Monthly Wellness Update

If you are enrolled in life insurance through the State of Florida Group Insurance Program, you have access to valuable MetLife Advantages benefits at no additional cost. These resources can help you plan for the future, navigate life transitions, and support your loved ones when they need it most.

Available benefits include:

• Estate planning services, including will preparation and access to attorneys
• Travel assistance services when traveling more than 100 miles from home
• Financial guidance and transition support during major life events
• Grief counseling and funeral assistance services
• Beneficiary support, including claims assistance and estate resolution services
• Empathy services to help beneficiaries manage grief, settle estates, and handle important post-loss tasks

Take a few minutes to explore these often overlooked benefits, and make sure you are getting the most value from your life insurance coverage!

Learn More: MetLife Life Insurance – More than Life Insurance Protection

Your financial wellbeing matters. Take control of your financial future with our upcoming expert-led sessions focused on planning for retirement and estate planning. Don’t miss out – sign up today to secure your spot!

• July 28 @ 10am: Taking Control of Your Finances
• July 28 @ 1pm: Investment Planning

July is UV Safety Awareness Month. It’s summertime, and you’re probably ready to get outside and soak up the sun – but wait! Before you start catching rays by the pool or taking part in other outdoor activities, make sure you know how to protect yourself from harmful UV light.

For tips on integrating sun safety into your daily routine, check out the American Cancer Society Sun Safety Guide or review recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with nature and your UCF community? The UCF Arboretum offers a peaceful retreat right on campus, with opportunities to explore diverse plant life, enjoy guided nature walks, volunteer in the community garden, or simply take a mindful break outdoors. Whether you’re looking to learn, relax, or engage with others, the Arboretum is a great space to discover the natural beauty that surrounds us!

Learn More: UCF Arboretum

Caring for an aging loved one can be rewarding, but also emotionally overwhelming. Through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Health Advocate, all UCF employees (excluding OPS students) have access to Eldercare Services that can help ease the stress. Whether you need help finding long-term care resources, understanding Medicare, or navigating caregiver challenges, Health Advocate provides expert guidance and compassionate support. Prioritize your emotional and mental well-being – you’re not alone in this journey.

Learn More: Health Advocate EAP Eldercare Resources

Modern life means living in challenging times, which makes it more important than ever to learn to cope with uncertainty, unpredictability, and stress. Making sound decisions can also be overwhelming, especially when it’s unknown what tomorrow will bring, let alone next week or next month. This webinar explores techniques to help relieve stress so participants can make decisions they feel comfortable with, which are critical elements to managing these feelings now and in the future.

Register Now: July 1 @ 1pm – Strategies to Manage Stress and Uncertainty

Unlock your potential by developing a growth mindset – the belief that skills, abilities, and intelligence can be strengthened through effort, learning, and persistence. In this interactive course, you’ll discover how to recognize fixed mindset habits, build resilience, embrace challenges as opportunities, and develop strategies for continuous personal and professional growth. Gain practical tools to help you adapt, learn, and thrive in an ever-changing workplace.

Register Now: July 14 @ 1:30pm – GROWTH Mindset

Did you know your total compensation includes much more than just your paycheck? UCF provides employees with a wide range of competitive benefits that are a part of your total compensation.

To help employees understand the full value of their total compensation, we invite you to explore the Total Rewards Calculator to help you gain a clearer picture of your total compensation, highlighting the many components that contribute to your overall rewards as a UCF employee.

June is National Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about safety and preventing injuries in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

Did You Know? The UCF Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department offers a variety of training programs for the UCF community, with a special focus on laboratory safety for researchers handling chemical, biological, and radiation materials. Beyond laboratory safety, they also provide valuable courses that are applicable to everyone; including CPR, First Aid, and Concepts of Safety, helping the UCF community stay prepared and protected.

Enroll now through the EHS Training Calendar

June 14 marks World Blood Donor Day, a global reminder of how one simple act – donating blood – can save lives and strengthen the health of our entire community. This year, let’s come together as a workplace and support social and community well-being by rolling up our sleeves and giving back. Blood drives are regularly hosted on UCF campus in partnership with OneBlood. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular, your contribution makes a difference. Let’s show the power of our community – one donation at a time!

