County Communicator - Employee Newsletter February 6, 2025

As we kick off a new year, let’s focus on fostering collaboration across departmentsand and working together to achieve greater impact. With such a large organization, the possibilities for partnership are endless. By combining efforts, we can amplify our reach and make a bigger difference in the lives of those we serve.

Initiatives like Operation Green Light and the Adoption Day Toy Drive demonstrate the power of teamwork—not only boosting success but also strengthening our internal relationships and showing the community our united commitment.

We encourage you to share how your department or program is collaborating with others. Whether it’s a partnership or a joint project, we’d love to hear your stories! Email us at Communications@kentcountymi.gov with the subject line “Collaborate.”

Interested in joining an interdepartmental committee?

Consider engaging in the interdepartmental committee below to connect with others and contribute to county-initatives.

• Cultural Insight Council
• Customer Service Team
• Wellness Committee

Here’s to making 2025 a year of teamwork and shared purpose!

Pictured above: Al Vanderberg,County Administrator/Controller

Our Retirement Services team offers a valuable resource, to all eligible employees, to assist with retirement planning. The GRS Retirement Calculator is a powerful tool that allows eligible employees to input various dates and calculate potential lifetime pension benefits. The calculator is available at https://advantage.gabrielroeder.com/.

Employees within one year of eligibility to begin receiving their pension benefits may request up to two pension estimates with retirement dates spaced at least six months apart. These requests should be sent to KCretirement@kentcountymi.gov.

Once employees have decided on a specific retirement date, contacting Michelle Balcom, the Pension Plan Administrator, is recommended three to five months before the planned retirement date. This will allow adequate time to schedule a meeting to apply for pension benefits and ensure a smooth transition into retirement. Meeting requests can be sent to Michelle at michelle.balcom@kentcountymi.gov.

Did you know you don’t have to wait a full year to schedule your wellness exam? February is the perfect time to prioritize your health—it’s National Heart Month, after all! Taking care of yourself is a great way to show a little love to the most important person in your life: YOU.

Here’s why scheduling your wellness exam is easier than ever:

• Covered Once Per Calendar Year: Your wellness exam is fully covered every calendar year, so you can schedule it at a time that works best for you.
• No 12-Month Waiting Period: Unlike some services, wellness exams don’t require a 12-month gap between appointments. You can schedule yours whenever it’s convenient for you this year!
• $0 Out-of-Pocket Costs: That’s right—your wellness exam is completely free. No surprise fees, no stress.

A wellness exam is an essential step in safeguarding your health. It’s an opportunity to check in with your doctor, discuss health goals, screen for potential concerns, and set yourself up for a successful, healthy year ahead.

Don’t Wait—Schedule Your 2025 Wellness Exam Today

Make your health a priority this Heart Month. Call your healthcare provider or book your appointment today!

Donate blood for a chance to win a trip to Hawaii!

• Monday, March 3 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  
• 63rd District Court, Jury Room, 1950 East Beltline, Grand Rapids

To reserve your appointment and for more details follow link here. 

The New County Website Has Launched! 

After more than a year of planning, collaboration, and hard work, our new website is officially live! This was a massive undertaking, and we want to give a huge shoutout to the Communications Team for their long hours and dedication in bringing this project to life. A special shoutout to Sawyer Johnson, who led the project with incredible dedication and attention to detail. His hard work ensured a smooth transition and a better experience for both staff and the public.

If you missed the email sent to all employees last Friday, please take a moment to read important details about the website. We recommend clearing your cache and bookmarking any new applications, documents, or other important resources. This step has resolved most issues related to the transition.

To ensure you receive critical emergency alerts through the Everbridge system, please verify and update your primary phone number and email in Advantage4 (AdV4) by close of business on Friday, Feb. 7. If you missed the original communication or need instructions on updating your contact information, please follow the link for more information. 

