Spotlight on Your Funds

March 2025

Benefit Funds Highlight Colorectal Cancer Awareness

The Benefit Funds are marking Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with a campaign to encourage 1199SEIU members to get screened for the third-most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. While diagnoses have declined as more people are being screened, cases are increasing among those under age 50. By providing members with information and resources, the Benefit Funds remind them to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician to determine if they require a screening and, if so, to discuss screening options.

In addition, the latest Health Is the Key podcast highlights the importance of the lifesaving screening. Launching March 5, the episode features Dr. Renee Williams, a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone. Dr. Williams discusses risk factors, symptoms and the various screening tools available. Plus, she shares her own experience as both a physician and a patient. Members may tune in and subscribe to Health Is the Key wherever they get their podcasts.

Benefit Funds Offer Fertility Coverage Through Progyny

Effective January 1, 2025, the Benefit Funds began providing 1199SEIU members with a fertility benefit that includes in vitro fertilization. The benefit, administered by Progyny, covers two “Smart Cycles” of fertility treatments and provides eligible members with quality care from fertility specialists. Members can also access personalized educational and digital tools to help them understand their reproductive health, as well as a dedicated patient care advocate to support them throughout treatment. For more information, members may visit the dedicated Progyny–Benefit Funds website or call (833) 233-0431.

Training and Employment Funds Provide HC4 Information Sessions

The Training and Employment Funds (TEF) are offering information sessions for members interested in the Health Careers College Core Curriculum (HC4) Program. The program provides a supportive learning environment to help members earn their first 20 to 42 credits in prerequisite and general education courses for a healthcare-related program of study. Offered through three partnering colleges, the program assists members through career planning, tutoring and coaching, with no additional out-of-pocket expenses beyond tuition. Information sessions will be held on March 4, 10 and 12, and continue through July. To sign up for an information session or to find additional sessions, members can visit MyTEF. If they prefer, members can sign up by emailing the appropriate TEF staff member:

• Lekwan.Robinson@1199Funds.org for sessions held at Lehman College and College of Staten Island
• Mia.Vasquez-Berrios@1199Funds.org for sessions held at Monroe University

Child Care Funds to Hold Annual FALC Science Fair

The Child Care Funds’ Future of America Learning Center (FALC) will hold its 29th Annual Science Fair on Saturday, March 22. This year’s theme is, “How Do We Travel? Exploring Movement and Pathways!” The preschool, 3-K and pre-K students will explore modes of travel, including traveling by foot, on roads and through tubes and tunnels; the importance of specific safety features and functions; and community building. The science fair allows children to engage with their classmates, teachers and families in projects and exhibits that promote critical and analytical thinking, as well as conduct hands-on experiments to test hypotheses and present their findings.

FALC is committed to providing children with a nurturing, safe and stimulating educational environment, as well as cultural, racial, ethnic and economic diversity that fosters transformative experiences. Members can find more information on the FALC website.

The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs

The 1199SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund strengthens the healthcare delivery system by offering 1199SEIU members training and education programs designed to help improve patient outcomes and provide quality care. Please share these opportunities with members at your institution or facility. (The full schedule is available on the program calendar.)

Mental Health, Diet and Nutrition

Thursday, March 6

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

This seminar for dietitians and nutritionists will focus on the connections among food, nutrition and mental health; popular nutrition and diet fads; setting nutrition goals with clients; and guidelines for referring clients to mental health professionals.

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s from a Social Work Perspective

Thursday, March 20

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

This seminar for social workers will focus on the different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease; the diagnosis, symptoms and stages of dementia; and strategies for supporting individuals with dementia and their families.

For more information, members should visit the Institute for Continuing Education’s web page, call (212) 894-4390 or email Institute@1199Funds.org.

Check Out Our Podcast

Health Is the Key is dedicated to 1199SEIU members — healthcare workers who, all too often, put the health and well-being of others ahead of their own.

Meet Our Featured Member

Melissa Spells from Jamaica Hospital

Why did Melissa Spells begin her health journey? Read For Your Benefit online to find out!

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2025.

For further information, contact the Communications Office at Communications@1199Funds.org.