Articles for Chapter Newsletters

Summer brings us some great things - barbecues, popsicles and summer fruit cobblers. And now, you can add the new Summer Benefit¹ from CTA to the list! This exclusive benefit gives you extra protection during the months of June and July for Disabilities that occur on or after September 1, 2022 - even if you’re not scheduled to work! With no benefit waiting period, eligible members will receive an extra $500 a week during the months of June and July (up to a maximum of $4,500 per Benefit Year) on top of any other Voluntary Disability benefits if you become or continue to be Disabled.

Summer Benefit Highlights

Included at no additional cost for members enrolled in CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability insurance.
You must meet the definition of Disability any time between June 1 and July 31 of any benefit year for Disabilities occurring on or after September 1, 2022.
That’s it! It’s summer and things should be easy!

Summer Benefit is exclusively offered to CTA members enrolled in CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability insurance. To apply for coverage, visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/TheStandard.

1 Summer Benefit is offered by CTA to eligible members who meet the Definition of Disability with a Disability date on or after 9/1/2022 who meet additional specific criteria. Summer Benefit is only payable during the calendar months of June and July, for up to two Benefit Years for each instance of qualifying Disability. Summer Benefit is not provided under the Voluntary Disability insurance policy. CTA provides this benefit at no extra cost and The Standard acts only as the claims administrator of this benefit.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1

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Reduce Your Anxiety with Calm Resources

Some occasional stress is a normal part of life, but when we experience high, prolonged stress, our nervous system gets stuck in “overdrive.” Our bodies and minds need time to recover after stressful experiences. We encourage you to try one of these mindfulness tools from Calm, our partner in mental well-being, to help ease feelings of stress and anxiety:

Here are some recommendations from Calm, our mental health partner, that you can do in anytime, anywhere:

Anxiety Release

Whether you have 10, 20, or 30 minutes, try this guided meditation practice to release the mental and emotional energy of anxiety.

Softening Anxiety

Lessen your anxiety and feel more centered by doing a few stretches in a seated position, all in 7 minutes.

Calm Your Heart With Deeper Breaths

Use this 3-minute guided exercise to quickly calm down when experiencing panic or anxiety.

Important Note: If you’re experiencing chronic anxiety, please reach out to your Benefits Contact/EAP liaison or your doctor for the appropriate medical resources and support.

Sign up for your free CTA Calm subscription! The Calm mobile app is available to all CTA members (active and retired) at no cost. Log into ctamemberbenefits.org/calm to register for your free subscription.

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Calm Sleep Stories

Sleep quality affects many areas of mental wellness. Calm sleep stories can help you fall asleep, get a restful night of sleep, and stay asleep. 56% of Calm users use these unique Sleep Stories to drift off.

Have you signed up for your free CTA Calm subscription? The Calm mobile app is available to all CTA members (active and retired) at no cost. Log into ctamemberbenefits.org/calm to register for your free subscription.

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Special Enrollment Opportunity for New Hires and District Transfers for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life Insurance

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

CTA members new to their districts this school year need to act soon! They have 270 days from starting their new job to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000¹ in Life insurance from Standard Insurance Company without having to answer any health questions. The Standard is the only CTA-endorsed provider for Disability and Life insurance.

Disability insurance can help protect CTA members’ paychecks if they’re unable to work due to an injury, illness, pregnancy or childbirth. They’ll receive funds paid directly to them to use for things health insurance doesn’t cover. Benefits can be used for rent, mortgage, groceries, student loans and more. Where health insurance pays your doctor, Disability insurance pays you.
Life insurance helps protect CTA members’ loved ones in the event of their passing. They’ll also get access to additional features they can use now.

District Transfer? CTA members who previously had coverage with The Standard must re-apply to continue coverage at their new district as coverage doesn't automatically transfer.

Watch a short video on this opportunity: stdrd.co/newhirevideo
Learn more or apply at standard.com/cta/newhire.

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1 GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3

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Add Calm App Sign Up Instructions to Your Local’s Website

You can copy and paste the image and instructions below:

How to Activate Calm Subscription for CTA Members

To activate your Calm subscription, please make sure you are logged in to www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/calm

Once you are logged in, under How to Enroll, scan the QR code or use the unique CTA link to activate your account.

Once on the CTA Calm page:

Sign into your existing Calm account or create an account
Enter your 10-digit CTA member ID in the box provided to activate the subscription on your Calm account. If you don't know your CTA member ID, please call the CTA Member Benefits Department at (650) 552-5200
Download the Calm app and log in to your account to access the Premium account
The Premium account will allow you to add up to 5 dependents

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CTA Members Get More with CTA-endorsed Life Insurance from The Standard

CTA members enrolled in CTA-endorsed Life insurance have access to features and services they can use today and beneficiaries can use in the future.

