TRIPLEDEMIC UPDATE: STAY HEALTHY THRU THE HOLIDAYS
In response to the winter season tripledemic-- a rise in respiratory infections and hospitalizations due to COVID-19, the flu and RSV-- the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, DOHMH, has issued a health advisory recommending everyone regardless of vaccination status wear a mask in indoor public settings and crowded outdoor spaces.
DC 37 is taking measures to protect members’ safety and health at work. The DOHMH website has the most current information on COVID-19, the flu, RSV, M-pox, polio, and other health emergencies.
Stay safe by working together. DOHMH urges people over 50 to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine booster, to continue to take precautions, test often, wash hands frequently, etc. If you feel sick, stay home. If you test positive, consult your healthcare provider. Let's work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
For COVID-19 testing sites for City employees, NYS Workers' Compensation and short-term disability, FEMA COVID-19 burial assistance, and other information click HERE.
FREE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS ARE AVAILABLE
COVID-19 infections are on the rise this winter. Every U.S. household is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Visit COVID.gov or call 800-232-0233.
FREE TAX PREP
The Food Bank for NYC offers free, contactless tax preparation services for low-income New Yorkers. Get the refunds and credits you may be entitled to, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Call 646-981-6111, Mon. to Fri., 10 AM to 4 PM, or email [email protected].
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is excited to coordinate the City’s annual Tax Season Initiative. New Yorkers who earned $80,000 or less in 2022, can use NYC Free Tax Prep to file with the help of an IRS-certified volunteer preparer. For information about free Tax Prep services and eligibility for tax credits, visit nyc.gov/taxprep. Also, New Yorkers can call 311 for tax preparer information. The IRS filing deadline is April 18.
MELS
TAX FILING TIPS VIRTUAL WEBINAR, JAN. 25
MELS, the union’s Municipal Employees Legal Services, will host a virtual Tax Filing Tips Webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6 PM. Legal experts will discuss topics such as what's income and what is not, filing status, standard and itemized deductions, tax credits and tax tips. Register at www.dc37mels.com. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email [email protected].
BANK FRAUD, INTERNET SCAMS, and ID THEFT VIRTUAL WEBINAR, FEB. 7
MELS will host a virtual Bank Fraud, Internet Scams, and ID Theft Webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6 PM. Learn how to spot and respond to IRS scams, Social Security scams, internet scams, and investment scams.
Experts will share how to respond to identity theft discovered through your banking and credit card statements 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 to your advantage.
Register at www.dc37mels.com. For information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email [email protected].
MELS FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
The MELS Social Work Department will offer a virtual, three-part financial empowerment workshop in early 2023 for current MELS clients. Workshop dates to be determined.
MELS Social Workers will explore the following topics: The Psychology of Money, How to Make a Budget, and Bankruptcy and Consumer Credit Issues. If you are interested in attending, please email MELS Social Work Manager or call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT UPDATE
On Nov. 21, President Biden paused the repayment of federal student loans to start after June 2023, to allow the federal appeals court time to decide the case.
On Nov. 14, a federal appeals court issued a nationwide injunction temporarily barring the Biden’s student loan debt relief program that would have cancelled up to $20,000 in student debt for federal loan borrowers. Please be aware that the program is suspended and the website is no longer accepting applications.
DC 37 is sharing critical information from the U. S. Department of Education on how student loan borrowers can protect themselves from scammers. It's important to beware of scammers who may attempt to reach out to borrowers to try to convince them that they have a work-around that can get student debt relief applications processed and accepted. They do not.
Please don't share your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) or account information or password with anyone who contacts you. The U.S. Department of Education and your federal student loan servicer will never call or email you asking for this information. For more details, read the December PEPtalk magazine, or call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
FAMILIES
CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE
The income thresholds for Child Care Facilitated Enrollment have increased to 300% of Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) and now have much lower co-pays. The increase means more DC 37 members may be eligible for subsidized daycare programs for working families in New York City and Suffolk County, Long Island.
The increased FPL for the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project is retroactive to April 2022. On June 1, 2022, the cap on parental co-pays was lowered to one percent of a family’s income over the FPL. Families can view an updated fact sheet with the new income thresholds at dc37.net/about/services/childcare_subsidies. NYC residents can apply HERE.
