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Useful Websites For New Members

New members have so much information directed at them during their first few weeks on the job that it is easy to feel overwhelmed. New members may find the list of the websites below useful to visit when they have the time to obtain information on a variety of topics.

The OSSTF/FEESO provincial website is undergoing some changes and members will find that once the changes are complete, information will be easier to search and access. The renewed website will go live later this fall, but the current website remains a good source of information on a variety of topics.

Union Membership:
http://www.osstf.on.ca/ - Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation

Pensions:
http://www.osstf.on.ca  - Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
http://www.omers.com  - Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System
http://www.otpp.com - Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
http://www.otffeo.on.ca - Ontario Teachers’ Federation

General Government information on Education:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca - Ministry of Education
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu - Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (English)
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/fre/tcu - Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (French)

Teacher Certification:
http://www.osstf.on.ca/services - Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation

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Professional Development - Conferences & Workshops

D22 PD WORKSHOPS are sponsored by the District 22 OSSTF Educational Services Committee. Keep posted to our website, and watch for our all-member email Updates for details.

Workshops are held at the OSSTF District 22 Office, 1877 Merrittville Hwy., Fonthill (2 doors North of Hwy. 20 in Fonthill).

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

TBD

 



PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

CLOSING DATE FOR ANY APPLICATION TO THE FUND IS  THE LAST WEEKDAY IN SEPTEMBER  FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEAR. 

To access the application form click on PD Funding Application Form.

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Seminars & Workshops

RETIREMENT PLANNING WORKSHOPS
  

OTPP Retirement Seminar

Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Time: 4:00-7:00pm
Location: Amici's Banquet Centre, Merrittville Hwy., Thorold

Light Meal Provided - Please indicate if any food concerns. 
Spouses: Please indicate if you would also like to register your spouse/partner for this event.

To register click on: Pension Plan Seminar

The District 22 Retirement Seminar focuses on pension planning and retirement. Whether members are fifteen years from retirement or six months away, they'll discover common sense financial strategies and retirement planning ideas. 

 

Image result for retirement pics

OTIP/EFG Seminar  - Walk into Retirement with a Plan!

Monday, May 8, 2023 - 4:30pm
Location: Amici's Banquet Centre, Merrittville Hwy., Thorold

OR

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 4:30pm
Location: Holiday Inn, St. Catharines

To register click on: www.otip.com/events  

Light Meal Provided - Please indicate if any food concerns. 
Spouses: Please indicate if you would also like to register your spouse/partner for this event.

This workshop covers valuable information that will be useful to all those planning to retire within the next five years.

During this workshop members will learn about:

- Retiree Health Insurance Benefits
- Retirement Gratuities
- RRSPs
- Tax and Estate Planning Before and After Retirement
- Investments
- Lifestyle Planning

 

Educators Financial Group Webinars - Financial Planning

Look thru our all-member emails for registeration link.

- November 2, 2022 - 4pm - Early Career Yrs 1-10
- November 9, 2022 - 4pm - Mid Career Yrs 10-25

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Counselling Services

KIDS HELP PHONE - JEUNESSE J'ECOUTE

Need to call someone right away? Call 1-800-668-6868. Kids Help Phone is a very important service and helps hundreds of kids and adults in our community each year. They also have a website where grown-ups can access information on bullying.  

Web: www.kidshelpphone.ca - www.jeunessejecoute.ca

 

POSACTION Plus

The Posaction Plus assistance service offers you professional support by guiding you through a problem-solving process. Their services will help you overcome your problems so you can get back to feeling like yourself again. This service is part of your group insurance contract, and is available to insured members/employees. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for using the services, and no receipts to submit. The psychosocial counselling service provides up to 12 hours of counselling per contract year as necessary. Your call is completely confidential. Someone is available to open your file 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Simply call 1-800-668-0193 - Make sure you have your policy number on hand before calling, you will need this. (If you don't know the number call your district OSSTF office at 905-892-6524.)

Posaction Plus can help deal with:

Work Related Problems: Stress, burnout, change, conflicts, etc.

Personal Problems: Sleep distrubances, anxiety, stress, fatigue, depression, bereavement, etc.

Family Problems: Relationship issues, separation/divorce, parenting, communication, etc.

Dependency Problems: Substance abuse, compulsive addictions, etc.

 

EMPLOYEE and FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EFAP)

The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a family counselling service for the employees of the District School Board of Niagara and their immediate family members. Your EFAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help you take the first step towards change. This short-term, solution-focused counselling is simply a phone call away.

Morneau Shepell
Employee & Family Assistance Program

Phone: 1-844-880-9142 - No policy number is required.
www.workhealthlife.com 

Solutions for:

- Achieve Well-Being
- Manage Relationships
- Deal with Workplace Chalenges
- Tackle Addictions

Professional Councilling Offered:

- In-Person Counselling
- Telephonic Counselling
- E-Counselling
- Online Programs & Text-Based Self-Help Counselling
- Video Counselling
- First Chat

The Basics of an EFAP?
  • Confidential
  • Voluntary
  • Solution Focus Therapy
  • Information
  • Counselling
  • Assessment
  • Referrals  


FEELINGBETTERNOW.COM

FeelingBetterNow.com is a free service created by OTIP to address emotional and mental health management. It features an online assessment that can be completed in 10-20 minutes looking at a series of medical and lifestyle questions. It can be used as a baseline for those who complete it when not in crisis, or as a way to identify issues.
     The program is completely anonymous - those who choose to complete an assessment need only identify themselves as an OSSTF member. You may create a username and password so that you can re-visit the site, and you may opt to receive email reminders to re-assess. Email addresses are not required, however if you do include your email for reminders the data is aggregated so that email addresses are not linked to usernames.
     Once your initial assessment is completed, you have access to a personalized action plan that identifies your risk level for specific illnesses that could be taken to a health care professional. You will also be provided with a personalized toolbox, containing apps, games, and online and print resources that are specifically chosen based on your assessment.
     FeelingBetterNow's anonymous and confidential design is intended to remove the stigma surrounding mental health. The program has been reviewed and approved by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. It is generally appropriate for persons 18+. To access the assessment, go to www.feelingbetternow.com/otip.

CAREpath

CAREpath provides services to guide you through every step of the process when you or a family member is diagnosed with cancer. You will be assigned to a personal Oncology Nurse Case Manager to help you from diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship.
Go to www.otip.com and click on the CAREpath link for more information.

ReadyForLife.ca

Ready for Life is a unique mental health resource just for the education community. Supported by Teachers Life, a not-for-profit insurance company, it features resources from leading mental health experts for educators who want to learn more about their own mental health as professionals, as well as in their role in championing the mental health and wellness of today’s youth. Click here to visit the ReadyForLife.ca website.