Wellness resources curated just for you
RamStrong is a collective wellness resource for VCU faculty and staff focused on the eight dimenions of wellness – physical, emotional, financial, intellectual, occupational, evironmental, social and spiritual wellness. RamStrong also offers resources for navigating the COVID-19 crisis with the eight dimenions of wellness in mind. The RamStrong concept was developed by the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute.
Resources during COVID-19:
During this challenging time, it’s so important to take care of yourself! As I am sure you saw yesterday, we have released many resources available to help you take care of yourself. You can find those resources on RamStrong - where we provide resources for all eight dimensions of wellness: Physical, Emotional/Mental, Environmental, Financial, Occupational, Social, Intellectual, and Spiritual. Resources will be added and updated as they become available so continue to check the webpage.
Information about COVID-19:
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Financial Resources
- Bank of America
- Car Loans
- Car Payment Relief Programs
- Mortgage
- Student Loans: Forbearance
- Student Loans: Possibility of Canceling
- Tax Deadline is now July 15
- Utility, Phone, and Internet companies are giving consumers a break during coronavirus pandemic
- Virginia Suspends Evictions During Coronavirus Crisis
Food sources:
- Groceries delivered: Instacart
- Food banks: Feedmore
- Restaurant Delivery: GrubHub, DoorDash, UberEats, List of restaurants the delivery with no fees
Shelter Information:
- https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2020-03-18/housing-homelessness/virginia-suspends-evictions-during-coronavirus-crisis/a69601-1
- https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/GPD/providers/GuidanceCOVID-19-VA_Grantees_3-13-20.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/index.html
Safety
Self-Care Resources
The University of Missouri provides many public self-care resources such as:
- Social Distancing Does Not Mean Social Isolation
- Practice Self-Care and Self-compassion
- Connect With Nature
- Nurture Your Body and Mind
- Practice Effective Work-at-Home Strategies
- Take Care of Your Physical Health
- Find Ways to Help Others
- If the Pandemic Affects You Financially
DMV Now
Save the Date!
DMV Now will be coming to both campuses - a perfect time to get your Real ID prior to the October 1st deadline.
- Thursday, May 14th (9 am to 3 pm) - MCV Campus, Smith Building, Room 129
- Monday, July 27th (9 am to 2 pm) - Monroe Park Campus, HR Training Rm, 922 W Grace
You can find more information on DMV Real ID
FRESH FROM THE FARMS.....STRAIGHT TO OUR CAMPUS!
Join us April 15th for the launch of WhatsGood @ VCU! Meet Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm, the WhatsGood team, and get a first look at the farmers marketplace delivering fresh, local food to our campus each week!
Now, partnered with WhatsGood and other local farmers, Polyface Farm will bring fresh, nutritionally dense, local food right to you, in a modern, convenient way. Come learn more about how to get wellness food with no minimums, no subscriptions, no membership fees!
Come learn more about how to get wellness food with no minimums, no subscription
Did you know......
If you are an Anthem COVA Care member, you can pay $0 for a LiveHealth Online visit! No need to get in the car and go to the doctor. You can now see a doctor using your smartphone, tablet or computer, any time, day or night.
- No copayment for Anthem COVACare members
- Medical visits with board certified Anthem doctors 24x7/365
- Future Moms Breastfeeding Support
- Behavioral Health services: Psychiatry, Psychology, and EAP
- E-prescribing to your pharmacy of choice*
- Available to Anthem members and
non-members
Go to livehealthonline.com or download the app so you'll be ready whenever you need these LiveHealthOnline services.
Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) family festivals
We are pleased to announce that the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) is offering state employees free admission to upcoming VMNH family festivals taking place from October 2019 to July 2020.
The Virginia Museum of Natural History’s family festivals include a variety of themes, from dinosaurs to reptiles and more. Festival activities include hands-on programs, fascinating presentations, and the opportunity to engage directly with scientists.
Festivals included in this promotion are:
Dragon Festival: October 19, 2019
Ice Age Festival: January 25, 2020
Reptile Festival: June 12-13, 2020
Dino Festival: July 24-25, 2020
To claim your free ticket, you only need to present your employee identification card at the VMNH Box Office. Family members can purchase tickets at the regular admission rates.
