Apply for a State of Indiana Public Service Recognition Scholarship by Sept. 1

Check out the latest promo featuring Indiana Department of Child Services Director Terry Stigdon on the advantages of studying online with WGU.

WGU Indiana is offering the Public Service Recognition Scholarship to honor those dedicated to providing public service within the Hoosier state. As part of its commitment to statewide workforce development, WGU Indiana is extending $5,000 tuition scholarships to 10 State of Indiana employees seeking to advance their careers through one of WGU Indiana’s 60 online degree programs.  

For more information, eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit indiana.wgu.edu/INpublicservice. 

Step into a new challenge and help end hunger in local communities

With each and every step, participants in the Go365 National Step Tournament 2018 can do their part to end food insecurity. One million meals, divided across winning teams, will be donated to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, in the name of the winning teams’ respective companies. How does it work? Companies compete against other similarly sized groups (or divisions) through a series of three individual challenge rounds counting the highest average step count per day.  Read full article on page 8 >

Go365 Be Smart, Get Healthier Contest opens August 20, 2018

Beginning August 20, Go365 members will be able to enter the Go365 Be Smart, Get Healthier Contest for a chance to win a smart home package from Amazon. To enter, you must complete an Official Online Entry Form and submit a 250-maximum word essay on the following topic: Explain how smart home technology can help you in your journey to get and stay healthier.

Read full article on page 10 >

Homeland Security staff ensuring ride safety at Indiana State Fair

Chris Funkhouser is something of an “old hand” with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). But even after 29 years, annual ride inspections at the Indiana State Fair are anything but “old hat” for the team leader of the Elevator & Amusement inspection crew, IDHS Fire & Building Safety Division. “I’m conscious about safety,” the longtime state employee said. “I take pride in that.” Funkhouser and other staff members spent much of Thursday morning finalizing inspections for the fair’s numerous amusement rides, less than 24 hours prior to the annual summer staple’s official opening to the public. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it, and when it comes to ensuring public safety through a series of rigorous inspections, experience certainly counts. Read full story on Employee Central >

Indiana state employees got creative in celebration of Health & Wellness Month 2018

From walking groups to weight loss challenges to lunchtime sporting events, Hoosier State workers found a variety of fun ways to get healthier in July – and each and every other day of the year. Check out page 5 of this month's The Torch for more. To read more in depth, check out these stories on Employee Central. Fast Friends: DCS office bonds, gets healthy with ‘fun runs’ and 5Ks > Shelby County FSSA hits gym, drops bad habits > IDEM weight loss challenge encourages healthy habits >

Download the latest issue of The Torch

You can download the state employee newsletter from the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD) website.

• Download August Issue

In this issue:

• Apply for a State of Indiana Public Service Recognition Scholarship by Sept. 1 (pg. 1)
• Lubbers honored with SHEEO excellence award (pg. 2)
• Homeland Security staff ensuring ride safety at Indiana State Fair (pg. 3)
• Ride Safe Indiana Day at the Indiana State Fair (pg. 4)
• Indiana state employees got creative in celebration of Health & Wellness Month 2018 (pg. 5)
• Do you know the differences in types of diabetes? (pg. 7)
• Check out Omada and more options to tackle diabetes (pg. 7)
• Step into a new challenge and help end hunger in local communities (pg. 8)
• Go365 Be Smart, Get Healthier Contest opens August 20, 2018 (pg. 10)
• 100 spots added to 5k at Fort Harrison! (pg. 10)
• Drug Abuse Symposium Early-bird registration (pg. 11)
• Statehouse display at the Indiana State Library (pg. 11)
• Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. Educational Open House  (pg. 12)

Miss an issue? Archived issues of The Torch are available at www.in.gov/spd/2540.htm.

New Benefit: Omada

A Cure for the Common Diet

Forget quick fixes: With the Omada program, you’ll pick up healthy habits you can live with long term. LEARN MORE >

The State of Indiana and the Invest In Your Health program is offering Omada, a new health benefit for eligible employees and adult family members who are enrolled in the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan—at no cost.

Mini-mini discount for State of Indiana employees

The 500 Festival mini-mini takes place on Sunday, August 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The mini-mini gives Indiana’s youth an Indy Mini experience sized just for them! Kids aged 5-12 will compete in various distances ranging from a half-mile to 2.5 miles with all races finishing at the famed Yard of Bricks.

Spend a fun-filled afternoon with the family by joining the 500 Festival at the mini-mini. As an added bonus, State of Indiana employees can receive 20% off the pre-registration rate of $15 by entering “code” in the discount code field. 

Register today >> 

Don’t delay, pre-registration ends August 23!

Contact Us

Email the SPD Communications staff if you have any problems viewing the newsletter, subscription questions or if you would like to suggest an article.

The Torch is published monthly by the State Personnel Department