Sylvia Hacaj

Cesar Chavez Day commemorated March 31st

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Smithsonian Magazine identified Cesar Chavez’s most most enduring legacy as having given “people a sense of their own power.” Along those lines, this morning on KQED public radio, Erick Olvera shared why, for him and his friends and family, every day is a day to honor Cesar Chavez. Listen or read today’s “With a Perspective” by Erik Olvera.

César Chávez Day is commemorated yearly on March 31 and celebrates the life, legacy and birthday of César Estrada Chávez, a champion for social justice and founder of the United Farmworkers alongside Dolores Huerta. It is a day to celebrate the contributions of migrant communities to our country and highlight the need to advocate for migrant rights.

In 1962 Cesar Chavez established an organization that became the United Farm Workers. The union, which grew out of his own struggles as a child and adult picking cotton and grapes, negotiated hundreds of contracts to protect farmworker safety and wages in California.

COVID Levels Up: LifeLong Reinstating Some Measures for Staff

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Contra Costa and Alameda Counties have moved into “Medium” community level (CDC Community Levels).  In accordance with  LifeLong Covid-19 Infection Control Protocol the following measures are bing re-instated:

  • Masks to be worn at all times in shared spaces.
  • Eating must occur in designated areas or outdoors.

Full All Staff Letter from Dr. Michael Stacey, Chief Medical Officer follows.

Dear LifeLong Staff,  

Gathering with co-workers, friends and family is an important part of celebrating end of year holidays and traditions.  I want to encourage you to find ways to connect with your friends and colleagues, while also reminding everyone to take precautions to limit the spread of COVID, Influenza and RSV.  During this week many LifeLong locations will be taking a little time out of the work day to share food and socialize, unfortunately we are also seeing increasing rates of COVID.  In order to make these gatherings as safe as possible, please consider the following measures as of December 14, 2022:  

– Wear masks while not eating.
– If possible, move outdoors. People could collect food while masked indoors and then step outside to eat and socialize.
– Make sure that indoor space being used for gathering has HEPA filters running.
– Please do not come to work, or attend a social gathering if you have any symptoms that you think may be related to COVID, Influenza or RSV.
– Wash your hands frequently.  

While designated holiday gatherings will still be allowed as an exception, with the above recommended precautions, please be aware that Contra Costa and Alameda Counties have moved into “Medium” community level (CDC Community Levels).  In accordance with  LifeLong Covid-19 Infection Control Protocol the following measures are bing re-instated:   Masks to be worn at all times in shared spaces.
Eating must occur in designated areas or outdoors.  

While it may not provide protection for this week’s activities, I strongly encourage everyone to get the bivalent COVID booster AND a flu shot, if you have not already done so.  

Thank you for all you do and I wish you happiness in whatever way you celebrate this season, 

Michael  

Required Employee Documentation

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Dear LifeLong Clinical, Dental, and Behavioral Health Staff,

We need your help.  Federal regulations require LifeLong Medical Care to report each year on up-to-date “clinical staff profiles” for our medical, dental, and behavioral health staff providing direct patient services. These staff profiles include:
– CPR Certification
– Physical Fitness Completion Forms
– Vaccination Verification
– Education Documentation
– Communicable Disease Status 
– Valid Government Photo ID
– Resumes
 
Over the next three weeks, LifeLong’s HR Department will be asking you provide up-to-date documentation for any gaps in your personnel records.  Please be on the lookout for these emails. It is imperative that you respond promptly to these requests.  
 
In the next few days, HR will send links for virtual CPR training in case you need an updated CPR certification.  
 
Thank you in advance for your attentiveness and patience during this reporting process.

Respectfully,
DL Poole

Benefits 101: Health Reimbursement Account – June 28, July 26 or Aug 31 @ 2 pm

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We want you to make the most of your employee benefits. Did you know that LifeLong pays out of pocket costs associated with your health plan?

