Get Ready for PEBB's Annual Open Enrollment

This year's annual open enrollment is November 1-30. During this time you can make changes to your PEBB health coverage before they become effective on January 1, 2016. This is also your chance to enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Program, depending on whether you wish to participate in 2016.

To compare medical and dental plan benefits, view 2016 premiums, or read about upcoming changes-see the following resources:

• UW Benefits' Open Enrollment website
• PEBB's October issue of "For Your Benefit" newsletter - when it arrives at home or electronically (depending on your preference)
• PEBB's website starting in early October

New PEBB Health Plan Options for 2016

The PEBB Program will offer a new type of health plan option to eligible PEBB members in 2016. The so-called Accountable Care Program (ACP) plans will be offered under Uniform Medical Plan (UMP), providing a formal network of providers and health systems. The ACPs are expected to have the following cost benefits:

• Monthly premiums that are about 30 percent lower than UMP Classic.
• Lower annual deductibles and no out-of-pocket costs for services received from a primary care provider in the ACP's preferred network.
• Costs for preferred non-primary care providers will be similar to UMP Classic; out-of-network providers will cost more.

The Health Care Authority has selected the following successful vendors to provide the ACP option to eligible PEBB members starting in 2016:

• UW Medicine Accountable Care Network
• Puget Sound High Value Network

These plans, like other UMP plans, will be administered by Regence BlueShield. At this time, ACPs will be offered in five counties in the Puget Sound area-Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston-with statewide expansion planned for 2017. More information about this new lower cost plan will be in PEBB's October newsletter. View the latest FAQs about this plan.

UW Benefits Fairs Are Coming. Save the Date!

Save the date to attend a UW Benefits Fair where you can meet plan providers and explore all the benefits available to you and your family!

• November 3 - Health Sciences Building, Lobby
• November 4 - Harborview Medical Center, Research & Training Lobby
• November 5 - Husky Union Building, North Ballroom

Be sure to check out other events running concurrently throughout the Fairs, such as flu shot clinics and diabetes screenings. Learn more.

What if you can't attend one of these fairs? Consider attending one of the off-campus, Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB)-sponsored fairs available to all state employees.

Help Us Find You Before Open Enrollment Begins

If your home mailing address has changed this year, update your address profile in Employee Self-Service so you receive important mailings regarding Open Enrollment and other health plan updates.

Also, be sure to sign up for PEBB's email subscription service. This replaces some of PEBB's general mailings such as newsletters and reminders.

Reminder: Change in UW FMLA Leave Administration Practice

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 work weeks of leave for qualifying medical and family reasons within a 12-month period. This is a reminder that beginning January 1, 2016, UW will begin using a rolling 12-month period as the time frame for tracking the 12 work weeks of FMLA leave use. UW provided an official notification of this upcoming change to all academic personnel and staff in December 2014.

Changing to the rolling 12-month period of tracking FMLA leave entitlements aligns UW's business process with the standard design requirements of the University's new HR/Payroll system, Workday, to be implemented June 2016.

Learn more about FMLA for staff or for academic personnel. You'll find Q&A's, an illustration, and examples of how this method works.

For questions about the change to a rolling 12-month period, please contact your HR consultant or leave specialist (for staff), or Academic Human Resources (for academic personnel).

Come One, Come All! UWCFD Charity Fair & Silent Auction

Join us on Thursday, October 22, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom for the annual UWCFD Charity Fair & Silent Auction marking the start of this year's UW Combined Fund Drive! Enjoy refreshments and take the opportunity to meet representatives from more than 80 nonprofits that do great work right here in our community. Bid on auction items like wine tastings, hotel stays, tickets to EMP, Seattle Children's Theatre, and more, and enter to win door prizes including a Mariners tickets prize pack and a GoPro camera. Bring your spare change and new socks to benefit Facing Homelessness.

The fair is free and open to faculty, students, staff, and retirees, so bring a group on your lunch hour. You'll have another opportunity to support Facing Homelessness when, together with The Whole U, we host a virtual and multi-campus stair climb on November 18. Save the date for the UW Climb to $10K for Facing Homelessness!

The First Step: Discussing the Need for Long-Term Care

If you need long-term care, you may find it hard to raise the topic with others because it seems like a blow to your self-esteem. On the other hand, if a family member or loved one is in need of care, you may be reluctant to bring up the subject because it may seem like a challenge or an insult. "The First Step: Discussing the Need for Long-Term Care," provides ideas on how and where to take those first steps.

UW CareLink will broadcast a one-hour webinar "Planning for Long-Term Care" on September 18 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. You'll learn the seven simple steps you can take to overcome obstacles that caregivers and seniors encounter regarding health care, finances, and communication. Pre-register at least one hour before the presentation. That day doesn't work? The session will be archived on the site and available for viewing by the beginning of October.

