Fall 2008
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
Work/Life Resource Center News - Children's Center Openings
University Eldercare News: Foreclosure and Older Adults
It’s Almost Conflict Resolution Day!
“Parenting the Next Generation” Educational Workshop
Stress Management and Resilience at Work
National Depression Screening Day
Work/Life Resource Center News - Children's Center Openings
Children’s Center Openings
University of Michigan Children’s Center, Northwood Child Development Center and Towsley Children’s House (formerly Pound House and Center for Working Families) have current openings. Ages and schedules available vary by program. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families. Please contact individual centers for more information or to visit the center.
http://hr.umich.edu/childcare
< back to top >
In this issue:
Foreclosure and Older Adults: A new service from the Housing Bureau for Seniors http://www.med.umich.edu/seniors
Facts:
- During 2007 nearly 350 mortgage foreclosure sales for senior households were recorded in Washtenaw County: soon these seniors will be forced out of their homes.
- The rate of foreclosure for older adults is expected to continue and even increase in 2008 as more and more adjustable rate-rate mortgages are “reset” from lower teaser rates to much higher monthly payments
- Being Foreclosed or Nearly Foreclosed is a very stressful situation often causing feelings of loss, shame and embarrassment. There are many consequences for foreclosure.
Action:
- The Housing Bureau for Seniors of the University of Michigan Health System is working with others to reach out to those older adults facing foreclosure with counseling to provide support and strategies for taking the next steps and education programs to move forward.
Help is available to…
- find resources to gain control of the future
- deal with some of the emotions of a loss
- understand options for housing
- make the best financial and housing decisions.
You Can:
- Refer older adults to the Housing Bureau for Seniors (HBS) at 734-998-9346 for a personal appointment
- Invite HBS to offer a workshop for your group
- Post the attached flyer in a prominent location
- Place the attached announcement in your newsletter or website from now until April 2009
Services made possible by a grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and the Washtenaw Urban County Human Services Funding
< back to top >
Hats Off to Sally Johnson!
Linda Winkler, Manager, Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff
As a Resolutions reader, you’ve no doubt seen and benefited from the many insightful articles submitted over the years by Sally Johnson, Director of Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff. They represent just a tiny fraction of the many contributions Sally has made to the University of Michigan, especially to its staff and faculty. Through her heroic efforts, Sally has made the University of Michigan a better place to work. Sally recently retired. In celebration and with great appreciation, we thought we’d share with you just a few of the highlights of Sally’s 29 year career at U-M.
After working as a secondary school history teacher and then going to graduate school at U-M to study Chinese history, Sally joined Human Resources Development (HRD) at U-M. There, she developed and led training programs for management and staff and provided assistance to units on conflict management, team-building, and strategic planning. She became Manager of HRD, where she was responsible for management, organization, and career development services as well as staff training at all three of Michigan’s campuses. She oversaw the creation of a new training series on diversity as well as the University’s first hands-on computer training class. She went on to become Assistant Personnel Director and Director of Support and Development Programs. In those positions, she was responsible not only for HRD, but also for the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program and for implementing the then new Family Care Resources Program (now Work/Life Resource Center) for the three Michigan campuses. Simultaneously, she was charged with ensuring that training programs on sexual harassment issues, multicultural change, quality improvement, and other subjects were developed and implemented.
When it became apparent that there was a great need for a place that staff and faculty could go to talk confidentially about workplace issues and conflicts and find informal yet effective means of dealing with them, Sally was instrumental in creating what was first called Consultation and Conciliation Services and then Mediation Services for Faculty and Staff. She nurtured this conflict resolution program for 14 years, serving many hundreds of University employees in the process.
Finally, while still directing Mediation Services, Sally became Senior Manager of the Building Great Places to Work Initiative at the University. The goal of this project, as is evident from its name, is to make every work place in every unit at the University of Michigan a great place to work. There was no person better suited to take on this job than Sally, since that has been her goal for the past 29 years. And, fortunately for all of us, she has gone a long way towards achieving it.
Thank you so much, Sally! We wish you the very best!
