Travel Tips
Whether you’re looking for cheap fares, hotel upgrades, or destination information, this APS HelpLink webinar, on Tuesday, July 20, Be Your Own Travel Agent, will show you how to explore online resources and provide self-planning travel tips. Access webinar and registration information. Use UW as the company code.

Travel Safety
Whether you are going on a weekend camping trip or a three-week overseas excursion, read this month’s tip sheet for ideas on protecting your health, wealth and safety, and your home while you are away.

Travel Savings
Stretch your travel budget with the UW Discount Program. The UW partners with Motivano’s Smart Savings Program to provide you with discount offerings for your travels–from vacation packages to luggage, accessories, and much more.

Peace of Mind While Traveling
If you're traveling this summer, find out how you can protect your health while you're away from home. Knowing your health care options at your destination can give you peace, save you time, and avoid confusion when it comes to possible emergencies. Your Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) health plan generally requires that you use providers within the PEBB network, although some health plans have agreements with health providers across the U.S. that allow you to get medical care and remain within their network. Your usual copays, coinsurance, or deductibles will apply. Learn more.

Family Caregiver Network
Vacation visits often surface concerns about elder family members. Bring those questions and concerns to Family Caregiver Network meetings and gather information and ideas from others in similar situations. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 27 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Access meeting information and registration.

 
Note: POD courses are open to all UW employees, subject to supervisor/budgetary approval and UW’s release time policy. Please view our policy page for additional information.

Travel Process and Procedures
Through online pre-work and a short half-day class, learn about key policies and procedures for UW business travel. Access course information and registration.

Turning Negative Emotions into Positive Outcomes
This one-day class offers ways to spot hidden negative signals, provides help with banishing negative thinking, and reveals how an optimistic outlook can change your life. Access course information and registration.

Winning at Work
In this interactive one-day course, learn ways to adjust your approach so that you can bring people on board, generate options, solve problems, and achieve your goals at work. Access course information and registration.

Hourly Career Counseling
What's next for you and your career? One-on-one career counseling can help you make the most of your strengths, prepare for a job search, or explore a new career path. Sessions are offered through Training and Organization Development Consultant Susan Templeton for $80 per one-hour career counseling session if paid with a UW budget number (with supervisor approval) or $92.48 if paid with cash, check, or credit card (due to a mandatory institutional overhead fee). Learn more about this service.

International Humanitarian Organizations on Campus in July
Meet three international humanitarian non-profit organizations working to assist the world's most vulnerable populations: World Concern helps some of the world’s poorest citizens by caring for AIDS orphans, rebuilding homes after disasters, fighting child trafficking, teaching sustainable agriculture, and providing clean water. Global Partnerships reaches out to Latin America by providing a microfinance program and other sustainable solutions to help break the cycle of poverty. Christian Ministries in Africa provides support to children’s orphanages for both healthy and HIV/AIDS infected children, schools, a health clinic, and hunger programs. Visit the UWCFD website to register for this free workshop and learn how these organizations are making a world of difference.

Financial Yoga: Stretching Your Hard-Earned Dollars
In today’s tough economic climate, having the skills to stretch a paycheck is more important than ever. Reduce your financial stress by learning key tips to becoming a more effective money manager. This free seminar is presented on August 19 at South Lake Union by School Employees Credit Union, and sponsored by the UW Benefits Office. (The July 15 section is currently full.) Access seminar information and registration.

Identity Theft—When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation—and Washington State is caught in the maelstrom. This free workshop will bring you up to date on the newest statistics, how it happens, and how to prevent it from happening to you. For those affected, we offer advice and support to help you make a full recovery and restoration of your good name. Presented by our credit union partners, SECU and WSECU, and sponsored by the UW Benefits Office. Access seminar information and registration.

Credit Reporting 101
Wondering if your credit is good enough to refinance your home, or get that RV, boat, or new car? Learn how the credit bureaus develop your "score," what affects it, and why scores differ. Come away with valuable tips to help you get the most from your credit worthiness including how to get a free credit report and five easy steps to a better credit score. Presented by Washington State Employees Credit Union and sponsored by the UW Benefits Office. Access seminar information and registration.

Credit and Banking for High School Students
Does your student know the advantages and pitfalls of checking accounts, debit and credit cards, and payday loans? Does he/she know the role credit reports play in their life, how to maintain good credit, and how to protect against identity theft? UW faculty and staff are invited to attend this event—with or without their high school student—to learn answers to these questions. Presented on July 15 (Seattle) and August 19 (South Lake Union) by the SECU and sponsored by the UW Benefits Office. Access seminar information and registration.

Life's Financial Milestones
Regardless of where you are in your life journey, there’s planning to be done. This seminar covers the common (and not so common) life milestones, and provides timely advice on how to approach them in a financially sound way. Presented at South Lake Union (today) and Seattle (August 12) by WSECU. Access seminar information and registration.

