• Employee Hotline for Mass General Brigham Healthcare Employees and other members:
  617-724-8100 –
  Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
  Sat-Sun 8am-12:00pm.
• Reporting your symptoms or illnesses and receiving guidance on when to return to work if you have questions after you have completed the employee illness report using this online tool.
• Health concerns related to potential COVID-19 exposures
• Specific testing for COVID-19

• New (01/22) MGB COVID Return to Work Policies
  – Shortened Isolation and Quarantine Requirements
• COVID-19 Updates for Mass General Brigham Healthcare Employees

To ensure you and your colleagues are able to enter the building quickly and safely, especially during peak times, please:

• Have your Day Pass ready to show either on your phone or in print at the attestation area by visiting at www.Mass General Brigham.org/covidpass before you arrive.
• To the best of your ability, maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and other staff members when attesting, especially manually.
• When you have completed attestation, immediately put your mask on before proceeding to your work area. Staff are expected to wear masks at all times while on premises.

Booster Shot Information for Employees

New MGB Booster Shot Requirements
– All current employees must receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot by March 1, 2022 if they completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) before August 1, 2021.

– Those who completed their primary vaccine series after August 1, 2021 must receive a booster shot by June 30, 2022.

Mass General Brigham is also offering booster shots to employees who are eligible per the CDC’s recommendation. Eligible employees may schedule their booster shot appointment at a Mass General Brigham location via COVID Pass.

•  You may still get a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster shot, is in your local community. There are many sites, including CVS and Walgreens, offering free vaccine booster shots. You can search vaccines.gov, visit Mass.gov or Vaccines.nh.gov to find a location near you. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location.

Document your Vaccine & Booster Status

• If you receive your COVID-19 booster shot at a Mass General Brigham location, your vaccination will automatically be shared with Occupational Health System Services if you previously provided consent to share your COVID-19 vaccination information with HR and Occupational Health during our recent COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
• If you receive a booster at a Mass General Brigham location and have not previously provided consent to share your vaccination information, you can do so now through PeopleSoft. You may also email your COVID-19 booster documentation directly to Occupational Health at PHSOHSCOVID19@partners.org. By providing consent, your vaccine information is accessed from Epic using an automated data extract that only pulls the COVID-19 vaccine and booster information, including vaccine manufacturer and date(s) of administration. No other medical information is accessed.
• If you receive your COVID-19 booster shot at a non-Mass General Brigham location (CVS, Walgreens, etc.), you should submit booster documentation directly to Occupational Health System Services at PHSOHSCOVID19@partners.org for entry into your Occupational Health record. Booster documentation must include name and date of birth.

Human Resources is working on showing booster compliance in PeopleSoft. An update will be provided when this feature becomes available.

Additional information about obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine can be found on The Pulse.

Information on Vaccines – Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Mass.Gov – Commonwealth of Massachusetts Vaccine Information

Vaccines & Kids
Cleveland Clinic – Talking to Kids about the Vaccine

Vaccine Equity
We Got Us Project – Empowerment through Education

Empowering communities with accurate science information and public health resources such as the COVID vaccine. Connects Black community members and organizations with trusted Black healthcare professionals and students.

• Where We Work

Massachusetts has a COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave program, which went into effect on May 28 2021 and provides all employees with a job-protected, paid leave of absence of up to 40 hours for certain reasons related to COVID-19. Examples of time covered under this program include time off for isolation/quarantine and recovery from COVID, to care for a family member with COVID and for getting COVID vaccinations and any necessary recovery time after vaccination. View the legal notice, which includes a complete list of eligible leave criteria.

Effective June 14 2022, this new leave program replaces the current Mass General Brigham COVID Pay programs for employee illness, testing and recovery. This program covers all employees at all affiliates, including those who work in states other than Massachusetts. Employees currently receiving pay under any Mass General Brigham COVID Pay program will be unaffected.

Review additional information via MGB COVID Pay FAQs, on Ask My HR and Mass.Gov. If you have questions regarding the new law or resulting policy changes, please contact the HR Support Center by opening an online request or calling 1-833-275-6947 during normal business hours.

Special Needs & Educational Supports

• American Psychological Association – Advice for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities during COVID-19
• Autism Speaks – Helping Families, Educators and those with Autism Cope with COVID-19
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children – Support for Families with Special Education Needs and Disabilities during COVID-19
• Federation for Children with Special Needs – COVID-19 Resources
• National Center for Learning Disabilities – COVID-19 Resources & Tools
• MGB EAP – Full Resources for Learning & Special Needs

Tutoring

• Tutoring Resources

School-related Financial Supports

• NHPB – Free School Supplies in Suffolk and Middlesex County Massachusetts 
• Care.com – 8 ways to get Free School Supplies this Year
• Meals4kids – Child Nutrition Outreach Program

