WPS Benefit News September 2020 - In This Issue: Wichita Public Schools

WPS Benefit News
September 2020

In This Issue:
    September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month
    Live Inspired: You Gotta Nourish to Flourish
    Fixing Our Broken Sleep (FREE Webinar)
    Employee COVID-19 Hotline
    Reminder - Wellness Credits Waived for 2021 Plan Year
    WPS – Competitive Bene ts Package
    Discounts for WPS Employees

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 44,000 Americans die by
suicide every year. One way you can help lower this statistic is to talk about it. Having open
conversations about mental health and emotional struggles helps reduce the stigma – which is what
prevents a lot of people from seeking the help they need.

You should reach out for professional help if you or someone you know is showing any of the
following warning signs:

    Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
    Talking about being a burden to others
    Giving away prized possessions
    Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
    Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
    Sleeping too little or too much
    Withdrawing or feeling isolated
    Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
    Displaying extreme mood swings
    Exhibiting daring or risk-taking behaviors

Showing lack of interest in future plans

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)

                                                             Download
   pdf
           SuicideFactsGeneral.pdf
                                                              836.6 KB

                                                             Download
   pdf
           SuicideWarningSigns.pdf
                                                              6.2 MB

Live Inspired: You Gotta Nourish to Flourish

Fixing Our Broken Sleep

Free Webinar
In this webinar, you will learn techniques for overcoming common sleep problems like "trouble falling
asleep", "di culty staying asleep", "excessive thinking", "waking too early", "Sunday night insomnia",
"chronic insomnia" "shift-work di culties" and "daytime sleepiness". You will hear about the latest
population studies and the latest scienti c discoveries of the foundational relationship between sleep
and all areas of health. This hands-on presentation has helped many people to begin getting better
sleep almost immediately. Guided relaxation exercises teach techniques for initiating sleep and
returning to sleep.

Click here to access the webinar (this link allows you to skip the login page)

Employee COVID-19 Hotline
Employees of the Wichita Public Schools should call the COVID-19 Hotline or ll out the online form to
report their COVID-19 situation or get answers to common questions.

Some scenarios may include:
   You are positive for COVID-19
     You are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
     You have been in close contact with someone positive with COVID-19 inside or outside your home
     (were within 6' of the person for 10 minutes or longer)
     You have traveled to somewhere on the KDHE travel-related quarantine list

Click Here to complete online COVID-19 form or call hotline (316) 833-0074

Reminder: Wellness Credits Waived for 2021 Plan Year
As a reminder, the wellness credit requirement has been waived for the 2021 plan year only.

Employees and spouses will not be required to accumulate 100 wellness points between September
1,2019 and August 31, 2020 in order to earn the wellness premium waiver for the 2021 plan year.

Employees and Spouses on the district health plan will be required to earn 100 wellness points for the
2022 plan year and thereafter in subsequent plan years.

The points for the 2022 health plan year must be earned between September 1, 2020 and August 31,
2021 in order to be eligible for the wellness premium waiver for the 2022 health plan year.

                                                                                        Download
   pdf
           2022 Wellness Matrix.pdf
                                                                                         138.1 KB

WPS - Competitive Benefits Package
Wichita Public Schools is proud to offer a competitive salary and excellent bene ts package including
the lowest health plan premiums in the state for bene tted employees.

• Medical, Dental and Vision Bene ts • FREE Professional Development • KPERS Bene ts
• Federal Loan Forgiveness • Flexible Spending Accounts • FREE Employee Assistance Program
• 403b & 457 Retirement Plans • Catastrophic Emergency Bene t Pool • FREE Life Insurance
• District’s own Licensure Specialist • Supplemental Earnings potential • Employee Discounts
• FREE Short-term Disability Bene ts

Generous Leave Time: • Sick temporary leave days • Personal business days • Medical Leave
• Maternity & Paternity Leave • Paid holidays • Bereavement leave
                                                                     Rates as published January 2020

Discounts for WPS Employees
Our community values your work and many business owners offer discounts or perks just for you. You
can nd a listing of the discounts from the WPS website.

For more details about offers, visit the Employee Discount page by following these steps:

    Go to the district’s website: www.usd259.org
    Click on the SIGN IN link (at the top of the page) and log in. You MUST be logged in to see
    restricted content on the website.
    Place your curser over the STAFF button (in the red bar). You’ll see a drop-down menu – select
    EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS.

TIP: When you look at items on the list, you must click on the title of the company to see the complete
description, including code words and special links:

Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Health Plan Reminder: You have only have 31 days to make changes to your bene t elections with a
qualifying life event such as marriage, birth of child, or loss of other coverage.

                               Angela Blake
                               HR/Employee Bene ts & Insurance Management

                                    903 South Edgemoor Street, Wi…   employeebene ts@usd259.net

                                    316-973-4581                     usd259.org/HumanResources

Suicide Facts
                  Over 44,000
                   Americans
                   die by suicide
                   every year

                  Suicide is the
                   4th leading
                   cause of death
                   for people 18-65

                  For every death by
                   suicide, there are
                   over 25 suicide
                   attempts
    Suicide can be prevented.
    It’s up to everyone to learn the
    warning signs and reach out and
    help those with suicidal thoughts
    and feelings.

    800-624-5544 | eap.ndbh.com
    Source: Centers for Disease Control

Suicide Warning Signs
Knowing and recognizing the warning signs is key
to preventing suicide. Seek help if you or someone
you know is experiencing any of the signs below.

 Talking about wanting to die
 Looking for a way to kill oneself
 Talking about having no reason to live
 Giving away prized possessions
 Acting anxious or agitated
 Talking about being in unbearable pain
 Sleeping too little or too much
 Withdrawing or feeling isolated
 Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
 Showing rage or seeking revenge
 Displaying extreme mood swings
 Talking about being a burden to others

800-624-5544 | eap.ndbh.com
Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services;
Centers for Disease Control