Funds are available for income-eligible, working families who reside in the counties served by WDI, including Suffolk County, Long Island. The subsidy can be applied to licensed, registered or legally exempt daycare, after-school or summer camp programs. Apply at wdiny.org/childcare or call 631-743-0914.
PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT
The New York State Paid Family Leave benefit is expanded to included care for siblings as eligible dependents for leave. The PFL benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. The contribution rate dropped from .511% of payroll to .455% of payroll. This union-negotiated benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals.
For information visit https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/2023. Access the 2023 PFL benefits calculator HERE. For information on childcare and other programs for NYC residents, speak to your union rep or click HERE.
HEALTH CARE WORKER BONUS UPDATE
In 2022, New York State began processing payment of the Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus covering the first two vesting periods, from Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022. The program pays bonuses of up to $3,000 to eligible full and part-time employees, temporary and contracted workers.
Health + Hospitals: For Vesting Period 1, NYC Health + Hospitals filed bonuses for 9,128 employees who received a bonus payment in the collective amount of $13.7 million.
Mayoral Agencies: For Vesting Period 1, NYC Mayoral agencies filed for bonuses for 5,092 employees, mostly EMS and DOHMH, who received a collective amount of $7.6 million.
Non-profit Agencies: A number of members in non-profit agencies represented by DC 37 that provide residential care or mental health care also received HCW bonus payments.
Department of Education: Employees in the titles of Health Service Aides and Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists will be included in the Department of Education submission to the State for Vesting Periods 1 and 2. No payment date is available yet.
If you believe your work was involved in direct patient care and you did not receive an attestation letter from your employer, please contact your agency’s HR department first, and then your union representative.
The HCWB program continues until Mar. 31, 2024, with a maximum of two vesting periods per employee. DC 37 continues to push for the expansion of eligible titles and employers.
For details, contact the Health Care Worker Bonus (HWB) Call Center at 866-682-0077.
DC 37 COMMITTEES
District Council 37 committee meetings are listed at DC37.net.
MANDELA, 2 for 1 HOLIDAY DISCOUNT TICKETS
Mandela, the Untold Story, returns to the American Theater of Actors, 314 West 54th St. in Manhattan, February 3 to 19, in celebration of Black History Month. Mandela was written and produced by DC 37 Local 768 member Yolanda Brooks and was recently nominated for 10 AUDELCO Awards. DC 37 members and retirees can purchase discount tickets at MandelaNYC.com. Use the DC 37 code JUST4YOU to get two tickets for the price of one.
HEALTH and WELLNESS
DC 37 DENTAL CENTER
The newly renovated DC 37 Dental Center at 115 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan is a 30-seat facility that offers full-service dental care and advanced dental and periodontal care to members, retirees, and their dependents. The center accepts appointments Mon. to Fri., 8 AM to 6 PM and Sat., 8 AM to 5 PM. To schedule a visit, please call 212-766-4440.
WORKWELL NYC
ACHIEVING YOUR 2023 WELLNESS GOALS, JAN. 18
Are you looking to make 2023 a year of health and wellness? Join WorkWell NYC 101 to learn about all the free health and wellness programs and resources available for City employees. WorkWell NYC's got you covered with discounted gym and Weight Watchers memberships, group health coaching sessions, digital fitness classes, healthy cooking classes, and more! Join virtually on Jan. 18 at 2:30 PM to see how WorkWell NYC can help you live healthier in 2023!
Register HERE.
ART IS LIFE IS BACK!
WorkWell NYC is excited to announce the 2023 Art is Life exhibit “We Are NYC”. For this year’s Art is Life exhibit, City employees are invited to share artwork that celebrates and reflects on the diversity and complexity of New York City. It is WorkWell NYC's hope that the exhibit will showcase how every New Yorker contributes to the culture and energy of our vibrant city. Learn more and submit your art HERE.
MSK DIRECT
HPV and PREVENTABLE CANCERS
Nearly 85% of adults between the ages of 18 and 65 will have at least one strain of HPV at some point in their life. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the cancers caused by the virus are everyone’s concern. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancers. HPV can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women.
Watch this short video to learn the facts about the HPV vaccine. HPV Vaccine - Get the Facts | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org). For more information about HPV, the cancers it causes, and the HPV vaccine, click HERE.