< back to top >
It’s Almost Conflict Resolution Day!
Did you know that October 16, 2008 is Conflict Resolution Day? A few years ago, the Association for Conflict Resolution and the World Mediation Forum passed resolutions designating every third Thursday in as October Conflict Resolution Day.
The purpose of the day is to promote awareness of creative, peaceful ways to resolve disputes of all kinds and in all places. As Conflict Resolution Day becomes better known, special programs are being planned across this country and around the world to celebrate and educate people about conflict resolution processes like mediation, facilitation, and collaborative decision-making that improve communication, satisfy needs and interests, strengthen relationships, and peacefully resolve disputes.
< back to top >
The thought of change can cause some anxiety in many of us. Change occurs in many forms and can come unexpectedly. There are times when unexpected life events, such as loss of a family member, or a change in job assignments may be out of our control. At other times change comes about from personal decisions we make, such as moving into a new home or getting married.
Whatever the reason, coping with the change process can be challenging and stressful. When we are faced with significant life changes we may be forced to make adjustments in the way we think, feel or respond. Many times we will experience a wide range of feelings, such as frustration, anger fear, or anxiety about what is going to happen.
As we know change is an inevitable part of life and if we perceive it as a challenge rather than a threat the process of coping with it will be easier. Following are a few suggestions that may help you deal effectively with some of the changes we face in life.
- Focus on the long term benefit – Ask yourself how a situation you are currently experiencing with apprehension can provide you with benefits in the long run. For example, ending a poor or unhealthy relationship may help raise your self esteem.
- Use change as a learning experience – Write down what you learned from a change, what your role was in it and what you want to do the next time you are faced with a similar event.
- Develop a plan of action – Assess the effects of a change, both positive and negative, write out what the difficulty may be, and then break down into manageable parts the steps you need to get through a change.
- Focus on the positive- Instead of dwelling on what you have lost; list what you will gain from the new opportunity or situation.
- Establish some healthy behaviors – Eat well; get enough sleep (eight hours!) and exercise!
- Share the change you’re facing! – Don’t handle a change by yourself. Talk with your friends and family and get support during difficult times. At times others can be helpful by just listening and sharing their own experiences.
We may not be able to always control change but we can control our response to change. When a particular change becomes very challenging or overwhelming you can also take advantage of the services of one of the professional counselors at FASAP. Call 936-8660 to schedule an appointment or email fasap@umich.edu.
< back to top >
“Parenting the Next Generation”
Find out how to be a “cool” parent without losing the parental role in a 6-week Workshop Series
Parenting teenagers is challenging and sometimes daunting; for this reason the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program would like to invite all staff and faculty to attend a 6-session parenting workshop. This workshop is designed to provide education, relationship development and behavior management skills to parents with children between 12-18 years of age.
Specific session topics are:
- Adolescent Development – How does adolescence influence your child’s behavior and mind?
- Parenting Style – Learn about the weakness and strengths of different parenting styles
- Communication Techniques – Learn how to communicate effectively with your teens
- Active Listening – Introduces the concepts of active listening
- Discipline and Consequence – Teach your teens about discipline and the consequence of their
behaviors
Date
Wednesdays, October 8th through November 12th (Please register by Oct. 3rd either by calling 936-8660 or email to Tina at cmwey@umich.edu)
Time
11:30am - 12:30pm
Place
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program Office 1009 Greene St. (Near U of M Football Stadium) 2076 Administrative Services Building
Facilitators
Janell Kilgore, MSW, ACSW, Faculty/Staff Counselor
Lorna Hurl, MSW, Ph.D., Faculty/Staff Counselor
< back to top >
Stress Management and Resilience at Work
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) is offering asix-week educational and support group for faculty and staff who are experiencing job stress. This interactive group will explore causes and dynamics of job stress, including both personal and organizational factors.
Participants will identify their own signs of job stress and develop stress management strategies, in order to reduce and prevent its personal impact and to enhance resilience at work. Sessions are at no charge to faculty and staff. Information shared in the group will be strictly confidential.
Class size is limited so those interested are encouraged to register promptly. Please register by Oct. 13th.