Internet Safety

• Healthy Internet use & on-line Security for Parents and Children

• MGH Psychiatry Academy – The Family Dinner Project
• Sesame Street – Caring for Each Other Initiative
• Child Mind Institute – How to Avoid Passing on your Anxiety to your Children
• Salem Hospital – Family Resource Center – Includes Lectures & Workshops which are Free for Employees and Families
• Mass General Brigham EAP – Full Mental Health Resources 

General Childcare Resources 

Visit MGB Childcare Resources via AskMyHR – for full resources and information on:

• Mass General Brigham Childcare Centers for (on-site regular and back-up care)
• Bright Horizons (on-site and in-home care)
• Other vendors (SitterCity and College Nannies in-home care) Mass General Brigham Childcare Centers for (on-site regular and back-up care)
• Bright Horizons (on-site and in-home care)
• Other vendors – SitterCity and College Nannies (in-home care)

Finding Childcare and Subsidy Opportunities in the Community

• The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (ECC) provides childcare resources and information on subsidies and licensing.
• Mass 211 – Childcare Information Line for resources and referrals.
  Dial 211 or click below:
  Mass 211
• ABCD – Childcare Choices of Boston – serves income eligible families who live in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop or Everett) in need of high quality, affordable childcare.
  617-542-4437
  ABCD Childcare Choices of Boston
• MA Childcare Resource & Referral – Subsidies and Vouchers
• Care.com – Childcare Subsidies Every Family Should Know About
• Neighborschools – Matches Parents with Licensed Providers for Pre-schools and Day-care (MA, NH, RI)
  
• NH Public Health – New Hampshire Child Care Search

Full Mass General Brigham EAP Childcare Resources

• EAP Childcare & Youth Activities

Employees, staff and immediate family household members have access to financial education and free 30-minute sessions with financial experts. If you have concerns or questions about topics such as budgeting, debt, college financing, retirement or estate planning, for access call the EAP at 866-724-4327 or the weblink via AskmyHR.

•  211 is the United Way Helpline
   United Way’s Mass 2-1-1 statewide consumer hotline. Individuals can dial 2-1-1 for comprehensive information and referrals.
• Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
• Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)

•   COVID Housing Financial Assistance

• Boston.Gov – Food Resources
• Mass.Gov – Pandemic EBT – Food Support of Children
• BWH Faulkner – Boston Area Food Resources
• MA SNAP Food Assistance Program
• Project Bread – Food Access Support 
  Hotline: 800-645-8333
• The Greater Boston Food Bank
  617-427-5200
• Meals4kids – Child Nutrition Outreach Program

General Information

• CNBC – Federal Student Loans Extended through August 31, 2022
• Federal Student Aid – Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents
• Federal Student Aid – List of Federal Loan Servicers
• Mass.Gov – Resources for Student Borrowers – COVID-19
• Nerd Wallet – Student Loans Are on Hold — Should You Pay Anyway?
• US Department of Education –  Relief for Student Loan Borrowers with Total and Permanent Disabilities During the COVID-19 Emergency
• TISLA – Free Student Loan Advice

Information on Student Loans & Healthcare Workers 

• Nurse Journal – Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses
• AMA – Resident & Student Finance – Medical Student Loan Debt in 2021
• AAFP – Loan Forgiveness for Medical School Debt

Resources from Mass General Brigham EAP

• EAP News Feature -Navigating Student Loans during and after the Pandemic Pause
• Mass General Brigham EAP –  Full Resources for College Financing & Loan Repayment

• FEMA – Help with Funeral Costs

• FCC – Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
• AARP – Explanations of Discounts for High-speed Internet
• Mass.Gov – Subsidized Information on Telephone and Internet Services

• Harvard University Employees Credit Union
• RTN Federal Credit Union
• Metro Credit Union 

All health insurance carriers are required to provide medically necessary testing, treatment, and telehealth services for COVID-19. This must be provided without a copay, use of coinsurance or deductible

• MassHealth
  
• Allways Health for Mass General Brigham Employees & via Allways App
• BCBS of MA

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Protecting your Finances during COVID-19
• MGB EAP – Consumer Protection & Fraud Resources

• Pet Owner Financial Resources

• EAP Financial Well-being Resources

• CHAPA – COVID-19 Housing Assistance
• Boston.Gov – Office of Housing Stability 
  – Virtual Clinic for small landlords and tenants: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Complete the online form to register.
  – Virtual walk-in hours to answer your housing questions: Wednesdays from  12 – 2 p.m. Complete the online form to register
• Consumer Finance Protection Bureau – Help for renters
• Animal Rescue League – Temporary Pet Housing when Owners Facing Eviction due to COVID-19 
• Mass General Brigham EAP – General Housing Crisis Resources

