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Communication for the staff and faculty of
The University of Texas at Dallas |
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Wednesday, September 25, 2019 |
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New Employee Assistance Program Provider Starts Oct. 1
Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, benefits-eligible employees will have access to a new employee assistance program provider, Deer Oaks EAP Services. The EAP benefit covers up to seven confidential, short-term counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year.
Employees and their household members are entitled to this prepaid confidential benefit. Deer Oaks EAP network offers expertise at numerous locations. The EAP providers are well-versed in helping clients of all backgrounds and ages.
Deer Oaks EAP will assist you with many issues including stress, depression, anxiety, workplace difficulties, substance abuse, marital problems, family or parenting conflicts, grief, violence, and unhealthy lifestyles. The EAP also provides additional assistance, tools, resources and referrals for:
- Child care and elder care resources.
- Consultations for financial and legal issues.
- Child and parenting support services.
- College resources/checklists
All callers seeking counseling services will receive a telephonic assessment before being referred to a counselor. A Deer Oaks case manager will work to ensure clinical appropriateness of all services offered and to obtain authorization for sessions.
More information about accessing Deer Oaks EAP will be sent by email on Oct. 1.
UT Dallas is committed to the health and well-being of employees and their household members, and encourages using the EAP for health, wellness, financial fitness, and management of daily stress.
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New Wellness Benefits for UT Select Medical Plan
Whether you’re not feeling well, dealing with chronic back, knee or hip pain, or looking for better ways to manage chronic health risks and conditions like diabetes and heart disease, there are new services and tools available to help you take the best possible care of yourself.
Speak with a Doctor Anytime, Anywhere
Online access to qualified health professionals is just a click away. Get care when and where you need it 24/7/365. Offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas in partnership with MD Live, virtual visits by a licensed medical provider are available for non-emergency medical issues, behavioral health and psychological health needs. Visits are available on your computer, tablet or smartphone at no cost to you. For more information, visit MDLIVE.com/bcbstx, download the MDLIVE app, text BCBSTX to 635483, or call 888-680-8646.
Patient-Centered Digital Health
Conquer chronic back, hip and knee pain without surgery or drugs. Best-practice care is conveniently delivered digitally. The 12-week, coach-led digital musculoskeletal program is based on proven nonsurgical care guidelines. It is delivered remotely using mobile and wearable technology and is focused on three core pillars:
- Exercise therapy: Wearable sensors and tablet provided for real-time movements feedback.
- Behavioral health: Cognitive behavioral therapy and unlimited one-on-one coaching.
- Education: Personalized and interactive education curriculum.
Visit hingehealth.com/uts to sign up and complete a screening questionnaire.
Digital Lifestyle Change Program for Diabetes Prevention, Weight Loss
Omada is an interactive online program that helps build new healthy habits, step-by-step. The 16-week program focuses on weight loss through nutrition, physical activity and behavioral change. It’s a convenient approach that combines science with personal support.
When you join Omada, you’ll get:
- A professional Omada health coach to keep you on track.
- An interactive program to guide your journey.
- A wireless smart scale to monitor your progress.
- Weekly online lessons to empower you.
- Small online group of participants to keep you engaged.
For more information or to see if you’re eligible for the program, visit omadahealth.com/uts.
Diabetes Management Simplified
Livongo is a diabetes management program offered to UT Select plan members and their family members at no cost to the member. What you get:
- Connected meter: Automatically uploads your blood glucose readings to your secure online account and provides real-time personalized tips.
- Support from coaches: Communicate with a coach any time about diabetes, nutrition and lifestyle changes.
- Strips covered by your health plan: When you are about to run out, you can order refills of your strips and lancets from your Livongo meter.
Enroll today at welcome.livongo.com/UTS. |
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Sign Up for UT System Wellness Challenge
Visit each UT institution without boarding a plane, hopping on a bus or gassing up the car. With Keep UT Active, the fall wellness challenge, you’ll travel virtually throughout The University of Texas System, stopping at amazing hot spots as you record health behaviors. Register to participate through Monday, Oct. 7.
Keep UT Active will be from Monday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 10. Earn at least 150 points to receive rewards and help UT Dallas win a trophy. Accumulate points by completing these daily habits:
- Physical activity: Get at least 6,000 steps or 30 minutes of exercise.
- Microbreak: Don’t shut your mind down; just switch channels for a few minutes so when you come back, you’re refreshed and ready to refocus. Simply changing the scenery, heading to a quiet room, or closing your eyes and listening to music will qualify.
- Financial wellness: Take charge of your spending habits by tracking them. Weekly live Financial Wellness Strategy webinars will help you with your financial goals. Register for one or all five educational financial webinars. Learn strategies and tips to help you with savings and budgeting. Ask questions and learn how to manage your financial future.
Keep UT Active rewards for participants are a multifunctional Fandana, lunch box and a healthier you. For more information, read the Keep UT Active flyer.
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Hear the Latest HR News at Forum on Oct. 2
The Office of Human Resources will host the next HR Forum at 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the TI Auditorium (ECSS 2.102).
Agenda items include:
- General announcements: You asked, we answered.
- Introduction of HR staff.
- New employee assistance program.
- 2019-2020 benefits confirmation.
- Benefit deductions.
- Evidence of insurability approvals.
- Fiscal year-end vacation and sick leave balances.
- Vacation and sick approvals for year-end rollover
- Upcoming wellness events.
For more information, visit the forums webpage.