DC 37 has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide employees, and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care, support, and expert resources from the world's leading cancer specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for DC 37 members, 833-786-3365, or visit mskcc.org/dc37.
EDUCATION FUND
NYC CAREER MAPS
The DC 37 Education Fund and CUNY’s New York City Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS), have created career maps to promote the career development of the DC 37 membership. These online maps identify, illustrate and describe opportunities for advancement for selected covered job titles.
Career maps are available for the following fields: (1) Administrative and Data-Focused Health Care; (2)HVAC-R; (3) IT Networking; (4) Parks and Recreation; (5) Patient-Care Focused Health Care, and (6) Software Development. You can view these maps HERE.
Be on the lookout for more Ed Fund career maps in the near future. For information, call the DC 37 Ed Fund at 212-815-1700 or email [email protected].
WINTER 2023 SEMESTER IS NOW OPEN
Registration for the WINTER 2023 semester with the union's Education Fund is now available on the DC 37 website. Many classes have just begun to accept applications. For information on classes, current schedules or to register for a program, click HERE.
FREE WORKSHOPS for LOCAL 768 SOCIAL WORKERS
The District Council 37 Education Fund in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter plans to host two (2) continuing education workshops in
February for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers. These workshops are:
Cultural Considerations: Safety Planning with Black DV Survivors (2 CE) – Thursday, Feb. 9, from 7 to 9 PM (Registration deadline is Jan. 19)
Forensic Social Work Ethics in Solitary Confinement: A Struggle with Dual Loyalty (2 CE) - Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 7 to 9 PM (Registration deadline is Jan. 27)
If you are interested in attending these virtual workshops, complete the online application at www.dc37edfund.org/socialworkfeb2023
For questions, please email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].
DC 37/CUNY LABOR CERTIFICATE & DEGREE PROGRAMS
The DC 37 Education Fund has partnered with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) to expand higher educational opportunities to develop the next generation of union leaders. The Education Fund will cover tuition for four courses (up to 16 credits where applicable) in certificate and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, excluding books and a one-time application fee required by CUNY. Eligible members may opt to participate in one of the following tracks:
- Undergraduate Certificate in Labor Relations
- Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Community Relations
- Graduate Certificate in Labor Relations
- Master’s Degree in Labor Studies
For information or to register to attend an information session, click HERE.
LILLIAN ROBERTS WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
DC 37, in collaboration with AFSCME, is excited to announce a Spring 2023 Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy (LRWLA). This LRWLA course is a 10-week, 40+hour leadership training program designed to support and develop women who desire to assume leadership positions within their profession, union and community. The goal is to help women understand the relationship between gender and the power dynamics of serving in leadership positions, and to impart the most effective ways to lead. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM beginning in March. To register, click HERE.
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 an Ed Fund counselor HERE to schedule a virtual appointment.
CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU!
This is the ideal time to plan for WINTER 2023 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. There are still dates in December available to meet with an advisor.
View the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session here https://cunydays.eventbrite.com/. Can't find a date/time that works for you? Email [email protected].
UPDATE: THE GED IS BACK!
Since January 2022, the High School Equivalency exam is the GED again. However, there are changes to the exam and the way you schedule your test. There are four subtests. In addition to Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science, the Reading and Writing are combined in a subtest called Reasoning Through Language Arts. The good news is that passing scores from the tests taken between 2002 and 2021 count towards earning your diploma.
You must create your own GED account to schedule an exam. Information about the GED exam can be found at ged.com. The exams are primarily offered online and must be taken at an official GED testing center.
DC 37 offers prep classes for eligible members online, in person and hybrid through our partner colleges. Classes are held in different boroughs with three different CUNY schools. To register, click on the name of the school of interest: CUNY Hostos, CUNY LaGuardia or CUNY Kingsborough. For additional information or to schedule an appointment with an Educational Counselor, email [email protected].
RETIREES EDUCATION COURSES for WINTER 2023
The Ed Fund is accepting applications for online classes for the WINTER 2023 cycle. Apply online or, if you prefer, you may print the flyer and mail it to the address indicated on it. For general information and forms, visit www.dc37edfund.org/retireeseducation. For more information or questions, email [email protected] or call 212-815-1700.