Last Two Summer Sessions of Violence Prevention & Response Training
Space is still available for the final two summer sessions of Violence Prevention & Response Training. This FREE seminar includes an overview of the signs of and appropriate responses to potentially violent individuals and situations. You will also learn specifics on what behaviors to be aware of (i.e. signs of increased distress in individuals), who to call when faced with imminent or potential threats, and what to do in a dangerous situation. Register now.

PERS Educational Seminars
Are you eligible to participate in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) plan? If so, the following educational seminars will be offered at Tacoma (tomorrow) and Seattle (July 29):

• Choosing Between PERS Plan 2 and 3
• Getting to Know PERS Plan 3
• Withdrawing from PERS Plan 3

Access seminar information and registration.

Improve the Value of Your Home
Owning a home is still one of the best investments you can make. This month’s seminars focus on improving the value of your home—whether for your enjoyment or to get top dollar in the real estate market. Enroll in one of these free lunchtime seminars—each presented by HomeStreet Bank, our Hometown Home Loan partner:

• Home Remodeling and Renovation—July 28 at Harborview
• Sell Your Home for Top Dollar—August 4 at Seattle
• Home Buying Process—August 12 at South Lake Union

You can take advantage of free on-campus home ownership counseling too! Access information and registration.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap!
Planning a trip, going for a swim, or just enjoying the sunshine? Don't forget to use these sun safety tips to protect yourself and those you love while outdoors. Most skin cancers are preventable if you follow a few simple steps to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.

Have You Done Your HRA for 2010?
Complete an annual, online Health Risk Assessment (HRA) through your health plan. It's confidential, free, and easy to do! An HRA is a useful tool to evaluate your health habits including diet, exercise, and preventative-care screenings. Aetna or Uniform Medical Plan enrollees will receive a bonus for completing the assessment. So make it a priority—take your Health Risk Assessment today! Learn more at the UWellness website.

Read Balance, a UW CareLink Publication
Balance, APS Healthcare’s quarterly newsletter from the UW’s faculty and staff assistance program, is packed with timely information and ideas on getting to know your neighbors, avoiding mistakes at the gym, workplace relationships, weight management, children, and more.

Is a Medical Condition or Disability Affecting How You Work?
Medical conditions and disabilities—whether new or something you’ve dealt with for a long time—can make doing your job a challenge. This public service announcement gives you real-world examples of how simple accommodations at work can make a big difference. UW’s Disability Services Office (DSO) is staffed with specialists that can help you access the many different technological tools, services, and equipment available to help you do your best while working or teaching at the UW. Learn more.

Eldercare Consultations
You feel that you should do something about your loved one’s present situation, but how do you begin the conversation and what are the available options? WorkLife staff are available to consult with University faculty and staff about personal caregiving situations and provide information about various resource options. E-mail WorkLife to schedule an individual consultation.

Is Your Childcare Setting the Right Fit?
Wondering if your child’s childcare setting is the ‘right fit’? Contact Child Care Resources and take the opportunity to review available childcare options. The services of Child Care Resources are especially valuable when you are considering changing childcare, seeking learning experiences and social interaction for a preschooler, or needing after-school care for your school-age child.

On-site Lactation Stations
If you are an expectant mother, you'll be glad to know there are many on-site lactation stations at the UW. While it may be hard to leave your baby, it should be easy to maintain your milk supply as the lactation stations provide a private, secure, clean space for using the available pump or using your own. Most women find it takes less than 15 minutes to express their milk. Learn more about lactation stations and where to find needed lactation supplies. And, don’t forget to request your New Parent Pack by emailing your request to UW WorkLife.

Recognition Resources
Employee recognition is fundamentally about relationships and relationships are everyone’s responsibility. The book, The 1001 Rewards & Recognition Fieldbook, is chock full of ideas, resources, strategies, and tactics. If you attended a UW recognition workshop in 2008 or 2009, and received a copy of this book, now’s the time to take it off the shelf, dust it off, and give it another read. If you don’t have a copy, borrow one from the UW WorkLife Resource Center by emailing your request to worklife@uw.edu.

Take a Break
Are you sitting inside all day and looking out at the occasional sunshine? Why not take to the water after work—with a canoe or rowboat rental from the Waterfront Activities Center. You’ll be relaxed and refreshed after an hour or so of soft breezes and the sound of water rippling past your boat.

FACT OR FICTION: On the first Thursday of every month, UW faculty and staff can visit the Burke Museum at a discounted admission rate.
FICTION. No special rates needed, admission is free for everyone on the first Thursday of every month (and free on other days as well, by showing your Husky Card). The museum also stays open later on Thursdays–until 8:00 p.m. See a listing of current exhibits at the Burke Museum.

FACT OR FICTION: The IMA’s Indoor Climbing Center offers year-round climbing, including a bouldering wall.
FACT. Find out just what a bouldering wall is, and get more information by visiting the Climbing Center.