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FEBRUARY 2023

Skills-Based Hiring is On Its Way

The State of Colorado has launched the first components of the statewide Skills-based Hiring (SBH) program. The State’s Division of Human Resources is working with agency human resources offices to support them in the implementation of this program to strengthen the State’s workforce. 

SBH’s primary focus is to use an applicant’s skills and/or previous work experience to meet the minimum qualifications for State of Colorado job postings. 

The purpose of this program is to attract a more diversified workforce and alleviate staffing shortages by removing the higher education requirement barrier. 

According to the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Colorado has significant gaps in educational attainment when measured by race and ethnicity. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education’s strategic plan, Colorado Rises, includes a 66% statewide education attainment goal by 2025.

According to CDHE’s research, the following racial and ethnic disparities exist when compared to the statewide attainment goal of 66%:

• African American or Black: 37.9% attainment rate (a gap of 28.1%)
• American Indian or Indigenous: 30.9% attainment rate (a gap of 35.1%)
• Hispanic or Latinx: 25.1% attainment rate (a gap of 40.9%) 

Please be on the lookout for SBH supervisor-specific training in June. Reach out to your agency’s HR business partner for more information on how to implement SBH into your existing hiring processes.

CDPS Emphasizes Accessibility

Learn About State Printing, Mail,
Scanning, Distribution, and More 

February is In-Plant Awareness Month and
IDS' in-person celebration is back!

Did you know that Integrated Document Solutions (IDS) has refreshed its Customer Service Representative team and has assigned Customer Account Managers for specific departments?

As IDS values each agency's needs and the complexity of the work provided to the State, IDS Account Managers work with agencies exclusively to learn the intricacies of their business to provide the services each desire and with high standards. Whether the job is as simple as business cards or as complex as a yearly financial report, IDS builds a one-on-one relationship with each customer to provide the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

OPEN HOUSE & FACILITY TOURS
IDS Denver/North Campus
1001 E. 62nd Ave., Denver

Feb. 22, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tours Every Hour

If you are interested in visiting Denver's IDS North Campus,
please click on the register button.

What is In-Plant Awareness?

This annual campaign is on the national stage and is about recognizing the special contributions of document services internal design, print, mail, and distribution professionals make in order to provide excellent service choices to their customers.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

Did you know that working for the State may qualify you, or your employees, for student loan forgiveness?

If you are employed by a government or non-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a repayment plan while working full-time for a qualified employer.

If you are working toward PSLF, you can use the PSLF Help Tool to assist you in starting the process.

Consider This...

A New Look to Your PERA Account

The next time you log into your Colorado PERA secure account, you will notice improvements that create a better member experience.

The design is more user-friendly, with easier access to key information such as your account balance, projected monthly benefit, service credit, and more.

Take a moment to log into your account today at copera.org.

Open Enrollment is Just Around the Corner

This year's open enrollment period is April 11, 2023, through May 1, 2023. 

During this time, all State of Colorado employees can modify their benefits (health, life, dental, disability insurance, and more).

Please keep an eye out for open enrollment communications from the Department of Personnel & Administration, and your agency's human resources team.

CDPHE's Putnam Named Product Director of the Year

Congratulations to Andrew Putnam for being elected Product Director of the Year for 2022. The State of Colorado Product Directors is a group of agency technology leaders who meet monthly to collaborate on technology initiatives, strategy, budget, and services. Putnam, Business Technology Product Director for the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, was selected by a group of his fellow Product Directors throughout State government at their most recent meeting. Congratulations, Andrew!

Know Your Benefits:
How’s Your Heart Health?

February is American Heart Month and a great time to remind employees to schedule an annual check-up with their doctor. These annual check-ins help keep us healthy by screening for and preventing serious medical issues. 

Do not have time to see a doctor in person? Skip the waiting room and speak with a board-certified physician over the phone or on your computer. 

Preventive care visits are no-cost to all employees on a State medical plan. Make your next appointment by following the links below:

Cigna Members

• On-demand urgent care services (telephone, video, chat)
• Schedule appointments with a primary care provider or another physician (video)

To schedule an appointment, visit mycigna.com or download the myCigna mobile app. Everside Health also offers virtual appointments. Visit Everside Health’s website to learn more. 

Kaiser Permanente Members

• On-demand chat with a clinician, mental health specialist, and more
• 24/7 medical advice
• Schedule appointments with a primary care provider or another physician (video)

To learn more, visit kp.org/getcare or download the Kaiser Permanente mobile app.

Questions? Contact your agency's benefits administrator.

To help address the issue of safe driving, the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) is providing a free, online defensive driving course for all State of Colorado employees. This course is a must, especially if you have employees whose work requires them to drive. This two-hour online course is designed to help drivers of all experience levels make better choices behind the wheel, recognize hazards of the road, and understand the habits we all have while driving that put us at risk. Many State employees spend much of their time at work behind the wheel of a vehicle, driving to and from job sites each day. Many do not realize that driving is one of the biggest daily hazards they will face.  According to the National Safety Council, the leading cause of occupational fatalities is vehicle-related crashes. According to CDOT statistics, in 2021, there were a total of 93,025 total vehicle accidents resulting in 638 fatalities on Colorado roads alone. It is important to take driving safety seriously. To participate, visit the National Safety Council Online Training Center and register for the course. When prompted for a code, enter "CORISKAV" to gain access.   Required information for registration includes: Login ID (username) Password First Name & Last Name Agency Department Work Phone Work Email Address Once the course is started, you can exit and return at a later time to continue, so make sure to remember your username and password. Training must be completed within 30 days from the start date.  In addition to learning valuable knowledge about how to become a more defensive driver, you may also qualify for a personal auto insurance discount! Let your employees know about this valuable course, and remind them to contact their auto insurance carrier for possible additional benefits.