We will conduct a test alert on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m., which will reach your registered phone number and email. For assistance with AdV4, please contact the IT HelpDesk. For general inquiries, email communications@kentcountymi.gov.

Join Us for the 37th Annual Walk for Warmth

Dear Colleagues,

For those who don’t know me, my name is Gustavo Perez, Community Action Director. I’d like to personally invite you to join me and my team for our 37th Annual Walk for Warmth on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m.

This short, family-friendly walk raises funds to help Kent County families facing utility shut-offs for gas, electricity, or deliverable fuels like propane.

While the event is free to attend, we encourage participants to make a suggested donation of $25 to support this vital cause. Grab a colleague, friend, or family member and be part of a meaningful effort to keep our community warm this winter.

Visit our website to register and learn how you can donate. I hope to see you there. - Gustavo 

As we settle into the new year, it’s important to remember that flu and respiratory infection season is far from over. In fact, it typically extends into the middle of May. With many of us working in close quarters and the busy Spring Break travel season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to ensure you’re vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your coworkers, and your loved ones. The flu and other respiratory infections can spread quickly, especially in workplaces like ours, where we interact frequently with one another and the public.

Let’s work together to keep our workforce healthy and prevent the spread of illness during these final months of flu season. Make it a priority to get vaccinated, wash your hands regulary, and with supervisor approval, stay home when you're sick. Together, we can make a big impact in protecting our team and our community!

Call 616-632-7200 to schedule an appointment at any one of our clinic locations. 

Photo and video above: Amy Shears-Immunization Program Supervisor, Community Clinical Services.

The annual Robert Kozminski Memorial Basketball Game took place on Saturday, Feb. 1, benefiting the young daughter of Deputy Jon LaSotta. His daughter, Tierney, has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, also known as childhood dementia.

This special event not only brings our community together for a meaningful cause but also honors the memory of Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Robert Kozminski, who was killed in the line of duty in 2007.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to support the LaSotta family. Our thoughts are with Deputy LaSotta, his wife Kaitlin, and Tierney as they navigate this difficult journey.

Sheriff Michelle Lajoye-Young and Undersheriff Bryan Muir were honored to officially welcome 13 new Corrections Deputies and 7 new Road Patrol Deputies to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office this month.

Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow co-workers, these dedicated men and women took their Oath of Office to serve their community with integrity and commitment.

We wish them a long, safe, and rewarding career—welcome to the team!

The Customer Service Engagement Team is excited to invite you and your family to our first event of the year, Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle!

This event will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. in downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children, including ice skates.

Please contact Katie Nash with any questions.

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans—nationally and in Kent County. This year’s theme, "African Americans and Labor," highlights the vital role Black workers have played in shaping industries, advocating for rights, and strengthening communities. For a comprehensive list of events and activities in West Michigan, visit WOODTV's guide to 2025 Black History Month events and activities in West Michigan.

Supporting Black-owned businesses and learning about local history are great ways to celebrate. Let’s take this opportunity to reflect, learn, and honor Black history—not just this month, but all year long.

A Month for Kindness

Kindness is at the heart of public service, but constantly giving can be exhausting. That’s why kindness isn’t just about what we give—it’s also about what we receive.

Small gestures—a smile, a thank-you, a helping hand—create a ripple effect that uplifts everyone. Try these simple ways to spread kindness at work:

• Leave a Note – A sticky note or county gratitude card can make someone’s day.
• Bring a Treat – Surprise your team with coffee or snacks.
• Lend a Hand – Help a colleague with a task or project.
• Show Appreciation – Sincerely thank someone for their hard work.

Don’t forget to be kind to yourself, too! Take time to recharge—step outside, take a deep breath, or do something that brings you joy. A little self-care goes a long way in keeping the kindness flowing.

Let’s make February a month of kindness and carry it forward all year!

Michigan State University Extension is hiring an Integrated Pest Management Extension Educator to provide leadership and educational programming for apple and tree fruit industries in West Michigan. This role supports growers in improving sustainability and industry success.