Wake Launches New Flu Web site

Wake County launched a new Web site to serve as a one-stop information source for H1N1 and Seasonal Flu. ReadyWake! Flu was developed by Wake County in partnership with more than a dozen organizations in the community. The site provides practical tips to avoid getting sick, as well as a video message from Wake’s community health director about Wake County’s preparations for the flu. The site also offers a symptom checker and information for parents, educators, senior citizens, employees and high-risk groups.

The ReadyWake! Flu site provides a link to the ReadyWake! Twitter page, www.Twitter.com/ReadyWake, which sends “tweets” to subscribers with emergency communications related to the flu. The County’s Twitter page will also notify subscribers anytime the ReadyWake! Flu Web site is updated with new information regarding H1N1 and seasonal flu.

Wake County will not be providing vaccinations to employees for H1N1. However, Wake County does plan to offer free seasonal flu immunization clinics to employees as in the past, although dates are not yet confirmed for the clinics. Stay tuned to Insights for additional information as it becomes available.

For more information on H1N1 and seasonal flu, visit www.wakegov.com/flu.

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Wake Employees Needed to Assist with H1N1 Vaccination Clinics

Wake County employees are being asked to help the County with H1N1 vaccination clinics in preparation for a possible increase in demand for the vaccine.

Wake County Human Services Clinics usually vaccinate approximately 13,000 people for seasonal flu each year. Human Services is planning now for the possible need to open additional vaccination clinics around the county to meet extra vaccination demand. Extra help with these clinics will be needed.

“As the County moves forward in setting up our infrastructure to protect our community and our workforce against flu this year, we will need to enlist the help of many of our employees across all departments. This will provide an opportunity for us to support one another in achieving the larger goal,” said Wake County Manager David Cooke. 

Employees’ duties will vary, but may include:

1. helping citizens with directions and form completion
2. clinic traffic flow,
3. medical staff support,
4. equipment supply,
5. post vaccination observation.

Employees who assist will not be eligible to receive overtime, but clinics will be considered a work function and a training session will be offered.

Employees who are willing to help should contact Ruth Barlow.

Flu Background
There are two strains of flu this year- Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. The vaccine for seasonal flu is already available through physicians and drug stores. The vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be released in mid-October.

Individuals over age 65 appear to have some immunity to the current H1N1 virus and will not need to be vaccinated.

For more information on H1N1 and seasonal flu in Wake County, visit www.wakegov.com/flu.

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Meet the Managers Session

On Tuesday, September 29, 2009, Wake County will host a “Meet the Managers” session from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Northern Regional Center for all County employees. County Manager David Cooke and Deputy County Managers Joe Durham and Johnna Rogers will be present to answer employee questions related to Wake County government.

Employees are asked to register for the session by September 24, 2009. The session will be in an open, informal style that will allow both employees and managers to discuss the current budget situation, and its impact on both the County and residents.

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Benefits and Wellness Fair Sept. 24-25

Employees are invited to attend the Fall Benefits and Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 or Friday, Sept. 25, 2009. Locations are as follows:

Thursday, September 24
Public Safety Building
Conference Room C170
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, September 25
Human Services Center - Swinburne
Rooms 2132 & 2149
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Benefits vendors will be on hand to answer questions and explain benefits throughout the day. Representatives will include:

• CIGNA Health & Lifestyle Management
• Dental & Flex Plans
• Vision
• Short & Long-term Disability
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Long-term Care Insurance
• ICMA 457 Plan
• 401(k) Plan
• Local Government Federal Credit Union
• Massage

For more information, contact Human Resources at 856-6090.

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WIC Food Package Kick-off Event Sept. 30

On Oct. 1, 2009, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will change its food package for the first time in 35 years. The WIC staff will hold a kick-off event for Human Services employees on September 30, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Sunnybrook Boardroom. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the specific changes to the WIC food package, sample the new foods, get to know WIC staff and procedures, talk with a nutritionist about eating a healthy diet and take home a free gift.

