Celebrate Outstanding Staff at DSA Nominee Reception
Today—Wednesday, February 9—several outstanding UW staff will be recognized and honored. All Distinguished Staff Award nominees will gather for a reception and ceremony in the UW Tower cafeteria, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The UW community is cordially invited and we hope you will attend. Please bring your Husky card or a photo ID as the UW Tower is a secure building.

Benefits Office Moves to UW Tower
Effective February 8, the Benefits and Payroll Offices moved to their new, adjacent locations at the UW Tower, "O" Building, on the first floor. While individual email addresses and phone numbers remain the same, campus box numbers and physical addresses have changed. The Benefits Office joins several other Human Resources departments already located at the UW Tower: Campus HR Operations, Medical Centers HR Operations, Compensation, and Professional & Organizational Development. See new contact and access information.

Special Open Enrollment for Dependents Age 20-25 Ends March 1
With the newly-passed national health care reform law, you have until March 1, 2011, to enroll your eligible dependents up to age 26 on your medical coverage. They can be married or unmarried and they do not need to be students or tax dependents to qualify for Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) coverage. Review Frequently Asked Questions.

• For dependents aged 20-25, you have from now through March 1, 2011, to enroll these dependents or make a change to your PEBB health plans, including dental and life insurance. Dependent verification will be required for first-time enrollments. Changes and enrollments will be effective January 1, 2011.
• During this one-time special open enrollment period, subscribers may also disenroll dependents aged 20-25 if they were automatically added to your account and you do not want them on your plan. Disenrollments will be effective January 31, 2011.

Flexible Spending Account Grace Period Ends March 15
Did you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through December 31, 2010? If so, you have a 2½ month grace period—from January 1 through March 15, 2011—to incur claims against your 2010 FSA. All FSA claims for services provided from January 1, 2010 through March 15, 2011, will automatically be processed against the 2010 plan year first, if filed by the claims filing deadline for that plan year. If your claim exceeds the available funds from the 2010 plan year, any excess will be automatically applied to your 2011 FSA if you’re enrolled. Otherwise, they will be forfeited if you did not enroll for a 2011 FSA. Learn more.

Attention: Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Participants
Will you require a list of 2009 or 2010 medical claims for tax purposes or to request reimbursement through your flexible spending account? If so, be sure to print or download this information from the Uniform Medical Plan website before June 30, 2011. After this date, UMP claim information from past years will no longer be available.

For access to 2011 UMP medical claims, create a new member account at myRegence.com. Regence is the plan administrator for UMP.

Travel Fair Hosted by UW Retirement Association
Explore the possibilities for "Travel with a Purpose" (education, cultural enrichment, volunteerism) at a FREE fair on Friday, February 11, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall, sponsored by the UW Retirement Association for adults age 50 and over. Informal roundtable presentations at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. feature discussions of travel and health, choosing the right volunteer project, and evaluating tour companies. Registration optional, but encouraged.

Quarterly Market Update for Active Investors
Have recent changes in the financial markets impacted your investment strategy? Do you enjoy keeping a pulse on the market? Join us for an exclusive look at what's driving the economy, the financial markets, domestic and international stock performance, and bond market interest rates. Attend a free Quarterly Market Update at Health Sciences on February 18. Presented by a representative from Fidelity Investments. Register now.

Pay Yourself First
America Saves Week is February 20–27. Did you know that most Americans lack adequate savings to meet major emergencies, let alone accumulate enough savings for retirement? One secret to saving that's used by nearly every self-made, wealthy person is to pay yourself first (PYF). What’s "PYF?" It means not giving yourself a choice when it comes to saving. It means making it a regular part of your budget. Think of it as a bill you owe yourself. Why? Because it’s the PYF money in your financial plan that helps you reach your goals.

How can you find PYF money? Start small and simple. For example, try substituting drip coffee for espresso drinks for an estimated $600 annual savings. Or consider packing your lunch for work rather than eating out—an estimated $1,200 annual savings. Or use your U-Pass to ride the bus—another $1,200 savings per year in parking fees alone! Learn more ways to save, take a quiz, and develop a savings plan at America Saves Week.

Happy Home Buying Season!
Did you know that the housing market typically heats up in early spring and peaks by the late summer? So if you’re a first-time home buyer, now is the time to get prepared! Learn what it takes to buy your first home—attend the lunchtime seminar, The Path to Homeownership, on February 17 at the Bothell campus.

There are still a lot of bargains out there, but how do you know if that cute little house is a good deal or a “money pit?” Learn more about Buying a Distressed Property on February 16 at the Seattle campus.

Finally, take advantage of free, on-campus, homeownership counseling appointments at Seattle campus on February 22 or Harborview Medical Center on February 23.

Both seminars and counseling appointments are free of charge and done by HomeStreet, our Hometown Home Loan Program partner. Access seminar information and registration.

Note: Planning is underway for our 10th Annual UW Home Improvement Fair scheduled for April 13. This year’s theme is “Spend Small, Save Big—Making Your Home Green.” If you have exhibitor suggestions, please email them directly to hthl@homestreet.com.

Family Caregiver Network
You have tried to talk with your loved ones about their care needs, but they have refused to listen. What can you do now? Bring your concerns and questions to the Family Caregiver Network meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, noon to 1:00 p.m. in Loew Hall, Room 310. Registration optional, but encouraged.

Note: This is the last meeting of the Family Caregiver Network.

Last Training Session of Winter Quarter
Learn how to recognize and report potential workplace violence issues, and to react in an emergency. Register now for Violence Prevention and Response Training on March 9, 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. (Health Sciences).This course is free to UW community members.