Regular admission prices are $7 for adults (ages 19-59), and $5 for children (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+). VMNH members and children under 3 receive free admission. The special admission rate for the Dragon Festival is $10 for adults (ages 19-59), and $5 for children (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+).
For additional information, please visit www.vmnh.net. Did you know VCU has gone Tobacco Free?
VCU's Quit Smoking Campaign for Employees......Join in!
Through this campaign, we hope to:
- Encourage tobacco users to quit with weekly motivational messaging and resources
- Increase awareness and use of the Virginia state quitline, Quit Now Virginia
- Support you and your co-workers, friends and family in your efforts to quit using tobacco
Get information at Quit Now!
If you have any questions, please contact me, your worksite Quit and Stay Quit Monday coordinator - Cindi Phares, cphares@vcu.edu or 828-1521.
VCU offers students, faculty and staff tobacco cessation programs at no cost. Benefits of becoming a non-smoker include:
- Improve your chances for a longer life
- Look and feel healthier
- Smell better
- Feel more energetic
- Breathe easier and be able to exercise
- Save money
- Protect those around you who may be harmed by your smoking, especially if you are pregnant or around children
For more information, visit tobaccofree.vcu.edu.
Virginia 2-1-1
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember phone number connecting people with free information on available community services.
- Community Services
- Health and Human Resources
- Virginia Disaster Recovery
You may view more information on Virginia 2-1-1
What is RamStrong?
Wellness is an active process through which people can make choices toward a more holistic well-being. RamStrong is a collective wellness resource for VCU faculty and staff. The RamStrong concept was developed by the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. Learn more about RamStrong.
Because of ongoing and expanding threats related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Virginia Commonwealth University has altered our academic calendar and other university policies to help protect the health, well-being, and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and those in the community we serve.
Therefore, the following Well-Being sessions have been cancelled. Some may be rescheduled later in the year, some may still be presented as a webinar or other virtual platforms. Details are below.
March 18
Virginia 529
(Presented by VCU HR and VA 529)
Join us to learn about saving for future higher education expenses for your children, grandchildren or yourself!
Location - MCV Campus, Smith Building, Room 129
Virginia529 is working on a webinar to present at this time. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, check out their current tutorials and webinars at: https://www.virginia529.com/resources/tutorials/
March 18
To and through: how to help replace your salary in retirement
(Webinar presented by VCU HR and TIAA)
Join Benny Goodman, VP of Actuarial Services for TIAA in this informative webinar
Register at: TIAA
March 19
Pilates
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Strengthen the muscles in your core while increasing flexibility and improving posture in this class!
Location – Monroe Park Campus, Basketball Development Center, Marshall Street Studio, 1300 W. Marshall Street
Cancelled – In Talent see online class: Computer and Text Neck Stretching Exercises or Chair Work: Yoga Fitness and Stretching at Your Desk
March 19
Are You Financially Healthy?
(Presented by VCU HR, VCUHS HR and VACU)
Come learn what it means to be financially healthy based on four key components: spend, save, borrow and plan. Lunch will be provided!
Location – MCV Campus, Main Hospital, The Learning Center
Cancelled – In Talent see online class: Managing Your Personal Finances or 5 Personal Finance Tips
March 23
Fueling Fitness
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Join us to explore the Calorie Balance Equation and how you can make simple shifts in your food choices to support your fitness goals.
Location – MCV Campus, Smith Building, Room 216
Cancelled – In Talent see online class:
March 26
Fundamentals of Retirement Income Planning
(Presented by VCU HR and Fidelity)
This session focuses on how to combine all income sources including VRS, Social Security and investment to generate income in retirement and the 5 key risks to retirement.
Location - Monroe Pk Campus, Cabell Library 901 Park Ave, Rm 250
Cancelled – please view other Fidelity webinars at: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/overview
March 31
Mindfulness Meditation
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
This session will provide a sense of calm, peace, and balance, while improving attention, focus, and ability to work through stressful circumstances.
Location – Monroe Park Campus, Basketball Development Center, Marshall Street Studio, 1300 W. Marshall Street
Cancelled – In Talent see online class: Mindful Meditations for Work and Life or Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 01: Discovering Meditation and Sleep
April 7
Mindfulness Meditation
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Our mindfulness meditation will provide a sense of calm, peace, and balance. No experience necessary.
