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  • Building your village

    Building your village

    Building your village

    Staying connected and involved in your community is an important part of overall wellness. In fact, a recent Healthy Minds Monthly Poll from the American Psychiatric Association found that 30 percent of adults said they have experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people’s social habits have changed, and “getting back out there” can be a challenge.

    But maintaining social connections has so many health benefits! It creates feelings of belonging and boosts your mood.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, staying connected can help people live longer, healthier lives and reduce the risk of serious illnesses. People with healthy relationships are more likely to make healthy choices that lead to better mental and physical health.

    Reconnect with and develop new relationships:

    Make time in your routine to contact people who care about you.

    Cast a wide net and reach out to different people to expand your network of support.

    Join a group with shared interests to create a sense of belonging.

    Reach out for help when you need it and make an effort to support others when you can.

    Prioritize socializing in-person whenever possible.

    Get to know your neighbors.

    Volunteer with community organizations that interest you.

    Most importantly: Have fun! By spending time doing the things you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick to habits and build and maintain social connectedness.

    If you are experiencing feelings of loneliness and/or depression, and you would like to talk with someone, please call our Wellness Member Assistance Program at (646) 473-6900.

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  • 1199ers: Where are they now?

    1199ers: Where are they now?

    1199ers: Where are they now?

    Rene Kwong, Echo Technologist
    NewYork-Presbyterian

    Rene was featured in our 2024 Members’ Voices calendar. In her video (featured in May), she told us how team sports have always been important—keeping her body strong and fit—even while she was pregnant. Her daughter, Zoe, is now turning 4, and Rene keeps her moving, too, often joining in on the fun right alongside her. “She is so cute in her tutu,” Rene said. “And it’s great to be able to bond while we stay active together.”

    Russell Smith, Senior Clerk for Occupational Health Services
    Montefiore Medical Center

    Russell was featured in the Winter 2022 issue of this magazine. He also appeared in our Members’ Voices video series. Russell is a prostate cancer survivor, who shared the story of his journey to overcome the cancer both physically and mentally. Since then, he’s been a strong advocate of the value of screening and educating others. He even appeared on a co-worker’s podcast. “I was nervous, but it was worth it, knowing the impact I can have discussing the importance of getting checked out,” he said. “So many men just do not think about it. Knowing I can make a difference is a wonderful feeling.”

    Victoria Carter-Scarlett, Chief File Clerk
    Maimonides Medical Center

    Victoria was featured with her husband, Noel, in our 2022 calendar. Victoria is a breast cancer survivor, who shared that her healthy living motivation is spending as much time as she can with her daughter, Amaris. So, she makes sure she’s tested on a regular basis. “I’m a strong believer in the importance of screening. They caught my condition early, in stage 1,” she said. “If I wasn’t tested, I wouldn’t have known I had breast cancer.” With her 1199SEIU health benefits, Victoria was able to get the treatment she needed, and she sees her medical team on a regular basis. “I just came back from a checkup in fact,” she said. “And I got good news—my doctor said I’m doing great!”

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  • Career Pathways Training Program: Strengthening New York’s healthcare industry with its toughest champions—you.

    Career Pathways Training Program: Strengthening New York’s healthcare industry with its toughest champions—you.

    Career Pathways Training Program: Strengthening New York’s healthcare industry with its toughest champions—you.

    The Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program enables 1199SEIU members and other participants to further their education, advance their career and make a meaningful impact in their community—all at no cost to you.

    Note: If you are a member of 1199SEIU currently enrolled in a target occupation program, you automatically qualify for CPT-related program resources and support services and will be notified with more information.

    PROGRAM OFFERINGS:

    Financial Assistance: The program covers all tuition, training, books and administrative fees—ensuring you can focus on your educational goals rather than the financial burden.

    Program Resources and Support Services: The program offers individual case management, tutoring, test preparation and career counseling.

    Paid Release Time: To help fit the program into your busy schedule, participants may be eligible for up to two days a week of paid release time to attend classes.

    Job Placement Assistance: Upon completion of the program, you will receive assistance in securing a full-time position with family-sustaining wages.

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

    Current Enrollment: Once you join the CPT Program, you must be enrolled full-time in one of the 10 target healthcare programs. (*see Target Occupations)

    Completion Commitment: You must complete your program within three years or by the end of the Spring 2027 semester.

    Service Commitment: You must commit to a three-year service requirement, working for a healthcare provider in New York State that serves a patient population that is at least 30% Medicaid-reliant or uninsured.

    TARGET OCCUPATIONS

    The CPT Program offers an array of eligible positions within the healthcare industry. Positions eligible to pursue include:

    • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
    • Certified Pharmacy Tech (CPhT)
    • Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
    • Registered Nurse (AAS, BSN, RN to BSN)
    • Respiratory Therapist (RT)
    • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
    • Physician Assistant (PA)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    APPLY NOW!
    Take the next step in your healthcare career.

    1199SEIU members Not a member?

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  • Do you or someone you love need support?

