The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold an open house for the I-4 Ultimate project’s Workforce Development program. The purpose of this open house is to inform the community of the project and the potential job opportunities that are available throughout the project. The open house will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with brief presentations at 12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Career Source Center, 609 N. Powers Drive, Orlando, FL 32818. Anyone is encouraged to apply for the opportunity to build a career in the construction industry. Please note: this is an informational open house only. No applications will be taken and no interviews will be conducted.
The I-4 Ultimate project will transform 21 miles of Interstate 4 (I-4), from Kirkman Road to State Road 434 with new express lanes, reconstructed general use lanes, interchanges & bridges, and landscaping throughout the corridor.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at (386) 943-5367, or via email at [email protected].
Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Katie Widdison, Project Public Involvement Coordinator, by phone 386-212-0449, or by email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Media questions may be directed to the FDOT public information office: Jessica Ottaviano at 386-943-5473 or via email at [email protected].
Pinellas educator earns prestigious national award
Lukas Hefty surprised with $25,000 for student-focused STEM program
IN PHOTO, L-R: Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards; Lukas Hefty; Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego; Jamerson Elementary Principal Brandie Williams-Macon; FDOE Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality Dr. Brian Dassler.
Today, Lukas Hefty, the math and science magnet coordinator at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School in Pinellas County, was honored by the Milken Family Foundation during a surprise assembly for his work in developing the school’s nationally recognized STEM curriculum. Hefty joins an elite group of educators as one of only 35 nationwide to receive this year’s award.
“Today, there are more jobs than ever in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and that trend is expected to continue,” said Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. “By engaging students as early as kindergarten in the school’s STEM activities and inviting families to join in the fun, Mr. Hefty is helping young learners establish a solid foundation that will benefit them as they continue their education and eventually enter the workforce. I am pleased to recognize him for his dedication to education, and I look forward to learning about the great things his students are bound to accomplish as a result of his efforts.”
The Milken Family Foundation is celebrating 30 years of surprising teachers. Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards and a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator, made today’s announcement at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School.
“Having talented, passionate educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is paramount to preparing students for the challenges of a fast-paced global economy,” said Dr. Foley. “Lukas Hefty draws students into the excitement of these fields and carefully guides them to reach their maximum potential. He is also a valued resource to colleagues by synthesizing complex material, sharing best practices and modeling techniques. Lukas truly personifies the Milken Educator Awards motto, ‘The future belongs to the educated.’”
Hefty has been an educator for 11 years and was instrumental in writing and developing a unique integrated math and engineering curriculum, which led to the school becoming the 2015 Top Elementary STEM School in the Nation. He regularly facilitates lesson study opportunities and models best practices for instructional improvements for grade level teachers as well as provides training in mathematics and science to help parents gain a better understanding of the curriculum in which their children are engaged. Hefty is National Board Certified and holds a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a focus on Mathematics and Science.
“Jamerson Elementary School’s success is built on the dedication of its educators, and Mr. Lukas Hefty exemplifies this commitment through his leadership, creativity and insatiable passion for teaching,” said Pinellas Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego. “The engineering and mathematics program has become a nationally recognized model, and Mr. Hefty’s keen vision for what excellence should look like has helped shape the program’s growing success. Our students are fortunate to have him in Pinellas County.”
Described as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards provide recognition and unrestricted financial awards of $25,000 to exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and specialists who are furthering education excellence.
New recipients are invited to join the Milken Educator Network, a nationwide group of distinguished educators whose expertise serves as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education. Florida has had 41 educators recognized with the Milken Award since 1998.
In addition to participation in the Milken Educator Network, 2016-17 recipients will attend a Milken Educator Forum, March 23-25, in New Orleans. Educators will have the opportunity to network with their new colleagues and hear from state and federal officials about the importance of maximizing their leadership roles to advance educator effectiveness.
