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Executive Summary: As Year Comes to Close, We Welcome New Director for HR Department
As most county employees are by now aware, we have a new director in place in our Human Resources Department. Last month I asked Janet Schaub to serve as the departments new director, and I am very pleased that she accepted the position.
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David R. Craig Harford County Executive
Janet is someone who needs no introduction for many of you. She has served this county with distinction for 37 years, all of which has been in Human Resources. She has performed the duties of every position within the department at some point in her career, and has been Deputy Director for the last 10 years.
Vitamins & Stress Happy Holidays from Human Resources Sustainability Office
It is rare that there is someone available who is as well-prepared to step up and lead an agency as is Janet. I am pleased that she was unanimously approved as director by the County Council on November 12. I also thank Deborah Duvall for serving as director in an acting capacity. HR, and the dedicated employees who work in it, serves a vital role in the administration of government. County government is more than just buildings, roads, snow plows, and mowers. It is people the people who provide the services that our citizens expect, and who do so with dedication, respect, and integrity. The HR issues faced by all local governments are not unlike those faced by small and medium-sized businesses, and they will continue to require significant attention for years to come as a result of future state mandates and federal changes to the American health coverage system through the irreparably flawed system of Obamacare. I feel that compared to other counties in Maryland we have done an excellent job in recent years of making our programs, benefits, and obligations sustainable for the long term, and that fact should provide some peace of mind for county employees and county taxpayers alike. Finally, as we close out 2013 and look ahead to 2014, I thank you all for another positive year of serving the citizens of Harford County. I wish you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.
Cordially,
2013 Service Awards Tis the Season to Volunteer 2014 Holiday Schedule Milestones
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, congratulations, and well wishes during and after my confirmation as Director of Human Resources. The whole process was overwhelming at times but in a good way and very humbling. Our workforce is highly dedicated, hard working, top notch and in my opinion second to none. I am glad to have the opportunity to serve as Director of Human Resources and am proud to be in this role for such a great workforce. The Human Resources Staff would like to wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season.
Effective January 1, 2014, CareFirst will be changing the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) from Argus to CVS. All current authorizations for brand prescriptions will be transferred over to CVS automatically. All mail order prescriptions currently on file will also be transferred to CVS, with the exception of compounds and/or controlled substances which are not permitted to be transferred for legal reasons. Members who are currently receiving compounds and/or controlled substances through the mail order program will received a letter from CareFirst directly instructing them how to handle this issue. As a result of this change, all members will receive new ID cards during the month of December. The new ID cards will go into effect on January 1, 2014. The old ID cards will no longer work after December 31, 2013. If you do not receive your new ID cards by January 1, 2014, you may print a verification of coverage from the CareFirst website by accessing My Account (www.carefirst.com/myaccount). This information will be updated on January 1, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Griffith at bagriffith@harfordcountymd.gov or Tamara Simmons at tdsimmons@harfordcountymd.gov.
Department of Human Resources 112 Hays Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 410-638-3201 / 410-879-3564
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Robert Andrews Named Harford County Employee of the Month for November 2013
Robert Andrews and Mary Chance, Director of Administration
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Stress is defined as a nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it which results in symptoms such as rise in the blood pressure, release of hormones, quickness of breath, tightening of muscles, perspiration, and increased cardiac activity. Stress is not necessarily negative. Some stress keeps us motivated and alert, while too little stress can create problems. However, too much stress can trigger problems with mental and physical health, particularly over a prolonged period of time. So, it is very important to reduce stress. Avoiding dependence on stimulants such as alcohol, ensuring you eat a healthy diet and learning effective techniques to deal with stress are all important in managing stress.
Foods to avoid
Fast-releasing carbohydrates found in sugar, white bread, white rice and refined cereals stimulate the release of the stress hormone cortisol. Stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and nicotine put a strain on body systems. http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/
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The Department of Human Resources wishes you and your family a healthy and happy holiday! In celebration of the holidays, following are a few of our favorite recipes. Apple Crisp by Vanessa Kelly
6 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced ~ Put applies into buttered 13x9x2 baking dish. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with lemon juice and cinnamon Add raisins to apples if desired or substitute peaches for apples. Crumb Mixture 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1 egg 1 stick melted butter or margarine Crumb Mixture: mix together sugar, flour, baking powder, egg; cut with fork into pea size pieces. Sprinkle over apples, sprinkle with cinnamon. Drizzle melted butter on top and bake. Bake uncovered @ 350 for 45 minutes.
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Chocolate Delight Dessert by Beth Griffith 1 stick butter 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 large pkg. cream cheese 2 small pks. Instant chocolate pudding 1 cup flour 3 cups milk 2 large containers Cool Whip 1 cup powdered sugar Mix butter, flour, and 1/2 cup of the walnuts. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes or until light brown. Mix Cool Whip, cream cheese and powdered sugar until blended. Spread n top of cooled crust. Mix chocolate pudding mix with milk. Spread on top of Cool Whip/ cream cheese layer. Spread another container of Cool Whip on Top. Sprinkle remainder of walnuts on top.
3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 12 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate 6 eggs 1 3/4 cups superfine sugar 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup white chocolate buttons, chips, or morsels 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate buttons, chips or morsels Approximately 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar, for garnish Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a large heavy based pan over a low heat. In a bowl or large measuring jug, beat the eggs together with the superfine sugar and vanilla extract. Allow the chocolate mixture to cool a little, then add the egg and sugar mixture and beat well. Fold in the flour and salt. Then stir in the white chocolate buttons or chips, and the semisweet chocolate buttons or chips. Beat to combine then scrape and pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin. Bake for about 25 minutes. You can see when the brownies are ready because the top dries to a slightly paler brown speckle, while the middle remains dark, dense and gooey. Even with such a big batch you do need to keep checking on it: the difference between gooey brownies and dry ones is only a few minutes. Remember, too, that they will continue to cook as they cool. To serve, cut into squares while still warm and pile up on a large plate, sprinkling with confectioners' sugar pushed with a teaspoon through a small sieve.
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REMIINDER: Employees celebrating 25, 30, 35, or 40 years of service have 30 days to select a gift of choice from the service awards packet provided to you. If no selection is made within 30 days, you will automatically receive a set of etched glasses as your gift.
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January 1, New Years Day January 20, Martin Luther King Day February 17, Presidents Day May 26, Memorial Day July 4th, Independence Day September 1, Labor Day November 11, Veterans Day November 27, Thanksgiving Day November 28, Day after Thanksgiving December 25th, Christmas Day
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Milestones
We would like to include your milestone in the next HCG Connection. Please submit information by the 15th of the month to saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov .
Is there someone in your workplace who goes above and beyond for Harford County?
Sharon BallwegEditor & Graphic Design Department of Human Resources 410-638-3019 saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov
Sherrie Johnson Contributor Office of the County Executive 410-638-3420 sajohnson@harfordcountymd.gov Rebecca Macek - Contributor Department of Community Services 410-638-3389 ramacek@harfordcountymd.gov Erin Ferriter-Contributor Sustainability Office 410-638-4707 eferriter@harfordcountymd.gov Joan Ingold Contributor Information and Communication Technology 410-638-1231 jsingold@harfordcountymd.gov
or call 410-638-3019
Published by
Harford County Department of Human Resources Janet L. Schaub, Director
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