In This Issue

Written employment exam tips from HR

Special tax notice from Benefits

Learn about cultural competency with Training & Development

Ways to plan for your retirement with Deferred Compensation

Find your focus with the Employee Assistance Program

Get healthy and be well with Wellness

Keep your balance with WorkLife

Beginning with the 2015 tax

year, the Affordable Care Act

(ACA) requires the County of

Ventura to annually provide a

Form 1095-C to each

employee who was a full-time

employee for any month of

the tax year. This form

includes information on

medical coverage offered by

the County to the employee,

and may need to be reported

on the employee’s 2015 tax

return. Keep a look out! The

County will mail out the

completed 1095-C to

eligible employees in late

February 2016.

In-Sync With CEO/Human Resources

January-March 2016

W elcome to the reenergized In-Sync HR Newsletter! Four times a year

we will send this little gem of collective wisdom your way with announcements

of event dates, program features, and interesting, motivating articles. Please

take a minute to browse so you are aware of the many benefits and

opportunities that you have as a County employee!

I have to take a written WHAT…?

You have been keeping an eye on the job postings and

finally the opportunity that you have been hoping for

has opened up! Excitement turns to anxiety when you

see that a written exam is necessary to test applicants

specific areas of knowledge and abilities. There’s no

need for panic, just be prepared! To review

suggestions and strategies for taking a written exam

click here: http://goo.gl/XfACsi

HR.Admin@ventura.org

Cultural Competency Training is Coming to the County of Ventura!

What exactly is cultural competency? The word culture is used because it

captures our thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, and

values. The word competency is used because it means having the capacity

to do something successfully. For more information on cultural competency

training click here: http://goo.gl/jmuOzg

Follow us online for up-to-date job openings!

Twitter@CoVenturaJobs

LinkedIn–County of Ventura

TAX NEWS from Benefits

A Plan Contribution is the amount an employer and employees pay into a retirement plan. There are limits to how much employees can contribute to a plan each year. The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the retirement plan limits will not be changing for 2016. The contribution limits for 2016 will remain at the

rates listed below.

401(k) Shared Savings Plan $18,000

401(k) Shared Savings Plan Baby Boomer Catch-Up $24,000 (If you’re at least 50 or will turn 50 in 2016)

Section 457 Plan $18,000

Section 457 Plan Baby Boomer Catch-Up $24,000

(If you’re at least 50 or will turn 50 in 2016)

Section 457 Plan Special Catch-Up $ 36,000 (You must have prior years of unused deferrals and meet certain age and service requirements.)

You are automatically enrolled in the Baby Boomer Catch-Up Program for both Plans if you are at least 50 years old, or will turn 50

in 2016. This means that the payroll system will not stop your contributions at $18,000, but will allow you to make contributions up

to $24,000. If you want your contributions to stop at $18,000, contact the Deferred Compensation Program at 805.654.2620.

You are not automatically enrolled in the Section 457 Plan Special Catch-Up Program. If you want to participate in the Special

Catch-Up Program, call the Deferred Compensation Program at 805.654.2620. If you enroll in the 457 Plan Special Catch-Up

Program, you cannot participate in the Baby Boomer Catch-Up Program for either Plan.

To change your contributions, call Fidelity at 800.343.0860 or logon to Fidelity NetBenefits® at netbenefits.com/ventura

Remember, there’s a waiting period for any changes to your 457 Plan contribution. Contact the Deferred Compensation Program

for more information.

Deferred

Compensation

News

When creating a financial plan, building a strong foundation will

help you get off to a good start.

This strong financial foundation is more than just being prepared for retirement,

it’s about being prepared for everything that life has to offer. Like most things

the best place to start is with the basics. These basics include budgeting and

debt management, building an emergency fund, reducing health care costs and

understanding Social Security. To help build your strong financial foundation

we are happy to introduce Financial Basics through Fidelity. This new online

educational offering can help break it all down and provide the next steps to

help you get, and stay on track. Through Financial Basics you will find tips and

resources in multiple formats, from videos and graphics to articles. No login is

required so even if you are not enrolled you can go exploring.

Make your financial well-being a priority in 2016. Click on the link below to

check out the new Financial Basics offering on NetBenefits.

