Wellbeing and Support

Need a break from your work-from-home routine? Staff in our health system's Sports Performance Center are posting home workouts daily on Instagram. Get personal training from Kelsey Ngeh at 10 a.m. and Will Arens at 2 p.m. No equipment necessary!

• Fitness Blender - Free workout videos
• Nike Training Club - Free workouts from Nike Master Trainers
• Peloton Online - Free 90-day trial to at-home workout app

• Turning Point's Tai Chi Dim Sa video with Jacque Carpenter
• Pilates classes with Turning Point facilitator Tina Sprinkle
• T School DO Anywhere DO Anytime Morning Glory Stretch with Tina
• Morning Glory Affirmation Wake Up Stretch
• Yoga classes with Turning Point facilitator Emily Darling

Bright Horizons

Bright Horizons offers a variety of child- and elder care help and support.

Health System employees:

• Support for this situation (PDF)
• Bright Horizons Backup Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Registration Guide (PDF)
• Send questions to BenefitsConnection@kumc.edu.

UKP employees:

• Program information - register and reserve care (PDF)
• Physicians who have not registered can sign up at this link: Join Today. Enter your information to register. 
• Physicians who have already registered can go to: clients.brighthorizons.com/UKP
• Username: UKP
• Password: Benefits4You

Kansas Hero Relief Program

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is expanding their childcare assistance program to allow families of eligible essential workers to qualify for childcare benefits if their household income is at or below certain levels. The “Hero Relief Program’ is designed to promote the continued availability of safe, high-quality childcare options for families during the COVID-19 crisis and afterward.

Families can apply online at KSHeroRelief.com or pick up a paper application at your local Kansas DCF service center. Learn more about the program (PDF).

Behavior checker offers help for parents

The behavior checker offers steps to solve behavior problems and to approach parenting in positive, stress-free and healthy ways. The tool offers validated recommendations that are fully vetted by our psychologists. It’s easy to navigate by behavior. The site also includes other resources, such as teaching tools, age-related developmental milestones and encouraging reminders for parents.

Additional Resources

• COVIBOOK (to ease anxiety in young children)
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network COVID-19 Parent/Caregiver Guide (PDF)
• Steps to ease kids’ fears about COVID-19

Woebot is an automated conversational agent (chatbot) that helps you monitor mood and learn about yourself. Drawing from a therapeutic framework known as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Woebot asks people how they're feeling and what is going on in their lives in the format of brief daily conversations.

woebothealth.com

Sharing our experiences in health care – especially during intense, emotional or stressful times – increases our connectedness and well-being.

The 55-Word Stories project offers an opportunity for our community members to express their emotions and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal is to write a story, in 55 words or less, to understand, appreciate or process something about the impact, response or practice of medicine and delivery of healthcare at this moment.

Visit the 55-Word Stories project site.

• The New York Times 52 Places, Virtually
• Museum Tours
• Museum Collections
• Free classes from Ivy League Universities
• Duolingo: Learn a language for free
• Broadway Shows Streaming Online
• San Diego Zoo Live Cams
• Netflix Party
• Games to play over Facetime or Skype
• TIME Virtual Book Clubs
• Online Karaoke

Generous offers supporting healthcare workers continue to roll in from the community. View the latest offers and discounts.

Our staff is going to extremes to care for our patients; some by working long shifts, and some by staying home to flatten the curve. Regardless of what people are doing, we want them to feel seen, valued and appreciated.

One of the most powerful ways to show gratitude is through the written word. For your convenience, we have designed cards for you to personalize. Chose the method that works best for you and the employees you are recognizing:

Print a card, then hand-write a message

A blank card (PDF) can be printed so you can add a hand-written message. Be sure to sign your name. Then, depending on where the recipient is, the card can be:

• Hand-delivered (maintaining 6 feet of distance!)
• Sent by U.S. mail to the person’s home
• Sent through interoffice mail

Type in a customized message, then print or email

The same card can also be filled out electronically. Open the PDF and type in a message. Be sure to sign your name.

• Save the card to your device. (Give the file a unique name, perhaps one that includes the name of the recipient).
• Print and deliver the card using one of the methods above; or send it via email using the employee’s work or home email address.

Use preprinted cards

To request preprinted 5x7 cards, email Shawna Swartley. Indicate the number of cards you would like and your delivery address.

Thousands of employees are now working from home. How do they like it? What is their advice to others working from home? Do they have words of encouragement for staff on the frontlines? Check out our collection of “Postcards from Home” (PDF) and see their humorous and touching words from home.

In March, the Nursing Engagement & Professionalism Council launched the “Happiness Contest” inviting nurses throughout the health system to share what makes them smile during these challenging times. More than 580 nurses shared insights about how they find daily joy, from journaling, gardening and Face Timing with grandkids to Chipotle rendezvouses and, yes, even being at work. View all the Happiness Contest Responses (PDF) and feel the joy.