We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The NewEmployee Spotlight is a series aiming to highlight the talented individuals that are brand new to our team. Please help us give them a warm welcome!
Today we’re spotlighting Customer Care Specialist, Taylor Christianson
Let’s get to know, Taylor!
Where are you from?
Minnesota, but I work in the Colorado Springs office.Â
What is one interesting fact you want us to know about you?
I’m a golfer 🙂
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza!
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Hiking with my husky
EDM concerts/ bass music
Epoxy resin art
What made you want to start your new career with California Casualty?
New opportunities!
If you want to learn more about Taylor or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
Educators and parents agree: summer reading is important. Not only does recreational reading help students maintain their language arts skills, but it may also be the difference between a struggling reader and a successful one.
Luckily, there are lots of summer reading programs out there to entice kids to pick up a book. Some even include incentives like pizza and movie tickets!
Here’s a list of some educator and parent favorites. Share this list as part of your summer work and help your students discover the joy of reading for fun.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal(students in grades 1-6)
Students may read any 8 books and record them in a summer reading journal. They bring the completed journal in to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1 and August 31 and may choose one free book from a specified selection by grade level.
Books a Million Summer Reading Adventure(students up to about age 12)
Author Shannon Messenger is the Reading Ambassador for the 2022 Summer Reading Adventure at Books a Million (BAM). Participants choose four books from a special section in the store. They bring their completed logbook into a participating BAM location to receive their prize, a pencil case inspired by Shannon Messenger’s “Keepers of the Lost Cities” series. Prizes are only available while supplies last, so complete this one early.
Chuck E. Cheese’s Summer Reading Program(PreK through age 12)
Chuck E. Cheese has a Reading Rewards Calendar where kids mark off every day that they read. When they read for 2 weeks straight, they earn 10 free play points with any food purchase at a Chuck E. Cheese location.
Half-price Books Reading Camp(students in PreK through teens)
Starting June 1, parents can download materials including book recommendations, craft and activity ideas, coloring sheets and reward stickers related to reading. If you live in the vicinity of a Half-price Books location, you can pick up a copy of a camper’s reward map and information on how to earn $5 in Bookworm Bucks in June and July.
H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Club(children ages 3-12 who are Texas residents)
The H-E-B. grocery stores’ summer reading club provides a form to log 10 books. One book must be a specified selection at H-E-B. An adult has to initial each book once read. Then the form is mailed in, and a “cool prize” is sent to the child.
Junie B. Jones Reading Club(children ages 5-8)
Junie B. is a perennial favorite of young readers, and this club is sure to be a hit. Not only do students get a printable membership card, they get to read funny quotes and write their own in a reading log. They can also draw pictures and write their own stories. Finally, they can enter for a chance to win a Stupid Smelly Bus visit to their school.
Pizza Hut Camp Book-It Reading Program(children ages 4-12)
This is a parent-led digital reading program. Track your children’s reading on Pizza Hut’s digital dashboard in June, July and August. Books, magazines and eBooks all count toward your child’s monthly reading goal. When they reach their goal, children will receive a certificate for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza.
RIF Reading Road Trip(children up to about age 9)
As the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is on a mission to insure all children have the ability to read and succeed. RIF’s Reading Road Trip includes books set all over the U.S. Through books, children spend their summer visiting new and exciting destinations.
Scholastic Summer Reading(all ages)
Scholastic has set up Home Base online, where students can read and record their hours. The more they read, the more fun they “unlock” with online activities. The site also offers events such live author meetups, trivia games and fan art. By creating a Reading Streak, kids can help unlock a donation of books to children in rural America with limited access to libraries.
Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays(children up until age 12)
Showcase Cinemas (located in select states in the northeastern U.S.) have a summer reading program, where kids can earn movie tickets. In the program, children present a book report to participating locations and earn free admission to a select children’s film on Wednesdays. Accompanying parents and children under six are admitted free of charge.
Sonlight Summer Reading Challenge(all ages)
This home school curriculum company has put together a free downloadable Summer Reading Challenge Kit with reading-related games and activities. There are suggestions for family movie night centering around books that your children are reading, templates for bookmarks, awards, reading Bingo, and more.
Sync audiobooks(teens age 13 and older)
Teens may enjoy 16 weeks of free audiobooks. Each week, they may check out two thematically paired books. The books are delivered via the Sora student reading app.
Other Resources
Many local libraries offer summer reading programs with special themes or incentives. In addition, if you’re looking for books for your children, consider these sources:
Do you have a favorite summer reading program that’s not on the list? Share with us in the comments!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
School’s out, which means if your child is old enough, he or she may find themselves home alone without you. Navigating the house on their own, or with a babysitter, can definitely help kids build independence. However, you also want to make sure they’re safe.