Attend one of our virtual training sessions for a deep dive in how to review your benefit payments online and ensure your Health Resource Account (HRA) dollars are working for you!

At 2 pm on the fourth Tuesday in May through August, a representative from Felice, LifeLong’s Benefit Plan Administrator, will review LifeLong’s medical plan and HRA benefits. The session will cover logging into your Health Equity/WageWorks account, the HRA claims submission process, and an overview of benefits resources and support.

Each session will cover the same topics, so you only need to attend one. The first session was May 31. The remaining sessions will be June 28, July 26, and Aug 30.

These sessions are for questions about the program. If you have any specific questions about your individual account, please reach out to the Filice team by calling 888-860-1554 or emailing LifeLongBenefits@filice.com

https://lifelongmedical.zoom.us/j/94861134641

LifeLong Medical Care Street Medicine’s Mental Health Work Recognized

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The City of Berkeley Mental Health Department and LifeLong Medical Care Street Medicine will be awarded the “2022 Mental Health Achievement Award.” The award ceremony will be on Zoom Wednesday May 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm and requires free registration.

LifeLong’s Berkeley Street Medicine crew have been able to provide a higher level of mental healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. We are so proud of them and grateful for their dedication to our patients. Thank you!

Please join us in giving the Berkeley teams a big round of applause and for the awards ceremony Wednesday, May 25th. Congratulations!

Free Zoom/Call-In Community Event! 

When: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 

 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. 

 Zoom Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GoUKdRC5RuyDCVx8nwHfsw 

 Telephone option: Dial: US: +1 669 900 6833 

Webinar ID: 816 4887 6503 

For additional information contact: (510) 981-5290

Let’s Go Ride a Bike!

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This month happens to be the confluence of several national celebrations: Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Senior Health and Fitness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. And, one more, Bicycle and Bicycle Safety Month, which can help celebrate the first three!

There are a lot of reasons to love biking, whether it brings back childhood memories, provides an eco- and wallet-friendly mode of transport, or gives you an energizing way to move your legs to your favorite playlist without fancy dance moves.

Spend more than a few minutes on a bike and you’ll feel the immediate cardio impact, but that’s not all. “Cycling, whether indoors or outdoors, can benefit the lungs, heart, skeleton, muscles, and the mind,” says Bianca Beldini, who has a doctorate in physical therapy and is also a USA Triathlon Level 1 coach, competitive age group triathlete, and certified indoor spin instructor.

As a non-weight bearing activity, biking can help get you stronger without overly taxing your joints. If you (or your body) are not a fan of higher impactactivities like running or jumping exercises, biking is a good alternative. It puts less stress on joints of the hips, knees, and ankles.

Whether you ride down the street or in your living room, you’ll be getting exercise. Indoor biking can provide more control for a beginner and is a convenient option for anyone with a desk job. “Indoor is great if you work from 9-5 during the week and don’t have any daylight to sneak in a ride. It is super-efficient because you can get straight to a workout and don’t need to worry about getting through traffic,” says Lauren De Crescenzo, a former professional cyclist.

Outdoor biking offers the advantage of being outside and breathing fresh air, but is obviously subject to available daylight hours or unpredictable road, weather, and traffic conditions. “Road cycling can build muscular strength along with coordination and balance skills … and gives the rider an opportunity to travel and explore the world in a healthy way,” says Beldini. Morning riders can also benefit by getting some sunlight to “help reset your circadian rhythm for sleep, make vitamin D, and decrease stress,” says Jessica McManus, a physical therapist.

Santa Clara Police Chief Pat Nikolai notes, “The days are longer, and the weather is getting warmer and nicer, really making it ideal conditions to go on a bike ride.”

Safety Tips for Bicyclists:  

  • Use lights at night (at minimum, a front white light and rear red reflector)
  • Always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash
  • Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle
  • Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Sources: Byrdie.com, Is Biking Actually Good Exercise? We Asked Fitness Experts, by Lesley Chen, Sept. 9, 2021 and City of Santa Clara, CA.