February is American Heart Month
Start your new life resolution today! The American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 action plan empowers you to take a big step toward a healthier life. In just a few minutes, you can get your personal heart score and a custom plan with the 7 simple steps you need to start living your best life. Start here.

Quit Tobacco for Your Heart
Did you know that smoking-related heart disease risks can be cut in half just one year after quitting tobacco? Within 15 years, the risk is the same as for someone who never smoked. Here are even more heart-happy reasons to quit:

• Reduce risk of heart disease (and many other diseases)
• Become an inspiration to others
• No more thick phlegm or smelly ashtrays
• Slow down the signs of aging
• Enjoy clean breath
• Be a more kissable valentine

Learn how to quit.

Women: Time to Schedule your Mammogram?
Women age 40+ know it’s not always easy to find time to get a routine mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Thanks to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance’s MammoVan, now there’s a faster and more convenient way to get it done. The MammoVan, a mobile mammography service, will be rolling into the parking lot near the Paul Allen Center for Computing on February 22. Don’t delay—schedule your mammogram appointment today!

Free Hearing Screenings
Back by popular demand! Get a free hearing screening now through March 8. Reserve your 60-minute screening appointment by calling the Speech and Hearing Clinic at 206-543-5440. Learn more.

Professional & Organizational Development (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.

Grammar Essentials
This class will help you with those grammar rules that you've long since forgotten, that you never quite understood the first time around, or that have changed over time. Learn strategies for dealing with grammatical "gray areas," discover helpful resources, and hone your skills with in-class exercises and activities. Access course information and registration.

Organizational Effectiveness
With organizational effectiveness on the minds of many these days, POD is offering classes that can help UW staff and departments improve processes and better plan for the future, including Strategic Planning Tools on February 24 and Rapid Process Improvement on March 8.

Strategic Planning Tools is a new POD offering from veteran trainer and consultant Dee Endelman, who holds an M.A. in organizational development and brings a whole-systems perspective to her work. This interactive half-day class will focus on setting strategic direction, even in times of rapid change, and participants are encouraged to bring to class a goal or task in need of a plan.

Rapid Process Improvement, under the guidance of popular instructor Clive Shearer, will help participants understand the mindsets of process improvement and the difference between rapid and traditional process improvement. In addition, this one-day class will focus on practical tools and concrete steps that can immediately be applied to real workplace issues.

See the Planning & Productivity category in POD's online course catalog.

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.

Save the Date: Support Professionals Development Day
Mark your calendar now for Support Professionals Development Day on Wednesday, April 27! (Registration opens March 1.)

Whether your work supports an entire program or one busy leader, this event is for you—the support professional who keeps schedules, manages records, proofreads reports, answers phones, processes payments, and helps the UW run smoothly. The day will offer a variety of practical and thought-provoking workshops, opportunities to connect with your peers, and delicious food.

We look forward to seeing you on April 27!

UW Police Citizens’ Academy Now Accepting Applications
Annually, approximately 20 students, faculty, staff, and members of the community partner with the UW Police to explore the arena of police operations, training, uses of force, and criminal procedures. The UW Police Citizens’ Academy will meet every Wednesday for ten weeks, beginning March 30, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. There is no cost, but registration and screening are required. Find more information and the application form online. Application deadline is March 25, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. UW Police reserve the right to refuse any applicant. Questions or clarifications can be directed to Crime Prevention at 206-543-9338.

Self-Defense Class Offered by the UWPD
RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) teaches realistic self-defense movements that do not require special skills or years of practice to master. It was developed specifically for women on university and college campuses. The program is simple yet effective, empowering university students and employees through the use of self defense. Achieve your defensive potential! Classes occur every Thursday, February 17—March 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the UW Tower. Only five openings left—sign up today! This is a free course, but you must register by contacting Lynda at peasel@uw.edu or 206-616-0873. See our flyer for more information.

Summer Care
Yes, it really is time to begin planning for summer care and activities—programs fill quickly. Check out these University resources:

• UW Summer Youth Programs Designed for the elementary, middle school, and high school student, classes are taught by experienced educators and involve hands-on learning in a fun and engaging manner.
• The Robinson Center Summer Program The Robinson Center for Young Scholars offers summer academic programs for students finishing the 5th through 10th grade. Classes provide an opportunity for fun and vigorous academic challenge in the company of other motivated students.
• UW CareLink’s online resource, APS HelpLink, contains articles and check lists for summer camp options. Enter UW for company code, click on "parenting" tab at top of page, then select Child Care in the dropdown menu, then Summer Camp from the links on the right hand side of the page. To locate summer camps, from the homepage, select Child Care Search under Work Life Resources on the right, then select Camp Locator.
• Washington Summer Sports Camps These camps—in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, women's gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball—operate independently of the UW athletic department.

Tender Loving Care
Virginia Mason’s Tender Loving Care (TLC) offers a warm and nurturing place to take your sick child, giving you the confidence that he or she will be well cared for while you work. And parents give TLC rave reviews:

• “My son gets great care and I continue to stay productive at work.”
• “I am proud of the UW’s participation in this program. The care is exceptional.”

TLC is for children 1-to-12 years of age and is completely underwritten by the University of Washington. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff pay a one-time registration fee of $5 per child. For more information or to register your child, visit the Sick Child Care webpage.

UW CareLink

• UW CareLink—Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
  We face challenges every day. Such challenges may overwhelm you and your home life, your happiness, and your work performance can suffer. At times like this, remember that UW CareLink can help with counseling, legal and financial consultation, and discounted service. Call toll-free, 1-866-598-3978 (dial 9 first if calling from a campus phone) for all UW CareLink services.
• Publication—Tip Sheet
  This month’s tip sheet, Dealing with Difficult People, provides simple steps for dealing with those individuals who can be quick to anger and hard to please. Read and try them out.