MEMBER MICRONEWS

SUMMERLIN ACADEMY'S FIRST 5K FUN RUN COMING UP!
Sign up today for Summerlin Academy's first ever 5K fun run on Saturday, April 16, on the historic Fort Fraser Trail! Sponsorships available! All monies will offset the JROTC costs for operations - next school year, allowing them to compete in county, state and national levels, parades, Flight to Honor; and to purchase awards to recognize outstanding Cadets at Summerlin Academy. For more info, call the school at 519-7507; or email steven.davis@polk-fl.net

PAINT YOUR WORLD PURPLE!
RELAY FOR LIFE BARTOW & LAKE WALES
      American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Bartow & Lake Wales is Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 2016, beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Bartow High School Football Field. Entertainment, live music, food and more are featured. All are welcome to join the fight against cancer.
     For more information, please contact Caitlin Simmons, 863-688-2326, ext. 5508 or email caitlin.simmons@cancer.org. Or, please visit the Relay website, here.

NEW MEMBER: FITTED FANCE CHAIR COVERS & PHOTO CHOCOLATE FAVORS
      Saw one of our newest members while out and about: Ms. Ivy Patrick of Fitted Fancy Chair Covers & Photo Chocolate Favors. The Auburndale Country Club was decorated beautifully for a family event.

KEEP BARTOW CLEAN & BEAUTIFUL!
      Take part in the largest community cleanup event in BARTOW. The Solid Waste Department (SWD) and Keep Polk County Beautiful are partnering to kick-off Bartow's annual Keep Bartow Clean & Beautiful/Great American Cleanup event. Last year, several Bartow citizens and various civic clubs volunteered to keep Bartow clean and beautiful.
SWD has chosen Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. as the official Keep Bartow Clean & Beautiful/Great American Cleanup Day.
     Why should you volunteer? Everyone wants to live and play in a clean and green community… and it's up to everyone to make it happen. Youths needing community service hours for graduation can earn more than 4-hours by helping to organize the event. Community and civic associations, school and youth groups, families and friends, hunting and fishing clubs, conservation organizations, business employees, sport teams and others can organize their members to participate.
     What can you do? Bartowans volunteer to improve their communities and beautify public spaces by planting flowers, painting over graffiti, picking up litter along our roadways, ponds, parks and neighborhoods.
     How can you sign-up? Download the volunteer packet at www.cityofbartow.net/clean-up or request a packet via e-mail at solidwaste@cityofbartow.net, or pick up a packet from our office at 2060 E. HWY 60. Questions? Please contact SWD at 534-0181.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES EXPANDED
Polk County Indigent HealthCare and Winter Haven Hospital, a part of BayCare Healthcare System, are adding an access point for behavioral health services at the hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health. The Center for Behavioral Health is offering services through their new program to uninsured Polk County residents, living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and including those eligible for the Polk HealthCare Plan.

Joy Johnson, Director of the Polk County Indigent HealthCare Division said, “Polk County is a designated Health Professional Shortage area and Medically Underserved area for behavioral health. This partnership between the county and Winter Haven is one of many steps to improving access to these services. Behavioral health is and continues to be a focus for indigent healthcare, and we couldn’t be more pleased and proud to partner with Winter Haven Hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health to connect even more residents to much needed behavioral health services.”

The Center’s new program, Specialized Community Care Team (SCCT), focuses on adults who have mental health issues that are affecting their ability to function day to day. The program takes a holistic approach in working with all aspects of the individual’s life toward the goals of wellness, resiliency and self-sufficiency. The Center for Behavioral Health’s program is funded through Polk County’s voter-approved indigent healthcare half-cent sales surtax, administered by Polk County’s Indigent HealthCare Division.

For those meeting the eligibility criteria, SCCT is now accepting referrals. For more information or to make a referral, please call Winter Haven Hospital Inc. Center for Behavioral Health. The Specialized Community Care Team can be reached at (863) 291-3611. If referring, please be prepared to share resident name, address, phone number and best way/time to contact the resident.

In 2004, Polk County voters approved a half-cent sales surtax. The Indigent HealthCare Division continues to be responsible for administering the funds and coordinating care for the medically poor. Residents, tourists, and those in need of the services all contribute to the indigent healthcare tax.

CLERK OF COURTS STRATEGIC UPDATE RELEASED
Stacy Butterfield, Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, has released her 2015 Strategic Update, a report that provides residents with an update on the work and development of the Clerk’s office.
Notable accomplishments in 2015 include:

Accreditation of the Clerk Department of Inspector General.
Expanded services for jurors by providing the ability to confirm jury service and request excusals and postponements online. The office also formed a partnership with the Arts Ensemble Education Foundation to feature art exhibits in the Jury Assembly Room.
Launched Property Alert Service to help customers with fraud detection by providing registered users with notification when documents are filed in the Clerk’s office using their personal information.
Collected $170,000 in outstanding fines during the onetime Operation Green Light event.
Clerk employees donated nearly $20,000 to community causes.

The report details the advancements of the Clerk’s 2013 – 2016 strategic plan. The plan focuses on five key strategies, which include enhanced customer access, greater transparency and accountability in county government, excellence in financial reporting, exceptional customer service, and community engagement.

“I revere the magnitude of responsibility delegated to the Clerk’s office and remain committed to providing the highest standard of service,” Butterfield said. “I believe a strategic plan is essential to the success of any organization as it provides clear direction so that all deputy clerks are empowered to help advance the office. Our plan ensures we serve our customers’ current needs while also preparing to meet future demands and challenges.”

Access the report online to discover more or request a printed copy by calling 863-534-2530. The report is available at www.polkcountyclerk.net under the “information & other services” section.