Life Services ToolKit¹ collection of online tools and services that can help you create a will and put your finances in order. Beneficiary services are good for 12 months after a loss and includes grief support, legal services, financial counseling and more.

Travel Assistance¹ provides access to travel and medical emergency assistance services including prescription refill assistance, medical referrals, credit card and passport replacement, emergency cash coordination and more.

Both services are included with CTA-endorsed Life insurance at no extra cost!

How to Learn More

Watch a short video about CTA-endorsed Life insurance: stdrd.co/lifevideo.
Learn more or apply for CTA-endorsed Life insurance at CTAMemberBenefits.org/Life.

1 Travel Assistance and Life Services Toolkit are provided through an arrangement with service partners that are not affiliated with The Standard. These services are not insurance products.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204. GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3

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The Standard Special New Hire Town Hall - February 7th at 4 p.m.

Members new to your district have a limited-time opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000 of Life insurance¹ without answering health questions. You and your new hires/district transfers are invited to learn more at our Town Hall on February 7th at 4 p.m.

We’ll cover:

New Hire and District Transfer special enrollment opportunity
CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance plans
Extra benefits for CTA members
How to enroll
Q&A

Registration is required: stdrd.co/townhallfeb7

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1 GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3

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Provident Credit Union Again Partners with NBC Sports Bay Area to Sponsor the 2023 All-Star Teacher Award

Our endorsed credit union partner, Provident Credit Union, would like to express their appreciation to CTA members. Since 2010, Provident has partnered with NBC Sports Bay Area to sponsor the All-Star Teacher Award. Originally established in 2007 Provident Credit Union and NBC Sports Bay Area have awarded $260,000 to California schools.

The All-Star Teacher Award recognizes Northern and Central California teachers at the middle or high school levels. In addition to having $30,000 donated to his or her school, the winning teacher will be announced at a San Francisco Giants game during an NBC Sports broadcast.

Nominations for teachers who make a difference in their schools and communities are due by February 6, 2023. Nomination forms are available at NBCSportsBayArea.com/AST and at all Provident Community branches.

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CTA Access to Savings December Giveaway – Cinemark Gift Cards

This holiday season, we’re giving CTA members a chance to win one of five $100 Cinemark gift cards! There’s no better time of year to enjoy your favorite blockbusters on the big screen with friends and family. All you have to do is visit https://cta.enjoymydeals.com/ now through December 21st and sign in. That’s it! You’ll be automatically entered to win. If you haven’t signed up for your CTA Access to Savings yet, make sure you do so you can enter to win!

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Family Status Change Enrollment Opportunity

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

CTA members who experienced any of the events listed below within the last 60 days qualify for the family status change enrollment opportunity. That means they’re eligible to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and, effective July 1, 2022, up to $400,000 of CTA-endorsed Life insurance¹ from The Standard without answering health questions.²

Marriage, divorce or legal separation
Initiation or dissolution of a domestic partner relationship
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of a spouse/domestic partner or child
Commencement or termination of a spouse/domestic partner’s employment
Change in employment from full-time to part-time by member or member’s spouse/domestic partner

Members have 60 days from the event to apply or make a change. They can apply online at standard.com/cta/fsc.

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

2 If any previous application submitted with proof of good health was denied by The Standard, then proof of good health will be required.

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CTA Access to Savings November Giveaway – Win $500 for Holiday Travel

CTA members! Don’t miss your chance to win $500 for holiday travel! ENTER TO WIN now through December 7th by visiting CTA.enjoymydeals.com. You must be signed in. YES, you read right! You’re automatically entered to win just by visiting your CTA Access to Savings discount program site. GOOD LUCK!

Terms & Conditions: To be eligible to win, you must be signed up for CTA Access to Savings. Enter to win by visiting your CTA Access to Savings discount program website November 9 - December 7 (starts and ends at midnight MST) and simply sign in. Maximum of one entry per day. The more days you visit your CTA Access to Savings website, the more chances you have to win. Winner will be notified via email and phone by Friday, December 9, 2022. The winner must respond back to claim their winnings no later than Wednesday, December 14. Once the winner has claimed, a $500 Visa eGift Card will be emailed to them directly. Giveaway is fulfilled and sponsored by Access V.G. LLC. Giveaway eligibility includes all registered CTA Access to Savings members. No purchase necessary to win. Void where prohibited.

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Limited Time Opportunity for CTA Members to Switch Coverage with No Health Questions

From October 1 through November 30, 2022, CTA members covered by a different insurance company have a special opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance from Standard Insurance Company without answering health questions. Before applying, members should compare their current plan with the CTA-endorsed plans to understand how any differences may impact their personal situation.

