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GVSU Health & Wellness

In honor of Earth Day, this month we feature sustainable methods to maintain a healthy you and environment for now and the future. Participate in a Healthy Monday Event and dedicate the first day of every week to health and sustainability.  Also be inspired by our advocate for change, resources, and recommended wellness practices to help you sustain a better, longer life. Happy April!

Sharalle Arnold: Advocate for Change

April Success Story

Sharalle Arnold, Director of Children’s Enrichment Center, acts as an agent of change. She works on behalf of young children and family, and she provides them with the resources that they need to better their future. In addition to working, she has community responsibilities including participation with the West Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children and the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. It’s not easy to juggle everything at once, but Sharalle tries to focus on the positive moments, and to let those moments guide her through the more difficult times in her life. She also likes to take walks to clear her mind. The walks give her an opportunity to think outside of the box and to think about ways to give back to the community. She believes that giving back to others makes her life worth so much more.

As a way to give back, the Children’s Enrichment Center will be hosting “Walking the Talk”, which takes place on April 19th. Not only does Sharalle plan to talk about advocacy but she plans to walk the talk and combine intention with action.  The 11 hour walk is a way to help raise awareness and funds for Grand Valley student parents, an often overlooked group of student parents who struggle to balance school, work, raising a family, and life’s everyday challenges. The money raised from the event will go to the CEC Scholarship Endowment Fund, created to provide GV student parents support with the cost of child care.  Sharalle exclaims her excitement and interest in the movement. “Each day, with each effort I’m getting closer to the goal and I believe I am making a difference!” Her goal is to create awareness and a sense of urgency so that others understand the issues that interfere with student parent postsecondary completion.

Sharalle can’t see all her actions coming together right away, but she still believes that they will better shape the lives of those that she’s helped. “It’s all about being able to deconstruct your selfish behavior. I think it’s important to do things for others. The intrinsic benefit is very motivating!” exclaims Sharalle. To start making a difference, she advises that everyone should make every moment count, begin anew each day. The peers around her should be intentional about taking necessary steps to support others. If anyone wants to create change, in the life of a Grand Valley student parent, consider joining her on April 19th!  For more details about Walking the Talking, visit the CEC website.

Do you know a GVSU faculty, staff member  or department who serves as a role model for others living a healthy lifestyle? Nominate your coworker for our next newsletter!

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Health Coach on Site This Month!

Congratulations to all who completed on the online Health Risk Assesssment (HRA) March 2-23.You are now eligible for the Healthy Choices Incentive! Not sure what to do next? Review your Clinical Health Risk Assessment results or just chat to review your health goals with certified health coach, Karen Silber from UMR. Karen will be on site April 24th and 25th to meet with you individually to review your results or just identify areas where you want to improve your health. To sign up for your appointment call 331-2215. 

Click here for a list of appointment times on the 24th and 25th

What is a health coach and how does health coaching work?


Healthy Choices Incentive Program details

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Managing Differences and Resolving Conflict in the Work Place

Grand Valley State University is committed to be an employer of excellence and recognizes the complexity and stress that work place conflict can cause for faculty and staff.  We are striving to provide faculty and staff with the resources and training needed to effectively manage differences and resolve conflict in the work place in order to provide a positive work environment for all.  GVSU offers several helpful resources in understanding and resolving conflicts.  If conflict is resolved well, it can lead to both personal and professional growth.  A new website has been developed that brings together all of the resources available at GVSU to help you reach resolution when you are experiencing conflict.  

Visit the HRO website and find out how we can help you manage differences in the work place.

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What You Need To Know About Dental Benefit Coverage For Your Dependent In College

The new medical plan eligibility rules for dependents provided by the health care reform act do not apply to GVSU’s dental plan. The plan does provide a special option that extends eligibility coverage to your college student/dependent. Here are some key points to remember:
• Under-graduate students must be actively enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
• Graduate students must be actively enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
• It is your responsibility to complete the dependent audit requests sent by UMR.
• It is your responsibility to notify the GVSU Benefits Office if your student/dependents credit hours fall below the minimums or if they take a semester off.
• If your student/dependent loses coverage you can still provide the same level of benefit coverage through the COBRA continuation benefit.
You can check out the specific student/dependent rules for the dental plan by going to www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness, and select “Benefits”, “Benefit Information Center” then “Dental Plan” or call the Benefits Office at X12220.

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Important Information About Your Benefits

REMEMBER, LIFE CHANGING EVENTS CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR BENEFITS!
We need to hear from you within 30 days of a life event like the birth or adoption of a child. Follow this link for more information:


USE OR LOSE YOUR HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
Don’t forget – if you are not enrolled in the GVSU High Deductible PPO Plan, you have until March 15, 2012 to incur expenses for reimbursement from your 2011 GVSU Health Flexible Spending Account.

Receipts for all 2011 GVSU Health Flexible Spending Account claims must be submitted to UMR no later than April 30, 2012.
If you are a new enrollee into the GVSU High Deductible Plan for 2012 you must have your 2011 medical flexible spending account used up by December 31, 2011.
For more information contact us at 1-2220 or healthandwellness@gvsu.edu

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Summertime Fun at Farmer's Market and Camp!

Keep up with making healthy choices into the spring and summer!.

The GVSU Farmers Market returns on June 6th!

The market features local produce grown by local growers, flowers, kettle corn, bread, baked goods, and much more.  Please be sure to visit, join us for the Market Walk, or stop by and see the butterflies. Learn how to start your own butterfly habitat.  The market will run every Wednesday, except for July 4th and August 29th, 10-1:30 pm in Parking Lot F. 
Visit the Farmer's Market Website for more information.

Summer Camp Options

School is soon out for the summer, so have you figured out what your child should do next? Let Work Life Connections help you find the perfect summer camp to make your child's summer a success and a less stressful one for you! 
Check out the list of local summer camps and programs.
•Or let Work Place Options help you find a summer camp, program or child care for your
child. Call WPO/Encompass at 1-800-952-3586 and press extension 4.

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