We recognize that our staff are one of our most valuable resources. We strive to support our employees by providing a robust benefits program to encourage and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Benefits Summary
All new hires receive a detailed description of benefits, but a brief outline of those benefits includes:
Generous Combined Time-off Policy
Combined Time Off (CTO) begins accruing on an employee’s date of hire. CTO is used for personal time off, vacation, sick time, and pay for agency holidays not worked. The accrual rate increases based on years of employment. Employees start accruing 36 CTO days per year and can accrue up to 45 days per year based on years of service with the agency. Teachers and School Based Clinicians have a different time-off structure due to the school calendar, and more information about the time off program can be obtained from the hiring manager or human resources.
Holidays
The Agency observes the following 11 holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans’ Day
- Thanksgiving
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
- Holiday Season Floater (usually around Christmas Day)
Health Insurance
Howard Center offers an Exclusive Provider Organization (PCP) Plan. For full-time employees, the Agency covers 80% of monthly premiums for single, two-person and family plans. The plan features no deductible, a $20.00 co-pay for all primary care physician office visits, with some preventative care and service at no charge. There is a $30.00 co-pay for specialist office visits and urgent care visits. Emergency Room care has a $50.00 co-pay for facility services and $500 co-pay per admission for a hospital stay.
Dental Insurance
Employees have the choice of two dental plans—core and enhanced—administered through Delta Dental. Plans start at $10 per month for full-time employees. For both plans, coverage is 100% for preventive services, 80% for basic services, and 50% for major services. There is an annual deductible of $25 per person for basic and major services. There is open access to dental providers, with enhanced savings for in network providers.
The core plan has an annual per person maximum of $1,000.
The enhanced plan offers Child Orthodontics (up to age 19) covered at 50%, with a lifetime maximum of $1,500 per child. The enhanced plan has an annual per person maximum of $1,500.
Vision Insurance
The plan has a $10.00 co-pay for in network eye exams. Coverage includes a $150.00 allowance for frames and contact lenses; any remaining balance beyond plan coverage is eligible for a 20% discount. Additional discounts are available for glasses lenses, lens add-ons, prescription sunglasses, laser vision correction, hearing exams and hearing aids.
Life Insurance
The benefit level is 1x of an employee’s annual base salary. The Agency pays 100% of the premium for employees. Employees may elect additional coverage at their own expense.
Disability Insurance
The Agency pays 100% of the premium for disability insurance for employees.
- Short-term disability benefit eligibility begins after a waiting period of 14 calendar days. The benefit level is 66 2/3% of weekly salary up to $2,300.00 per week for up to 11 weeks.
- Long- Term Disability for extended disability claims begins after short-term coverage ends. The benefit level is 60% of weekly salary up to $9,000.00 per month.
Retirement Savings 401(K) Plan
Howard Center offers a convenient and generous retirement plan that includes employee deferrals via payroll deductions and annual employer contributions. Regular employees 18 years and older are eligible to elect deferral contributions immediately upon hire. Once eligibility criteria are met, the Agency contributes 5% of a participant’s annual salary into the 401(k) Plan with additional matching contributions available.
Employee Assistance Program
EAP services are extended to employees and household members at no cost. Confidential services include counseling and referral services up to 6 visits per incident, legal consultation, dependent care resources, financial consultation, and ID recovery. Support is available 24/7/365 via phone and online support.
Flexible Spending Account
This benefit provides an income tax advantage by allowing employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical related and/or daycare expenses.
Childcare Stipend
Employees may be eligible to receive a weekly subsidy to help with daycare expenses.
Discounts
Howard Center partners with local and national businesses to offer discounts for many services, such as ski passes and gym memberships.
Partner Highlight: Champlain College Online’s truED Alliance offers preferred pricing for industry-driven academic programs to Howard Center employees, their spouses, domestic partners, and eligible adult dependents.
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