Benefits and Services

Transcription

1 ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS The Voice of Social Work in Ontario Benefits and Services Discounts & Services Insurances Professional resources Networking groups Employment resources Private practice Much, much more

2 Directory of Benefits and Services for Prospective Members Private Practice Resources 2 Insurances 4 Fitness Club 6 Car/Truck Rentals and CAA 7 Other Services 8 Retirement Planning 9 Professional Development 10 Networking Groups 12 Employment Resources 13 Mentoring 13

3 Page 2 Private Practice Resources Professional Liability/Malpractice Insurance LMS PROLINK offers an enhanced program exclusively for OASW members at the lowest current premiums in the marketplace. Coverage can be obtained for as little as $95 a year! Other program highlights include: $2 million in Professional Liability AND General Liability can now be obtained for only $125 (includes $150,000 in Disciplinary Defense costs all with no deductible) Abuse coverage with a $1,000,000 limit Libel and Slander coverage is included Pro Bono legal advice available for LMS PROLINK policyholders. Visit to sign up for your Professional Liability insurance, and to obtain information regarding your choices. LMS PROLINK has developed a simple and convenient online application process. A secure credit card payment option is available online. Visit flag=2 to see options and pricing available to you. Enter 3 or 4 digit OASW membership number and complete application. If you have any questions, please contact OASW or LMS PROLINK directly at oasw@lms.ca or contact Jonathan Bracamonte at ext ( direct). To apply and pay online, use the following (all lower caps): Username: oasw Password: oasw12 LMS PROLINK ext or ( direct) oasw@lms.ca To apply by mail, please download and send a paper application.

4 Page 3 Private Practice Resources Professional Advocacy A number of initiatives are geared to address the needs of social workers in private practice, including: Monitoring and responding to government legislation and regulations and/or policies that have the potential to impact on practice, such as the recent consultations related to the extension of the title Psychotherapists to Registered Social Workers. Private Practice Package: information to assist in establishing and running a private practice such as Generating Your Own Employment (Revised 2005); A Legal Survival Guide for Social Workers (2009); Waiting Room Flyers to advise clients on issues related coverage of social workers under private health plans and OASW Guidelines for Private Practice. Virtual Networking Groups for members working in a number of sectors (see p.12). Two discounted, comprehensive professional liability insurance plans are offered with $2 million coverage in professional/general liability per claim and l million in abuse limitation. Free legal consultation on a toll-free line with the law firm of Bell Temple is included. enables members to create a profile and market their private practice to EAP providers, doctors, lawyers and members of the public on a website operated by OASW. Provision of information related to HST exemption of some professional services. Lobbying for inclusion of social work services as a benefit in group health plans. Discounts on educational materials and workshops offered by external organizations or providers to address continuing competency needs (see p.10-11). Group health plans and discounts on auto and home insurance (see p.4-5). Home Office Insurance Coverage (see page 5).

5 Page 4 Insurances Health and Dental Insurance Discounted Manulife program available to OASW members. Choose from eight combinations of coverage in the areas of prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and extended health benefits including the services of social workers. Benefit from better choice, excellent claims support and personalized service. Health Benefits & Pre-Existing Conditions If you are leaving an existing extended health benefits plan (due to job change or other reason), OASW members can now switch over to a Manulife plan without having to fill out a medical application. This means that even if you have a pre-existing condition, you can obtain coverage and your coverage will include your pre-existing condition. In order to take advantage of this offer, you must convert over to the Association plan within 60 days of leaving your previous plan. Life, Disability and Critical Illness OASW members can choose from a number of flexible, competitively priced and personalized insurance coverages designed to provide much needed financial protection for themselves and loved ones in the event of an unforeseen accident, illness or premature death. Out of Province Travel Insurance Get exclusive discounted rates for travel insurance (includes trip interruption and trip cancellation). This benefit offers $5 million coverage for emergency medical and hospital costs, even with preexisting health conditions. Buy an annual plan so that you can travel

