsibilities, training, time commitment and compensation visit http://pollworker.ocgov.com or call the Registrar of Voters office at (714) 567-5106. Prior to registering, please obtain approval from your manager or supervisor.

"The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things."—G.C. Lichtenberg

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March is National Nutrition Month^®

Celebrate National Nutrition Month^® by participating in this year’s theme, Step Up to Nutrition and Health. Each year during the month of March, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) aims to educate individuals on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Step up today by making healthier lifestyle choices to improve your health and the health of your family and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come. Remember that small steps equal big rewards.

The ADA offers the following key points to eat smart and stay physically active this month and all year long:

·The food and physical activity choices made today – and everyday – affect your health and how you feel today and in the future. Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle.

·Make smart choices from every food group.  Give your body  the balanced nutrition it needs by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day. Just be sure to stay within your daily calorie needs.

·Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each of the food groups each day – those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but lower in calories.

·Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness plus it helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic disease.

·Play it safe with foods. Prepare, handle and store food properly to keep you and your family safe.

For other health and physical activity tips, nutritious recipes and other ways to celebrate National Nutrition Month^®, visit the American Dietetic Association’s website at www.eatright.org. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute also offers heart healthy recipes and several health assessment tools including a body mass index (BMI) calculator, menu planner and 10-year heart attack risk calculator on their website at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

April Health Observances

Alcohol Awareness Month
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Occupational Therapy Month
National Public Health Week . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 3-9
World Health Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
National Infant Immunization Week . . . . . . 22-29
Walk America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30

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Cancer Detection Partnership receives donation

Vons’ employees have a long history of giving back to the community they serve, especially to help improve the lives of families through health and nutrition programs. On February 8, the company presented a check for more than $17,000 to the Orange County Cancer Detection Partnership.

Throughout 2005, employees of  Vons District #54 which covers the cities of Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, Placentia, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Yorba Linda, contributed funds to support many worthwhile causes including breast cancer awareness. The generous donation will be used to provide education and translation of life-saving information about breast and cervical cancer early detection in languages of medically underserved populations including Vietnamese and Marshalles.

The Orange County Cancer Detection Partnership helps to increase the number of low-income, uninsured and underinsured women who access free breast and cervical cancer annual screenings provided by the California Department of Health Services Cancer Detection Program, Every Women Counts.

Last year, more than 21,000 women received free exams for breast and cervical cancer screening. The Partnership also helps those ineligible for the state-funded program to access free or low-cost screening and diagnostic services in collaboration with local foundations and community providers.

For more information about the Orange County Cancer Detection Partnership, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/public/cdp. Qualification information for the Every Women Counts program can be obtained by calling (800) 511-2300.

On February 8, Orange County Cancer Detection Partnership Program Supervisor Rhonda Folsom received a check from Vons employees at the store located on North Tustin Avenue in Orange<. Pictured (left to right) are Matthew Failing, Vons Assistant Manager; Rhonda Folsom; and David Lee, Vons Store Manager.

"Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character. —Gerorge Santayana "

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Community service recognized

Congratulations to Chris Prevatt with the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) on receiving the Garden Grove Community Spotlight Award presented to him by the Garden Grove City Council on Feb. 28, 2006.

Chris was acknowledged for his work as a Volunteer Commissioner on the Garden Grove Sanitary District Advisory Commission, which advises the city’s Sanitary District Board on matters relating to sewer and trash services in the city.

He served as a member of the Commission from January 2001 to November 2005 and as Chair for one year.

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LMC Award deadline is April 12

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for the 2006 LMC Team Excellence Awards by Wednesday, April 12. This award was created to recognize teams that exemplify principles of Enlightened Leadership and Team Excellence in creative and collaborative action and to identify the qualities and characteristics of effective work teams.

Visit HCA’s employee intranet at http://balsam/intranet/lmc/team.asp for nomination information and forms.

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PH nurses serve as student mentors and educators

It is known that the state of California currently has a nursing shortage. Consequently, many area nursing programs have expanded and along with their basic programs, they now offer accelerated programs which has led to a significant increase in nursing students.

To assist the students during their course of education, HCA’s Public Health Community Nursing (PHCN) program works hard to do their part in providing hands on nursing experiences to them. PHCN’s student coordinator, Janet Winter, RN, PHN works closely with local nursing programs from Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton to provide traditional experiences in acute care, as well as a unique opportunity for students to explore nursing in a non-traditional setting.

“Our professional responsibility to mentor is inherent in our role as public health nurses (PHNs),” said Karen Munoz, RN, MSN, PHCN Manager. “However, the responsibility is not just to the profession of nursing alone, but also the community. PHNs ensure the health of the community by their assessment, planning and collaborative skills, and are unique in their ability to meet the challenges community health brings.”

Each student participating in PHCN’s program is paired with a PHN for the semester and is given the opportunity to carry their own caseload. Currently, 48 students are completing their public health rotation with the PHCN and Specialized Public Health Nursing programs. This year, more than 100 student nurses will have completed their PHCN program rotation.

