BLACK HISTORY MONTH OPENING CEREMONY, FEB. 1

District Council 37's Black History Committee, chaired by Local 1930 President Deborah Allman, invites you to the union's annual celebration of Black History Month. The virtual Opening Ceremony is on Wed., Feb. 1 at 6 PM. This year's theme is Black Renaissance - A Movement in Time with guest speaker Anthony Harmon, Director of Staff, United Federation of Teachers. Join Zoom Meeting ID: 832 2260 1180 Passcode: 165808

The two-part BHM Finale will be held Feb. 24 and 27 at 6 PM. A complete list of BHM local events and committee meetings is available at DC37.net.

MANDELA, 2 for 1 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.

FREE TAX PREP

Tax season is here! There are several free resources available to you to help with this year's tax filing. The IRS filing deadline is April 18.

DC 37's Municipal Employees Legal Services hosted a virtual Tax Tips webinar on Jan. 25. The session is now available online for DC 37 members.

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 IRS-certified volunteer preparers. For information about free Tax Prep services and eligibility for tax credits, visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311.

MELS

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 for your advantage.

Register at www.dc37mels.com. For information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email [email protected].

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP, MARCH 2, 9 and 16

The MELS Social Work Department will offer a free virtual, three-part financial empowerment workshop on March 2, 9 and 16, from 6:30 to 8 PM for current MELS clients only. 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 a current MELS client who is interested in attending the three-session workshop, please email MELS Social Work Manager or call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111. Registrants will receive a link for the workshop directly from MELS via email. Use the same link for each session.

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 help call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.

FAMILIES

CHILDCARE 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. An updated fact sheet with the new income thresholds is available 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 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.

UPDATE #2: HEALTH CARE WORKER BONUS PROGRAM

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. In this second round of payments, eligible employees can anticipate payment in Feb. 2023, as follows:

Mayoral Agencies: Eligible employees who worked one or both periods, 10/1/21 to 3/31/22 and 4/1/22 to 9/30/22 will receive their state-funded Health Care Worker bonus payments on or before February 10, in a supplemental check. The majority of the employees in this group are the EMS workers in FDNY. Eligible Department of Health (DOHMH) employees will receive their check for the second vesting period.  

Department of Education: NYS designated the titles of Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists and Health Aides as eligible titles and they will receive checks on or before February 10.

Health and Hospitals: Eligible employees will receive their checks for the second vesting period of 4/1/22 to 9/30/22 on or before February 10.  

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.

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

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

THE IMPORTANCE of CANCER SCREENINGS and PREVENTIVE MEASURES WEBINAR, FEB. 16

Early detection saves lives! MSK Direct wants to make it easier for you and your family to be aware of the actions you can take to reduce your risk of cancer or identify it earlier, when it’s more easily treated. MSK will host a webinar on The Importance of Cancer Screenings and Preventative Measures, on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1 PM. Join MSK expert Dr. Sandra Brennan as she discusses cancer screening guidelines, best practices for cancer prevention, cancer genes and people at higher risk, etc. To register for the webinar, 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.

TRIPLEDEMIC UPDATE: STAY HEALTHY

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 safer 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.

COVID-19 testing sites for City employees, NYS Workers' Compensation and short-term disability, FEMA COVID-19 burial assistance and other information, are listed HERE.

FREE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS

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.

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 NOW OPEN

Registration for the Winter 2023 semester with the union's Education Fund is now available on the DC 37 website. Many classes are accepting applications. For information on classes, current schedules or to register for a program, click HERE. Many of these same classes will be offered again in the Spring semester.

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 continuing education workshops in March for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers. These workshops are:

• Making the Tough Call: Advanced Issues for Social Workers as Mandated Reporters (2 CE) – Thursday, March 9, from 7 to 9 PM (Registration deadline is Feb. 15)
• Peer Model: How El Barrio Disrupts Systemic Oppression (2 CE) – Thursday, March 23,  from 7 to 9 PM. (Registration deadline is March 2)

If you are interested in attending these virtual workshops, please enter the following link(s) into your web browser and complete the online application:

March Workshops: www.dc37edfund.org/socialworkmar2023

For questions and more information, 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 the Spring 2023 Lillian Roberts Women’s Leadership Academy (LRWLA). The 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.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) AND EKG/PHLEBOTOMY CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE

In conjunction with Hostos Community College, in Spring 2023 the Education Fund offers allied health programs for those interested in becoming certified as a CNA, EKG technician or phlebotomy technician. These hybrid classes begin online before the clinical portion is done in person at the Hostos campus in the Bronx. Applicants must have a HS Diploma or GED to take the CNA course. Applicants must have their HS Diploma or GED and a current CNA license to take the EKG/Phlebotomy course. Classes will begin in March. For the CNA program, click HERE. For the EKG/Phlebotomy program, 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 Spring 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. 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].

RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

These two workshops are now available and accepting applications. As a follow-up to attending the workshops, an appointment will be scheduled for each attendee to assist with updating their resume as well as to conduct a mock interview with the instructor. To register for Resume Writing, click HERE. To register for Interview Techniques, click HERE.

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 on the exam instead of five. 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 at two CUNY schools. To register, click CUNY Hostos or CUNY Kingsborough. For additional information or to schedule an appointment with an Educational Counselor, email [email protected].

Photo: DC37.net