IFB Beat – Week of August 14, 2023

A Message from the Editor

Hello! This week, the Winston-Salem Facility will get a visit from Mayor Joines and city council members – read details below. In addition, check out our safe and productive workplace tip of the week, as well as what our S.E.E. kids are up to on their last week of camp.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Tips for a Safe and Productive Workplace Part 4: Building Access
– Winston-Salem Mayor Visit: Celebrating ARPA Grant
– See what S.E.E. is Doing
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– Benefit of the Week
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

New this Week

Tips for a Safe and Productive Workplace

IFB Solutions has put several processes in place to keep everyone safe at work. We will be sharing workplace safety tips in the next few editions of the IFB Beat and would like all employees to please adhere to these rules. This week we start with the procedure to access the building.

• All visitors must enter and sign-in through the front lobby. This includes family, friends, and employees on medical or other leave.
• Please do not let anyone in the building if they do not have a badge. You always have the right to ask to see someone’s badge at any door, especially if they ask you to hold it for them.
• If an employee forgets their badge, they should enter through the front lobby and speak with reception to gain access.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!

 

Winston-Salem Mayor Visit: Celebrating ARPA Grant

IFB Solutions was awarded a $300,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Transformational Grant by the City of Winston-Salem to support job training for 60 new hires, including 30 who are blind or visually impaired and retraining 67 current IFB employees in Winston-Salem. The new textile manufacturing projects such as IWOL and EWOL will create or sustain 127 meaningful and challenging jobs for people who are blind and sighted in our community. With these funds we will be able to cover a significant portion of the costs of retraining current staff and fund the hiring of the required new team members to meet the government contract requirement.

Mayor Allen Joines, city leaders, IFB board members and media will visit IFB on August 16 at 2:00pm. Dan Kelly will lead them on a tour of the facility and talk to employees/media about the city donation and the opportunities it funds. Supervisors, please make sure your departments are tidy as we host our guests. Thank you for your cooperation and let us give them a warm welcome.

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing

Melting ice cubes with salt is fun, but it is even more interesting if there is a dinosaur inside. The S.E.E. campers learned that salt helps ice melt faster so they could get their toy surprise.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

As a reminder, Adult Support Groups are managed by IFB’s AAA Committee. Last week, the AAA Committee shared about open call for members – read it here.

• Monday, August 14 NFB support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, August 15, VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Wednesday, August 16 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Thursday, August 17 Assistive Technology support group meeting from 7:00-8:00 via zoom (zoom link at end of newsletter).

 

CLVC Item of the Week:

Sunlight Low Vision Floor Lamp – White for $69.99. Imagine all you could do if you were able to bring natural sunlight indoors.

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. Have something to share? Email Faith at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

ABLE Accounts: Learn more!

In 2014, Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, creating a savings and investment account specifically for people with disabilities.

ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money that is not counted towards asset limitations set by means-tested benefit programs such as Medicaid or SSI. “Asset limits” prevent people with disabilities from saving money beyond $2,000 (a typical asset limit) and planning for their future. Anyone can contribute to an ABLE account – including the account owner, friends, family, organizations, nonprofits, and employers – up to $17,000 per year. There are lifetime balance limits for the various state ABLE Programs, which range from around $300k to over $500k. For more information check out this 6 minute video ABLE Account Introduction at ABLE today.

 

HR & Opportunities

Your Benefit of the Week

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

Did you know? Employees can save money on healthcare costs and earn cash rewards by visiting fair price providers for select services. Finding a fair price provider is easy! Before any planned medical procedures, call your Advisor to see if you qualify for rewards and discuss your provider options. You can save money and earn rewards simply by visiting a fair price providers for the following services:

• $100 reward: Colonoscopy, Endoscopy ( Upper GI), Knee Arthroscopy, Shoulder Arthroscopy
• $50 reward: Removal of Adenoids, Sleep Study, Tonsillectomy, Cataract Surgery, Cholecystectomy (laparoscopic), Ear Tube Placement, Heart Perfusion, Imaging Lithotripsy
• $25 reward: Most CTs, Most MRIs, Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE), Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) – with Doppler

Start earning rewards, Call your Advisor: 1-866-904-9081

New Job Announcements

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

Customer Service Representative- Maximus (Austin, TX area)

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 2 years of customer service experience preferred.
• If applicable, demonstrated proficiency in use of Assistive Technology required with either JAWS and/or Zoom Text for visual adaptation.
• Bilingual Spanish-English capability a plus.
• Must reside within 70 miles of Austin, Texas.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=69413&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=69414&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Customer Service Representative- Maximus (San Antonio, TX area)

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 2 years of customer service experience preferred.
• If applicable, demonstrated proficiency in use of Assistive Technology required with either JAWS and/or Zoom Text for visual adaptation.
• Bilingual Spanish-English capability a plus.
• Must reside within 70 miles of San Antonio, Texas.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=69490&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=69491&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more 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)