Message from the RI Director

My name is Lorina Harte, RI Director of the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund.

In the fall of 2024, Women and Infants Hosptial workers united in a successful union contract campaign to win a dramatic improvement in Education & Tuition Benefits at the W&I Hospital. Beginning in January of 2025, WIH workers will now have FULL access to the 1199 Training Fund including but not limited to these key improvements: 

• Tuition and course fees are reimbursable up to $4,000 each semester 
• For up to 3 semesters per year (January to December) 
• For a possible maximum Tuition Reimbursement of $12,000 per year per member 
• NO PRORATION for Part Time or Per Diem positions 
• Reimbursable Course fees include registration for conferences, workshops, seminars, and other certificate programs specifically related to your continuing education in technical, professional, therapeutic, and other areas of healthcare   
• Many non-healthcare related fields are also eligible 
• Up to $500 for a one-time purchase of a computer until 12/31/2025 only 
• Required course books covered 100% 
• Required course uniforms or other materials covered 100% 

Prior to 2025 WIH 1199 NE members had to apply to CNE-WIH's employer Education benefit before accessing these benefits. Many found the prior application process challenging or confusing. The 1199 NE Training Fund application process is simple and easy. You can now apply through the personalized link the Fund has texted to members.

Want to opt INTO texting for helpful educational benefit updates? Call us or email us. 

Want more information? Click on the “Learn More” links on the website to find out about employee eligible requirements, Tuition Reimbursement Policy and Reimbursement Requirements.

If you need extra motivation to use your benefits, please read the beautiful testimonial from Claudia Pacheco below. She took advantage of her benefits and the many resources available from her 1199 benefits to successfully attain her educational goals.  

Please feel free to contact meLorina Harte, Rhode Island Director anytime via phone/text (401) 474-4001 or email LHarte@1199trainingfund.org

Happy Spring,

Lorina

** NEW** SEIU 1199NE Training and Upgrading Fund

Submission Requirements for Tuition Reimbursement – effective January 1, 2025

After applying online for reimbursement, eligible employees (see Reimbursement Policy- Click here) must upload online the following items to complete your application. Failure to provide these documents within 60 days after your last class will disqualify you for Tuition Reimbursement.

ATTENTION: Please note that after applying online (before the start of your classes) you will receive a confirmation email with your personalized, application-specific file upload link. Save this emailed link for your future upload of all required documents listed below at the end of your course.

For Credit-bearing/College Courses:

ð      Upload online: Proof of Payment – a billing statement showing any and all tuition and fees, financial aid, payments and credits.

ð      Upload online: Proof of course dates – ex. Academic calendar, course syllabus

ð      Upload online: Final grades – To be eligible, final grades must be “C” or better

For non-credit-bearing/workshops/seminars and other professional development courses:

ð      Upload online: Course description/brochure/flyer/website showing date(s) of program, cost and fees, or an invoice from program host showing service cost and description

ð      Upload online: Receipt of payment confirmation - showing fees, receipt of payments.

ð      Upload online: Certificate of Completion - including certificates, CEUs, confirmations of attendance

For material expenses required by the class (towards the purchase of textbooks, uniforms, materials):

ð      Upload online: Proof of Payment - including itemized receipts with printed name on receipt and proof materials are required by course.

ð      Upload online: Proof of payment for Computers (does not need to be required by class BUT students must be eligible for tuition reimbursement). Proof of online course or program registration.

**Only available until 12/31/2025 unless otherwise approved by Trustees**

ð      Upload online: Proof of payment for Books: Book receipt with book title.

ü Applications MUST be submitted online AND on time prior to the beginning of class. 

ü Additional required documentation MUST be uploaded online AND on time WITHIN 60 days of course/program completion date. Link to upload in application confirmation email.

ü All submitted documents MUST have the member applicant’s name printed on it.

Tuition & Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy

For Women & Infants Hospital – effective January 1, 2025

Who can Apply?

Those employees covered by the New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199/SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement at Women & Infants Hospital who have met the following criteria can apply:

·        Current employees hired prior to January 1, 2025 are eligible:​

o  After one year, 12 continuous months after date of hire ​OR

o  After passing 90 days probation AND you were enrolled and taking classes in the Fall of 2024 ​

·        Employees hired January 1, 2025 & after, are eligible:​

o  After one year, 12 continuous months after date of hire​

·        All employees meeting the above criteria also:

o  MUST have worked an average of at least 8 hours of work per week during the previous year

o  MUST continue to work an average of at least 8 hours per week during the semester/term for which you have applied for reimbursement

·        This benefit is NO LONGER PRORATED. Whether you are part-time, per-diem or full-time, eligible employees can receive 100% of the benefit, not a pro-rated portion.

·        Eligible employees NO LONGER need to apply to the WIH-CNE (Employer’s) tuition benefits BEFORE accessing the 1199 Training Fund benefit. You only need to apply directly here to the 1199 Training Fund online application. There is no longer a CNE Employer’ based Tuition benefit. Instead, the 1199 Training Fund benefit offers a much higher rate of reimbursement, see details below.

How to Apply

Submit your online application by each semester’s deadline (see deadlines below) click here:

Click here for Online Tuition Reimbursement Application

For assistance filling out your online application or further questions, contact Lorina Harte:

·        call or text 401-474-4001

·        email lharte@1199trainingfund.org

When should I apply:

You should apply online before your classes begin (except for the Spring 2025 semester, your deadline is May 1, 2025). Apply online by the deadlines listed below. There are NO EXCEPTIONS for late submissions, late applications will be denied.

For semester-based college and university programs:

• For Spring 2025 Semester ONLY Women & Infants Hospital members shall

ð apply no later than 11:59 pm May 1^st 2025

• SUMMER deadline = May 31st
• FALL deadline = August 31st
• WINTER deadline = December 15^th
• SPRING deadline (after 2025) = January 15^th

For non-semester-based programs the deadline to apply is:

• by 11:59 pm the day before the 1^st class

Reimbursable Expenses

Reimbursable expenses can be used towards credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing college and professional courses, and can include:

·        Tuition and course fees, up to $4,000 each semester, for up to 3 semesters per year (January to December), for a possible maximum Tuition Reimbursement of $12,000* per year per member (regardless of whether an employee is Full-Time, Part-Time or Per-Diem).

·        Course fees can include: registration for conferences, workshops, seminars, and other certificate programs specifically related to your continuing education in technical, professional, therapeutic, and other areas of healthcare

·        Computer: Up to $500 for a one-time purchase of a computer for 2025 only (must provide proof of online course/program enrollment AND must be eligible for Tuition Reimbursement)

·        Required course books (must provide detailed receipts and course textbook list).  

·        Required course uniforms or other equipment and course materials (must provide detailed receipts and course list demonstrating they are required for the class)

** Eligible members who receive above $5,250 in Tuition Reimbursement per year MUST fill out a State and Federal Tax form as the benefit is taxable (per State and Federal IRS Tax law). The 1199NE Training Fund will send you these forms which you must fill out and return to the 1199NE Fund prior to receiving Tuition Reimbursement from the Training Fund. These forms will be sent out electronically and you can upload them.

Non-Eligible Expenses

The following expenses are NOT eligible for reimbursement under this funding:

1)     Lodging, travel, and material expenses to classes, conferences, courses not specified above; 

2)     Subscriptions to professional association(s);

3)     Basic recertification exams and/or fees required to maintain professional licensure required by WIH/CNE to maintain employment in your current position and professional category.

4)     Fees for late payments, parking, health insurance, graduation, payment plan, background checks, and drug testing.

Good luck with your coursework. And please let us know when if and when graduate, have received your intended final certification and/or degree! Every year we have annual Graduation for members who have reached their own educational goal through our 1199NE Training Fund benefits.

Let us know how you are doing:

Lharte@1199trainingfund.org