For those times when your child may be home alone or with a babysitter, here’s a list of important summer safety tips.
Lesson 1: Basic First Aid
Decide what first aid your child may be capable of providing. If he or she gets a small cut or scrape, for example, your child can clean the wound and put on a band-aid.
What You Can Do: Prepare a first aid kit with those supplies that you would like him/her to use for such things as minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Go over the items in the first aid kit and show your child how to use them. Then have your child role-play and practice with them. Discuss when they might need to call for help if the injury seems more serious than they can treat with the kit.
Pro Tip: If your child has a smartphone or device and is allowed to use it, download the Red Cross First Aid App.
Fire safety at home is important. Fires can be scary but even the sound of the smoke alarm can be frightening.
What You Can Do: Let your child hear the sound so they know what to expect. Then discuss the fact that they need to leave the house and contact a trusted adult such as a neighbor or someone by phone. If there’s an active fire that they see, they can call 9-1-1. Since your child can be anywhere in the house when the smoke alarm goes off, practice how to leave each room. Remember the rule of 2/2/2. Practice two ways out of every room, two times of the day (day and night) at least two times a year.
Lesson 3: Emergency Contact List
Help is just a phone call away. Share the emergency list with your child.
What You Can Do: Post the list of parents’ work and cell numbers, family, and friends who will be available to your child as needed. Include neighbors who can be a nearby onsite resource. The list also should include 9-1-1 for big emergencies (and your house address should the dispatcher need it). However, explain to your child the types of situations that would necessitate dialing 9-1-1.
Pro Tip: Involve your family member or neighbor and have your child give them a quick call to ask if it’s okay to put their names on your call list. That will give your child practice making the call.
Lesson 4: Bad Weather or Emergency Situations
Even in the summer, bad weather can strike. If your child is at home alone or with a sitter and there is a severe storm or another emergency situation, make sure they know what to do.
What You Can Do: Make sure your child or sitter knows how to check the weather, on their phone or your local weather channel, and have them sign up for emergency alerts. Also, make sure they know where you keep your emergency kit if they need to take shelter. Go over the family disaster plan with them so they know exactly who to call and where to go. It’s important to discuss emergency scenarios with your child and sitter before you leave them alone, so they won’t panic and will know exactly what to do.
Lesson 5: Home-Alone Rules
Depending upon your child’s age and maturity, and your own comfort level, set rules for when they are home alone or with a sitter.
What You Can Do: Go over the rules with your child. Practice them and explain their importance. And then write them down as a reference, that they can look at. Here are some rules you may consider.
Limit cooking and stay away from fire sources.
Decide if your child will be allowed to use the stove, microwave, or toaster. If not, make sure there are plenty of cold meal options and snacks. If you do allow cooking of any kind, review the safety rules. Make sure your child knows what materials are dangerous for the microwave, and not to fish out a stuck piece of toast from the toaster with a metal fork. Decide on the rules for knives. Make sure your child doesn’t do anything alone that he or she hasn’t already done successfully under your supervision. Finally, ensure that your child knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it in the event of a kitchen fire. (Also, if this happens, your child should call an adult and 9-1-1.)
Keep the house locked and don’t let strangers know you are alone.
Make sure all doors and windows are locked when your child is home alone or with a sitter. If there is a security system that will be set, teach your child how to enable and disable it. Let your son or daughter know not to answer the door, even for delivery people. If someone calls and asks for you, provide a script of what to say; for example, “he or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?” Write that by the phone so your child doesn’t have to remember it. Be clear on whether your child is allowed to leave the house, and under what circumstances. If he or she does leave for any reason, instruct your child to tell you. You should always know where your child is.
Set rules for the phone, computer, smart devices, and TV.
Screen time is a big draw to kids home alone. Set the rules so they know what is allowed and what is not. You may allow gaming but not social media, or a movie marathon but not long text conversations. Make sure your child does not share that they are home alone, whether on social media, text or other interactions.
Specify the way your child will check-in.
You will want reassurance that your child is all right. Ask him or her to check in with you at specified times and in specific ways. Decide whether a text or call will suffice and how often. Make it a rule that they have to answer you right away if you call.
If your child is new to being left alone, start small. Leave for a short errand. Praise your child for following the rules. Continue to model safety practices, and before long, you’ll be surprised at how responsible your child can be when home alone.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
To say that becoming the Strategic Account Manager for one of the most significant partners in our company’s history could be a little intimidating is an understatement. The partnership between the two organizations has-
3. Managed by only a small group of distinguished individuals over the years.
However, Bianca Odom is ready and eager to make this role one to remember, “I couldn’t be more excited for this new opportunity!”
We thought now would be a great time to formally introduce you – and your fellow CTA Leaders/Members – to Bianca, who became the Strategic Account Manager for our valued California Teachers Association as of March 2022.
Here’s a little detail about her California Casualty career; appreciation for CTA and CTA members, and other contributing factors that we know make her well-rounded and the perfect person for the job.
Bianca has been with California Casualty for 22 Years – since January 2000. Given the employee tenure at the company, it’s not surprising. And as she describes in the following interview, the roles that she has held throughout that time have truly prepared her for this new position.
Describe the breadth of your career with CalCas. I began my California Casualty career in the Sales Dept., which truly helped me to learn the foundation of what we do and who we serve. In order to be a successful Sales Representative at California Casualty, you really have to understand our affinity group partners, how long we’ve held a relationship with them, and what we have to offer our group members.
I moved over to our Customer Service Department, as a Customer Service Team Manager in December 2010. Working in Customer Service provided me the opportunity to fully understand the customer experience after onboarding and I gained more extensive knowledge of our policy contracts.
Two years later, I was promoted to a unique role of a Senior Customer Service Team Manager, which also included the responsibility of managing the entire operations of our in-house Agency Services Department. During the close to 9 years of managing the Agency, I learned so much about the insurance products that California Casualty does not underwrite i.e. umbrella, earthquake, flood insurance etc., and had the opportunity to regularly work with our business partners outside of California Casualty.
What was your previous connection with CTA and its members throughout your career? I’ve had the pleasure of speaking directly with CTA members for the entire 22 years that I’ve worked for California Casualty. I’ve heard their challenges and their fun success stories. I’ll never forget the teacher who was so happy with my service, they sent me a letter and a cute book of stickers, which meant a lot to me. I still have them!
What would you define as your strengths and growth opportunities in correlation to your new role? I really believe that my collective experience of working in Sales, Customer Service, and Agency Services, while also needing to understand our Underwriting guidelines and some Claims coverage questions, has really helped prepare me for this new role. My exposure to all of these areas has given me a well-rounded understanding of the full customer experience, from the time they start a policy, to having been insured with us for many years.
I also have a great deal of insurance knowledge as I obtained my P&C insurance license in 1999 and my Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2018. I continue to take at least 20 hours of continuing insurance education every year.
Now I’m really looking forward to obtaining new knowledge while working in our Partner Relations Department. I am currently learning how to coordinate school site visits, to include the process of getting in front of our members in order to share the great things that California Casualty has to offer them, as part of their CTA benefits. This process is completely new to me and provides an opportunity for me to broaden my experience around the different aspects of marketing, as this is truly where it all starts.
What do you do outside of “work” – what are some of your favorite ways to spend your time? My husband and I have been married for 23 years and we’re still best friends. We genuinely enjoy spending time together, whether it’s going on vacation or just watching our favorite TV shows and movies. I also really enjoy doing creative-type things, such as decorating or scrapbooking, etc. Although I wouldn’t consider myself outdoorsy, I do enjoy spending time outside going for a walk or just enjoying the Colorado air in my backyard.
What three traits describe your character best? Honest, Loyal, Compassionate Why? Honesty – I’ve always been that person that likes to follow rules and to be someone others can trust to tell you the truth, no matter how big or small. I think it’s my honesty that also lends itself to being a hard worker – I want to do right by everyone. Loyalty – Not only have I shown loyalty by having one employer for 22 years and one husband for 23 years, I have also maintained the same friendships since elementary school and we still communicate regularly. My friends are my chosen family and I plan to keep it that way forever. Compassion – Those who know me, know I care a great deal for people and I’m easily affected by things that someone else is going through. I’ve also been told that these three attributes combined have helped me to be a leader that others can depend on and that really warms my heart.
What makes you most excited about your new role? Where do I start?! I’ve always had so much respect for teachers and everything they do; as they say – “there’s no position that isn’t first created from teachers”.
As I started preparing for this role, I have done a lot of research on CTA specifically, and I was so moved by how much they’ve done in their communities and their fight for the rights of others. I truly feel honored to work so closely with them and help ensure that we, at California Casualty, are going to do everything we can to support them and their membership engagement.
Like with our other departments, I also have so much respect for the people in our Partner Relations Department. It’s just a different challenge to go into the schools and generate interest in California Casualty when teachers are busy and needing to focus on other things. We wouldn’t have customers to serve if we didn’t have the people in the field telling them about California Casualty.