    Do you or someone you love need support?

    Do you or someone you love need support?

    If you answered yes, you’re not alone. The Benefit Funds have partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-NYC) for an interactive online Healthy Minds series. The series focuses on increasing awareness about mental wellness and provides resources and connections to help you get started supporting your mental well-being in a safe space. Take a look at the schedule and descriptions below, and register for an online workshop today!

    Tuesday, May 20, at 1:00 pm

    Family and Friends shares ways to support someone who is struggling—and will connect you with a community that understands what you’re going through.

    Tuesday, June 17, at 1:00 pm

    In Our Own Voices brings you inspiring personal stories from people who are living with mental illness and are willing to share what they’ve learned.

    Tuesday, July 29, at 1:00 pm

    Mental Health 101 is a crash course on how to recognize the signs of mental illness and find support for yourself or a loved one who needs it.

    Bring your questions—you’ll get answers during the workshop.

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  • Congratulations, Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) participants!

    Congratulations, Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) participants!

    Congratulations, Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) participants!

    The Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) provides a six-week summer employment opportunity for high school-age children of 1199SEIU members at participating hospitals and nursing homes. The YMP supports youth in developing fundamental life skills, professional competencies and career/education opportunities, all while establishing a future workforce of young professionals.

    To commemorate the final week of YMP this summer, the 1199SEIU Child Care Corporation hosted its annual YMP Closing Ceremony on Thursday, August 15, in the Martin Luther King Auditorium at our 1199SEIU Manhattan headquarters.

    Pictured from left to right is Vanessa Santiago, Vice President of the 1199SEIU Child Care Corporation, Jose Mejia Martinez, Senior Volunteer Experience Assistant at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), and Rossmery Dais, President of the 1199SEIU Child Care Corporation. They are joined by our YMP participants who worked at SIUH.

    This year’s ceremony honored the work of Jose Mejia Martinez, Senior Volunteer Experience Assistant at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). Mr. Martinez oversaw 13 YMP participants working in a wide variety of departments including the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Pharmacy and Clinical Engineering. This is the third year that the YMP team has worked with Mr. Martinez, who has been an amazing advocate for our youth. Mr. Martinez is one of 16 site contacts who collectively onboarded 178 YMP participants at 18 institutions across all five boroughs.

    Congratulations to our YMP participants!

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  • Do you wish you knew how to improve your finances?

    Do you wish you knew how to improve your finances?

    Do you wish you knew how to improve your finances?

    FYB Spring Summer 2025 Healthy Finance

    Take the guesswork out by attending one of our upcoming online financial workshops.

    Upcoming Webinars:

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Wednesday, May 21, at 6:00 pm

    In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, Social Security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    How Credit Works

    Wednesday, June 25, at 6:00 pm

    Understand how to use credit, credit reporting and the impact of credit scores.

    Keeping It Safe

    Wednesday, July 23, at 6:00 pm

    Learn how to prepare for a financial emergency and about the types of insurance that are available, as well as how to protect yourself from identity theft.

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  • See why 1199ers are joining WeightWatchers!

    See why 1199ers are joining WeightWatchers!

    See why 1199ers are joining WeightWatchers!

    FYB Spring Summer 2025 1199 WW

    There’s a reason why nearly 7,000 1199ers have signed up—because WeightWatchers® has a proven track record of helping members reach their goals. WW provides meal planning, an award-winning app and more than 12,000 tasty recipes. We even have our own workshops and Connect social network to help our 1199 community support one another and exchange information. And the best part is when you join through the Benefit Funds, you can take advantage of our discounted—or no-cost—membership!

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  • Holiday Eating Strategies

    Holiday Eating Strategies

    Holiday Eating Strategies

    Learn how to enjoy the season without worry. In this webinar, our expert health educator will provide tips for you to savor holiday favorites at parties and family get-togethers without the guilt. She’ll also demonstrate how to make a delicious, healthy holiday recipe that you can make at home.

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  • Notice to 1199SEIU Providers and Hospitals: Coverage of Telehealth Services Made Permanent

    Notice to 1199SEIU Providers and Hospitals: Coverage of Telehealth Services Made Permanent

    The Benefit Funds will continue to cover telehealth services for your 1199SEIU patients. This includes visits via phone, video and other virtual means for all eligible medical and mental health services, including COVID-19-related services.

    Effective October 15, 2021, the Benefit Funds no longer covers telehealth services provided by an urgent care center and will deny any claims with telehealth procedure codes or modifiers where the place of service is 20.

    During the Public Health Emergency, the Benefit Funds covered all codes with a telehealth modifier of 95 or GT, or place of service code 02. Effective May 12, 2023, coverage determination will be made based on the Benefit Funds’ telehealth policy.

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  • Chair Yoga

    Chair Yoga

    Chair Yoga

    1199SEIU Benefit Funds Health Educator/Fitness Instructor Golda Smith demonstrates some simple exercises you can do in just 10 minutes using nothing but your body and a chair!

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