|
|
Hello!
July is officially here!
Summer, Summer, Summer time, it's Summer time!
We are excited to bring you this month's UG Monthly Employee Newsletter. This newsletter highlights lots of great information, including information about how the UG is celebrating diversity and welcoming our many new employees.
Remember to practice self-care this summer and enjoy the great things our community has to offer!
We encourage you to read the complete newsletter, so you can stay informed and connected to what's going on in the UG and around the community.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding this newsletter at communications@wycokck.org.
|
|
|
The following individuals joined the Unified Government family in the past month - Welcome!
|
|
- Nichole Abdullah
- Graciela Abonce
- Sergio Aguilar
- Jessica Alvarenga-Gonzalez-Sepulveda
- Manuel Amaya
- Chukar Bailey
- Nathaniel Banks
- Brayden Baptist
- Shayn Berry
- Nicholas Bowlin
- Amanda Brown
- Alexandria Carrasco
- Jaquelin Carrera
- Lina Chavez
- Caramia Conaty
- Nathaniel Eakright
- Erica Fitchett
- Cory Grayson
- Morgen Harris
|
- Earl Henderson
- Akera Hightower
- Thy'Tira Hill
- Alexandra Holden
- Grace Jacobs
- Jared Johnstone
- Dionna Jones
- Sheila Jones
- Andrew Knapp
- Deangelo Logan
- Sofia Lopez
- Raelee Malec
- Roberta Maria
- SaVaughn McClaine
- Abigail Mejia
- Maria Mendez
- Janette Molina
- Arenis Montes
- Mekhi Neely
- Stephen Owen
|
- Colin Peck
- Zavion Pickens
- Kelci Pittman
- Philip Pruneda
- Jusa Ree
- Jacob Rehm
- Jesus Reyes Pena
- Julissa Rios
- Amy Rivas
- Isabel Robles
- Mary Russell
- Tyler Seifert
- Lovell Smith
- Richard Vaden
- Melina Vega
- Eduardo Velasquez
- Esmeralda Villarreal
- Chace Wells
- Eric Wilson
- Rafael Zamora
|
|
County Administrator's Corner
David Johnston
First off, I would like to express a huge welcome to all of our new employees. Welcome to the UG family!
UG Employees, Thank You for all that you do! We see and hear about the great work you do daily to positively impact our community.
Together we will work through our challenges and celebrate our wins. Continue to remember how important and valued you are.
County Administrator, David Johnston
|
|
|
July: Celebrating Disability Pride Month |
|
Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month?
Celebrated every July, it is dedicated to promoting awareness, acceptance, and empowerment of people with disabilities.
It is important to understand and celebrate our differences, because one in four U.S. adults live with a disability.
Promoting inclusivity and accessibility is vital for a diverse workforce. Raising awareness
can break down barriers and build stronger understanding and collaboration.
Disability Pride month marks the passage of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) July 26, 1990, which expanded civil rights protections.
The Disability Pride flag features a black background with diagonal stripes of blue, yellow, white, red, and green, representing the community’s diverse experiences, strengths, and resiliency.
Each color stripe has a meaning:
- Red - physical disabilities
- Gold - neurodiversity
- White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed
- Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression
- Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities
July 26 is also recognized as National Disability Independence Day.
|
|
|
|
The world we live in today is vastly different than the past. We now have additional ways to stay connected to one another by using many forms of technology. With these great advancements, also comes the opportunity for increased risk.
Check out these great tips on keeping you and your data safe, courtesy of the Department of Technology (DOTS) Cyber Security Team. Remember anything that seems questionable, please do not click on it and report it by clicking on the "Phish Alert Report" icon within your outlook inbox.
|
|
Employee Spotlights & Accomplishments
We are excited to spotlight our amazing staff! Each month we will be highlighting the great work and accomplishments of our staff.
 Department Spotlight: UG Legal Department
A huge thank you goes to the Legal Department for your unsung and unseen hard work and dedication!
Keep up the Amazing Work!
UG Staff,
This is a friendly reminder about our upcoming Water Pollution Control (WPC) Rebranding Internal Open House. We want you to be among the first to learn about our new direction, and the WPC team is excited to share more about our new brand and its significance with you.
Event Details:
Location: Wolcott Treatment Plant, 9407 Main Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66109
Date: Friday, July 19
Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
Join us for an informal, come-and-go event where you can:
- Chat with team members about the rebranding.
- Understand the importance and benefits of the new brand.
- Take brief tours of our facilities.
- Enjoy snacks and refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your thoughts on our new direction! Can’t make this one? That’s okay; you still have time to join another open house on Friday, August 16, at Flood Pump Station 17, located at 2134 Metropolitan Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66106.
Learn more about your wastewater system online at wycokck.org/wpc.
|
UG Employee Appreciation Program
Directors and Managers: Don't forget about the UG Employee Appreciation Program.
This program is sponsored by County Administration and allows department heads to nominate employees each month that show great customer service and dedication by going above and beyond in their daily work.
Nominated/ selected employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of fun events around town.
Remember, Directors may send nominees at any time you feel you have a team or team member that you feel deserves to be highlighted for their accomplishments and hard work.
