Council leadersBelow is an explanation of a terrific new member benefit for all active members. It is from AFT president Randi Weingarten. Please take the time to review it and pass it on to your members. In solidarity,Bill Briggs

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These are scary and uncertain times, but even before the corona-virus pandemic was upon us, the AFT long understood the stress and strain that comes with the responsibilities and challenges of the work our members do. They are called to educate, heal, help and serve their communities, and they strive to create safe and healthy environments for their students, patients and neighbors. But what happens with our own stress? We know how difficult it is to be fully present for others when we are carrying the burden of our own traumas. 
In response, the AFT has created a new free benefit for members—trauma counseling.
Starting April 1, the AFT will provide this benefit to all active working members, including those on leave status.We know that leaders will want to inform their members about this important new program. On Friday, March 20, we will send a communication kit with details to all AFT affiliates. We’re providing this benefit at no cost to all active working AFT members, and I want you to know about it first.While some within the AFT family have mental health benefits and employee assistance programs negotiated from our employers, many do not. Even with an EAP, privacy may be a concern if employers are involved in paperwork. Thus, the AFT’s trauma counseling services will be delivered in complete privacy.This extensive program covers our members in many different situations. A member may have sustained trauma from any of the following:

  • An injury due to aggravated assault, sexual assault, a mass shooting or a terrorist act; this includes victims of domestic violence.
  • Witnessing a violent incident at work.
  • Bullying, harassment, or the threat or experience of secondary trauma resulting in a mild, moderate or severe mental health condition and an impairment of function.
  • Contracting an infectious disease at work—including the coronavirus.
  • An injury or infection from a disease during a major disaster, as declared by the National Emergencies Act.

How will this benefit work? 

  • Participants will receive 21 hours of counseling over a three-month period, via phone, video, text and other methods that take advantage of the latest technologies and treatment methods.
  • Many resources are available 24/7, so members may structure a program without taking time off from work or having to travel.
  • Counselors are licensed with master’s degrees and higher, and have specialized training in post-traumatic counseling.
  • Treatment lasts for three months. It begins with a 45-minute counseling session, followed by an assessment with a diagnosis and a plan for treatment. Then primary counseling commences with: 

·Six 50-minute counseling sessions per month,·An additional four 15-minute sessions per month, ·A midway update, and ·A final 50-minute counseling session. If additional work is needed by a member, the provider is able to offer continued support through a plan that can be purchased independently for the member and their entire family. We will provide more extended-plan details when we roll out the program.Members will gain access to the program through the AFT members-only Member Benefits portal, which requires registration with a Member ID. However, after registration and connection to the program, each member will work directly with the provider. The member verification process is the only connection between the AFT and the member; it will not slow down the process.AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson, Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus and I were planning to announce this benefit at our 2020 convention. But the times we live in called for us to move quickly in hope of helping address some of the profound challenges we now face. Caring, fighting and showing up has become our creed. That is true more than ever today. We want our members to feel the support of their union in their everyday lives. We hope this new member benefit of professional assistance of trauma specialists meets that need.You will receive more information in the coming weeks.

In unity,

Randi Weingarten
AFT President