WIC is a federal program designed to provide food to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children until the age of five. The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals for health care.

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New Recycling Laws in North Carolina

Beginning October 1, 2009, Wake County and all North Carolina residents will be required to recycle plastic, wood pallets, oil and oil filters. As a part of a new statewide initiative to increase recycling, the N.C. Division of Waste Management will enforce the disposal bans and levy fines for infractions.

All Wake County towns and cities currently have curbside pick-up for standard recycling and plastic bottles are able to be recycled at all 11 Wake County Convenience Centers. Recycling for wood pallets, oil and oil filters is limited to fewer locations.

For more information and a complete list of recycling locations in Wake County, visit www.wakegov.com/recycling or call 856-7400.

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“Try Transit Week” and Ride Wake County Buses

Beginning Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2, 2009, Wake County will hold “Try Transit Week” 2009, a weeklong event that encourages Wake employees and citizens to utilize the public transportation to and from work to improve air quality, while enjoying a hassle-free commute.

Below are a few of the exciting events taking place during “Try Transit Week”:

• Monday, Sept. 28: Kickoff announcement from Mayor Meeker in Moore Square at 10 a.m. and Senior Day at Whitaker Mill Senior Center.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29: All persons who bike to the bus stop and rack their bike onto the bus will ride for free.
• Wednesday, Sept. 30: With a three-can donation to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, riders will receive a free Chick-fil-A sandwich coupon.
• Thursday, Oct. 1: All bus riders will ride for free on this day. An information fair with free ice cream will take place in Moore Square from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 2: Operations Appreciation Day.

Wake County employees can obtain a free Go Pass to ride the buses by contacting Andre Pierce in Environmental Services, 856-7440. For more information on mass transit opportunities, please visit GoTriangle.

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Big Sweep to be Held Oct. 3

Wake County employees and their families are invited to participate in the annual fall Big Sweep at local Wake County parks on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. Both nature lovers and those just looking to spend some time outdoors can attend one or all of the Big Sweep events and make a difference in their community’s natural environment.

The Wake County Big Sweep is a part of the NC Big Sweep, which works year-round to educate citizens on the importance of litter-free watersheds. According to NC Big Sweep, Wake County had 653 participants in 2008 and picked up approximately 20,560 pounds of trash. Participants are reminded to wear an old pair of sneakers that they don’t mind getting dirty, long pants, a hat, and bug spray, if desired.

For more information on the Wake County fall Big Sweep, visit Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. 

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Employees Discuss Cost-Saving Ideas for Wake County

This spring, Wake County offered employees a chance to discuss their cost savings ideas for the County in a series of open forums, or by submitting ideas online. A number of suggestions were generated, ranging from ways to save money by going “greener” by using less paper, to office sharing and more.

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Wake County 5K and Wellness Fair a Success

Over 100 Wake County employees and their families turned out for a day of exercise and wellness at the first annual 5K and Wellness Fair, held Saturday, September 12, 2009, at Lake Crabtree County Park. Activities for all ages included healthy cooking demonstrations, seated massage, music, Q & As with local health professionals, blood pressure screenings, mascots from various Wake County departments and more.

A number of Wake County departments collaborated with Human Resources and the Wake Wellness Committee for the success of the event, including:

County Manager’s Office
Community Services (Parks, Recreation and Open Space, GIS)
County Attorney’s Office
Emergency Management
EMS
Environmental Services
Finance
General Services (Field Services, Fleet Services, Physical Plant)
Human Services
Information Services
Public Affairs Office
Sheriff’s Office

In addition, the event committee thanks the many Wake employees who volunteered their time and talents to ensure the success of the event.

Employees interested in 5K race times can visit the Wake 5K and Wellness Web page for a full list of results. 

Stay tuned to future issues of Insights for information on more employee\family events.

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