Directors & Managers to learn more about this program, please contact Diana Segui at desegui@wycokck.org
July Winner: Congratulations to AJ Montes in the Department of Technolgy on being one of the many winners nominated and selected to enjoy some fun tickets in the community. AJ was nominated for going above and beyond by helping another department permanently solve a major technology issue that impacts the community.
|
Re: Elijah Rush and Ngi Tun
A community member called to express her appreciation and how refreshing it was witnessing such young men working diligently to solve the issue that was affecting her property.
According to Ms. Ruth they “did all the hard work” working tirelessly (in the rain) to get the job finished, this spirit of excellence was refreshing to see as she watched from her home! 😊
Never forget how you can help put a smile on someone's face by just being friendly and doing your job.
Great Job guys!
|
Check out our Employees in Action
Check out this recent visit of Wyandotte County/ KCK youth from the KCKPD Summer Youth Academy and the Argentine Betterment Corporation (ABC). Students were able to interact with Public Works professionals and get hands-on experience into the Public Works career field.
 Video Courtesy of Jeff Miles
|
|
UG Wellness Incentive Program
We are encouraging all employees to continue to engage in our Wellness Incentive Program. All 2024 rewards will be distributed on your paycheck in January 2025, unless you elected during the 2024 Open Enrollment period to have your reward deposited pre-tax into your HSA. There are 3 steps to complete to be able to receive the full incentive award, with minimum points to earn with each step. You can choose to complete the steps in any order, but you MUST complete all activities in “Step 1” to be eligible for any rewards.
More information can be found on the wellness portal at https://my.marathon-health.com/login .
Retirement Planning Starts Now!
I have also included information about Mission Square Wherever you are on your savings journey, you need to plan for the retirement you want. I'm here to help you along the way. You can meet with me in person or schedule a phone appointment to talk about the benefits of your retirement savings plan. Employees can meet with our Retirement Plans Specialist Jake Hoffman. Jake can be reached at jahoffman@missionsq.org or by clicking HERE for a phone appointment.
If you have any questions regarding the wellness incentive program or your retirement, please contact a representative from the UG Human Resources Department at 913-573-5660.
Looking to make a difference and join a fun environmentally friendly challenge? Well, join us in the recycling challenge.
We encourage you to start collecting those hard-to-recycle plastics and bring them to your building of choice - the waste collected will be weighed weekly.
Buildings will score points based on the amount collected per occupant. These plastics will be repurposed by NexTrex into park benches which will be installed in our community! Every 1,000 lbs of recycling collected = one new bench. Each week the top three buildings will be announced.
And the building winners for the week are.... Congratulations!! Keep up the great work!!!
1st Place - The Annex (11.1 Ibs)
The total pounds of plastic bags for 7/5 was 51.95 Ibs.
Let's keep up the recycling.
Participating Buildings:
- Municipal Building (701 N 7th Street)
- Health Department (600 Ann Avenue)
- Courthouse (710 N 7th Street)
- Juvenile Detention Center (738 Ann Avenue)
- Kaw Point Water Treatment Plant (50 Market Street)
- Fire Headquarters (815 N 6th Street)
- Police Headquarters (700 Minnesota Avenue)
- Neighborhood Resource Center (4953 State Avenue)
- Fleet Center (5033 State Avenue)
- UG Annex (8200 State Avenue)
|
Check out Patrick Holton gladly accepting last week's challenge trophy for the NRC.
 
|
|
Mark Your Calendar/ Resources |
|
It's time for back-to-school immunizations!
There are multiple back to school events in Wyandotte County offering free routine childhood vaccinations:
Save the dates!
1st Responders Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Pierson Park (Shelter 1) from 10pm - 2pm.
Join KCK 1st Responders for a back-to-school bash. This back-to-school bash is FREE for the community. Come enjoy fun, food, free school supplies, and good times! More details coming soon!
Turner Back to School Fair
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 4 pm - 6:30 pm
Turner High School
2211 S 55th St, Kansas City, KS 66106
Event will offer free routine immunizations, school supplies, activities, giveaways, and more. This event is for Turner School District Students only.
Wyandotte County Back to School Fair (KCKPS Foundation)
Saturday, August 10, 2024, 8 am - 1 pm
HomeField KCK
9250 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66112
Event will have immunizations, school supplies, activities, and vendors. This event is open to all WyCo residents.
Learn more:
kcksfoundation.org/backtoschool
Vibrant Health
Special Events on Saturday, August 17, 2024:
8am - 3pm: Immunizations and Physicals
Vibrant Health - Central Location
21 N 12th St, Kansas City, KS 66102
Services are available by appointment. Please call 913-342-2552 to make an appointment.
10 am - 1 pm: Back to School Bash
Earl Watson, Sr. Community Center
1120 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102
Event includes community booths, giveaways, free food, and more.
|
Stay Safe in this Summer Heat!
In the words of Will Smith: Summer, Summer, Summer..... Time, It's Summer Time!
Check out these family fun events you and your family and friends can check out here in our community. (Click on each event flyer to view complete event details)
|
|
|
|
|