For more information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit Milken.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
Enhanced Employ Florida Website Makes it Easier To Find Your Dream Job
Florida’s leading job search website and mobile app, Employ Florida, will debut a new look on Monday, Jan. 16. The updated EmployFlorida.com will improve the ease of Floridians’ job searches, helping them find their dream jobs.
“Securing a great job is the highest priority for so many Floridians, and I am committed to assisting job seekers to find meaningful employment that provides a path to prosperity for themselves and their families,” said Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “Last year, we launched the Employ Florida Mobile app to help connect Floridians with job opportunities on the go, and this year we are proud to bring new improvements to our premier job search tool.”
Updates to the website will include expedited registration, enhanced search functionality and customer-focused design. To make these improvements for Florida job seekers, EmployFlorida.com and the Employ Florida app will be temporarily inaccessible beginning Friday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. EmployFlorida.com and the app will be ready for job searching again on Monday, Jan. 16 at 8 a.m.
Job seekers can continue their job search over the weekend by using their local CareerSource Florida website: https://careersourceflorida.com/your-local-team/.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
Orlando man claims $800,000 LUCKY MONEY jackpot
The Florida Lottery announces that Terrance Woulard, 54, of Orlando, claimed the $800,000 LUCKY MONEY™jackpot from the January 6, 2017, drawing at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Woulard chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $589,754.88. He purchased his winning LUCKY MONEY ticket from Winn-Dixie, located at 1403 South Hiawassee Road in Orlando.
Total ticket sales for this LUCKY MONEY jackpot generated more than $840,000 for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
The next LUCKY MONEY drawing will be Friday, January 13, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $500,000 jackpot. The LUCKY MONEY drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
ICYMI: FOX 13: Gov. Scott Wants to Make Higher Education Affordable for All Floridians
“Gov. Scott Wants to Make Higher Education Affordable for All Floridians”
WTVT (FOX 13) – Tampa Bay, FL
January 10, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Today’s Updated Citrus Crop Forecast
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its updated citrus crop forecast for the 2016-2017 season:
“Because of citrus greening, production of our state’s signature crop is down 70 percent from 20 years ago. The future of Florida citrus, and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports, depends on a long-term solution in the fight against greening. Our brightest minds are working to find a solution, but until then, we must support our growers and provide them every tool available to combat this devastating disease.”
The USDA’s forecast today of 71 million boxes of oranges for the 2016-2017 season is down more than 12 percent from the 81.5 million boxes harvested last season. Today’s forecast represents a decline of more than 70 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.
In support of Florida’s growers and industry groups seeking approval from the EPA for the use of certain antimicrobial treatments to combat greening, Commissioner Putnam issued a crisis declaration in 2016 regarding their Section 18 application to the Environmental Protection Agency, which allowed the immediate use of these treatments.
Commissioner Putnam has requested more than $17 million in state funding to continue critical research and support Florida’s citrus industry.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Insurance Commissioner Announces Agreements for 10-Year Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Guarantees by MetLife & Unum
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has made rate filing decisions on long-term care insurance products for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) and two subsidiaries of the Unum Group, Unum Life Insurance Company of America and Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company (“Unum”). These decisions reflect agreements by MetLife and Unum to give their policyholders guaranteed certainty about the cost of their long-term care insurance for the next 10 years. Rates approved by the Office will be phased-in by the insurance companies incrementally over an initial three-year period, with average monthly premium increases ranging from $4 to $44 for MetLife and $5 to $55 for Unum.
During the next seven year period, rates will be guaranteed, with no additional rate changes for affected policyholders. In addition to the rate guarantee, policyholders will also be given a range of benefit options to choose from in mitigating the rate increase. These include allowing the policyholder to accept a reduction or removal of the inflation factor, reduction in the daily benefit provided for in the policy or an increased elimination period. It also includes a non-forfeiture provision that allows policyholders who do not wish to make future premium payments to accept a paid-up policy with maximum benefits equal to the premiums they have already paid for in the policy.