Visit the Student Health Blood Drives website to find a blood drive near you and schedule your appointment.

Additional Resources:

• Donating Blood: Frequently Asked Questions
• The Benefits of Being a Blood Donor

June is PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and its impact on mental health. PTSD is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. At UCF, we are dedicated to supporting all employees, including those who may be experiencing the effects of trauma.

Learn more online at the National Center for PTSD.

Did You Know? UCF employees also have access to resources through UCF RESTORES–a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based trauma treatment and mental health training. UCF RESTORES provides innovative, research-backed care and support for individuals impacted by trauma, including PTSD, stress, and other trauma-related concerns. Services include trauma-informed treatment approaches, mental wellness resources, and educational programs designed to promote healing, resilience, and recovery.

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a powerful tool for career growth and performance success. In this interactive session, participants will explore best practices for creating meaningful IDPs that align with personal strengths, career aspirations, and organizational goals. Using insights from leading performance management frameworks, attendees will learn how to set SMART goals, identify skill gaps, and develop actionable learning strategies.

Register Online

The State of Florida Shared Savings Program helps reduce health care costs and rewards you for making smart choices. If you’re enrolled in the State Group Insurance health insurance plan, you’re automatically eligible – no extra enrollment needed.

Under Vālenz Bluebook’s “Go Green to Get Green” rewards program, the website or mobile app will identify rewardable healthcare procedures and their reward amounts. Rewards range from $25 to $6,000.

To Earn Rewards:

• Search for your procedure in the Vālenz website or mobile app (Mobile Code: SOF) and use a green-rated facility.
• For inpatient procedures, use a facility of green-rated quality and green or yellow rated costs.

Helpful Links:

• Vālenz Bluebook website
• Frequently Asked Questions

Your eyes are your windows to the world – protect them! Good vision helps you stay safe, active, and connected. Small steps today can protect your sight for a lifetime. Let’s keep our future in focus!

Get more information on healthy vision tips and more from the National Eye Institute.

Did You Know? College Optical Express (InFocus Eyecare) is located in the UCF Student Union, and is a participating provider in the Humana vision network (through the State of Florida Group Insurance Program Vision Insurance Plan).

For more information, visit the InFocus Eyecare website.

A supportive circle during pregnancy can reduce stress, boost emotional well-being, and help expecting mothers feel encouraged during a season of change. Staying connected – to coworkers, friends, and community – makes a meaningful difference for both mom and baby.

This month, we’re celebrating and supporting our growing families by highlighting important benefits for expectant mothers:

• For employees in their third trimester of pregnancy (with a UCF parking permit), the Expectant Mothers Parking Program is available to to provide closer, more convenient parking.
• Secure, private Lactation Privacy Rooms are located across campus to support nursing mothers returning to work or school.
• Register for our upcoming June 16 Parental Leave Course to learn about your leave options and how to plan ahead.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national health observance dedicated to shedding light on mental health conditions and fostering understanding and support for those experiencing them.

Additional Resources:

• Flyer: Mental Health Awareness – Mental health matters. Always.
• Are you at risk for depression? Take the assessment to find out.
• Take one minute just for YOU! Watch a short video.

Need Support? The UCF Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential support for all faculty and staff (excluding OPS student employees), as well as their eligible family members (including spouses, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law). Whether you’re facing stress, relationship challenges, financial concerns, or simply need someone to talk to, licensed counselors are available 24/7 via phone, video, or in-person. You also get work/life resources, legal and financial guidance, and even help with medical bill negotiation. Don’t wait until small issues become big ones—reach out anytime.

Access to LinkedIn Learning was interrupted beginning April 10^th as part of a new implementation for staff access.

Following the transition, LinkedIn Learning will be available for A&P, USPS, and Executive Service staff only.

For the latest information, visit the Talent Development webpage.