Spotlight on Your Funds

April 2023

Greater New York Benefit Fund to Offer Virta Program to Help Members Reverse Their Type 2 Diabetes

While the 1199SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund (GNYBF) launched a partnership with WeightWatchers® earlier this year to support 1199SEIU members on their health journeys, including those living with Type 2 diabetes, we recognize that one program may not be the right fit for everyone. To offer your members with Type 2 diabetes another option, this month we are introducing Virta—a program with a medically based approach and the first clinically proven treatment to safely reverse Type 2 diabetes without medications or surgery. Like WeightWatchers, Virta will be offered at no cost to eligible members and their dependents living with Type 2 diabetes. Features of the program include individualized nutrition therapy with effective and sustainable carbohydrate restriction; health coaches; tools to measure blood glucose, ketones and weight; and an app to log health data and symptoms, which Virta clinicians can access to recommend treatment and any necessary adjustments in collaboration with members’ healthcare providers. Eligible members may receive an invitation from the GNYBF or they can check their eligibility and create an account at www.virtahealth.com/join/1199. For more information, they may email support@virtahealth.com.

Training and Employment Funds Offer Healthcare College Core Curriculum Program

The 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds’ (TEF) Health Careers College Core Curriculum (HC4) Program is an entry-to-college program for adult learners with little or no experience in higher education who are interested in pursuing associate and/or undergraduate degrees in various allied health fields. Students earn up to 42 college credits in prerequisite courses at the College of Staten Island, Lehman College or Monroe College before transitioning to coursework in their chosen majors. The HC4 program also provides participants with academic and career support to help them successfully complete the program. All Wage Class I and Wage Class II members who are actively working at a TEF contributing institution or facility are eligible. Enrollment for the spring semester runs from October through January, and enrollment for the fall semester runs from April through July. All HC4 classes are currently offered online. For more information about Lehman College, please email Priscilla.Hawthorne@1199Funds.org; for more information about the College of Staten Island, please email Lekwan.Robinson@1199Funds.org; and for information about Monroe College, please email Jhanna.Perez@1199Funds.org.

Child Care Fund’s Holiday Sleep-Away Programs Score High with Members

The 1199SEIU Child Care Fund held its latest Holiday Sleep-Away Program (HSAP) from February 20 to February 24, while the Teen Holiday Sleep-Away Program (T-HSAP) for the first time offered two start dates, with one session running from February 18 to February 24 and a second session from February 20 to February 24. A total of 74 children attended HSAP, which serves youth ages 8 to 12, while 63 teenagers attended T-HSAP, which serves youth ages 13 to 17. Activities included games, team sports, hiking, nature exploration and big brother/big sister mentorships between the HSAP and T-HSAP participants. Both programs were operated by Hands In 4 Youth, the home of Camp Vacamas, in West Milford, New Jersey. According to the HSAP and T-HSAP Winter Session Satisfaction Survey, 94 percent of members said their child liked or loved their camp experience, 88 percent were likely or extremely likely to apply for the program again, and 98 percent said participation in the program has had a positive impact on their child. For more information about HSAP and T-HSAP, visit the Child Care Fund website or email HSAP@1199Funds.org.

The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs

The 1199SEIU Greater New York Education 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 employees and members at your facility.


The schedule is also available on the program calendar.


Respiratory Health

Saturday, April 29

8:45 am to 4:30 pm

This six-hour interprofessional symposium will focus on nutrition for respiratory health; developments in pediatric clinical asthma management; the pharmacology of COPD; and the impact of various factors on pulmonary wellness, such as exercise, stress and medications.


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

Special Healthy Living Edition

A special Healthy Living edition of For Your Benefit, the 1199SEIU members magazine, is now available to view online. 

Read More

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2023.

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

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