UW CareLink and Eldercare Services

Don't forget our new eldercare services and consultations provided through UW CareLink. You now have telephonic access to geriatric care managers for consultation and referral assistance. Address the impact of caring for elders or a chronically ill adult, and receive guidance and recommendations for direct care services. Up to three hours of phone consults are available per year. Put the information you learn from the publication and webinar above to use through our eldercare services.

Back-up Care Options for Busy Parents

Now that the school year is under way, you may find yourself in need of back-up child care due to illness, school closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

UW WorkLife and Bright Horizons offer a specialized back-up care program for those times when your child is well but your normal plans for care fall through. Back-up care is based on availability. However, there is a one-stop registration and call center open 24/7 to help you evaluate your needs. Register now so you'll be ready in the event of an emergency! To register call 877-242-2737 or visit Bright Horizons Back-up Care Advantage. Log in with the user name "UnivWA" and the password "4Backup." After you log in you will create a personal account. Once registered, you can request care up to one month in advance of the date it is needed, find child care locations near your home, check invoices, find details on providers, and more. Be prepared to show your current UW Husky card at the time of drop-off. The cost is $100 per day, paid by the parent of the enrolled child.

New CareLink Brochure Available!

Please email worklife@uw.edu to place your order and we will send you the new brochures. Recycle any brochures currently in your inventory as they are no longer accurate.

Professional & Organizational Development (POD) courses and events 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.

Explore Autumn Opportunities

With more than 50 classes and webinars offered for UW employees this autumn, there's something for everyone—from learning Kaizen productivity practices to advanced facilitation techniques, fiscal administration, and PC skills. Don't miss out on classes typically offered just once a year, including Business Email Etiquette and Management, The Ethics Law and the U, Labor Relations Skills, The Likeability Factor, and Managing Stress. Many offerings fill quickly, so prompt registration is recommended! Check out POD's autumn offerings.

Advance in Excel

Flummoxed by formulas, filters, or functions? No matter your skill level, there's an Excel webinar for you. Whether through Microsoft Excel Techniques, Microsoft Excel Macros, or Advanced Microsoft Excel PivotTables, your fingers will fly after you learn to save time with shortcuts, automate repetitive tasks, and more efficiently organize data. View upcoming webinars.

Reinvent Your Role

If you've grown tired of playing the same old part, perhaps it's time to rewrite the script and try something new. One-on-one career counseling can help you assess your career fit, clarify career goals and direction, and maximize the unique characteristics and experiences you have to offer. Sessions are offered for $110 per one-hour session if paid with a UW budget number (with supervisor approval) or $127.16 if paid with cash, check, or credit card (due to a mandatory institutional overhead fee). Learn more about career counseling.

Investment Seminars

Whether you're starting out, building wealth, or getting ready to retire, UW Benefits sponsors free seminars packed with information that can help you through your journey. Below are seminars offered on campus by Fidelity representatives.

Access event information and register here.

Building a Portfolio for Any Weather

Designed for the beginning investor, you will learn how to determine an appropriate investment mix and investment style, select options that fit your approach, and manage your strategy to help meet your long-term goals.

Confident Investing in Any Market

Learn how to actively evaluate your investment portfolio and build a tax-smart strategy. This intermediate-level workshop is designed for individuals who are actively engaged in managing their personal savings and addressing additional savings needs.

Income Strategies for Your Retirement

Learn about the importance of asset allocation in retirement, elements for building your retirement income strategy, and considerations for portfolio withdrawal rates. This intermediate-level workshop is designed for individuals who are less than one year from retirement and would like to learn how to establish and maintain income during retirement.

Financial Education Seminars

Save more and better manage your finances with financial education seminars. Presented by two local nonprofit credit unions, WSECU and Inspirus, these free sessions are held at convenient campus locations during the lunch hour.

Access event information and registration for:

Financial Yoga: Stretching Your Hard-Earned Dollars

Learn tips that will help you gain control of your finances and reduce financial stress.

Scams, Shams, and Identity Theft

Learn how to better protect yourself, your money, and your personal information.

Social Media and Your Child's Financial Future

Learn effective strategies for your child and the top 10 social media mistakes to avoid.

Credit Reporting 101

Come away with valuable tips to help you get the most from your creditworthiness.

De-stress with an All-Day Mindfulness Retreat

The Whole U and UW Medicine invite you to experience a full day of mindfulness with Tim Burnett from Mindfulness Northwest. Join us on Saturday, September 26 for a day of immersion into mindfulness, stress reduction, body awareness, and inner care. Formal practices, including body scan, mindful yoga, and sitting and walking meditation, will be practiced together in silence. The day will conclude with small group discussion and dialog with the instructor on your experience of the day and how mindfulness can be integrated into daily life. The retreat is based on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a well-researched class that has proved very effective in helping with many stress-related issues. Cost is just $45 and limited spots are available. Learn more here.

