(February 1, 2011)

In order to further improve the lines of communication and to respond to the concerns between the National VA Council and you our members, I have established a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring you the latest news and developments within DVA and provide you with the current status of issues this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this NVAC Briefing will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way in which we share new information, keeping you better informed.

Alma L. Lee

National VA Council, President

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In This Briefing:   Funding Opportunities for Employee Health and Wellness

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you know, Wellness has always been a priority of the AFGE/National VA Council.  We believe that a healthy work force is a productive work force.  Through hard work, we were able to negotiate provisions regarding Wellness in the new Master Agreement. 

 

I am pleased to announce that the Department is providing grant money for Wellness activities; such as Fitness Rooms, Life Clinic Machines for Occupational Health Units, Occupational Health, Employee Health Promotion, and Lactation Room Enhancements. 

 

These grants are for VHA facilities and are in sums between $2,500 and $10,000.  The applications must be received by February 21, 2011.  Details and application are attached.

 

For further information, please contact the names listed below;

 

Ebi Awosika, MD, MPH

                        Michael Hodgson

                        Pamela Hirsch

Employee Health Promotion Disease Prevention, VHA

Occupational Health, Safety, and Prevention Strategic Health Group

Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards

VACO

Voice:            (612)-467-4589

FAX:               (612)-467-1776

 

 **************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Funding Opportunities for Employee Health and Wellness

The Occupational Health Strategic Healthcare Group has some funding opportunities for facilities. The funding details and application template are attached. The deadline for receiving the application is by COB February 21, 2011.

 

 

1.       Occupational Health Mini-grants

 

a.       These are intended for projects in Occupational Health

 

b.      A template for submission of requests is attached

 

c.       These cannot be used for hiring personnel

 

d.      Grants will be from $2,500 to $10,000

 

 

2.       Employee Health Promotion Mini grants

 

a.       These are intended for projects in Employee Health Promotion/ Disease Prevention

 

b.      A template for submission of requests is attached

 

c.       These cannot be used for hiring personnel

 

d.      Grants will be from $2,500 to $10,000

 

 

3.       Lactation Room Enhancement Mini grant

 

a.       These are intended for projects in Employee Health Promotion/ Disease Prevention to enhance employee lactation rooms

 

b.      A template for submission of requests is attached

 

c.       These cannot be used for hiring personnel

 

d.      Grants will be from $2,500 to $10,000