Sunlight 1

About the Walk

News for Employees

Sunlight

January 10, 2014 Issue

7223 Maumee Western Rd. Maumee, Ohio 43537 | 419-865-0251 | www.sunshine.org

Published every other week for the Sunshine community. Story ideas and suggestions welcome. Please send to rshirling@sunshine.org.

Request for Evaluation

DSPS:

Events:Upcoming Most of these upcoming events are fundraisers for

Sunshine. Sunshine depends on donations and fundraisers like these to fund the many programs and services we offer. We encourage you to attend these events.

Round & Square Dance March 1; 7-11 p.m.The Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon April 27

Black Swamp Benefit June 20-21Marathon Classic LPGA July 14-20

Outlaw Cruiser Car Show August 3; 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.Sunshine Walk, 5K Run & Roll September 6; 8:30 a.m. run; 10 a.m. Walk

DSPs, want to move to a higher level? You can now use the request for evaluation form!

This form, located in the hallway outside of HR and on Compass, is for any DSP who is requesting an evaluation into a higher level. For example, if you are currently an Advocate but wish to be tested as a Trainer, use this form!

You should fill out this form and hand it into Mercy Cortez (in HR). Mercy will notify your manager that you want to be evaluated for the higher level.

Your manager will then have 30 days to complete the evaluation and provide feedback.

To know the standards for each level (DSP, Advocate, Trainer, Senior DSP), review the DSP Ability Matrix. The Matrix is on Compass under the “Human Resouces” tab.

If you are a Kroger customer, you can help Sunshine receive hundreds of dollars simply by registering your Kroger Plus Card online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Kroger will donate funds to Sunshine every time you use your card! You will need to re-register for the coming year, so make sure you take the time to sign up! Let’s see how much you can save for Sunshine by saving on your groceries!

Krogering

United Way is again providing free tax preparation at locations in Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties. If you make less than $52,000, you may qualify to have your taxes prepared and filed for FREE. Brochures will be available. There are 12 locations in the 3 counties (unlike the past, Sunshine is not one of them). Call 211 or 1-800-650-4357 to make an appointment. It is well worth it, if you qualify!

Your taxes can beDONE FREE!

for Sunshine

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to the fund to help employees in need provide a good Christmas for their families. Due to the generosity of those who contributed, including $2100 from our Board members, we were able to help 49 people with a gift certificate of $75.

Christmas fund thanks!

Thanks to all who helped make Christmas a little bit brighter for our co-workers.

of

Support Sunshine by coming to donate blood at the Toledo Donor Center and enter

“Sunshine” for a chance to win a grant!We need participants to donate blood on behalf of Sunshine to increase our chances of receiving the

grant. Please tell your friends and family!

Now this is the story all about howMy schedule got flipped, turned upside downAnd I'd like to take a minute just sit right thereI'll tell you how I picked up some shifts in the availability calendar In west Toledo born and raisedIn the office where I spent most of my daysChilling out, working, emailing all coolAnd all splashing some water inside the Sunshine poolWhen a couple of open shifts looked really goodNeeding to be picked up that nobody else wouldI picked up some open shifts in laundry for ...And scheduling approvedAnd said "Thank you for your help" I called for a van and when it came near theSide door said "Sunshine" and had an employee badge dangling from the mirrorIf anything I could say that this van was fineBut I thought nah, forget it, yo homes to Sunshine! I pulled to the facility five or sixAnd I yelled to the driver "yo homes smell you later!"Did a soiled laundry pick up in PineTo sit on my throne as the prince of Sunshine

Snow-time fun!It is a rendition of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

By Raymond Moring

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Are you addicted

to your cell phone?

•Turnyourphoneoff(notjustsilenced)

whileinthemovietheater,orleave

yourphoneinthecar.

•Donotbringaphonetothedinner

table.Engageinmeaningful

conversationsfacetoface.

•Turnyourphoneoffwhiledoing

homeworkorinameeting.

•Resisttheurgetotweetorupdatea

Facebookstatuswhileatwork.

•Goonawalk,whetherwithapartner,

childorpet,andleavethephoneat

work.•Tradeinamobilegameforagame

withothersinperson.

•Lookupdirectionsbeforegettingin

thecartoavoidlookingataGPSwhile

driving.•Nevertextwhiledriving.

With an ever-expanding range of functions and transportability, cell phones have become a staple for many Americans. Many are susceptible to cell phone addiction. While useful, cell phones can interfere in the lives of those who feel anxious about turning them off, especially those who refuse to turn them off at all.

“Cell phones have become a necessary part of our daily lives. Still, it is important to remember when to silence or turn them off - like during meals and while studying or on the internet,” said Courtney Stewart, research associate at the Indiana Prevention Resource Center. “Too much information can overwhelm our senses and leave us feeling depleted. So put the phone down and spend some time talking with your friends face to face or better yet, take a walk with your friends if you want to connect and get some mood-boosting exercise.”

Unlike alcohol, drug and gambling addictions, cell phone addiction can be hard to define. Feelings of withdrawal if one does not have his or her phone, compulsive checking of the phone, and using it to feel good characterize cell phone addiction. Consequences can be real.

“People could experience the inability to concentrate on the task at hand, be it school work, your job, or an important conversation,” Stewart said. “Many employers now ban the use of

cell phones while on the job. Failure to comply with these rules can result in losing your job.”

Addictive cell phone behaviors can even put an individual’s life at risk, Stewart said, because of distractive driving or walking. Looking down at a phone for just 5 seconds while driving at 55 mph is the same as driving the distance of a football field without eyes on the road. In 2011, about 1.3 million automobile accidents involved cell phone use. In Ohio, for drivers over 18 years old, talking on a cell phone is legal; however, texting and driving is not.

Although frequent cell phone use is not uncommon, anyone who cannot sit through a dinner or movie without checking a cell phone may need to take a step back and consider how often during a day he/she does not have a phone handy.

Reducing cell phone usage can help

address compulsive cell phone habits:

W-2s PLEASE make sure that we have your valid home address. If we have any further information to share, we will send an e-mail. Please do not call for the status; we will make sure you have your W-2 in your hands by the required deadline, which is January 31, 2013.

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THANK YOU, STAFF!Level III

Thank you so much for providing

quality care throughout this round

of terrible weather.

Sunshine couldn’t go on without

your amazing dedication. Thank

you!(Our Facebook friends want to

thank you as well!)

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If you participate in Sunshine’s medical and/or dental health plan, our provider Everence is making an effort to reduce dependency on paper.

They are encouraging the employees to “go paperless” with regards to their Explanation of Benefits (EOB). For everyone who selects the electronic EOB method of delivery, Everence will make a donation of planting a tree.

The flier to the right, provides instructions on how to sign up on line.

By having access to electronic EOBs, employees will never have to worry about misplacing paper copies, and will have their claims history for the past few years all in one place.

Thank you for helping Everence “go green”!

Help Everence

GO GREEN

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EA HEALTHPLUS BULLETIN JANUARY 2014

With the Winter Season in Full Swing, Safety and Health are a Top Priority!

Knowing ways to stay safe throughout the winter can also play a large role in staying healthy throughout this time of year as well. In this edition of the EA Health Plus Wellness Bulletin you will find tips to help you remain cautious this winter season.

The national weather service reports that of injuries due to ice and snow 25% occur in people caught in a storm and most happen to males over 40 years of age. When a snow or ice storm hit it is important to remember the risk of hypothermia and frost bite. These health risks can be very serious and can result in death if not avoided or treated properly. Hypothermia occurs when the body cannot produce heat as fast as it is losing heat. And often times a person may not even realize that they are experiencing symptoms of hypo-thermia due to the disorientation that it causes. Anyone who is out in the cold for long periods of time, elders and children are all at a higher risk for getting hypothermia. If you suspect someone is suffering from hypothermia they should receive emergency medical attention. Warning signs include:

Shivering/exhaustion Confusion Slurred speech Drowsiness Red, cold skin

When is comes to frostbite the risks and effects are just as dangerous. The warning signs include:

White or grayish-yellow skin area Skin that feels firm or waxy Numbness

Dressing properly is important to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite. Always wear a hat, gloves, a scarf or mask to keep the cold/wind off of the face, water resistant coat and shoes, several layers of loose fitting clothing and sleeves should be tight around the wrists. Remember that if you are shivering it is for a reason and you should go indoors to get warm.

Even if you are going to be staying in it is important to have alternative ways to heat your home such as a space heather, wood stove or fire place. But remember to use caution and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Winter Driving Safety

If you don’t need to be on the road during severe win-ter weather, then stay in. It is the best way to stay safe.

Allow time for your car to warm up before driving.

Be sure to clean all snow off of your vehicle before driving . If snow is not cleared away then visibility is limited and excess snow blowing off of your vehicle can be hazardous to other drivers.

Allow yourself plenty of time to make it to your

destination. Slow down, leave plenty of

space for stopping and brake gently to avoid

skidding. Keep your head lights on

at all times. If your rear wheels slide/

skid turn the wheel to the side that they are sliding.

Source: weather.com

Winter Weather Safety

Sources: The National Weather Service & CDC.gov