Spotlight on Your Funds
April 2021
The Benefit Fund Vaccinates 500 Members and Retirees in Six Days, More to Follow 

Your 1199SEIU employees and members are getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at record rates as the Union and Benefit Fund continue to educate them and answer their questions about the vaccines. According to the Union’s most recent poll, 1199SEIU members’ hesitancy about being vaccinated is declining steadily. Most recently, the Benefit Fund received a 500-dose supply of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the state, and Worksite Wellness nurses at Funds Headquarters contributed to the overall vaccination effort by administering shots to members and retirees. After distributing the initial 500 doses and compiling a waiting list, the Fund received an additional supply of vaccines and have expanded the invitation to be vaccinated to Union and Funds staff. 

In partnership with the Union and the Training and Employment Funds, the Benefit Fund has hosted more than 30 “Get the Facts” Tele-Town Halls and webinars with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Van H. Dunn. To date, the joint information campaign has helped educate nearly 25,000 members, including 17,000 retired members who participated in Tele-Town Halls designed especially for them. There have also been 29,000 page views for COVID-19 resources on the Funds’ website.
 
The Union and Benefit Fund’s robust campaign was showcased in a recent New York Magazine article, which highlighted the joint effort to address members’ concerns about the vaccines and demonstrated the leadership role 1199SEIU members have assumed in supporting vaccination within the healthcare industry. Educational efforts continue. 
 
For updated information and resources about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit www.1199SEIUFunds.org/vaccines
Training and Employment Funds Offer Foundational Programs
This spring, more than 1,500 students have enrolled in 128 classes in the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds’ (TEF) foundational programs, which provide your 1199SEIU employees and members with the academic and communication skills they need to advance in their healthcare careers. Programs include those for members whose education has been interrupted and who want to complete high school or enroll in college. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are for those who need to improve their English skills or who want to obtain U.S. citizenship. TEF also offers Digital Literacy to prepare members for online learning and Spanish language classes to enhance their workplace skills. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all programs are delivered remotely via Zoom, and TEF will offer Zoom workshops over the summer for students taking classes in the fall. In order to place members at the appropriate level, TEF requires that prospective participants take a placement test for each program. For more information, your employees and members may call (844) 833-1199. 
Child Care Corporation Holds Online Pre-RN Track Open House

On Saturday, March 27, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation’s (CCC) WorkForce 2000 Pre-RN Track hosted an open house to give prospective students an opportunity to learn more about the program. During the event, held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, the students wrote an essay, participated in lessons on health equity and sexually transmitted infections, took a quiz on medical terminology, and took part in small group discussions and role-playing. They also talked with other students and CCC staff members about such topics as career pathways and stress management, and were able to ask CCC staff questions about the program. In addition, current Pre-RN Track students participated in part of the open house.

The Pre-RN Track is part of the CCC's WorkForce 2000 initiative, a year-round academic program that helps teens of 1199SEIU members succeed in high school, prepare for college and explore career interests. The program seeks to increase the availability and diversity of the New York City nursing workforce by helping prepare high school students to pursue nursing professions. For more information about the WorkForce 2000 Pre-RN Track, please email [email protected].

Linda has always relied on her 1199SEIU Funds to help keep her and her family healthy—never more so than throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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