Location – MCV Campus, Smith Building, Room 129
Cancelled – In Talent see online class: De:stress: Meditation and Movement for Stress Management
April 14
Capitol Square Healthcare Clinic and Onsite Coaching
(Presented by VCU HR and Capitol Sq Health Care)
Did you know state employees have access to a clinic with a discounted co-payment? Did you know you also have access to onsite health coaching? Come and learn more.
Location – MCV Campus, Sanger Hall, Room 3-016
Cancelled – but will be rescheduled for later in the year
April 16
Home Buyers
(Presented by VCU HR, VCUHS HR and VACU)
Get answers to your questions and learn about buying and financing a home. Lunch will be provided!
Location – MCV Campus, Main Hospital, The Learning Center
Cancelled - VRS (Virginia Retirement System) offers numerous financial wellness courses. These can be found at: https://enrich.varetire.org/courses
Although we are not offering a live event, here are some other virtual well-being classes:
In Talent – Thriving@Work: Leveraging the Connection between Well-Being and Productivity, Managing Your Personal Investments, Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 02: Learning How to Unplug and Recharge, Mindfulness, Meditation, Life Mastery: Achieving Happiness and Success, De-stress: Meditation and Movement for Stress Management and many other online classes (in Talent – under Learning in the search box type keyword: Well-Being, finances, happiness, or any other topic you may be interested in)
VRS (Virginia Retirement System) offers numerous financial wellness courses. These can be found at: https://enrich.varetire.org/courses
Also, Fidelity and TIAA offer numerous webinars and information. You can find more information at: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/overview or https://shared.tiaa.org/public/publictools/campaign/login/webinar?resume=/idp/WW50q/resumeSAML20/idp/SSO.ping
The following sessions are still scheduled at this time:
April 15
The Farmers Market Delivered Directly to VCU!
(Presented by VCU HR and Erin)
WhatsGood has partnered with Polyface Farms to bring local food and products to VCU each week with no commitments or subscriptions. Come hear Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm and Matt Tortora, CEO of WhatsGood to learn more.
Location - Monroe Pk Campus, Cabell Lib 901 Park, Rm 250
Register at: Talent@VCU
April 17
Strength Training
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Join us for a full body strength training. Athletic shoes and comfortable clothes required.
Location – Basketball Development Ctr, Marshall St Studio
Register at: Talent@VCU
April 20
What time is it? Tune into your circadian rhythms
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Learn about your circadian rhythms and the influence they have on when you sleep, eat, work, move, and more.
Location - Monroe Pk Campus, Cabell Library 901 Park Ave, Rm 250
Register at: Talent@VCU
April 23
Virginia 529
(Presented by VCU HR and VA 529)
Join us to learn how to save for future higher education expenses for your children, grandchildren, or yourself!
Location - Monroe Pk Campus, Cabell Lib 901 Park, Rm 250
Register at: Talent@VCU
April 29
Yoga
(Presented by VCU HR and VCU Recreational Sports)
Take a break from your work day to explore some basic and foundational yoga postures.
Location – MCV Campus, Larrick, Jackson Ward A & B
Register at: Talent@VCU
Other Upcoming Programs:
DMV Now
Save the Date!
DMV Now will be coming to both campuses - a perfect time to get your Real ID prior to the October 1st deadline.
- Thursday, May 14th (9 am to 3 pm) - MCV Campus, Smith Building, Room 129
- Monday, July 27th (9 am to 2 pm) - Monroe Park Campus, HR Training Rm, 922 W Grace St
You can find more information on DMV Real ID
FRESH FROM THE FARMS.....STRAIGHT TO OUR CAMPUS!
Join us April 15th for the launch of WhatsGood @ VCU! Meet Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm, the WhatsGood team, and get a first look at the farmers marketplace delivering fresh, local food to our campus each week!
Now, partnered with WhatsGood and other local farmers, Polyface Farm will bring fresh, nutritionally dense, local food right to you, in a modern, convenient way. Come learn more about how to get wellness food with no minimums, no subscriptions, no membership fees!