To register, please contact FASAP’s program assistant Tina Weymouth at 936-8660.
Dates:
Tuesdays, October 21st through November 25th
Location:
2072L East & West Administrative Services Building, 1009 Greene Road
Time:
Noon-1:15 p.m.
< back to top >
National Depression Screening Day
Friday, October 10, 2008 is National Depression Screening Day. The University of Michigan Psychological Clinic (www.psychclinic.org) will offer free, confidential mental health screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder to all interested members of the community.
Individuals will have the opportunity to complete a written screening questionnaire, and talk privately for 30 minutes with a mental health professional regarding screening results. Those who may need further help will be provided referrals to local mental health care providers.
When:
Friday, October 10, 2008 From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where:
Psychological Clinic East Hall, 530 Church Street, Suite 2463 Ann
Arbor, MI 48109
Register:
No Appointment is necessary to attend, just walk into the
waiting roomCost: FREE; no UM affiliation required
The confidential screenings will take place in the Psychological Clinic located on the second floor in East Hall on the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor central campus. Easiest access is from Church Street, between the Math and Psychology atrium entrances - the door to the Clinic is clearly marked. No appointment is necessary to attend - just walk in to the waiting room. If you have any questions, please call the Psychological Clinic at (734) 764-3471.
The Psychological Clinic is committed to providing excellent psychological services to UM and the surrounding community. The Clinic is a Blue Care Network provider including Premier Care and GradCare. We also accept other insurance policies.
For more information, please visit our website at www.psychclinic.org.
< back to top >
These parenting and budgeting classes are offered at various location in Washtenaw county, though they are not sponsored by UM, but may be of interest to you.
Washtenaw County
MSU Extension
705 N. Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 222-3943Parenting On Your Own
A session for single parents
Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Hope Center—518 Harriett St. Ypsilanti, MI 48176
Cost: FREE
Call (734)484‐2989 or (734)222‐3943 for more information.Siblings Without Rivalry
Parenting Program
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 28, & Nov. 4, 11 2008 at 6:30 pm—8:00 pm
Manchester Community Schools Administrative Blg.
410 Center St. Manchester, Mi 48158
Cost: $23.00 per person/couple
To register call (734)‐222‐3943 by October 20, 2008Anger Management Program for Parents
Monday Oct. 6, 20, 27 & Nov. 3 2008 at 6:30—8:30 pm
LLRC‐County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback
COST: $20.00 per person/couple
To Register Call (734) 222‐3943 by October 3, 2008How To Talk So Kids Will Listen
Monday, Nov. 24, Dec. 8, & 15, 2008 at 6:30—8:30 pm
LLRC—County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback Rd.
Cost: $23:00 per person/couple
To register call (734)222‐3943 by November 20, 2008Building Strong Adolescents
Wednesday Nov. 5,12,19, Dec. 3, 10, & 17 2008 at 6:30—8:00 pm
LLRC—County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback Rd.
Cost: $ 30.00 per person/couple
To register call (734)222‐3943 by November 3, 2008Financial Management Programs
Budgeting 101
Wed. Oct. 1, 2008 at 6:30—8:00 pm
LLRC‐County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback
COST: $5.00 per person
To Register Call (734) 222‐3943 by September 29, 2008Take Control Of Debt
Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 at 6:30—8:00 pm
LLRC‐County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback
COST: $20.00 per person/couple
To Register Call (734) 222‐3943 by October 3, 2008How Does Your Credit, Score?
Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 at 6:30—8:00 pm
LLRC‐County Service Center
4135 Washtenaw Ave. Corner of Washtenaw & Hogback
COST: $5.00 per person
To Register Call (734) 222‐3943 by October 27, 2008
< back to top >
Subscribe
If you would like future updates from resolutions, click here
to subscribe.
Know someone who'd like to receive resolutions? Forward this message.
resolutions is published in the Winter, Spring and Fall of every year. To obtain additional information regarding our services contact FASAP, Mediation Services or Work/Life Resource Center at (734) 936-8660.
Hospital
employees may contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
at 763-5409 for counseling service.