UW Bothell Free Photo Day

Experience a beautiful and memorable day with your family, friends, and pets by posing for portraits at the first annual UW Bothell Free Photo Day! A professional photographer will take your portraits and capture candid moments with the ones you love. All faculty and staff are invited to this event, which also coincides with Convocation and the welcoming of freshmen and transfer students to campus. You will be able to view and download high-resolution photos within three weeks of the event. Join us starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 27. Register now and add your guests to secure your spot.

World-Famous Historian on Kissinger

The University Book Store, The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, and The Whole U welcome historian Niall Ferguson for a discussion of Kissinger: Volume I: The Idealist, 1923-1968. Come hear Niall and UW Professor David Bachman discuss history, Niall's research, and his latest book. A book signing will follow the discussion. It's happening Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m. in Kane Hall. Sign up here.

Understanding Our Philosophical Children

What does it mean to be good? Why do people die? Are thoughts real? Dr. Jana Mohr Lone, director of UW's Center for Philosophy for Children, will lead this interactive presentation on the importance of philosophical thinking in children and how we can help cultivate their philosophical development. Drawing from a variety of different children's books, the presentation will also explore ways that literature can be the perfect vehicle for stimulating discussion and critical thinking about the philosophical questions on children's minds. Join us Tuesday, October 27 at noon in the HUB. Register here.

Bring Happy Birthdays to Less Fortunate Kids

The Whole U, in partnership with the UW Combined Fund Drive, is hosting a second Birthday Bag Blitz with Cheerful Givers, a nonprofit organization that provides birthday gift bags to disadvantaged children. Make new friends while you help us organize and package these very special gifts. We will donate the birthday bags to the University District Food Bank. A $10 minimum donation is required to cover supplies. Join us in the Tower on Wednesday, October 28 at 12:05 p.m. Sign up here.

Social Security: A Foundation for Your Future

Achieving financial independence is key to enjoying a satisfying retirement. Social Security has tools to help get you there!

Attend this free Social Security seminar:

Tuesday, December 8
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seattle, UW Tower

At this seminar you will get answers to questions like:

• What are the eligibility requirements for Social Security and retirement?
• When do Social Security and Medicare benefits begin?
• What are the criteria for receiving family benefits?
• What programs are administered under the Social Security Act?
• How does early retirement affect my benefits?
• How do I use "my Social Security" online account and other services?

Open to UW faculty, staff, students, and retirees. Register now!

Take Advantage of Free Retirement Planning Guidance

Few things in life are free but here's one for you. Schedule time with a knowledgeable Fidelity or TIAA-CREF consultant and you'll get free retirement planning guidance-no strings attached. These individual appointments are an excellent time for you to:

• Ask about saving for retirement and other goals
• Evaluate investment choices that meet your needs
• Create an action plan to get and stay on track for retirement
• Review retirement income options

Schedule an appointment today!

Four Easy-to-Miss Steps in Home Buying

Anyone who has been through the home buying process knows there's a lot involved. It isn't always seamless, yet many successful homebuyers get through it without a hitch by taking some very important steps that give them a leg up. HomeStreet, our Hometown Home Loan Program representative, has put together a short, helpful list of steps that you won't want to miss, plus check out the free First-time Homebuyer class! Read more.

Hometown Seminars

HomeStreet offers free one-hour seminars to help you learn about a variety of homeownership issues related to budgeting, buying, remodeling, refinancing, and selling your home.

Access registration and information for the events listed below.

Buying a Home

Whether you're buying your first home or just need a refresher, this seminar is for you. Here you will learn:

• Today's real estate market
• Role of the real estate agent
• Pre-approvals vs. pre-qualifications
• Mortgage applications, home inspections, and appraisals

Note: If you are a first-time home buyer, check out HomeStreet's 5-hour workshop that's offered on evenings or weekends.

Buying a Vacation or Rental Property

Are you looking to invest beyond your primary home? In this seminar, learn:

• How to determine your investment style with respect to investing in real estate
• How to obtain non-owner occupied financing
• Pros & pitfalls of owning multiple properties
• Tips for maintaining primary and secondary residences

Refinancing and Using Home Equity

How do you know when it's the right time to refinance a home? In this seminar you will learn:

• Ways that a refinance may benefit you
• Advantages of using cash from your home
• How to consolidate or avoid consumer debt
• Home equity loan vs. line of credit

Understanding Credit

How does credit reporting really work? Learn:

• Why credit history matters when financing a home or buying big-ticket items
• What's behind your credit report and FICO score
• How to clean up your credit history
• How to fix reporting errors

Individual Prequalification Appointments

Thinking of buying or refinancing a home but not sure how to get started? Schedule a free, personal home ownership counseling session with a HomeStreet Bank representative who can walk you through the process including prequalification. These 30-minute, one-on-one sessions are both private and informative, and your spouse, partner, or potential co-signer is welcome to attend.

