Medical and Dental Plan Changes for 2010
The Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) approved several changes to employee premiums, members’ costs for benefits, and eligibility. These changes take effect January 1, 2010. See a summary of benefit changes.

PEBB Dependent Verification Project
Do you have family members enrolled on your health plan? If so, expect to receive a letter from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) this month that explains eligibility rules, and includes a form for you to either remove ineligible family members or provide proof of eligibility for them by the end of annual open enrollment—November 30, 2009. The PEBB will disenroll all covered family members from the account in early 2010 for subscribers who do not respond. See PEBB's August newsletter, For Your Benefit, for further details.

Annual Benefits Fair
Are you thinking about making changes to your health coverage next year? Would you like to explore the many benefits available to you and your family? If so, the annual Benefits Fair is for you! Save the date to attend next month. See dates, times, and locations for the Benefits Fair.

For questions regarding the Benefits Fair, or any of the benefits topics above, contact benefits@u.washington.edu.

Autumn Registration is Open
Registration is open for more than 30 POD classes, including new offerings such as Assessing Your Career Fit, Master Process Planning, and Winning at Work. Access registration and course information via POD's online course catalog.

Career Counseling for Staff Facing Layoff
Staff notified of a layoff or reduction in hours are eligible for three 45-minute career counseling sessions with the UW’s Career Development Manager. To get started and schedule your first appointment, send an email to uwcardev@u.washington.edu.

Take Your Career to the Next Level
Working one-on-one with a coach can help you build on your strengths, overcome challenges, and plan for future success. Coaches can help you explore and realize your full potential as an individual, a team member, or a leader. Learn more about what coaching can bring to your career.

Moving Forward After Layoffs—Rebuilding & Renewal, A Special Workshop for Continuing Employees
As colleagues leave, there is the grief of goodbyes, anxiety of change, and loss of trust. How does one begin to heal and transition? What is the process of re-kindling trust in the organization? How does one cope with the anxiety of mastering new tasks being added to the present workload? These are all complicated issues that deserve time for thoughtful discussion. Join Sue Covey in an interactive presentation exploring strategies and guidelines for navigating this period of transition. Registration required.

Meet Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest provides high-quality, affordable reproductive health care for women, men, and teens. This organization works to ensure that all people in our communities can make informed choices about their reproductive health. Attend this “UWCFD Meet the Charities” workshop to get an in-depth view of Planned Parenthood’s programs and volunteer opportunities.

This is the ninth in a series of free monthly workshops where guest charities share how giving and volunteers have made a positive impact on their mission. Offered to UW faculty and staff by the UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD). Registration requested.

Violence Prevention & Response Training
Preventing violence on campus is a responsibility we all share. Learn the warning signs and how to respond in a free 50-minute briefing session. Autumn quarter sessions start October 8.

Family Caregiver Network
Concerned about your older family members after your visit this summer? Thinking you really should start talking with them about their care needs? Bring your concerns and questions to the Family Caregiver Network meeting Tuesday, September 29, and gather information and ideas from others in similar situations. To register or check for later meeting dates and locations, visit the WorkLife webpage.

Free "Homeownership 101" Seminars
Whether you're buying your first home or want advice on using home equity or refinancing, UW's Hometown Home Loan Program partner, HomeStreet Bank, offers free, lunchtime seminars to educate you. Review and register for upcoming classes.

Also, get your mortgage questions answered through free half-hour pre-qualification appointments held monthly at various locations. Visit HomeStreet Bank to see where they will be next and to register.

The Hometown Home Loan Program offers reduced fees on mortgages for University of Washington faculty and staff buying or refinancing anywhere in the Puget Sound region. All benefits-eligible UW faculty and staff members may apply. Learn more.

Washington State Deferred Compensation Program
Learn about a supplemental retirement savings program that offers you the opportunity to invest money towards securing the retirement you envision. Register here for this September 18 workshop. For questions regarding the deferred compensation program, contact benefits@u.washington.edu.

Retirement Plan Check-ups
Concerned about your retirement investments? Schedule a free appointment with a Calvert, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, or Vanguard representative to review your asset allocations, savings objectives, and risk tolerance against your current portfolio. Appointments are available in-person or by phone. Your spouse/partner is welcome to attend.

Prepare for the Flu Season and Get More Wellness News
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this flu season may be more severe than usual because of the new H1N1 "Swine Flu" virus. Read the latest issue of UWellness to learn how you can prepare yourself and your family. Also find information about: preventing and detecting cancer during National Awareness Month for both ovarian and prostate cancers, helping your child maintain a healthy weight, recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and more.

Help Finding Back-up Childcare
Fall is a great time to revisit back-up childcare plans if you have young children. Planning ahead for unexpected situations in which your regular childcare provider is unavailable or your child’s school or childcare center closes unexpectedly can save you from last minute scrambling and worry.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Contact Childcare Resources: they can provide you with information about childcare centers, home-based centers, or mother’s day out programs near your home or office that provide drop-in care.
2. Consider your neighbors, a stay-at-home mom or dad, or a retiree—either one may be available to provide that back-up care when you need it.
3. Find out what other parents are doing in your childcare center or elementary school and see if you can share the care.
4. Staff needing to stay home as a result of unplanned closure of a school or childcare facility may be eligible to use up to three days of accrued leave or leave without pay for emergency childcare in accordance with the provisions of their employment program.

Don’t wait until you are in a childcare emergency - a little preplanning can go a long way towards easing both your and your child’s stress.

Enjoy an On-Campus Museum
The Burke Museum offers membership discounts to faculty and staff. This offer includes free admission for two adults and up to four youths under the age of 18, discounts for special events, the Museum Café and Gift Shop, and much more. Visit The Burke Museum for details.

Find Your Favorite Campus Spot
Sometimes we all just need a break. The Seattle Campus offers some special places of solitude for re-focusing. Just beyond Drumheller Fountain and Rainier Vista, a low stone stairway leads you to the Sylvan Theater. This shady glen—graced by four columns—has been the site of University graduations, many weddings and theater productions, as well as picnics, squirrel watching, and simple daydreaming.