MEMBER MICRONEWS *SUMMERLIN ACADEMY'S FIRST 5K FUN RUN COMING UP!* Sign up today for Summerlin Academy's first ever 5K fun run on Saturday, April 16, on the historic Fort Fraser Trail! Sponsorships available! All monies will offset the JROTC costs for operations - next school year, allowing them to compete in county, state and national levels, parades, Flight to Honor; and to purchase awards to recognize outstanding Cadets at Summerlin Academy. For more info, call the school at 519-7507; or email steven.davis@polk-fl.net PAINT YOUR WORLD PURPLE! RELAY FOR LIFE BARTOW & LAKE WALES American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Bartow & Lake Wales is Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 2016, beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Bartow High School Football Field. Entertainment, live music, food and more are featured. All are welcome to join the fight against cancer. For more information, please contact Caitlin Simmons, 863-688-2326, ext. 5508 or email caitlin.simmons@cancer.org. Or, please visit the Relay website, here. *NEW MEMBER: FITTED FANCE CHAIR COVERS & PHOTO CHOCOLATE FAVORS* Saw one of our newest members while out and about: Ms. Ivy Patrick of Fitted Fancy Chair Covers & Photo Chocolate Favors. The Auburndale Country Club was decorated beautifully for a family event. *KEEP BARTOW CLEAN & BEAUTIFUL!* Take part in the largest community cleanup event in BARTOW. The Solid Waste Department (SWD) and Keep Polk County Beautiful are partnering to kick-off Bartow's annual Keep Bartow Clean & Beautiful/Great American Cleanup event. Last year, several Bartow citizens and various civic clubs volunteered to keep Bartow clean and beautiful. SWD has chosen Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. as the official Keep Bartow Clean & Beautiful/Great American Cleanup Day. Why should you volunteer? Everyone wants to live and play in a clean and green community… and it's up to everyone to make it happen. Youths needing community service hours for graduation can earn more than 4-hours by helping to organize the event. Community and civic associations, school and youth groups, families and friends, hunting and fishing clubs, conservation organizations, business employees, sport teams and others can organize their members to participate. What can you do? Bartowans volunteer to improve their communities and beautify public spaces by planting flowers, painting over graffiti, picking up litter along our roadways, ponds, parks and neighborhoods. How can you sign-up? Download the volunteer packet at www.cityofbartow.net/clean-up or request a packet via e-mail at solidwaste@cityofbartow.net, or pick up a packet from our office at 2060 E. HWY 60. Questions? Please contact SWD at 534-0181. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES EXPANDED Polk County Indigent HealthCare and Winter Haven Hospital, a part of BayCare Healthcare System, are adding an access point for behavioral health services at the hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health. The Center for Behavioral Health is offering services through their new program to uninsured Polk County residents, living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and including those eligible for the Polk HealthCare Plan. Joy Johnson, Director of the Polk County Indigent HealthCare Division said, “Polk County is a designated Health Professional Shortage area and Medically Underserved area for behavioral health. This partnership between the county and Winter Haven is one of many steps to improving access to these services. Behavioral health is and continues to be a focus for indigent healthcare, and we couldn’t be more pleased and proud to partner with Winter Haven Hospital’s Center for Behavioral Health to connect even more residents to much needed behavioral health services.” The Center’s new program, Specialized Community Care Team (SCCT), focuses on adults who have mental health issues that are affecting their ability to function day to day. The program takes a holistic approach in working with all aspects of the individual’s life toward the goals of wellness, resiliency and self-sufficiency. The Center for Behavioral Health’s program is funded through Polk County’s voter-approved indigent healthcare half-cent sales surtax, administered by Polk County’s Indigent HealthCare Division. For those meeting the eligibility criteria, SCCT is now accepting referrals. For more information or to make a referral, please call Winter Haven Hospital Inc. Center for Behavioral Health. The Specialized Community Care Team can be reached at (863) 291-3611. If referring, please be prepared to share resident name, address, phone number and best way/time to contact the resident. In 2004, Polk County voters approved a half-cent sales surtax. The Indigent HealthCare Division continues to be responsible for administering the funds and coordinating care for the medically poor. Residents, tourists, and those in need of the services all contribute to the indigent healthcare tax. CLERK OF COURTS STRATEGIC UPDATE RELEASED Stacy Butterfield, Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, has released her *2015 Strategic Update, a report that provides residents with an update on the work and development of the Clerk’s office. Notable accomplishments in 2015 include:* Accreditation of the Clerk Department of Inspector General. Expanded services for jurors by providing the ability to confirm jury service and request excusals and postponements online. The office also formed a partnership with the Arts Ensemble Education Foundation to feature art exhibits in the Jury Assembly Room. Launched Property Alert Service to help customers with fraud detection by providing registered users with notification when documents are filed in the Clerk’s office using their personal information. Collected $170,000 in outstanding fines during the onetime Operation Green Light event. Clerk employees donated nearly $20,000 to community causes. The report details the advancements of the Clerk’s 2013 – 2016 strategic plan. The plan focuses on five key strategies, which include enhanced customer access, greater transparency and accountability in county government, excellence in financial reporting, exceptional customer service, and community engagement. “I revere the magnitude of responsibility delegated to the Clerk’s office and remain committed to providing the highest standard of service,” Butterfield said. “I believe a strategic plan is essential to the success of any organization as it provides clear direction so that all deputy clerks are empowered to help advance the office. Our plan ensures we serve our customers’ current needs while also preparing to meet future demands and challenges.” Access the report online to discover more or request a printed copy by calling 863-534-2530. The report is available at www.polkcountyclerk.net under the “information & other services” section.
Newsletter1 - April 4, 2016