To request a prequalification appointment, click on your preferred date from the Classes & Seminars calendar tab at www.homestreet.com/uw or call 206-628-0207.

Campus Flu Shot Clinics are Coming

The flu can put your life on hold with mild to severe illness. The best way to prevent it is by getting vaccinated each year. Flu shot clinics will be available at several campus locations for faculty, staff, and retirees who are covered by a PEBB health plan and to students who are covered by a GAIP or ISHIP plan. It's easy-no appointment necessary! Just bring your health insurance card, photo ID, and completed claim form (otherwise you may pay $25 by cash or check and seek reimbursement from your health plan).

Note: Dependents between ages 11-17 who are covered under your plan may attend a flu shot clinic provided they are accompanied by their parent or guardian who also signs the Claim/Consent form. Dependents age 10 and under should see their health care provider.

View the entire schedule, download printable flyers, and view flu season resources.

UW Retiree Resource Fair

The UW Retirement Association invites you to the annual Retiree Resource Fair. At this casual open house you can learn about the campus privileges, discounts, volunteer, and Encore opportunities available to UW retirees.

Representatives from across the University will be available to answer your questions and describe their programs. Explore opportunities in the arts, education, recreational sports, service organizations, and travel, and speak with staff from UW offices that support retirees.

Tuesday, September 22
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Husky Union Building (HUB), South Ballroom

The event is free but please register online first. Click the "register" button in the Tuesday, September 22 entry on the calendar. Contact UW Retirement Association at 543-8600 or retiremt@uw.edu for more information.

Fall Wellness Courses at the IMA

The online fall quarter course catalog will be available to view the week of September 21 and online registration begins on September 28. On those dates, find details here. IMA courses are offered at low rates for staff, faculty, and students with IMA membership required to enter the building for all classes ($73 + tax per quarter). All questions can be directed to imafit@uw.edu.

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
  Practicing mindfulness can promote calmness and expanded awareness, and studies show it can improve immunity and both athletic and academic performance. Offered on Thursdays from 6:30-9:00 p.m. from October 8 - December 3 (no class November 26) with a retreat on November 14. Fee is $130 as a benefit to faculty, staff, and students. Learn more about MBSR and instructor UW Medicine Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Berger. Listed under Special Interest.
• Lunch Classes Designed to Fit Your Work Schedule!
  The IMA offers lunchtime fitness classes to fit your workday! Join us for Ab Lab from 12:00-12:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and Cardio Latin Dance from 12:45-1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ab Lab improves your functional fitness by strengthening the entire core. Cardio Latin Dance makes your workout feel more like a party! Fee is $23.00; listed under Strength & Conditioning.
• Intro to Meditation
  The contemplative practice of meditation has scientifically proven benefits for your body and mind, and the way you interact with and impact the world around you. During each week of this course, you will learn and practice a new method of meditation that works for you. Choose from: Mondays from 5:45-6:45 p.m. or Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the IMA. Fee is $20; listed under Mind/Body.
• Self-Defense for Women 1-Day Workshop
  Take this empowering workshop on Saturday, October 17 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Participants will discuss and practice both physical and non-physical skills that employ awareness, assertiveness, and boundary setting. Lead instructor Jennifer McClearen is a black belt who has taught martial arts since 2006. Learn more about the course in this article from The Whole U. Fee is $20; listed under Health & Safety. IMA Membership not required for this one-day class!

Pediatric Speech & Language Treatment at UWSHC

My child says, "Pasketti." Should I worry? Children go through many different stages when learning to talk. How do you know when to be concerned? Let us help you! "Pasketti" is a typical developmental error for "spaghetti," but you may have other concerns about your child's communication.

UW Speech & Hearing Clinic offers year-round quality, low-cost evaluation and treatment for children for a variety of communication concerns including:

• Speech sounds
• Language (how a child understands and expresses him or herself with words)
• Social communication

Autumn quarter assessments start in October. Find our application and more information on our site, and contact us via email: sphsc@uw.edu or phone, 206-543-5440.

Have You Signed Up for Alerts?

UW Alert messages disseminate official information via email, text, phone, loudspeakers, website banners, and other means to keep you informed during emergencies and situations that might disrupt normal operations.

• How UW Alert messages are delivered (email, text, etc.)
• Safety and emergency preparedness site
• Sign up for UW Alert

UW faculty, staff, and students in Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma, and at UW Medicine can subscribe to UW Alert. Unlike the Notifications of Criminal Incident that are periodically sent out, you need to sign up to receive these emergency alerts. UW Alerts are also posted on Facebook and Twitter.