IFB Beat – Week of December 18, 2023

A Message from the Editor

Greetings all! Tis the season to be jolly! Need a laugh to start the week? Stroll the Beat and find the chuckle of the week. Also find:

  • Winston-Salem and Asheville Facility holiday celebration reminders
  • Do you like helping others? If so, please consider applying to be an IFB mentor for new hires at our Winston-Salem Facility
  • Meet the 2024-2027 Winston-Salem Facility AAA Committee

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– IFB Beat Reminders
– Holiday Celebration Details
– Meet the 2024-2027 Winston-Salem AAA Committee
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– Reminder: Mentorship Program at the Winston-Salem Facility
– Reminder: Business Essentials 2024 – Winston-Salem Facility
– Reminder: Benefit of the Month – Mammogram Signup
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

IFB Beat Reminders

The past few weeks have been packed with information, so here’s a few reminders in case you missed these updates:

 

Holiday Celebrations Details

Asheville Facility:

Get ready to have a ton of fun celebrating this holiday season! On December 21 employees will be treated to a Christmas lunch from Boxcar Grille. Prior to lunch there will be several door prize drawings. We also look forward to a week of festivities starting on Monday, December 18!

  • Monday, December 18 – Wear Your Christmas Colors Day
  • Tuesday, December 19 – Wear Your Christmas Accessories Day (jewelry, scarves, socks, hat, etc.)
  • Wednesday, December 20 – Wear Your Pajamas Day (within the IFB dress code, please)
  • Thursday, December 21 – Ugly Sweater and Ugly Hat Day

** There will be a workday early dismissal on December 21. Dismissal will be at 1 pm and all employees who clock out no earlier than 1 pm will be paid for the remainder of the scheduled workday. Mountain Mobility has been notified of the early pickup time.

Winston-Salem Facility:

Happy Holidays! We will be celebrating the holidays ALL MORNING on Thursday, December 21st!! Festivities will include holiday music, cookies & hot chocolate during your regularly scheduled first break, and giftbags for EVERYONE! We will also have 3 contests: best Ugly Sweater, best Santa Claus, and best Dressed Elf. If interested in participating in any of the contests, please let your supervisor know by December 18.

** There will be a workday early dismissal on December 21. There will be no lunch breaks. Dismissal will be at 12:30and all employees will be paid for the remainder of the scheduled workday. For all those to which this applies, please schedule your transportation accordingly.

 

Meet the 2024-2027 Winston-Salem AAA Committee

Group photo of AAA Committee, from left to right Diana Soto, Jason Kirkpatrick, Marcia Harton, Naomi Venable, Oryan Battis, Shonn Redmond
From left to right Diana Soto, Jason Kirkpatrick, Marcia Harton, Naomi Venable, Oryan Battis, Shonn Redmond

The AAA Committee has installed new, enthusiastic, mission-driven members. AAA is an employee-driven committee representing Advocacy, Advancement, and Awareness. Their mission involves serving as a bridge which conveys awareness towards improvements and ideas from employees who are blind or low vision to upper management and the executive team. This collaboration progresses successful advancement of IFB’s future.

AAA is the advocator of blind and low vision employees work, navigation, and accessibility needs. They bring awareness through:

  • Supporting IFB Programs’ Sensitivity to Blindness Training for new hires and sighted employees
  • Literal firsthand manufacturing experience for executives and upper management improving their knowledge of work environments.
  • Enhancing Winston-Salem’s view of our community through volunteer opportunities and partnerships, as well as providing clear communication connecting it all and so much more.

Here’s the committee that will positively advocate, bring awareness, and seek advancement for all employees over the next three years!

  • President: Shonn Redmond, Community Low Vision Associate
  • Vice President: Jason Kirkpatrick, Supply Chain Analyst
  • International Chairperson: Diana Soto, ACS Sewing Machine Operator
  • Communications Chairperson: Naomi Venable, Development Specialist
  • Community Outreach Chairperson: Marcia Harton, ACH Pads Machine Operator
  • New Hire Orientation Chairperson: Oryan Battis, ACS Sewing Machine Operator

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

  • Monday, December 18 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in the computer lab
  • Tuesday, December 19 VIPS club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room
  • Wednesday, December 20 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

Image of Three-Section Melamine Plate

Three-Section Melamine Plate for $9.95. Three separate food compartments have raised sides to push fork or spoon against.

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Insider Corner

This section is edited by Faith Harding. Reach out to her at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

Eschenbach presents: Common Eye Diseases: How they can be treated with low vision aids

Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 3pm Eastern

Join Dr. Thomas Porter from St. Louis University as he talks about which types of low vision aids can help with the most common eye diseases.

Register here.