Providing this educational experience to students is important to the Public Health Nursing Division. It not only provides the nurses the opportunity to mentor and educate, but also the opportunity to learn from the students as well. In giving the students a picture of what the field of public health is about, one can hope that students in turn will decide that HCA is the place for them to begin their nursing career.

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Mileage Claim Rates

For those of you who drive 250 miles or more in a given month, the reimbursement rate is currently $0.545 per mile, effective January 1, 2006. However, unlike prior periods, please use rate/code MI250. When you use the new online Mileage & Other Expenses Claim form, located on HCA’s Intranet, the online form will automatically calculate at the correct current rate ($0.545 per mile). The MI250 rate/ code will no longer change regardless of future rate changes.

For claims between April 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 for 250 or more miles driven per month, employees will be reimbursed at $0.48 per mile and should still use rate/code MI48.

For mileage claims under 250 miles, the rates are as follows: Claims through August 2005, $0.405; September through December 2005, $0.485; January 2006 to present, $0.445 per mile.

Tip: If you’re using a mileage claim form other than the new online form, when inputting the rate/code, please do not enter a decimal point! Your claim may be delayed if a decimal point is included. For example, do not enter MI.445. Instead enter MI445.

If this article has been helpful to you, or if you have suggestions for future topics, please send your comments to HCAPAYROLL@ochca.com. Thank you.

 

Compliance Survey

HCA’s Office of Compliance is set to roll out its annual compliance survey during the month of April. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information about the on-line survey, which will give you a chance to offer input on how the Compliance Program works in your area.

The Compliance Program supports the Agency’s goals through the promotion of an organizational culture that encourages ethical behavior and commitment to compliance with the law. Feedback from HCA employees is used to refine the program and meet the needs of the Agency.

Please take the time to complete the on-line survey when it is distributed in April. The survey is anonymous, voluntary and easy to complete. Your input is used to select training topics, revise processes and evaluate the communication  efforts of the Compliance Program.

The HCA Compliance Program offers a confidential telephone hotline to voice your concerns about any situation that may conflict with Compliance Program principles. You may call the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:(866) 260-5636

 

 

"The most astonishing thing about miracles is that they happen."—G.K.Chesterton

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RHS staff receive recognition

Congratulations to Regulatory Health Services staff that were recognized at HCA’s Employee Recognition Awards held on January 26 at the Hall of Administration.

 

15 Years

 

 

Regulatory Health staff Joyce Kim and Nicholas Klapp celebrated 15 years of service to the Agency and received recognition from Agency Directory Julie Poulson and Deputy Agency Director Mike Spurgeon.

 

 

 

20 Years

Celebrating their 20 years of dedicated service to the Agency, Villia Simpkins and Susan Cabrera received recognition from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Deputy Agency Director Mike Spurgeon during the Employee Recognition Awards held on January 26.

 

5 Years

Agency Director Julie Poulson and Deputy Agency Director Mike Spurgeon congratulated staff on celebrating their 5 years of service to the Agency. Pictured (left to right) are (deleted), Daniel Tuitelelepaga, Kevin Do and Randall Styner.

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Public Health Week Quiz Test Your Knowledge!

This year’s focus of National Public Health Week from April 3-9, 2006 is “Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids.” The American Public Health Association and its partners will highlight the week by inspiring Americans to build healthier communities and healthier kids.

To start your celebration of Public Health Week, take the following true-false quiz and answer the 10 questions below to test your knowledge of public health facts and statistics.

Visit the Agency’s Public Health Week webpage at www.ochealthinfo.com/public/phweek/quiz.htm to submit your completed quiz online by Thursday, March 30. Those who answer all questions correctly  - will be entered into a drawing to win fun prizes. 

1. Nearly 73% of car seats are misused, thereby increasing risk of injury to child passengers.
   TRUE
   FALSE

2. To prevent scalding injuries, water heaters should be set at 120 degrees or below.
   TRUE
   FALSE

3. Approximately 40% of all accidental deaths occur in or around the home.
   TRUE
   FALSE

4. Children should only carry 10-15% of their body weight in a backpack.
   TRUE
   FALSE

5. Approximately 75% of preschoolers who drown were only missing from sight for fewer than five minutes.
   TRUE
   FALSE

6. Poor diet and physical inactivity cause more deaths than alcohol use.
   TRUE
   FALSE

7. The California Air Resources Board has named secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant with no identified safe level of exposure.
   TRUE
   FALSE

8. In 2007, California will ban junk food in all schools and soda sales in high schools.
   TRUE
   FALSE

9. One 20-ounce can of regular soda contains 17 teaspoons of sugar and 250 calories.
   TRUE
   FALSE

10. Children older than 2 years should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play or physical activity daily.
    TRUE
    FALSE

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Public Health Week (April 3-9)

Calendar of Events