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Enhanced Employ Florida Website Makes it Easier To Find Your Dream Job

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Employ Florida 1.12.2017

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

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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.

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Today’s Updated Citrus Crop Forecast

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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

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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:
METLIFE 1.12.2017
For Unum policyholders, the individual monthly premium impacts associated with the rate changes are listed below:
UNUM 1.12.2017
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

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OneJax
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

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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

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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.

30 Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation in December

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that 30 more Florida schools earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations during December, bringing the current total of Florida’s HUSSC schools to 249. Under Commissioner Putnam’s leadership, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 schools in 2012, when the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs.
The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools’ efforts to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity. Schools must meet specific criteria, such as providing smarter snacks and opportunities for physical activity.
“It’s great that these schools are providing their students the nutrition and physical activity needed for academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Our goal is to continue working with schools to increase the amount healthy choices offered to Florida’s students.”
In an effort to expand the program, the department offers many resources to help school districts earn HUSSC certification, including specialists throughout the state to provide personal, hands-on support. The department continually works to certify and recertify schools, as schools must re-apply for their HUSSC status every four years.
Schools can apply for four different levels of designation: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation in December:
Odyssey Charter Inc.

  • Oasis Preparatory Academy (Silver)
  • Odyssey Charter School- Elementary (Gold Award of Distinction)
  • Odyssey Charter School- Jr./Sr. High School (Silver)
  • Odyssey Preparatory Academy (Gold Award of Distinction)

Duval County School District

  • New Berlin Elementary School (Bronze)

Escambia County School District

  • CA Weis Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Ferry Pass Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Holm Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Molino Park Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Myrtle Grove Elementary School (Bronze)
  • O.J. Semmes Elementary School (Bronze)

Flagler County School District

  • Rymfire Elementary School (Bronze)

The School District of Osceola County

  • Boggy Creek Elementary School (Silver)
  • Celebration School (Bronze)
  • Chestnut Elementary School (Silver)
  • Discovery Intermediate School ( Silver)
  • East Lake Elementary School (Silver)
  • Neptune Elementary School (Silver)

Palm Beach County School District

  • S.D. Spady Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Timber Trace Elementary School ( Bronze)

Pinellas County School District

  • Bardmoor Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Belcher Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Brooker Creek Elementary School  (Bronze)
  • Curtis Fundamental Elementary School (Bronze)
  • John M. Sexton Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Marjorie Rawlings Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Plumb Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Skycrest Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Sunset Hills Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Tarpon Springs Elementary School (Bronze)

For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge Initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Sen. Nelson calls for increase in airport security in wake of shooting

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee which oversees the FAA, called for an increase in airport security in the wake of Friday’s deadly shooting at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Nelson made the comments during his opening remarks at the Commerce Committee’s confirmation hearing today for Elaine Chao, the president-elect’s nominee to be the next Secretary of Transportation.
“While we’ve made some progress in last year’s FAA bill to double the number of the VIPR teams, the dog teams, and bolster the screening of airport workers, this tragic shooting serves as reminder that our work to improve airport security remains a constant challenge,” Nelson said. “This year’s FAA reauthorization bill, that we will have to take up, could be a good place to start if more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.”
Video of Nelson’s remarks is available here: https://youtu.be/cLrl4tprRG4
And here’s a transcript:
Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks at Senate Commerce Committee Hearing
January 11, 2017
Sen. Nelson: As we start out, I want to take a minute to express, on behalf of the Committee, condolences to the friends and loved ones of the victims of Friday’s horrific shooting at Fort Lauderdale’s airport.
And I want to thank the heroic work that was undertaken by first responders and law enforcement personnel in responding.
And although the investigation remains ongoing, I expect all of us in the Congress to continue exploring ways to protect the traveling public in light of this tragic incident.  And while we’ve made some progress in last year’s FAA bill to double the number of the VIPR teams, the dog teams, and bolster the screening of airport workers, this tragic shooting serves as reminder that our work to improve airport security remains a constant challenge.
This year’s FAA reauthorization bill that we will have to take up could be a good place to start if more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
[…]

Senator Galvano Files Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act

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Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, today filed two key components of the Senate’s Excellence in Higher Education Agenda for the 2017 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 2, the “Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act,” promotes on-time graduation by expanding student financial assistance and support, establishing tuition and fee incentives, streamlining 2+2 articulation, and strengthening mechanisms that keep colleges and universities accountable to Florida taxpayers. Senate Bill 4 expands policy and funding tools universities can leverage to recruit and retain the very best faculty, enhance professional and graduate schools, and improve aging infrastructure and research laboratories.
“These bills are key components of a comprehensive higher education agenda that will boost the strength and competitiveness of our state’s higher education system as our primary economic engine to drive vibrant, sustainable economic development and growth in high-paying jobs,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “Florida taxpayers see a return worthy of their investment in our entire PreK-20 system when our top Florida students attend our own universities, complete degree programs on time, and then graduate with job opportunities in high-demand fields needed in our growing communities.”
“This package of policy enhancements and funding investments will elevate the prominence of our state universities and increase their ability to compete as national destination institutions, while preserving access and increasing affordability for Floridians,” said Senator Bill Galvano.
SENATE BILL 2 – THE FLORIDA EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
Expands Student Financial Assistance and Support

  • Reinstates highest Bright Futures Scholarship Program Award (Florida Academic Scholar) to cover 100 percent of tuition and certain tuition-indexed fees, including the summer term, plus $300 for textbooks and college-related expenses during the fall and spring terms.
  • Expands the Benacquisto Scholar Program to provide awards for qualified out-of-state students, as funded in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), equal to the highest cost of resident student attendance at a state university. The student must physically reside in the community of the university he or she is attending.
  • Revises the 1st Generation Matching Grant Program to provide two to one (state to local match versus one to one), as funded in the GAA.

Establishes Tuition and Fee Incentives
The Legislature has authorized state universities to implement flexible tuition policies to assist students in accessing higher education in our state. To date, no state university has implemented a block tuition policy.

  • Requires universities to implement a block tuition policy which must specify an in-state block tuition rate and an out-of-state block tuition rate for full-time undergraduate students. The block tuition policy must be publicly-approved by the university board of trustees and the Board of Governors in time for implementation by no later than the Fall 2018 semester.

Streamlines 2+2 Articulation

  • Establishes the 2+2 targeted pathway program to strengthen Florida’s 2+2 system of articulation and improve student retention and on-time graduation in four years with a baccalaureate degree.
  • Requires each community college to execute at least one 2+2 targeted pathway articulation agreement by the 2018-19 academic year. The articulation agreement must provide students who meet specified requirements guaranteed access to the state university and baccalaureate degree program in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  • Requires district school boards to notify students and parents with accurate and timely information about how college credits generated in high school will apply towards a college degree.

Strengthens Mechanisms That Keep Colleges and Universities Accountable To Florida Taxpayers
Incentivizes full-time student graduation in four years by focusing institutional efforts on initiatives that reduce student time to, and costs of, on-time degree completion.

  • Upgrades State University System (SUS) Performance Metrics in Preeminence and Performance Funding programs: 
    • Tightens graduation rate expectations to four-year (from six-year) for a baccalaureate degree.
    • Repeals preeminent university authority for a six-credit set of “unique courses” that consume time and money for non-transferable credit.
  • Upgrades Florida College System (FCS) Performance Metrics in Distinguished College and Performance Funding programs:
    • Tightens degree (associate and bachelor) graduation rate metrics to 100 percent (versus 150 percent) of normal-time completion.
    • Adds a college affordability metric, which must be adopted by the State Board of Education.
    • Specifies that the job placement metric must be based on wage thresholds that reflect the added value of the applicable certificate or degree.

SENATE BILL 4 – RECRUIT AND RETAIN ELITE FACULTY

  • Establishes a World Class Faculty Scholar Program to fund university efforts to recruit, recognize, and retain star faculty and teams, as funded in the GAA.
  • Establishes a University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to promote quality and excellence in university professional school and graduate study outcomes in high-impact fields of medicine, law, and business, as funded in the GAA.
  • Links education to job opportunities by expanding university responsibility to identify internship opportunities for students to benefit from industry experts and mentors, earn industry certifications, and become employed in high-demand fields of unmet need.