Resilient Hearts is a community organization with 2 to 5 employees, seeks to establish a group benefit plan to enhance employee health, wellness, and retention. This capstone project will require the student team to research group benefit options tailored for small businesses, assess costs and benefits, and design a suitable plan that aligns with Resilient Hearts' values and financial parameters.

Project Objectives:

Research and Analyze:

• Investigate group benefit plan options specifically for small businesses, including health, dental, vision, and wellness benefits.
• Identify insurance providers or brokers who offer scalable, customizable plans suitable for companies with a small workforce.
• Analyze coverage levels, costs, and features most relevant to small businesses.

Employee Needs Assessment:

• Conduct an employee needs assessment to understand preferences and priorities for benefits.

Cost Analysis and Budget Forecasting:

• Perform a financial analysis, considering both employer and employee contributions.
• Evaluate options for flexible or tiered plans that can adapt to business growth.

Plan Design and Recommendation:

• Based on research findings and employee feedback, design a recommended group benefit plan that balances cost with value to employees.
• Compile a report outlining plan options, the rationale behind the recommended plan, and steps for implementation.

Final Presentation:

• Develop a presentation to deliver to Resilient Hearts’ management, summarizing findings and providing a clear recommendation for the chosen group benefit plan.

Deliverables:

1. Research Report: A detailed analysis of group benefit options, focusing on plans suitable for small businesses, financial breakdown of projected costs, contributions, and potential financial impact.
2. Recommended Benefit Plan: A proposed group benefit plan with a clear rationale, based on both research and employee feedback.
3. Presentation: A professional presentation to present findings and recommendations to the leadership team (if applicable)

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop an understanding of group benefits planning within a small business context.
• Gain experience in conducting employee needs assessments and analyzing feedback.
• Improve skills in financial forecasting and HR budget planning.
• Enhance presentation and communication skills through client-facing proposals.