At hearings held in August to receive public input about the proposed long term care rate increases, policyholders testified about the need to plan for insurance premium increases and to have certainty about future projected costs. This testimony and the hundreds of comments received from policyholders and others proved invaluable in structuring the rate guarantee and benefit options.
“The Office will continue to encourage other long term care insurers to approach rate needs in a similar fashion for the benefit of their policyholders, many of whom are on fixed incomes. This plan effectively balances the company’s need for rate increases against the impact that those increases have on policyholders who have invested in these products over a period of many years,” said Commissioner Altmaier.
The increases for MetLife and Unum will go into effect over the next year, although the exact date may vary based on anniversary date and form number. The companies will send notices to the policyholders before the increases take effect, along with information outlining other benefit options they may choose to mitigate the increase. A summary of the Office’s approved rate changes are included as an exhibit in each company’s Consent Order, which can be found in the “Additional Information” section below.
For MetLife policyholders, the individual monthly premium impacts associated with the rate changes are listed below:
For Unum policyholders, the individual monthly premium impacts associated with the rate changes are listed below:
Additional Information:
MetLife
- Consent Order – includes an exhibit detailing the approved rate changes
- List of policyholders by county
- For policyholders who bought individual MetLife long-term care policies through agents, please call 1-888-565-3761. All others should call 1-800-438-6388.
Unum
- Consent Order (Unum Life Insurance Company of America) – includes an exhibit detailing the approved rate changes
- Consent Order (Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company) – includes an exhibit detailing the approved rate changes
- List of policyholders by county
- For policyholder questions, contact the Unum/Provident customer service number at 1-800-331-1538.
For general information about long-term insurance or the public hearings involving MetLife and Unum, visit the Office’s “Long-Term Care Public Hearings” webpage. These rate filings can be accessed via the I-File Forms & Rates Filing Search system by entering either the file log number (shown in the chart) or the name of the company in the “Quick Search” tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the results page for the most recent filing information.
About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about the Office, please visit www.floir.com or follow us on Twitter @FLOIR_comm and Facebook.
OneJax Announces 2017 Humanitarian Award Honorees
OneJax, an institute of the University of North Florida, has announced recipients of its 2017 Humanitarian Awards, which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, located at 1000 Water St., downtown Jacksonville. A reception will take place at 6 p.m.
The OneJax Humanitarian Awards honor those who have demonstrated the highest level of personal and professional integrity, have given generously and extensively to our community and have been dedicated to the improvement of human relations among diverse groups in our community.
“We’re thrilled with the strong and diversified 2017 class of Humanitarian Award honorees,” said Nancy Broner, OneJax executive director. “They truly represent a cross-section of people doing meaningful work in our community in a wide variety of ways. These are people who have made—and continue to make—an important difference in the lives of so many in Northeast Florida.”
The 2017 awards honorees are as follows:
- 2017 Gold Medallion for Lifetime Achievement: David Stein, King Provision chair and CEO. This award recognizes those who have had an extraordinary impact on and have given back generously to their communities over their lifetime through exceptional commitment to the OneJax mission of promoting the dignity and respect of all people.
- 2017 President’s Citation: Jean Ludlow, retired insurance executive and community volunteer. This award is bestowed periodically on a leader whose efforts and vision have resulted in substantial, positive, local and national changes in one or more areas.
- 2017 Silver Medallions: Dr. James Crooks, UNF professor emeritus of history, author and community volunteer; Rodney Hurst Sr., civil rights activist and author; and Faisal Sayed, Muslim American Social Services executive director. This award is given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding dedication and community service.
- 2017 Acosta-Rua Young Professionals Award: Sabeen Perwaiz Syed, Florida Nonprofit Alliance executive director. This award is given periodically to young professionals under the age of 40, already making a significant impact in their community for promoting understanding and awareness, furthering the cause of social justice issues and for providing leadership that encourages responsible action by others throughout the community.
