Spring 2006

Team UFT works for YOU !

When you have a question about your disability and how to obtain a reasonable accommodation, you discuss these issues with Eugene Rubin, or perhaps our other staffers, Bonita Gibson or Abbe Nosoff. We work as a team to render the best possible service to our members. There are times when we reach out to other staff at the UFT — and it’s these staffers that we’d like to introduce you to.

sheila Any UFT member injured in an assault may request the help of the UFT School Safety Department. We work closely with Shelia Friedman who has been the Coordinator of the Medical/Court Field Services for the Victim Support Program (VSP) since 1990. The VSP is part of the UFT School Safety Department.

If you are victimized by a school-related crime or incident, you may request the services of the VSP. It will be your advocate and assist you with representation at the Medical Bureau of the Department of Education. You will be given assistance in legal matters, such as pressing charges or securing an order of protection. You’ll be given help with submitting and processing paperwork to keep you on payroll. If you need psychological counseling, you’ll be provided licensed professional counselors. Furthermore, the VSP will coordinate with other UFT representatives in your case. Members may contact the VSP at 1-212-598-6853 or the UFT School Safety Department at 1-212-598-9287.

Helpline counselors at the UFT Welfare Fund: (from left) Marilyn Lane, Kitty Williston, Ester Liss-Turner, and Marlene Rice-Perl.

If you’ve been weighed down by a health crisis, we may refer you to Kitty Williston, LCSW, Program Director of the UFT Welfare Fund Health and Cancer HelpLine. Williston, an experienced social worker and a staff of peer counselors provide information, practical support and a “listening ear” for members who are dealing with illness. The HelpLine is located in the UFT Welfare Fund where HelpLine counselors work closely with other Welfare Fund staff that assist members with health coverage issues and other benefits that are administered by the Welfare Fund. For service, call the Welfare Fund at 1-212-539-0500 and ask to speak with a HelpLine counselor.

Gene Rubin has worked closely with each of the union’s district representatives to get help for our members. During an interim period while the member waits for an accommodation to be processed at the Medical Bureau, if there’s an accommodation that the principal could make so that the member can continue to work, Gene will enlist the district rep to contact the principal.