6 Page 5 Insurances Home & Automobile OASW members and their spouses and dependent children have access to highly competitive home and auto insurance rates. As long as you maintain a good driving record, you can qualify for up to 50% in additional discounts with a full range of payment options. Call for a confidential, voluntary, quote on your insurance needs. Includes insurance for home, auto, cottages, boats, motorcycles and personal watercraft. 24 hour claims service ready to serve you anywhere in North America. Important Notice about Home Insurance for Private Practitioners Does your home insurer know that you run your private practice out of your home? If not, your coverage could be denied. In fact, many home insurers do not offer coverage when a business is involved and therefore would deny coverage if they know about your private practice. Essentially, if the insurance company did not have knowledge of the "risk", they can deny coverage at the time of an insurance claim. This could leave you without insurance at a time when you need it. To address potential gaps in coverage, OASW has arranged with Robertson Hall to offer a solution to private practitioners who employ up to two employees and see a maximum of 35 clients in their home office per week: Obtain home insurance, along with a $25 rider, through Robertson Hall. Sign up for plan II of LMS PROLINK professional liability insurance (includes general liability coverage and office contents insurance). Professional Liability/Malpractice Insurance For more information about obtaining professional liability insurance, please see p.2.

7 Page 6 Fitness Club GoodLife Fitness Club The OASW Corporate Wellness Program with GoodLife Fitness Clubs is open to OASW members and their significant other/spouse, giving you the opportunity to each obtain a corporate membership for $425 per year. You can enjoy the benefits of: strength equipment; cardiovascular equipment; fitness classes; Women's Only facilities; squash; personal training; pools and aqua classes; whirlpools and saunas; professionally trained, friendly staff; a club for beginners and experts; guaranteed results; and much, much more! To get started: Pay the pro-rated amount until February 1st at least 20 days before the beginning of the month in which you want to start your fitness program. Payment can be made by cheque, money order or Visa. Visit their website at GoodLife Fitness Centers is the largest Fitness Provider in Canada. When you join one, you've joined them all (excluding Platinum Clubs)! If you are a current member of GoodLife Fitness, please let OASW know and we will provide you with a letter to transfer your membership over to receive a preferred rate.

8 Page 7 Car/Truck Rentals and CAA Budget Rent A Car Budget Rent a Car offers a corporate rate to OASW members for all travel in Canada and the US. Please present your OASW membership card and quote the Budget Corporate Discount Number at the Budget counter at the time of rental to receive corporate rates (there may be additional charges in some locations). The corporate rate may not be available in peak demand or special event periods. Remember to always ask for best available rate as special offers may be better than the corporate rate. For information, please visit Canadian Automobile Association Save up to 20% on your new CAA membership. As a CAA Member, you'll not only enjoy CAA's Emergency Road Service, you'll also reap the rewards of discount plans that can save you more than the cost of your membership. Visit for more information.

9 Page 8 Other Services Perkopolis (Entertainment) Perkopolis is available to help you with your entertainment needs: theatre, movies, concerts, attractions, sports, hotels, spas, golf. To find out more, please visit Legal Advice Line Do you have questions about a traffic offence or drafting a Will? Are you contemplating divorce or are you having trouble dealing with a difficult neighbour? * Law Assist can help! The Ontario Association of Social Workers is pleased to introduce Law Assist as the newest member benefit service, connecting you and your dependents to quality legal counsel and financial advice, with just a single phone call and at a fraction of what it would cost if you were to contact a lawyer on your own! Law Assist can also refer you to a qualified, experienced lawyer in your area for an in-person consultation, where you may receive up to 25% off the lawyers regular hourly rates. ** Special Law Assist pricing for OASW members: Coverage Duration: March 1, 2012 February 28, 2013 Legal Services - $ HST Financial Services - $ HST Bundled Legal and Financial Services - $ HST * Law Assist provides support for new legal matters (of a personal nature) only and is not applicable to active legal matters.** Some exceptions apply.

10 Page 9 Retirement Planning The Ontario Association of Social Workers is pleased to offer the services of David Michaels, who is an Investment Advisor with BMO-Nesbitt-Burns, to work with our members to assist them with their RRSPs, Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) and other items related to financial planning. OASW recognizes the importance of financial planning and RRSPs and TFSAs are the most tax-advantaged ways to financially plan for our future. By working with David, members have access to a Licensed Investment Advisor from BMO- Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's largest full-service investment firms. Personal retirement planning and investment-counselling services that most individuals need to start and maintain a regular savings program are provided, together with a prudently diversified investment strategy. Members will have access to: Financial Planning and Advice Retirement Planning Registered Education Savings Plans Charitable Giving And other financial management services.