Come learn more about how to get wellness food with no minimums, no subscription
Weight Watchers representatives hold weekly meetings on both the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses. More information for VCU employees can be found here!
Current State Employee WW (Weight Watchers) Program
Dear WW Member
Due to your feedback regarding the inconvenience and the impact of the Enrollment Reset procedure on your WW history, the Commonwealth of Virginia WILL NOT proceed with canceling your membership on March 1, 2020.
New Requirement: To assist with a smooth transition, please update your email address on file with WW to your state provided email address by March 15, 2020 following the directions below:
1.) Go to ww.com > Log in (top right) > enter your Username and Password
2.) Go to: Account (top right) > Settings > Enter password and select Unlock > Scroll down to Account & Billing > Hover over Email (under Contact & Notification) and select Edit to enter new email address > Select Save
No member information will be lost as a result of this update. Please note, failure to update your account with your state provided email address by March 15, 2020 will result in cancellation of the subsidized membership and you will be required to re-enroll (causing you to lose your WW history, WellnessWins etc.) to continue participation. If you do not have a state email address, please contact your agency’s Human Resource Office.
As a reminder: The Commonwealth of Virginia employees enrolled in a state health plan are eligible for WW discounted pricing and 50% subsidy. State plans include COVA Care, COVA HealthAware, HDHP, Optima, and Kaiser Permanente HMO. This offering is not open to retirees, their spouses and dependents, wage employees, or The Local Choice memberships. Employees who are eligible for, but not enrolled in a state health plan, are eligible for discounted pricing only (not the 50% subsidy).
We appreciate your commitment to WW and we look forward to your continued success. For more information regarding the WW offering for The Commonwealth of Virginia employees, including the Workshops in the Workplace schedule, visit https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/CommonHealth.
If you need additional assistance with updating your account, please contact WW Customer Service at 866-204-2885. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Interested in joining WW (Weight Watchers)?
If you are an employee enrolled in a state health plan, you are eligible for a subsidy toward the cost of your membership as well as discounted pricing. If you are an employee who is not enrolled in a state health plan, you are eligible for discounted pricing only. You can find more information below and at: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/CommonHealth
View the WW February 2020 flyer
VCU Health and Wellness Library, located in the Gateway Building, Group Floor, Room G-112 offers Meditate with Georgianne Ginder, MSC, CHWC, JSJ Certified Practioner every Wednesday and Friday from noon to 1 pm. Free and open to all. For more information contact ricasatakj@vcu.edu or call 828-2432.
VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art offers mindfulness meditation sessions guided by highly experienced meditation teachers. These sessions are offered from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Sessions are free. To register, visit the ICA website and search "mindfulness."
ConditionCare provided to VCU employees with Anthem. ConditionCare can help you get help managing asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, heart failure or coronary disease. You can talk to a nurse for help with health questions, anytime, anywhere. You get a health screening by phone at no extra cost. Get support from other health experts like pharmacists and dieticians. Other education guides, email newsletters and toolds to learn more about your condition are provided. You can receive certain medications or supplies at no cost upon meeting certain requiremetns. Call 1-844-507-8472 to get started.
Anthem subscribers also have access to myStrength, the health club for your mind where you can get resources such as videos, articles, quotes, and inspirations as well as tools and exercises to help you develop a personal action plan and make healthy changes. To sign up go to anthemeap.com and enter Commonwealth of Virginia. Find the myStrength Center and choose the Sign-up button. Set up your account and unique password. Take the confidential wellness Assessment and fill out the personal profile. Both take just a few minutes to complete. Your answers will create your personal home page with topics and updates that interest and inspire you. Take myStrength with you on the go by downloading the i0S ir Android app.
Webinars on wellness (financial, health, and other topics)
March 18
To and through: how to help replace your salary in retirement
(Webinar presented by VCU HR and TIAA)
Join Benny Goodman, VP of Actuarial Services for TIAA in this informative webinar
Register at: TIAA
Learn how to get your point across - get assertive! Want to learn more about assertive verbal communication? Log on to Anthem's EAP website at anthemEAP.com, Login: Commonwealth of Virginia this month to read about these and other topics. For more information please read Anthem EAP