Learn more about the benefits of choosing The Standard in this recorded webinar. View webinar.

Compare plans or learn how to switch coverage at standard.com/cta/portover.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods and any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.
GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1 GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3

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CTA Member Benefits New Educator Weekend (South) Pre-Conference

Join Member Benefits on Friday December 16, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County for the New Educator Weekend (South) Pre-Conference! For information about the CTA Member Benefits Pre-Conference, download the flyer or visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/NEWSOUTH22.

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Special enrollment opportunity for new hires and district transfers for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance

Newly hired educators and education support professionals have a limited-time, special opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000¹ in Life insurance from Standard Insurance Company without having to answer any health questions. The Standard is the only CTA-endorsed provider for Disability and Life insurance.

Disability insurance can help protect CTA members’ paychecks if they’re unable to work due to an injury, illness (including mental health conditions or substance abuse), pregnancy or childbirth. They’ll receive funds paid directly to them to use for things health insurance doesn’t cover. Benefits can be used for rent, mortgage, groceries, student loans and more. Where health insurance pays your doctor, Disability insurance pays you.
Life insurance helps protect CTA members’ loved ones in the event of their passing. They’ll also get access to additional features you can use now.

District Transfer? CTA members who previously had coverage with The Standard must re-apply to continue coverage at their new district, as coverage doesn't automatically transfer.

Members must apply within 270 days from starting their new job.

Learn more or apply at standard.com/cta/newhire.

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1

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CTA Death and Dismemberment (D&D) Beneficiary

The CTA Death and Dismemberment (D&D) Plan is an automatic benefit available to eligible CTA members at no additional cost. If an eligible CTA member dies or suffers a dismemberment (i.e., suffers a loss of limb or other qualifying injury), her/his beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump-sum cash payment.

Although no enrollment is required for eligible members to receive coverage under the CTA D&D Plan, eligible CTA members should designate (a) beneficiary(ies). You can learn more about the CTA Death and Dismemberment (D&D) Plan and assign your beneficiary(ies) at www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/dd

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Special enrollment opportunity for new hires and district transfers for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance

Disability insurance can help protect CTA members’ paychecks if they’re unable to work due to an injury, illness (including mental health conditions or substance abuse), pregnancy or childbirth. They’ll receive funds paid directly to them to use for things health insurance doesn’t cover. Benefits can be used for rent, mortgage, groceries, student loans and more. Where health insurance pays your doctor, Disability insurance pays you.
Life insurance helps protect CTA members’ loved ones in the event of their passing. They’ll also get access to additional features you can use now.

District Transfer? CTA members who previously had coverage with The Standard must re-apply to continue coverage at their new district, as coverage doesn't automatically transfer.

Members must apply within 270 days from starting their new job.

Learn more or apply at standard.com/cta/newhire.

1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1

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Back-to-School Carpooling Safety Tips by California Casualty

Considering that other parents are making the same hectic trek, there’s an opportunity to lighten the load. Carpooling. Not only can carpooling free up your schedule, but it can also help you save on gas. (Definitely a bonus!) Follow these tips to set up your carpool experience for success. To learn more, click here https://bit.ly/3Pr9sJM

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Limited Time Disneyland^® Resort Offer!

Don’t miss this Golden State opportunity! For a limited time, residents from all over California can visit the Disneyland^® Resort theme parks for as little as $78 per day with the purchase of a 3-day, 1-park per day ticket. Restrictions Apply.

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Last Call! Member Benefits Strand at CTA Summer Institute - Register Soon to Join Us!

Register soon to join us this weekend at the CTA Summer Institute Member Benefits Strand on July 24-28, 2022 at UCLA. Our theme is Strengthen your Association with CTA/NEA Member Benefits Engagement. This fun-filled, 5-day journey is designed to help current and future leaders get more familiar with CTA/NEA Member Benefits programs and the important role you fulfill by promoting strong member recruitment and engagement plans. Click here to register.

Special speakers and sessions include:

E. Toby Boyd, CTA President
David Goldberg, CTA Vice President
Generation Debt: Student Loan Forgiveness with Sean Mabey, NEA Member Benefits
Educator’s Guide To A Successful Retirement with the CTA Retirement Savings Plan Team
Building Short Communications Campaigns and How Our Stories Unite Us
Member Panels: Success Stories of Engaged Memberships & Recruiting and Engaging New and Early Career Educators
And more!

MEMBER BENEFITS AWARDS for REGISTRATION, LODGING & TRAVEL ARE AVAILABLE for Leaders! For information, visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/SI2022 or call (650) 552-5200.

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Articles for Chapter Newsletters