11 Page 10 Professional Development TAPE Educational Services TAPE Educational Services offers hands-on social work continuing education for professionals working in the human services and health care sectors. TAPE's experiential training programs are specifically designed for adult learners and available to both individuals and organizations. For organizations, TAPE designs and delivers customized group training in-house, taking into account the expertise, experience and learning style of the group. TAPE is affiliated with the Continuing Education Division at the University of St. Michael s College in the University of Toronto. Certificate Programs include: Adult Mental Health, Addiction Studies, Children s Mental Health, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family Mediation, Management for Human Services Agencies, Solution-Focused Therapy and more. Please visit for more details. OASW members receive a 10% discount on registration fees. University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Continuing Education The U. of T. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Continuing Education program offers workshops or certificate programs featuring topics such as bereavement education, assessing parenting capacity, and more. Available as well is an online certificate program in cybercounselling. For more information, visit OASW members receive a 10% discount (some restrictions may apply). OASW Publications Download many OASW publications for free on our protected members-only site. Also, members can receive OASW publications at a discounted rate by clicking the Shop OASW button after logging into the members site.

12 Page 11 Professional Development American Society on Aging Web Seminars ASA seminars are available to OASW members at the ASA member rate. The American Society on Aging offers low-cost and no-cost online education on aging issues through its web seminars. ASA is pleased to announce that many of its popular web seminar series are now available "on demand" at no cost for a limited time. Following live presentation, recorded seminars are often available "on demand" for two weeks. OASW members can register at the lower ASA member rate. For more information, please visit OASW members will also receive an introductory 20% discount off the regular subscriptions rates of Generations (quarterly journal) and Aging Today (bimonthly newspaper), and a 15% discount on other education resources. Mention your OASW membership number to receive the discount. For more information, visit Canadian Scholars' Press/Women's Press OASW members receive a 10% discount on all the books offered by Canadian Scholars' Press/ Women's Press. For further information about CSPI books, visit the website at Mention your OASW membership number to receive the discount. OASW Newsmagazine Online This online journal of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, published twice yearly, contains articles on social work practice issues, profiles of social workers, OASW reports and papers, etc. A free online subscription is available exclusively to OASW members. New and archived issues are available conveniently online.

13 Page 12 Networking Groups OASW offers a number of virtual networking groups to enable members to share information and resources and to receive/provide peer support. Members of the virtual groups communicate by - is sent to one address and it gets distributed to the whole group. The moderators often pose questions or invite feedback on particular issues. OASW offers virtual networking groups on the following sectors: Social Workers in the Auto Insurance-Disability (MVA) Sector Social Workers in the Home Care Sector Social Workers in Private Practice (Group A) (with 5 years or less experience in private practice) Social Workers in Private Practice (Group B) (with more than 5 years of experience in private practice) Social Workers in Family Health Teams Francophone and Bilingual Social Workers School Social Workers

14 Page 13 Employment Resources Job Postings/Search OASW offers an online job search/job postings website at as an exclusive service to OASW members. OASW has partnered with Workopolis to provide a Niche Network comprehensive job-networking tool. This user-friendly website enables OASW members to post CVs, search for jobs, make job applications online and access career resources at Mentoring Program (currently under review) "Mentoring" can be described as the partnering of experienced individuals who have an understanding of the job market (mentors) with highly motivated people who are new to the profession or Ontario (mentees). OASW offers a virtual program for mentoring, to members only. Mentors assist mentees by: demystifying professional job search, i.e., providing information, support, advice and guidance about the profession, a particular field of practice or specific jobs assisting with the development of strategies for job search suggesting ways to expand the mentee's network of contacts within the social work community. Job Search Materials OASW members can download a free job search package (contains information on résumés, covering letters and interview skills). Print copies can be purchased via Shop OASW, in addition to other employment publications. OASW Social Work Salary Survey Report Log in to OASW s member site with your last name and password to download this free publication. Print copies can also be obtained through Shop OASW at a discounted rate.

15 While every attempt has been made to present up-to-date, accurate information on these benefits, changes in rates and/or the availability of these benefits may alter over time is beyond OASW's control. Where indicated, additional information about the benefit is provided in a brochure, which can be accessed from the Provincial Office.

16 ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS The Voice of Social Work in Ontario 410 Jarvis Street Toronto ON M4Y 2G tel.: fax: