March 2015

Agency Newsletter

Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity

Pictured with Mayor Bell (r) is Mayor

Richardson, JCCEO Board President.

Mayor Bell and

Executive Director Dr. Marquita Davis

share a special

moment.

Ted Debro and wife LaJoyce Debro, Ph.D.

The FOCUS Newsletter is

produced for the staff, Board

of Directors, and friends of the

Jefferson County Committee

for Economic Opportunity.

CHIEF EDITOR:

Vie Mims

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:

Administrative Division

Randi Clark

Child Development Services Division

Aisha Abdullah Sandra Abston

Ingrid Davidson Linda Ford Cotelia Hill Boris Hurst

Patricia Linson Othessa Morris Earl Williams

Linda Williams

Community Services Division

Dorothy Crosby Lavaiter Law

Executive Director

Champion at the “J”

In the World of Guinness

JCCEO Code of Ethics

Workplace Rudeness

Debro, Oh Debro!

HR Corner

Billboard Buzz

Let Service Ring!

Riding With Regions

Bits and Pieces

In the Spotlight

Lessons in Leadership

3

4

6

7

8

9

10

STAFF CHANGES AT THE “J” FOCUS welcomes the following new staff members to the JCCEO family:

ALL IS WELL

If you have questions regarding INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES, contact your immediate supervisor.

Always use appropriate precautions and do not risk your own safety.

Dr. Davis presents gorgeous ‘retirement’

pearls to elated retiree Nadine Smith

PROMOTIONS

WYTERIA TRIMBLE

Health/Mental Health Specialist

MARCIA RUSSELL

Education Specialist

CYNTHIA HOWARD

Pre-K Teacher

JAMESIA EDWARDS

EHS Lead Teacher

NADINE SMITH TED DEBRO, JR.

RETIREMENTS

JCCEO MISSION STATEMENT

THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION

Volume 19 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 3

http://youtu.be/31kUHfSduow .

Congresswoman Sewell poses with Dr. Marquita Davis (r) and JCCEO Board members (l to r)

Don Lupo, Kenneth Crenshaw, Dr. James Ernest, and Arnold King

After reading session with Head Start children, Congresswoman Sewell

shares extra moments with HS Arrington Class B [Teacher Cindy

Dowdell (2nd from right), Center Manager Othessa Morris (2nd from left)], CDS Director Carmelita Poindexter (l), Dr. Davis (r), and Teacher’s Aide

TaKeia Ford (at right of Congresswoman)

Key JCCEO players in PNC

initiative in-

cluded (left; l to r) Training and Career

Development Coordinator

Salaam Green,

Education Specialist April Allen, Educa-

tion Coordina-tor Diane

Gibson, and

HS Calloway Center Manag-er Linda Ford

GUINNESS GOAL SET, GUINNESS GOAL MET

All smiles—Dr. Davis and

Congresswoman Sewell

Access your own Health coverage account by logging on to the Blue Cross Alabama website at

https://www.bcbsal.org/web/index.html.

“A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE” JCCEO HEADQUARTERS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015, 2 PM

RETIREMENT RECEPTION HONORING

Theodore (Ted) Debro MASTER OF CEREMONY - DR. CALVIN MOORE

INVOCATION. . . . . . . . .REV. ARTHUR PRICE

Pastor of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church

MUSICAL TRIBUTE. . . . MR. HARRELL WILLIAMS

Former member of JCCEO YES AMBASSADORS

REFLECTIONS AND RETIREMENT WISHES

MS. CYNTHIA BURTON

Colleague and Friend

MS. DORIS BREWSTER

Former Director of JCCEO YES AMBASSADORS

MS. DARLENA BATTLE

Ted’s Administrative Assistant

MS. DOROTHY CROSBY

Colleague and Neighbor

REFLECTIONS & PRESENTATIONS

THE HONORABLE WILLIAM A. BELL, SR. Mayor of the City of Birmingham

THE HONORABLE STEVEN W. HOYT

Birmingham City Council – District 8

MS. MARIAN DUNLAP

President of Community Action Association of Alabama

MR. HENRY GOODGAME

Director of Alumni Relations, Morehouse College

DR. MARQUITA FURNESS DAVIS

Executive Director of JCCEO

REMARKS FROM THE GUEST OF HONOR

MR. THEODORE DEBRO, JR.

Volume 19 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 5

Information Submitted by RENAE DISMUKE, HR Generalist

A TALE OF TEAMWORK “Since I got

Volume 19 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 7

Who is eligible? All full-time JCCEO employees who work at least 30 hours weekly and have satisfied any wait-

ing period are eligible to apply for STD.

What are the requirements? An employee must be disabled or have a disability and must also be receiving appropriate and

regular care for the condition from a doctor.

What is Total Disability? Total Disability means that due to injury or sickness, the employee is unable to perform all of

the material and substantial duties of the employee’s regular job; and the employee’s disability

earnings, if any are less than 20% of his/her pre-disability weekly earnings.

What is Partial Disability? Partial Disability means that during the elimination period, the employee is able to perform

some, but not all of the material and substantial duties of the employee’s regular job; and the

employee’s disability earnings, if any, are at least 20% of his/her pre-disability weekly earnings.

What is the Elimination Period? The elimination period is a period of continuous disability which must be satisfied before you

are eligible to receive benefits (14 Days).

What is the Disability Benefit? An employee receives a STD weekly benefit based on his/her weekly earnings (not to exceed

60% of weekly earnings).

How are STD Benefits Disbursed? Benefits are made payable weekly, directly to the employee.

When does an Employee start to receive

STD Benefits?

Benefits are payable on the 15th day fo r accidents or illness or pregnancy (a fter the elimi-

nation period).

What is the Maximum Benefit Period? 11 Weeks or until LTD begins (whichever is earlier).

Are there any Pre-Existing Conditions

that must be met?

A Pre-existing condition is a sickness or injury for which an employee has received treatment

for within 12 months prior to the effective date. Any disability contributed to or caused by a

Pre-Existing Condition within the first 12 months of the effective date will not be covered.

What are the Cancellation Terms? The policy may be cancelled by the insurer at any time.

How do I file a Claim? No claim form needed. A phone call to HR or directly to Dearborn National at 877-348-0487.

When will I know if my claim is

approved?

Within three days of receipt of all necessary information, a claim decision will be rendered.

How can I apply? Employees may apply during open enrollment for benefits.

Other questions? Contact Renae Dismuke at ext. 7573

FROM EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY, LET SERVICE RING!

March 8, 2015: Spring Forward! Daylight Savings Time Begins!

Volume 19 Issue 1 FOCUS Page 9

JCCEO Program Year Outcomes 10/01/14 - 01/31/15

HAPPY HOLIDAY WISHES FROM THEM TO US!

With the push of a key, Midfield

Energy Services staff gifted All JCCEO with warm holiday greetings and photogenic smiles in December.

Beautifully pictured at left are — Front

row, l to r: Crystal Grace, Rhonda Cummings, & Chavon Roberts; 2nd

row, l to r: Gwen Bearden, Susan Rob-inson, Dorothy Crosby (Energy Ser-vices Coordinator), Tyechia Owens,

Mary Harris, & Tamaria Powell; Back row, l to r: Linda Austin &

Willie Pace, Jr.).

Thanks Energy Services! You rocked it!

Midfield Energy

Office Staff

Bachelor of Science Degree

Early Childhood Education

University of Alabama at Birmingham

KATHLEEN PEAKE HS St. Joseph’s

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Child Development/Early Childhood Education

Lawson State Community College

TYLISHA CARPENTER HS Fairmont

SHANTE COACH HS Midfield Elementary

FOCUS online @www.jcceo.org

DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

HAPPY 2015 JCCEO! EVERY DAY, RESOLVE TO: