An ice cream sundae just isn’t the same without the shiny cherry, and while medical benefits are employee’s #1 priority, voluntary benefits make the complete options package more appealing. As your full-service, benefits consultant, Valley Schools is here to help point you in the right direction on choosing the right voluntary plans for your organization. Ancillary or voluntary benefits are … Read More
How to Balance Your Health Goals During the Holidays
Common Belief: Our health goals should be put on the back burner during the holidays. New Perspective: Finding a balance between joy and health during the holidays is key! For consistency’s sake, it was important to me to provide you with a Myth-Buster Monday this month, but I didn’t want to hit you with a heavy topic right before the holidays. Instead, I … Read More
Maintaining a Healthy Mind and Body Through the Holidays
You can’t reverse the calendar in maintaining healthy attitudes, but the Valley Schools Wellness team is here to remind you of some strategies for maintaining your sanity during this most pressured time of year. Reframe Your Thinking Recognize that the people in your life are who they are. It is not new information who will be the Scrooge, who will … Read More
What’s New in Arizona School District Procurement Compliance?
As I travel around this great state of ours, I work with districts large, tiny, and in-between. I help them remain compliant with the myriad school district procurement issues that face school business officials every day. Whether it is a quick email/text question or a full-blown training presentation for everyone from the Governing Board to the secretaries at the schools, I … Read More
Truth or Myth: It’s the Tryptophan That Makes You Tired
Myth: Tryptophan in turkey is to blame for the Thanksgiving food coma. Truth: Excessive eating and carbohydrate intake are more likely the cause. Truth or Myth it’s the Tryptophan? With Thanksgiving approaching, we felt compelled to dispel a common myth surrounding this well-loved holiday and encourage healthier eating practices at the same time. If you have a tendency to indulge … Read More
Cultivate Gratitude This Holiday
Our fast-paced, consumer-driven world of the twenty-first century can often distract us from celebrating the true essence of the humble November holiday; Thanksgiving. Many of us will take some time to acknowledge what we are grateful for, but how many of us will simultaneously be distracted by “28 shopping days until Christmas”, Black Friday plans, or a big Cyber Monday … Read More
The Self-Care Season
The holidays are right around the corner and people are busy making plans with family and shopping for dinner, along with keeping the household running and trying their best to stay healthy. While many believe the holidays are a time of happiness and joy, the pressures of all the planning that goes into them can put a strain on even … Read More
Medical Research: Truth or Myth?
Myth: All medical recommendations are made based on research that is up-to-date, and absent of error. Truth: Healthcare and medical research are flawed due to outside pressure and influence. If you have been following our myth-busters, then you are aware that the information in them does not always align with the recommendations that come from credible organizations like the American … Read More
Using Your Health Carrier’s Cost Comparisons Tool
That MRI Costs HOW MUCH?! If you’ve been one of the unlucky ones who know how much a knee or chest MRI impacts your wallet, you probably have had an unfortunate experience of sticker shock. If you are on a PPO or Copay Plan, diagnostic testing isn’t something we think much about as it’s likely only a $20-50 dollar copay. … Read More
Serving Your Employees With A Dedicated Employee Benefit Administrator
When it came to choosing benefits for your business, Human Resources was the one leading the research charge. Traditionally, the HR department would take on the duty to explain employee benefits and assist employees with enrolling in their group plans. Previously, things were pretty straightforward with a simple list of plans to understand. Employees would select from one to three … Read More