Holiday Air Travel: Laws and Information for Travelers Who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Before packing those bags for air travel, some information about laws, as well as pointers, can be helpful to the traveler who is visually impaired. A number of laws apply to travel on airplanes, including specific provisions related to trips taken by people who are blind or have low vision as well as those with other disabilities.

Learn more at Holiday Air Travel: Laws and Information for Travelers Who are Blind or Have Low Vision – Partners for Sight

Medicaid Expansion has arrived for North Carolinians, effective December 1st.

Starting December 1, more people can get health coverage through Medicaid. Medicaid covers people aged 19 through 64 now with higher incomes. North Carolinians may now be able to get health care insurance through Medicaid even if they haven’t qualified before. Medicaid pays for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, mental health services, and more — at little or no cost to beneficiaries. Those eligible for Medicaid before December 1 will still be covered. Most people can get health care coverage through Medicaid if they meet these criteria: Live in North Carolina, Age 19 through 64, Are a citizen. Some non-U.S. citizens can get health care coverage through Medicaid, Have a household income below 138% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $20,000 for a single adult or about $34,000 for a family of three.
Apply for Medicaid online at epass.nc.gov. You can also submit a paper application or apply in person at your local Department of Social Services (DSS). Applications may take up to 45 days to process. Incomplete applications may take longer. Make sure to provide all of the information requested and keep your contact information up to date in ePASS to help this process go faster. You can also sign up for an enhanced ePASS account to update your information without contacting your local DSS office. Apply here: Apply for Medicaid Expansion Overview (nc.gov)

 

Thanks for strolling the IFB Beat! You found the Chuckle of the Week.

Question: Why did Santa put a clock in his sleigh?
Answer: Because he wanted to see time fly!

HR & Opportunities

Reminder: Mentorship Program at the Winston-Salem Facility

Do you like helping others? If so, please consider applying to be an IFB mentor for new hires. A mentor is someone who will help a new employee learn all about IFB Solutions. This includes showing them where things are located in the facility such as the time clocks, Canteen, bathrooms, supervisor’s desk, and where to meet transportation. Please note that being a mentor would take some time away from your production, but the goal is for the mentor to help the new hire become comfortable and independent in navigating his/her new surroundings.

If you are interested, please contact Brenda Livingston at blivingston@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5694 or Kim Shoffner at kshoffner@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5669. The deadline to apply is Thursday, December 21.

Reminder: Business Essentials 2024 – Winston-Salem Facility

IFB Solutions is pleased to be partnering once again in 2024 with Guildford College to offer Business Essentials. The target audience for this training opportunity is open to hourly IFB associates in Winston-Salem who meet all criteria set forth on the Business Essentials Application. Please note this class will be held in person at the Winston-Salem facility.

Some topics that will be covered in this participant focused training include:

  • Business: What, Why and How
  • Deciding to be a manager
  • Money Matters
  • Marketing
  • Motivating and Leading People
  • Ensuring Quality

To be eligible to participate in this course, associates must meet the following criteria:

  • An application must be completed in full at the below link.
  • An updated copy of the applicant’s resume must be submitted to Brent Burkholder via email at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.
  • All associates must be employed with IFB for at least 6 months.
  • All participants must have satisfactory attendance and job performance.
  • All associates must have their computer skills assessed by the Workforce Development team (HR will schedule and coordinate this assessment).
  • All participants must be recommended to participate in this class by their supervisor. (HR will obtain recommendation).

Applications are available at:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NUN09ITzFOTjgxUVRNNFVWQVRTOUZDN0pPUC4u

The deadline to have the application and all supporting materials submitted for consideration is Friday January 6, 2024. For more information or questions please contact Brent Burkholder at 336.245.5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Benefit of the Month

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Early detection is the best defense against cancer. The American College of Radiology recommends that women over 40 have an annual mammogram.

The mobile mammogram unit will be onsite at our Winston-Salem location Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 9AM to 4 PM. An appointment is required to get your mammogram. To schedule an appointment contact Ciara Frenette in the benefits department at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Please note that the minimum age for a mammogram screening is 35 years of age recommended by the American College of Radiology. You will need to bring your insurance card (if applicable) and driver’s license or picture ID on the date-of-service and must have an active primary care provider. The mobile is for screening patients only. If you are experiencing problems (pain, lump, six-month follow-up, etc.), you will need to be seen at the Breast Clinic.

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576

 

Assistive Technology Support Group Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/94434630872?pwd=aXFYSHYyWkh1SE1tWDNOdDIwVURwUT09

Meeting ID: 944 3463 0872
Passcode: 924496

+13017158592, 99434630872, #, # US (Germantown)

+13126266799, 99434630872, #, # US (Chicago)