• Mass Legal Help – Information on the Moratorium 
• Greater Boston Legal Services – Coronavirus Housing Law Information
  617-603-1807
• Covid Eviction Legal Help Project
• Consumer Finance.Gov – Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief
• Consumer Finance.Gov – Guía de opciones para el alivio de hipotecas por el coronavirus

• MA.GOV – COVID Housing Help
• Mass.Gov – Details on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
  – This program pertains only to the Pandemic-related financial issues.
•  Metro Housing Boston-Information and Applications for Financial Housing Assistance (RAFT, ERMA & ERAP)
  – These programs offer assistance, even if there are financial issues unrelated to COVID.
• Access the Agency Handling ERMA and RAFT by Town
• City of Boston Rental Relief Fund -Eligibility
  – Open to Boston residents. Households may only apply for COVID-related rent relief from either the City of Boston or the Commonwealth of MA.
• ABCD Rental Assistance – Boston, Malden, Medford
• Mass.Gov – Preventing Foreclosure
• Mass.Gov – COVID – Homeowner Assistance Fund
• FHFA – Extends Forbearance Supports for Home Owners
• Consumer Finance Protection Bureau – Help for homeowners
• Nerd Wallet – COVID-19 Mortgage Relief for Homeowners Facing a Payment Crisis

• Commonwealth of MA – Keeping your Utilities Connected
• ABCD Fuel Assistance
• National Grid
  1-800-322-3223
• Eversource
  800-592-2000
• Columbia Gas 
  1-800-688-6160
• Department of Public Utilities (DPU) – State agency responsible for regulating utility companies.  DPU investigates and helps Consumers resolve Complaints. On-Line DPU Complaint Form
  1-877-886-5066

• New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance – COVID
• NH Legal Aid
• NH DHHS – Community Support and Housing Resource Guide
• New Hampshire Transitional Housing Programs and Shelters
• New Hampshire Rental Assistance Programs

• EAP Housing Resources

• MGB EAP – Mental Health Resources
• The SilverCloud iCBT Program for MGB Employees SilverCloud is a free online, self-directed course in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other well-being activities, for individuals with low to moderate levels of depression or anxiety. SilverCloud can help clients to manage their symptoms using these modules: Space from Depression; Space from Anxiety; Space from Stress; Space from Insomnia; Resilience; and COVID-19. An MGB PCP is not needed for employees, household members and IHP students to access SilverCloud.  Employees, IHP students and household members can access this program via a mobile device or desktop computer. You can be referred by your PCP or the EAP or you can self-refer.
• Ask Co-workers R U OK?

• Mindfulness Resources

Free Programs and Apps

• Address your Stress with Recorded EAP Webinar Sessions
• Meditation Mondays (Zoom) with Dr. Darshan Mehta: Every Monday, 8-8:30 AM Co-sponsored by the MGH Center for Faculty Development’s Office for Well-Being and the MGPO Frigoletto Committee. Register and add to calendar
• Headspace – Be Kind to your Mind, less Stressed, Happier (Link is not supported in Internet Explorer: suggested browsers include Chrome, Firefox and Safari).
• Foundations (formerly Evermind) – Build your resilience with Evidence-based Activities and Programs
• MGH MoodNetwork ​- Self-Guided online Skills Program for Coping with COVID-19 Stress
• MGH Psychiatry – Resilience Program for Medical Personnel (RAMP)    

 All Apps

• Full list of Mindfulness Apps

• Mass General Brigham EAP Resources for Healthy Living

• Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline – COVID-19 Resources
• SAMHSA – Virtual Recovery Resources
• Full Mass General Brigham Help for Substance Misuse and Addiction Resources

• MEDA – Online – Eating Disorder Recovery Support Groups
• Full Mass General Brigham EAP Eating Disorders Resources

• Have a set work schedule and daily routine (as you do when you work on site). Maintain regular log-on and log-off times
• Have a designated and separate workspace (as feasible). Have meals away from your “desk” and don’t work in the kitchen if possible
• Have a signal (sign etc.) to indicate to others when there are blocks of time in which you can’t be disturbed
• Take planned breaks and a designated lunch
• Remove news and social media alerts from your devices while working
• Put your mobile phone on airplane mode or off while working
• Do not take work breaks on a screen
• Find ways (calendar, tasks, paper or eraser board) to organize your workday and set your priorities
• Make sure confidential work conversations, clinical interactions and content are kept private
• Don’t leave devices or paperwork accessible (just as you would not at work)
• Lock your computer when away from your desk
• Use only password protected Wi-Fi networks

Staying Healthy while at your Desk

• MGB Ergonomics – Tips to Properly Set up your Work Area
• Healthline – Daily Stretches to do at Work
• Take screen breaks to avoid eye strain, mental or physical fatigue and headaches
• Take time outside
  

• Do not take work breaks on a screen
• FTC – Online Security at Home
• FTC – Computer and On-line Security Tips
• Full EAP Resources for Healthy Digital Balance and Online Safety