The County Board of Supervisors activated Disaster Leave provisions in their Oct 10, 2017 local emergency proclamation.  This means that employees may now donate leave time to other employees who have had their primary residence affected by current disaster.   Employee donations are pooled and distributed retroactively to eligible employees.  Additional information is provided on the application and donation forms.  

I Need Leave Donations!  If your primary residence has been affected in the multi-complex fires that began on October 9, 2017, you may be eligible to receive donated leave hours from fellow County employees.  For more information and to apply for benefits, please read and complete the Disaster Leave Request Form below.

• Disaster Leave Request Form (Word: 56 kB)
• Disaster Leave Request Form (PDF: 245 kB)

I Want to Donate Leave! If you are a County employee who would like to donate vacation or compensatory hours to employees in need, please complete the Disaster Leave Donation Form below. 

• Disaster Leave Donation Form (Word: 52 kB)
• Disaster Leave Donation Form (PDF: 192 kB)

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The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa have opened a Local Assistance Center as a one-stop resource for residents who have been impacted by the fires. Services include FEMA, DMV, Red Cross, child care, housing assistance, and others.

The Center is located at the Press Democrat building, 427 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa (between Ross and 5th Streets). Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.) - no donations accepted at this site.

• Visiting The Local Assistance Center
• Property Tax Relief for Fire Damaged Properties

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Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, transportation accidents or wildfires are typically unexpected, sudden and overwhelming. For many people, there are no outwardly visible signs of physical injury, but there can be nonetheless an emotional toll. It is common for people who have experienced disaster to have strong emotional reactions. Understanding responses to distressing events can help you cope effectively with your feelings, thoughts and behaviors, and help you along the path to recovery.

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INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES 

This is a reminder that confidential individual and group counseling is being offered on the County campus for employees. 

Counselors are here to provide emotional support as well as information on available resources through ValueOptions, our Employee Assistance Program.  These resources are designed to help employees through their immediate situations.   All sessions are professional, confidential (if an individual session, of course), solution-focused, and offered at no cost.  No appointment necessary—just drop in for a visit. 

Here’s the where and when: 

• Location: 3600 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (Human Services Admin Office)
  • Dates: 10/23/17 – 10/27/17
  • Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Location: 625 5th Street, Santa Rosa (Health Services)
  
  • Dates: 10/23/17 – 10/27/17
  • Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Group Counseling Sessions

In this difficult time for the County as a whole and for our employee community in particular, a group or team counseling session is a good way to understand what others are feeling, deepen connection, and develop understanding.  Team HR has already used this service and found it invaluable.  We recommend it highly.

If you would like to schedule a session for your department or team please email carina.ladelle@sonoma-county.org with the following information:

• Department requesting
• Contact person’s name, email, and phone number
• Length of requested session and expected number of participants
• Location/physical address where you would like the session held
• Two (2) date/time options

Can’t come in person? Check out ValueOptions’ Online Resources:

https://www.achievesolutions.net/achievesolutions/en/sonoma/Home.do

There is also a 24/7 toll free number:  (866) 484-4961.  Call!

EAP can help with:

• Adjusting to life events
• Relationships
• Depression, anxiety, and stress
• Work-related concerns
• Work/life balance
• Legal and financial guidance

Services:

• Legal & Financial Services
• Child Care Services
• Elder Care Services
• Pet Services
• Schools and Camps

Helpful Articles:

• Working With Insurance Companies and Personal Finances After a Natural Disaster
• Exhaustion in the Wake of Trauma
• Coping With Trauma: How Families Can Be Supportive
• After a Traumatic Event: How to Help Yourself
• Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
• Living in Close Quarters: Coping Strategies
• Pets and Animals and Disasters
• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal and Work Life

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Disaster Relief Fund for Members Affected by North Bay Fires and Other Resources

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Employees who participate in the County’s 457 and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan(s), administered by Nationwide may want to consider accessing their retirement savings in those plans if they need emergency funds to get through the current crisis.  Funds are available two ways: 

1. You may qualify for an Unforeseen Emergency (UE) distribution from your account.  There is no penalty if you qualify, but you may incur income tax on the amount of the distribution.  The IRS may approve expedited UE guidelines in the near future, so in the meantime, please contact Nationwide Customer Service at (866) 242-5048 to start the normal UE process. This option does not have any fees, but does require some paperwork and time to access your funds.

2. You can take a loan out on your account and pay yourself back over time.  If you already have a loan, you may still be eligible for an additional loan, as up to three total loans are allowed in a 12-month period between the 457 and 401(a) Plan(s).  Maximum total loan amount is the lesser of 50% of your account balance OR $50,000.  You can initiate this process either by logging into your account via the Deferred Compensation Program link at www.sonoma457.com, or by contacting Nationwide Customer Service at (866) 242-5048.  This option does incur a $50 fee up-front and $50 each year thereafter until the loan is paid.

We strongly encourage employees to call Nationwide directly to discuss which alternative best fits their immediate need.   Nationwide Customer Service can be reached at (866) 242-5048.

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Customer Care will approve one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication for affected members in these areas.

Patients may visit Caremark.com or call 1-800-552-8159 for information regarding options available to them for refill.

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Fires in Northern California lead to evacuation and closure of our Santa Rosa hospital and emergency department.

Please see Kaiser Permanente's Important Notices and Updates - For Patients website for a complete list of open and closed locations and for the latest information and resources. 

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If you live in or around Santa Rosa, please see Sutter Health's Northern California Fires - For Patients website for a complete list of open and closed locations and for the latest information and resources on the 2017 Northern California fires.

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Please visit Western Health Advantage's Northern California Fire Relief Resources website for important information and updates.

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We’re here to help.
VSP^® Vision Care is doing everything we can to help those affected by recent natural disasters—and this includes you.

What are we doing?
We’re working directly with our network doctors, business partners, and relief agencies, including the American Red Cross, to best support and fulfill the eye care needs of those directly affected.

What can you do?
Spread the word. Let your employees, family and friends know VSP Vision Care will help them replace their eyewear. Here’s how: 

• VSP Members get their benefits reinstated
  Any VSP member who has lost or broken their eye wear or is in need of eye care services due to recent natural disasters can call our VSP Member Services Support Line at 800-877-7195 to have their VSP benefits reinstated—regardless of eligibility.
• Non-VSP members get access to free eye care and glasses
  If you, your friends or family are in need of eye care due to recent disasters who are not VSP members, contact the local American Red Cross to request a VSP Global Eyes of Hope^® gift certificate to use for no-cost eye care and glasses at a local VSP network doctor’s office.

For regular updates about relief efforts, our gift certificate program, or how you can help, visit our website at vspglobal.com/disasteroutreach.

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Healthcare and Patient Advocacy

CareCounsel is ready to be of support where they can. Some of the issues that come up with natural disasters are locating care, transfer of medical records, and help with getting RX overrides for early refills. 

You can reach CareCounsel at (888) 227-3334. Resources are also available through the CareCounsel web site at www.carecounsel.com.

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