Find your answers now

If you have questions after navigating the site, or would like to partner on a

strategy specific to your situation, talk with a Fidelity Representative at

866.630.9720 to help you get started.

The Rules They Are a- Changin’ The Deferred Compensation Committee recently

amended the Ventura County 401(k) Shared Savings Plan

Loan Rules and Procedures (Loan Rules) as follows:

Once repayment of a loan has been completed a

new loan cannot be initiated for a period of 15

calendar days.

The implementation of this waiting period means that

early loan payoffs through Fidelity no longer need to be

made by cashier’s check or money

order. You can now also complete

your loan payoff by personal check or

ACH. The waiting period is effective

January 1, 2016.

If you would like to make an additional payment, or

payoff your 401(k) loan contact Fidelity at 800.343.0860.

Any questions give us a call at 805.654.2620, or e-mail us

at deferred.compensation@ventura.org.

GETTING DOWN TO BASICS

Plan Contribution Limits

401(k) Shared Savings

and Section 457 Plans

County Executive Office Human Resources Division

Employee Assistance

Licensed staff are available to assist you and your family with personal,

marital, work-related, or other issues that may be emotionally challenging

or overwhelming.

Free to all County employees and eligible dependents enrolled in a County

sponsored medical or opt-out plan.

I n many circles, employers and

employees hold the belief that the

harder you work, the more successful

you are, and the more successful you

are, the happier you will be. However,

research in the field of “positive

psychology” offers a different

perspective. While we are all

accountable for creating a positive

workplace (managers, teams and our-

selves), our own happiness is directly

related to finding opportunities for

positive thinking, even in a challeng-

ing or stressful workplace. When we

are positive, our brains become more

engaged, creative, motivated, ener-

getic, resilient, and productive at

work. In his book, The Happiness

Advantage (2010), Harvard professor

Shawn Achor provides detailed

research to support this point to

organizations, managers and

employees. In fact, in his incredibly

entertaining TED talk (link provided

below), Achor provides easy steps

that allow employees access to

thinking more positively at work.

The Happy Secret to Better Work

http://tiny.cc/noui7x

Clinical Psychologist and

researcher John Gottman,

Ph.D, has done extensive

research on what helps

strengthen relationships. He

has conducted studies on

hundreds of different couples

in varying stages of marriage.

He not only interviewed

them but also videotaped

their interactions while

measuring their body’s

reactions to both positive

and negative experiences.

The following article by

Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.

highlights these evidence

based principles.

A utomatic thoughts are those

immediate, first, quick thoughts that go through our mind in response

to a situation. Tension or stress can be caused by automatic thoughts and can intensify the feeling. It is hard sometimes for us to remember that

having a thought or belief about an event does not always mean that it is true. Our brains tend to fall into

“thinking traps” that, if we can

become more aware of the pattern,

can make a huge difference in how we react. The following are two very

simple handouts that can help you identify these patterns and thinking traps.

About Automatic Thoughts http://goo.gl/m4R8r4

Unhelpful Thinking Habits http://goo.gl/2tCret

Focus on . . . THE FAMILY

805-654-4327

The EAP provides professional and confidential mental health counseling

support to you and your family.

http://tiny.cc/fjui7x

REGISTER FOR THE WELLNESS PROFILE AND CLASSES AT HTTP://SECUREVCWEB/WELLNESS

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the

GetFit Classes!

Wellness.Program@ventura.org 805.654.2628 http://www.ventura.org/benefits/wellness-program

Beginner’s Boot Camp

This beginner’s boot camp is just what you need to slim down and

shape up.

Couch to 5K

Never ran before? No Problem!

Healthy Weight Your Way

Harness the power of tracking to lose a pound per week without

starving or dieting.

Yoga/Stretch and Flex

Discover why participants report reduced stress and pain.

Core Workout

Join us for an introduction to Pilates, a popular exercise technique.

Get Fit at Work

Discover easy & effective ways to get the exercise you need - -

at work!

Weight Training 101

Learn quick, effective exercises you can do at home or in a gym.

Recipe Makeover

Learn techniques to lighten and transform your favorite dishes.

Fit Cooking

Learn quick and easy tips for healthier cooking.

Complete the Wellness Profile and enter to win a Fitbit®

Charge HR! A winner is drawn for

each Wellness Profile date!