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Attend HUB Vendor Fair at Alumni Center
UT Dallas’ Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) program is having a Vendor Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. in the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center. Meet the vendors, have some snacks and get some giveaways and prizes.
For more information, visit the HUB website.
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Join UT Dallas Team in Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Support the Center for Vital Longevity at UT Dallas by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The walk will be at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Dallas City Hall Plaza. Participation is free; however, registration is required.
Scientists at the Center for Vital Longevity are working to identify a neural signature in middle-age adults that will help predict who will age well cognitively and who might be at risk of Alzheimer’s disease long before symptoms appear.
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Macaroni Grill Founder to Speak at Jindal School
The Herbert D. Weitzman Institute for Real Estate in the Naveen Jindal School of Management invites staff and faculty to attend its next event from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 (JSOM 1.606).
Phil Romano, founder of Romano's Macaroni Grill, Fuddruckers, Eatzi's and Trinity Groves, will present Making a Difference (MAD) in the World, in Business and in Life.
The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, email Kelly Holden or call 972-883-5878.
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Save the Date: Book Club to Meet Nov. 11
Join the Center for Translation Studies’ discussion on the fourth book of 2019 Reading the World Book Club series: Antal Szerb’s Oliver VII, translated from the Hungarian by Len Rix.
The discussion will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, in the conference room of the McDermott Library’s administrative suite, (MC 4.2).
The book is available for loan from the UTD library or for purchase from the campus bookstore. The book club is free and open to students, faculty, staff and members of the larger community.
For more information, visit the event listing.
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Office of Research Seminars
The Office of Research announces the following upcoming events and workshops:
Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Principles and Applications, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (RL 3.204) — Hosted by Mass Spec Core Facility, topics will include MALDI sample preparations, applications and troubleshooting. A lecture will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and a pizza lunch will be from noon to 1 p.m. A hands-on lab experience for the first five registrants will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Registration is required and seating is limited. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
How to Read My Budget Overview, 2-3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 (AD 2.216) — Learn how to set up a budget overview and interpret what you see. Registration is required and seating is limited. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Conducting Your Research, 2-4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 (RL 3.204) — The Office of Research will provide research ethics instruction commensurate with NIH and NSF grant funded research. Registration is required and seating is limited. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training, 3-4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 (MC 2.404) — Learn how to detect when someone may be considering suicide and acquire the skills to prevent it. Information about resources and suicide among college students will be included. Registration is required and seating is limited. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Faculty First Fridays: Integrating Engineering into the Classroom, noon-1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 (ATC 1.201) — This series will feature a different topic each month to help engage faculty across campus and broaden their knowledge of UT Dallas’ offerings. Dr. Patrick Michaud, assistant director of Science and Engineering Education Center (SEEC) will present “Integrating Engineering into the Classroom.” Registration is required for attendance (faculty only) and seating is limited. Lunch will be served. For more information, email Anricka Ziller or call ext. 4553.
Thermofisher: Functional Assays in Flow Cytometry, noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 (RL 3.204) — The discussion will include monitoring cellular functions, viability and so much more. Registration is required and searing is limited. Lunch will be provided. For more information, email Tiffany Willoughby or call ext. 4577.
Quenching Curiosity: Making Time Travel Real … with Video Games? 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Northside Drafthouse and Eatery) — Science fiction writers frequently inspire new technologies, but time travel remains fictional. Enter the modern video game, which not only allows us to live out fantasies traversing time, but also depends on virtual time travel as a fundamental structure. Join Dr. Monica Evans MA'04, PhD'07 and explore the twin histories of video games and science fiction, two narrative forms that continue to influence each other and reality. This event is free. For more information, email Anricka Ziller or call ext. 4553.
For a complete listing of Research events, visit Comet Calendar.
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Reminders
Donate Gift Bags, Wrapping Paper This Month
During the month of September, the Office of Student Volunteerism will collect wrapping paper and gift bags through its Gift Wrap Drive, which benefits The Birthday Party Project. Collection bins are located in the OSV office (SSA 14.431T), the Administration Building near the second-floor elevator, the Student Union lobby and the Residence Hall North lobby.
Green Zone Classes Seek Friendly Campus for Veterans
The Green Zone program, presented by the Military and Veteran Center, is designed to establish a network of University staff and faculty to encourage a military-friendly campus culture. The next class is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, and includes lunch. Training topics include military terminology and culture, transition challenges for student veterans, classroom considerations, and campus and community resources.
For more information, email [email protected] or call ext. 4913.
Follow Policy, Guidelines for Programs, Events for Minors
Faculty, staff and student organizations planning to host a program, activity, camp or event (PACE) with minor participants — including research internships or mentorships with minors in laboratories — are required to follow the Programs for Minors policy UTDSP5015 — Programs for Minors and supplemental guidelines to register the program with the Programs for Minors office.
The policy and guidelines were developed to protect minors participating in University-sponsored PACE, as well as the University employees and others working with minors. The policy is applicable to all PACE for minors sponsored or co-sponsored by UT Dallas, with a few exceptions.
For a listing of requirements and forms needed to register a PACE for minors, please visit the Programs for Minors page. Questions may be directed to Carla Garner at ext. 3815 or email [email protected].
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About This Newsletter
InterCom is the official University-wide newsletter for UT Dallas faculty and staff members. This periodic publication is designed to provide University employees with important information necessary for the workplace, as well as community news that supports the University's mission. Guidelines about content and submissions can be found here or contact Robert Tracy at [email protected] or ext. 3521. |
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