“OneJax has been doing such important work for such a long time in our community,” said Jan Lipsky, OneJax board chair. “This year’s honorees reflect our efforts to educate, advocate and build community to promote the respect and understanding that will overcome bias, bigotry and oppression.”
Sponsorships for the Humanitarian Awards Dinner may be obtained by contacting OneJax at (904) 620-1529 or at [email protected]. Tickets for the event are available online at http://tiny.cc/wzp8hy.
Since 2012, OneJax has been an institute at UNF. Through education, community building and advocacy, OneJax works to make Northeast Florida a better place for everyone by celebrating differences and identifying all we have in common.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R) campaign announces 40 new partner organizations
Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R) campaign announces 40 new partner
organizations joining effort to protect access to emergency air medical services
Health care, consumer, business organizations, national associations, air medical industry leaders and local providers from around the country show their support for the campaign
A diverse group of 40 health care, consumer, and business organizations, local providers, and industry leaders have joined the Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) to protect and preserve access to emergency air medical services for communities across the country.
Emergency air medical transport by helicopter is a critical, life-saving service that millions of Americans across the country, especially those in rural areas, rely on to reach hospitals and trauma centers in emergency situations. In cases of strokes and other traumatic injuries, access to emergency air transport can mean the difference between life and death, and preserving a patient’s quality of life when proper care is administered as quickly as possible.
“Right now there is a fundamental problem that threatens the delivery of emergency air medical services, and we hope that in 2017 policymakers and stakeholders will take meaningful steps toward solutions,” said S.O.A.R. spokeswoman Amanda Thayer. “Insurance reimbursement shortfalls—by government insurance and in some cases by private insurers—as well as efforts by some to create more regulatory obstacles that would severely cripple the delivery of this critical health care service for patients in life threatening conditions need to be addressed.”
“Florida residents who live in rural areas need ready access to comprehensive medical facilities, which are often many miles away,” said Marilyn Mesh, M.Ed, M.Ac. manager for the Florida Rural Health Association. “Emergency air medical services help bridge this distance between rural communities and trauma centers and emergency rooms, and protecting these services is vital for the health and safety of rural communities across the state. We are proud to join the SOAR Campaign and look forward to finding solutions that protect and preserve these services for all communities.”
“We support the efforts of SOAR and its partners across the state and the nation to preserve emergency air medical services,” said Julio Fuentes, president/CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, and every community in America should have access to fast, high-quality health care and transport when disaster strikes.”
The full list of partner organization includes:
- Healthcare Organizations – Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), International Association of Flight & Critical Care Paramedics (IAFCCP), Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend, Florida Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Neurosurgical Society, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Florida Public Health Association, Florida Rural Health Association,
- Consumer and Business Organizations – Florida TaxWatch, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 4Generations Institute
- Providers – PHI Air Medical, Air Methods, Air Medical Group Holdings, Med-Trans Corporation, REACH Air Medical Services, Air Evac Lifeteam, Air Idaho Rescue, Air Life, Black Hills Life Flight, Life Saver, AirLIFE, ARCH, Tristate CareFlight, Life Flight, Mercy Air, MedFlight, Portneuf Air Rescue, Native Air, REACT, Guthrie Air, Saints Flight, University Hospitals MedEvac, Emory Flight, Tulsa Life Flight, StarCare, Wyoming Life Flight, WakeMed Critical Care Services
ABOUT S.O.A.R.
Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services for Americans across the country by providing important education and resources to the public and to key decision and policy makers. Air medical resources are a critical element of emergency response across the country, particularly for people living in rural areas where access to trauma care facilities is often quite limited.
Governor Rick Scott to Highlight College Affordability Proposal
Tomorrow, January 12th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight his “Finish in Four, Save More” legislative and budget proposals to encourage colleges and universities to make higher education more affordable for students and to help them graduate in four years.
WHAT: College Affordability Announcement
WHEN: 10:00 AM
WHERE: Lockheed Martin
100 E. 17th St.
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
NOTE: Guests must RSVP to Maggie Sherman at [email protected] and have two forms of ID.