UPCOMING DATES:

EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY @ the Government Center, EHS

and in the ACR on Thursday, February 18

VENTURA JCC (Thurs. 1/14) SIMI JCC (Thurs. 1/28)

N. OXN PH (Thurs. 3/10) VCMC-Vta (Thurs. 4/7)

H igh blood pressure, or hypertension, is a dangerous

condition that affects approximately 30% of

Americans, causing up to 60K deaths per year. High blood

pressure is often called “the silent killer” because it typically

has no symptoms until after it has done significant damage

to the heart and arteries. In fact, almost 20% of Americans

who have high blood pressure don’t know they have it and,

therefore, don’t know that they are at risk for heart attack,

stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. (secondscount.org)

So how can you track your blood pressure? Sign up for a

WELLNESS PROFILE! The Wellness Profile is a valuable

health assessment for all Regular County Employees and

their spouses. You will receive a powerful results report that

identifies your blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL,

triglycerides, glucose and more. The Wellness Profile is FREE

and confidential and you may have the option to meet in

person with a Health Coach/Nutritionist.

What you don’t know hurt you!

Want to feel better and more energetic in 2016? VC-WELL! can help you make it happen starting with a vitalizing GetFit Campaign this January through April. The GetFit Campaign includes GetFit Classes, Challenges, Tools and Rewards. Don’t miss your chance to win your Fitbit Charge HR just for completing the Wellness Profile or a Fitbit Zip for attending classes! And there is so much more in store!!!

Later in the year the VC-WELL! EatWell Campaign kicks off, followed by a restorative LiveWell Campaign! These campaigns will add Special Events and more Classes, Challenges, Tools and Rewards!

Be healthier, happier, and more energetic at work and play! It’s all about feeling your best! For you, your family and the community we serve, let’s join together and inspire a culture of health!

Visit http://www.ventura.org/benefits/wellness-program to keep posted on all the latest details!

Y our Ventura County Wellness Program is excited to announce the launch of 2016, The Year of VC-WELL!

“Ventura County-Working Energetically-Loving Life”!

WorkLife Program worklife@ventura.org

805/477-7234

Are You Caring for an Elderly Relative?

Whether your loved one lives with

you, lives across town or is out of

state, caring for an elderly or sick

relative can be stressful. Caregivers

need to nourish their spirit and support their physical

and mental health. Join us to receive support and

resources at the Elder Care Support Group. Drop in as

your schedule allows, no registration is required.

Government Center - HOA, Rm 331

Noon - 1:00pm

January 27, February 24, March 30 Email: worklife@ventura.org for more info

Attend the Path to Home Ownership Home Buying Seminar!

Whether you are a first-time home buyer, move-up buyer or

getting back into the housing market, the information

provided will give you the tools to be a more informed buyer.

Go to http://www.coastalhousing.org/ to register!

Thinking About

Buying a Home?

January 27th or March 8th, 2016

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Government Center - HOA, Multi Purpose Room

Resolve to Find Your Balance in 2016!

W ould you like 2016

to be the year that

you find some balance

between your work and

your life outside of work?

Well maybe to find that

balance you first need to

know what work-life

balance is not. Work-life

balance does not mean an

equal balance. Trying to

schedule an equal number

of hours for each of your

various work and personal

activities is usually unre-

warding and unrealistic.

Life is and should be more

fluid than that. Rather,

think about work-life

balance as the meaningful

daily achievement and

enjoyment in each of your

four life quadrants: Work,

Family, Friends and Self.

Strive to achieve and enjoy

something at work each

day. Do the same with your

family and friends, and

especially yourself. At work

you can create your own

best work-life balance by

making sure you not only

achieve, but also reflect on

the joy of the job, and the

joy of life, everyday! If

nobody pats you on the

back today, pat yourself on

the back and help others to

do the same. When you do,

you are the person that not

only gets things done, but

enjoys the doing. All very

simple concepts but

effective. Make it happen

in 2016 - for yourself, your

family and all the important

people you care about.

Achieve & Enjoy!

Child Care

Lactatio

n A

ccom

mo

dati

on

Elder Care

Many of these resources can be found online at:

http://myvcweb/index.php/hr/benefits/work-life-program

Resources Available from the

WorkLife Program!