MSK HEALTH SCREENINGS

DC 37 and Memorial Sloan Kettering have partnered to help provide members and their families with quality preventive healthcare. Cancer screenings and preventive care visits are essential to good health and can save lives. Many health professionals fear that delaying screenings due to COVID-19 could cause more harm than good. Despite pandemic, it is still important to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Be proactive. Consult your healthcare professional. Contact MSK Direct at 833-786-3365 or visit the Screening Tool to see if you are eligible. Learn more about how you can be proactive. Take charge of your health.

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MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLUS PLAN for NYC RETIREES

The Municipal Labor Committee has voted to move to a Medicare Advantage Plus Plan designed specifically for our NYC retirees. The plan goes into effect January 1, 2022. Retirees have until December 31 to opt out. For more information, call 833-325-1190.

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NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES CAN GET A $50 MONTHLY INTERNET CREDIT, APPLY NOW

New York City public school families can receive a $50 monthly discount on internet broadband service and a one-time $100 credit for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer. Families must apply and find a broadband provider in their area participating in the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The broadband service provider then offers eligible families a discounted rate and is reimbursed by the federal government. Apply here while funds last.

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DC 37 EVENTS:

DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS WORKSHOP NOV. 9 at 6 PM

Join the DC 37 Disability Advisory Committee for a virtual Domestic Violence Awareness workshop on Tuesday Nov. 9 at 6 pm. Join via Zoom Meeting ID: 873 9143 5755   Passcode: 177390 or One tap mobile: +13462487799,,87391435755#. For more information, please email Committee Chair Laura Morand at l2627president@gmail.com

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STUDENT LOAN DEBT WEBINAR NOV. 17 at 6 PM

MELS will host a virtual Student Loan Debt webinar on Nov. 17 at 6 PM. Legal experts will discuss COVID-19 protections for student borrowers; income driven repayment plans; loan consolidation; rehabilitation after default, and updates to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Register at: www.dc37mels.com. For more information, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212.815.1111, or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net

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PARENTAL LEAVE WORKSHOP NOV. 18 at 5 PM

ONLINE FREE for DC 37 MEMBERS

Taking a parental leave soon? Attend this free virtual Planning Workshop from the Center for Parental Leave Leadership on Thursday NOV. 18 at 5 PM.
We’ve made special arrangements with the Center for Parental Leave Leadership and authors of the recently released book The Parental Leave Playbook to attend this free parental leave planning webinar.

In this free workshop you’ll:

• Learn the ten touchpoints of the parental leave transition
• Learn how to plan for all three phases of parental leave:
  • Prepare for leave
  • During leave
  • Return from leave
• Get a free Next Steps Action Plan template for planning your leave
• Have the chance to ask your questions of the parental leave experts!

Register at: https://cplleadership.com/register-for-a-leave-planning-workshop/.

Use our unique code when you sign up: DC37

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CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE

The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. To join, please email Committee Chair Jon Forster at 4unionnow@gmail.com.

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MELS:

STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE UPDATE

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Temporary Waiver:
On October 6, 2021, the US Department of Education temporarily waived a number of the requirements borrowers who qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) must meet. The waiver period expires on October 31, 2022. Appropriate steps must be taken prior to that date in order to take advantage of the benefits of the waiver.

Waiver of the Qualifying Repayment Plan Options:
Under the traditional rules, to qualify for PSLF a borrower working full-time in a qualified employment was required to make 120 payments toward their direct federal student loan debt pursuant to one of the four income driven repayment plan options: PAYE, RE-PAYE, Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment. The repayment plan requirement is temporarily waived. During the waiver period, payments made on any plan will count toward PSLF.

Borrowers with FFEL and Perkins Loans:
Borrowers with FFEL and Perkins loans now have an improved pathway to PSLF. Under the traditional rules, only direct federal student loans qualified for PSLF. Borrowers with FFEL loans and Perkins loans had to consolidate into a direct consolidated federal loan in order to qualify for PSLF. Payments made prior to consolidation did not count toward PSLF. During the waiver period, borrowers must still consolidate. However, provided a borrower consolidates during the waiver period, payments made prior to consolidation, on any repayment plan, will count toward PSLF.

For information on the appropriate steps to take, affected members and their eligible family members are encouraged to call MELS at 212.815.1111. We can help!

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IMPORTANT UPDATE ON EVICTION MORATORIUMS

NEW YORK STATE EVICTION MORATORIUM

New York State lawmakers agreed on Sept. 1 to extend sweeping protections against evictions. The state’s amended eviction moratorium, extended through Jan. 15, 2022, is one of the most extensive protections put into place in the nation. Under the amended law, landlords can challenge a tenant’s declaration of hardship. However, tenants are still encouraged to file New York State hardship declaration forms. MELS can help with issues related to the N.Y.S. hardship declaration form and the other protections available to tenants. Call our Screening Unit at 212.815.1111 for advice and legal representation.

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CDC FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUM

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently invalidated the CDC Federal Eviction Moratorium. This means that tenants who filed a hardship declaration form under the federal CDC provision are no longer protected under that provision.

Tenants who owe rent or are facing an eviction case should not give up and move out. There are still many steps landlords must take to proceed with an eviction and there are still many ways tenants can defend their homes. MELS can help. Call the MELS Screening Unit at 212.815.1111 for advice and legal representation.

