DC 37 NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES YOU CAN USE
MID-MARCH EVENTS
DC 37 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE VIRTUAL PANEL, MARCH 16 at 6 PM
PARKS PLAY FAIR RALLY, MARCH 22 at 9 AM at CITY HALL
*We demand that NYC Parks Department jobs such as PEP Officers, Urban Parks Rangers, City Parks Workers, Gardeners and Assistant Gardeners, and more, be baselined and included in the City’s budget.
*We must STOP the $60 million cut in the City’s Fiscal Year 2023 preliminary budget.
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MELS FAMILY LAW WEBINAR, MARCH 30 at 6 PM
DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, APRIL 12 at 6 PM
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MELS ID THEFT and SCAMS WEBINAR, APRIL 27 at 6 PM
Join the MELS ID Theft and Scams virtual webinar on Wednesday, April 27 at 6 PM. Legal experts will discuss how to spot and respond to IRS scams, Social Security scams, internet scams, investment scams and more. Learn how to respond to identity theft discovered through banking and credit transactions or fraudulent unemployment claims. You’ll also learn about the three most popular credit report security devices, how they differ, and how to use them for your advantage. To attend, please register at: www.dc37mels.com. For more info, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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SUPPORT the FIGHT for FAIR WAGES, SIGN the JUST PAY PETITION
Our fight for fair wages continues. DC 37 is demanding a living wage for private sector homecare, healthcare and daycare essential workers and an end to government exploitation of the Human Services workforce.
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DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
FREE TAX PREP
HEALTH and WELLNESS
MSK COLON CANCER AWARENESS and SCREENING
March is colon cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer is among the most common and preventable cancers. Colorectal cancer can usually be cured if it is found early enough. Early detection through screening at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) can help find cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. Learn about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and if it is time to get a colonoscopy HERE.
Screening is one of the most important steps you can take. MSK’s short assessment takes less than five minutes. Get personalized screening recommendations and tips on how to lower your risk for cancer HERE: https://www.mskcc.org/direct/
DC 37 and MSK Direct have partnered to provide DC 37 members and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care from leading specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Resources are available on DC 37’s dedicated MSK Direct webpage. If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options, please visit the dedicated MSK webpage or call MSK Direct at 833-786-3365.
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COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE UPDATE and COVID INFORMATION
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 protocols, the DCAS Commissioner Directive for Face Coverings, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, COVID testing sites for City employees, NYS worker’s compensation and short-term disability, FEMA COVID-19 burial assistance and more, visit HERE.
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WORKWELL NYC
5 A DAY YOUR WAY CHALLENGE, MARCH 16 THROUGH 30
IN the KITCHEN with WORKWELL NYC, MAR. 16, 23, 30 at 6:30 PM
ART IS LIFE NYC EMPLOYEE ART SHOWCASE, MAR. 24 at 6:30 PM
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A CITY EMPLOYEE’S GUIDE to STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, APRIL 14 at 12 PM
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DC 37 DENTAL CENTER
The DC 37 Brooklyn Dental Center at 186 Joralemon St. in Downtown Brooklyn closed on Tuesday, March 1. All dental services will continue at the newly renovated, state-of-the-art DC 37 Dental Center at 115 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan. The 30-seat facility offers advanced dental and periodontal care and will provide members, retirees, and dependents their full-service dental needs. The Dental Center accepts appointments Mon. to Fri., 8 AM to 6 PM and Sat., 8 AM to 5 PM. To schedule your visit, please call 212-766-4440.
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MELS
COVID-19 UPDATE:
New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund – Up to $50,000 Available for Distressed Home, Coop and Condo Owners
Homeowners at risk of foreclosure or displacement due to a financial hardship suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for up to $50,000.00 through the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund. To qualify you must be:
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STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENSION UPDATE
On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a further extension of the CARES Act student loan forbearance. Last scheduled to terminate on January 31, the pause on student loan payments, interest accrual and collections is extended through May 1, 2022. To speak with a MELS attorney, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE
To take advantage of the temporary waiver (see below), otherwise qualified borrowers with indirect student loans, or borrowers who simply have a history of repayment on non-qualifying plans, must consolidate their indirect loans; select an income driven repayment plan, and submitted the PSLF Employer Certification form by October 31, 2022. Doing so will allow the borrower to receive credit for payments made on any plan.
Whether your loan is in default, you need assistance in qualifying for PSLF, you wish to learn how switching to an income driven repayment plan will affect your cost, or you just want help understanding student loans, MELS can help. To connect with a MELS attorney, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111. MELS can help!
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS TEMPORARY WAIVER
On October 6, 2021, the U.S. 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 can call MELS at 212.815.1111.
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FAMILIES
PARKS DEPARTMENT SUMMER CAMP LOTTERY, APPLY NOW
Plan ahead for your child’s summer. The NYC Parks Department Summer Camp Lottery registration deadline is Monday, March 7 through Monday, March 21, 2022. Summer Camp is available for seven weeks for $500 per child. The summer camp program is an exciting chance for children ages 6 to 13 to have a fun-filled summer as they engage in sports, fitness, and outdoor adventures while taking part in many of New York City’s rich cultural and educational opportunities. You must enter the Parks lottery to be eligible to be considered. Visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/
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PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT
The New York State Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union-negotiated benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. For details about the PFL benefit, please contact your union representative. To access the 2022 PFL benefits calculator, visit: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.
Visit WWW.DC37.net for information on childcare, summer camp and other special programs for New York City residents: Visit here.
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EDUCATION
AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE
AFSCME offers a free 4-year college program to members and their immediate family. You can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information, visit: https://freecollege.afscme.
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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND
REGISTRATION for SPRING SEMESTER IS NOW OPEN
APPLY NOW for the 2022 DC 37 EDUCATION COMMITTEE SCHOLARSHIPS
LABOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM at CUNY
FREE SOCIAL WORKER WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL 768 MEMBERS
FREE COLLEGE PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL 372 MEMBERS IN SPECIFIC JOB TITLES
CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU!
This is the ideal time to plan for Summer/Fall 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.
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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.
RESUME WRITING and INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES WORKSHOPS
The two-session Resume Writing Workshop will cover a variety of resume formats: Chronological resumes, Functional resumes and Electronic resumes. You will also learn how to write a general cover letter and a specific cover letter. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled for individual resume review and revision. To sign up, visit HERE.