Tip #1: Know your open enrollment dates and deadline

Open enrollment dates will be from September 18, 2023 - October 13, 2023. Changes made during this time will be effective January 1, 2024. All employees must log into Workday by October 13, 2023, to review and process their open enrollment whether or not they intend to make changes. 

Tip #2: Review your benefit plan options

Knowing and understanding your options of what is being offered, including any benefit changes, is very important. Make sure to review the 2024 Benefits Brochure/Highlight Guide to learn about the benefits and any updates for the 2024 calendar year. 2024 Benefits Brochure/Highlight Guide can be found on Workvivo. Also, keep an eye out for any and all emails released from the Benefits Team. 

Tip #3: Compare benefits, coverage, and provider networks

Choosing a health plan is an important decision for both your well-being. It is critical to consider all of your options in order to select the best plan available for you and your family. Before you begin, consider your needs and ask yourself some basic questions. Are you selecting insurance for yourself, a dependent or your whole family? How often do you typically seek care each year? Do you see specialists? Do you have a chronic condition or medical need that will require attention in the coming year? These are all important factors to consider, alongside understanding the difference between and HMO and PPO plan or whether your preferred provider is in network. 

Tip #4: Compare premiums, City contributions, and out-of-pocket costs

You will have the opportunity to review benefit plan premiums, City contributions, and employee out-of-pocket costs by reviewing the 2024 Benefits Brochure/Highlight Guide. 2024 Benefits Brochure/Highlight Guide can be found on Workvivo. Also, keep an eye out for any and all emails released from the Benefits Team. 

Tip #5: Learn how Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

The City offers two FSA accounts - Healthcare and Dependent Care. Both accounts allow you to make out-of-pocket health expenses and dependent care (daycare) with pre-tax dollars. To learn more about the City's FSA join the Benefits Team on September 12, 2023 in the Council Chambers for Informational Sessions from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. 

* Note: 2024 Benefits Brochure/Highlight Guide will be released soon! Keep a look out for communications through Workvivo and emails from the Benefits Team.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week, the CL&C Mental Health Task Force invites you to join them on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in showing support to our residents and colleagues who have lost a loved one to suicide. Staff is encouraged to join CL&C in "Teal Tuesday" by wearing Teal and sharing your photos on Workvivo. The CL&C Mental Health Task Force will share the photos on CLC's social media on Wednesday, September 13. 

If you or someone you know are in crisis, remember the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cigna is available to all City of Ontario employees and those in their household. See "Additional Resources" below or contact the Benefits Team at x2433 for more information about the EAP. 

Also, the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. To start a conversation, simply call or text 988.

While suicide can be an uncomfortable topic, talking
candidly can bring greater understanding, as well as
give you tools to help someone who is struggling.
Learn the facts about suicide and what could put
someone at risk. We’ll discuss steps you can take
and words you might use if you think someone may
be considering suicide.

Visit the link below to view the virtual webcast:

http://www.cigna.com/EAPWebcasts

A Certificate of Attendance is available for this presentation. On-demand replay will also be available starting two (2) hours after the live presentation.

To view on-demand replay: Click the above link. When you log into the Wellness Webcast portal, you can choose to attend this seminar, register for upcoming seminars, or attend other on-demand seminars.

The Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 chicken thighs (skinless, boneless)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ cup basil pesto
• 8 oz fresh Mozzarella cheese (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil
• 5 oz cherry tomatoes each sliced in half

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 F.
2.  Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet until hot. Add sliced bell peppers (one green, one red). Season with salt and pepper. Sear the bell peppers for 5 minutes, until lightly softened. Remove to a plate.
3. Season boneless, skinless chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the same skillet until hot. Add chicken thighs and sear until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate. Note: Chicken thighs don't have to be cooked through at this point, as you will continue cooking them in the oven in the next steps.
4. Return cooked bell peppers to the same skillet. Place seared chicken thighs on top of bell peppers.
5. Top with minced garlic.
6. Spread basil pesto evenly over each chicken thigh.
7. Add thickly sliced fresh Mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Bake at 350 F in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken thighs are done. Do not overcook!
9. When serving, top each chicken thigh with fresh chopped basil, and cherry tomatoes sliced in half. 

CRUNCHES

Crunches target the abdominal muscles and adding them to your workout routine helps to tone and strengthen your core, improves your posture, trims down your waist, and increases your balance and stability.

How To Perform:

1. 1. Lie down on the mat, keep your knees bent, your back and feet flat, and your hands supporting your head.
   2. Lift your shoulders, squeeze your abdominal muscles and hold for 1 to 2 seconds.
   3. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat until set is complete.