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EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)

New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications to help tenants pay rent arrears. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can provide up to 15 months of rent and up to 12 months of gas and electric utility arrears.

Tenants who apply for ERAP are protected from eviction while the application is processed. Apply for ERAP here: on.ny.gov/2WE2CKY.If you have questions or need assistance, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212.815.1111.

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HEALTH and COVID:

COVID-19 WORKERS’ COMP and SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS

DC 37 urges members who believe they have contracted coronavirus in the line of duty to apply for New York State Workers’ Compensation. For a list of Workers’ Comp lawyers click here: https://bit.ly/3f1wK8z.  Additionally, DC 37 Health & Security short-term disability benefits may be available for members who have filed Workers’ Comp claims. For more information click here: http://bit.ly/3ptCdt0

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FEMA COVID-19 BURIAL RELIEF

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) burial relief program is accepting applications. The maximum amount of financial aid available is $9,000 per funeral up to $35,500 per application with multiple COVID-19 decedents. FEMA federal funeral assistance can be used to help with expenses for funeral services held in 2020 for COVID-19 deaths, interment or cremation. Call the FEMA hotline: 844.684.6333 (TTY: 800.462.7585), 8 AM to 8 PM Central Time (7 AM to 7 PM EST), Monday through Friday. For additional burial assistance programs, please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page.            

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FAMILIES:

PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT

The NYS Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union negotiated New York State benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment program fact sheet and questionnaire are available here: https://www.cwenet.net/nysfe-1. To access the 2021 PFL calculator, visit: http://on.ny.gov/2LsklQ8

Be sure to join the free PLANNING PFL WORKSHOP Nov. 18 at 5 PM. Register at: https://cplleadership.com/register-for-a-leave-planning-workshop/. Use code: DC37

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GET HELP PAYING for CHILD CARE

The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project is a NYS funded pilot program that was developed to assist working parents to increase access to childcare subsidies and quality care in New York City for children up to 13 years of age with qualifying incomes (up to $72,050 for a family of four). For more information, visit: https://www.cwenet.net/nysfe-1

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EDUCATION:

AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE

The AFSCME free 4-year college program has been extended for good. This can be combined with the Free College program, under which AFSCME members and their immediate family can earn associate degrees for free. This means members of the AFSCME family can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. All they need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information visit: https://freecollege.afscme.org/

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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND

DC 37 EDUCATION FUND WORKSHOPS: Due to increased demand, the Education Fund has added the following free virtual workshops:

RESUME WRITING Workshop, Nov. 23 and 30. To register, visit: Resume Writing Workshop, Tuesdays, 6 to 9 PM, Nov. 23 & Nov. 30 (2 sessions), ONLINE.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES Workshop, Dec. 2 and 9. To register, visit: Interview Techniques, Thursdays, 6 to 9 PM, Dec. 2 & Dec. 9 (2 sessions), ONLINE.

For more information, email Lydia Picano: lpicano@dc37.net

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FREE SOCIAL WORKER WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL 768 MEMBERS: The DC 37 Education Fund in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter, plans to host a continuing education workshop in December for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers.

CULTURAL PROFICIENCY: THIS MIGHT GET AWKWARD (2 CEU’s) Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 PM. Registration deadline is Nov. 23. This workshop will be held online. To attend this workshop, please enter the following link into your web browser and complete the online application: www.dc37edfund.org/socialworkdec2021

For questions regarding the online application for the workshop, please email: dtelemaque-peschier@dc37.net or kking@dc37.net.

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LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College. If you are interested in entering the college in January for the Winter 2022 term, email: ppunch@dc37.net.

LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. The next cohort will enroll for the Spring 2022 term. For more information, email: lpicano@dc37.net.

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CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU! This is the ideal time to plan for Spring 2022 enrollment at the CUNY college of your choice. Let Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) help guide you through the process of finding the best CUNY program to match your education and career goals. Expert advisors offer FREE one-on-one phone sessions on: academic requirements for specific jobs; choosing a CUNY campus and major; applying to and financing a CUNY degree; certificate and non-credit options at CUNY, transferring previous credits, and more. Each session is free and catered to your specific goals and needs. To view the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session visit: https://cunydays.eventbrite.com. Can’t find a date/time that works for you? Email: WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.

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EDUCATION AND CAREER COUNSELING: Do you need guidance selecting a class from our offerings, updating a resume or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? Contact a counselor to schedule a virtual appointment: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/counseling

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WORKWELL NYC:

FLU SEASON IS HERE. FREE FLU SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE!

The City and its unions offer free flu shots to municipal employees and their families. Learn more and make a flu shot appointment at a WorkWell NYC Clinic here: on.nyc.gov/wwnycflu.

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HACKING the HOLIDAY MENU: YOUR HEALTHY EATING SURVIVAL GUIDE NOV.  17 at 12 PMFood is often a big part of holiday celebrations this time of year. In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, join WorkWell NYC’s nutrition and mental health specialists as we answer your questions about how to enjoy holiday meals and family traditions healthfully. Together, we’ll explore healthy food preparation tips, holiday meal swaps, stress management techniques, and how to thrive this holiday season! Register here.

To see the full list of WorkWell NYC events, visit: on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents