Liz Parker, REE Work/Life &Wellness Program Manager - PowerPoint Presentation

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Liz Parker, REE Work/Life &Wellness Program ManagerPhone: 301-504-1387 EMAIL: LIZ.PARKER@ARS.USDA.GOV

REE Work/Life Programs

Today’s Objectives

Provide an overview of Work/Life Programs

Discuss Wellness

Share My Wellness Journey

Brainstorm how you may support wellness for your locations

Striving for Work/Life Balance

Transit Subsidy & Pre-Tax ParkingChild Care Tuition AssistanceTeleworkEmployee Assistance Program/WorkLife4YouMaintaining Personal Wellness

Transit Subsidy Program

Up to $245 per month for public transportation expenses for National Capital Region employees;

Up to $120 per month for field employees

Administered by Department of Transportation

Each REE Agency has a Transit Benefit Coordinator

AFM Website for application forms and more information:

http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/worklife/transit_subsidy_contacts.htm

How Transit Subsidy Benefits are Paid

Benefits may be downloaded to…

SMARTrip

Card

To pay for Metro or Metro bus

Debit Card

To pay for MARC, VRE, Commuter Vans, or other vendors

See

http://transerve.dot.gov/debit-card.html

for more info

Vouchers

To pay for public transit means outside the Washington, DC Area and other locations using debit cards

HQ Transit Benefit Coordinators

Tamara McKinney, 301-504-1449

, or

Liz Parker, 301-504-1387, or

Mari Gomez, 301-448-5597

Pre-Tax Parking Program

Allows employees to use up to $245 of their pre-tax income to pay for parking when using public transit (2013 IRS maximum)

Application form and instructions for submission are available on the AFM website at:

http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/worklife/pre-tax-parking.htm

Call Liz Parker, 301-233-2995, for more information

Child Care Tuition Assistance (CCTAP)

Provides up to $500 per month to eligible employees in ARS, ERS, and NIFA to use safe, reliable day care

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must be $60,000 or less for the household to be eligible

Must use a licensed or accredited child care center

May be home- or center-based

Includes qualified summer camps and before/after school programs

Dependent must be under the age of 13 or under the age of 18, if mentally or physically disabled

CCTAP (continued)

Contract to administer program expired 9/30/13; in process of obtaining a new contract

Managing program internally in interim

Bulletin 13-403 dated 12/18/13 expired on 9/30/13

Contact Mari Gomez for more information

301-448-5597 or

mari.gomez@ars.usda.gov

REE Telework Program

Alternative workplace flexibility that allows eligible employees to work from home or other approved alternative location typically closer to their home

REE Telework Policy and Procedure 402.5, v2, 3/28/12

Defines eligibility criteria and procedures for participating

P&P found at

http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/ppweb/PDF/402-5v.2.pdf

REE Telework Program (continued)

Your supervisor should inform you in writing of your eligibility to participate in the telework program within your first 90 days

If eligible, a written telework agreement must be submitted to your supervisor for approval

Form REE-45 for ARS Employees

AFM Website for more information:

http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/worklife/flex-workplace.htm

Employee Assistance Program

Helps employees resolve personal problems that may adversely impact their work performance, conduct, health, and well-being. Services include:

Assessment, counseling and referral;

Financial and legal services;

Advance directives;

Presentations on various topics and EAP orientations

Help is just a phone call away!

Call 1-800-222-0364 (24/7/365), or visit

http://www.foh.hhs.gov/services/EAP/EAP.asp

WorkLife4You

New in FY 2013; will continue for many locations in FY2014

Comprehensive resource and referral program. Examples of information available:

Child/elder care resources and referrals

Education resources (financial aid, special education, Nursery-Grad School)

Financial/legal educational materials

Daily life services referrals

Call 1-800-222-0364, or visit

www.WorkLife4You.com

More Information about Work/Life Programs?

Contact:

Liz Parker, REE Work/Life & Wellness Program Mgr

Located in Beltsville, MD

Phone: 301-233-2995

Email:

liz.parker@ars.usda.gov

Mari Gomez, Work/Life and Wellness Specialist

Located in College Station, TX

Phone: 301-448-5597

Email:

Mari.Gomez@ars.usda.gov

What is Wellness?

Many wellness definitions, but my favorite so far is from the National Wellness Institute (

http://www.nationalwellness.org/

):

Wellness is a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential .

Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.

Wellness is positive and affirming.

An Integrated Wellness Model(from Dr. Bill Hettler, National Wellness Institute)

All of Us May Contribute to Wellness!

Exercise personal responsibility

Lead by example! Attend to your own wellness across all six dimensions

Engage through USDA Connect Health and Wellness Community

Organize and/or promote wellness activities locally

Become a Wellness Ambassador

Activities can include workshops, health screenings, presentations, competitions, or other events

Remind others of resources available to them

Ensure compliance with existing regulations and policies

My Personal Wellness Journey

Set personal goalsTook Action…Sought EAP CounselingBegan a walking programJoined Weight WatchersLost 50 lbs since 3/2013!Now setting new personal goals for 2014

Promoting Wellness Locally

What kinds of wellness activities are going on in your location?

What kinds of wellness activities would you like to see in your location?

What can you do to promote wellness locally?

Questions?

Thank you!