Anything else that you would like to add? I would like to add that California Casualty has been so great to me over the years. While it hasn’t always been easy, just like with any job, the experience has only made me stronger. I think my story is an example of all of the great things California Casualty has to offer. You don’t have to stay confined to one area. If you want to grow – go for it!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
If you’ve ever wrestled a wriggling, uncooperative toddler while trying to apply sunscreen, you’re not alone. It’s summer and the kids are excited, which means sun safety sometimes falls by the wayside. Even your older kids may ditch their hats and sunglasses to bask in the sun or they may “forget” to reapply sunscreen after a swim.
Yet it’s so important to protect young skin, which is especially vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays. Just one or two blistering sunburns can double your child’s lifetime risk for melanoma, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Given the high stakes, how are you possibly going to get your kids to practice sun safety? Don’t worry. Unlike the sunscreen-on-the-toddler scenario, we’ve got you covered.
1. Get them into the habit of applying sunscreen.
Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, make sunscreen a part of your – and their — daily routine. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Note that children’s sunscreens often have the same ingredients as adult versions. They’re just packaged in a cuter bottle. If that cute bottle gets your child to apply it, it’s worth the investment. The bottom line: the best sunscreen is the one your child agrees to wear.
Lead by example and apply sunscreen yourself at least 30 minutes before you go outside. Depending on your child’s age and ability, help or encourage them to do the same.
For younger kids, make it fun.
Put “cheetah” spots of sunscreen and have them rub them in.
Pretend the sunscreen spray is a dragon’s breath.
Set a timer and count down together. Sing a song that lasts as long as the application.
Ask them to stand in front of a mirror and watch to see if you’ve missed a spot.
For older kids, add sunscreen to their daily chore chart.
 If your child is sensitive to the feel of sunscreen, try different types. Sunscreen comes in spray, stick, and lotion and can be thick or thin, scented or unscented.
Pro Tip: Check the active ingredients, and look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sunblock ingredients are less irritating if your child has sensitive skin.
2. Teach your child when to reapply sunscreen.
If you’re out in the sun, you’re going to want to reapply your sunscreen to avoid burning. A good rule of thumb is to reapply when kids are wet and sweaty, after swimming, or before the timeframe stated on the sunscreen label. Remember to use a waterproof sunscreen that won’t come off in the pool or when they sweat and that sunscreens need about 30 minutes to absorb into your skin so account for the overlap time.
For older elementary kids and teens, have them set a timer.
For younger kids, give them a few minutes warning. Then ask where he or she wants to be when you reapply. Having a choice gives them some control and encourages cooperation.
Schedule reapplication right before a break for a favorite snack. (Snacks after sunscreen!)
3. Let them choose their sun protective wear.
Sun protective clothing, hats and sunglasses help keep dangerous rays away from sensitive eyes and skin. Involve your child in the choice so that they are more likely to wear the item.
Go shopping with your child for hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. Let them pick out an ensemble…. even if it doesn’t match (sorry, moms!).
Consider UV blocking shirts that provide added protection. Avoid tank tops that expose kids’ shoulders.
Find a pair of sunglasses that fit your child well. Add a strap that will keep them in place during energetic play.
Model wearing your own protective sun gear. Young children might enjoy a matching set! Older kids may be more likely to enjoy “trendy” sunglasses or hats. So, look for ones that have their favorite character or celebrity on the package.
4. Know when to go out and when to seek shade.
The sun’s rays are strongest during midday. Encourage your child to stay out of the sun during the hottest times. Sun safe hours are before 10 am and after 4 pm; that’s when you can offer unlimited outdoor play. During other times, you will want to limit your child’s time in the sun and encourage them to seek shade when possible.
Play the shadow game. If your child’s shadow is shorter than he/she is, it means it’s time to find shade. Challenge your child to find all of the shady spots nearby.
Set up a shady play area. Include drinks, snacks, games, chalk, balls, dolls, and even a water table to entice children to stay there. For the beach or places where there is no shade, play tents and sun canopies can protect from UVA and UVB rays.
Summer rides in the car can also expose your child to dangerous UVA rays which pass right through glass. Add transparent window films to your car windows or provide a light blanket to cover your child’s exposed legs.
5. Explain sun safety in an age-appropriate way.
You want your child to understand why sun safety is important. That ultimately will help them to practice it. Do it in a way that your child can understand and not be frightened.
For preschoolers, you can share that the sun can burn you and that will hurt.
For elementary school students, share the basics and say that sunburns can damage your skin.
For teens, you can go into detail and share the long-term damage that can occur later in life.
And for those young adults looking to get a “healthy summer tan,” let them know that there is no such thing. Even tans will damage their skin, and cause wrinkles. Encourage them to use tanning lotions with sunscreen instead.
Be consistent with sun safety precautions and you and your family will enjoy the summer sun that much more!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
