WELL-BEING & MENTAL HEALTH HIGH IMPACT PROGRAMS

EMERGENCY HARDSHIP FUND (EHF)

The EHF was established in 2021 for employees who have an unforeseen financial emergency who meet income and employment eligibility guidelines. In 2022, 34% of UI faculty and staff reported having trouble concentrating or doing their best work because of financial stress, a 5% increase from 2021.

58 grants awarded totaling $50,000 in FY23

96% of award recipients agree to strongly agree the application for the EHF was easy to complete

96% of award recipients agree to strongly agree their personal well-being has or will improve as a result of receiving funds

Academic Caretaking Fund

“It had been a difficult year financially when my furnace broke down during the coldest part of winter. I can’t tell you how fast and respectful the Hardship Fund staff were. Thank you very much, this is an amazing service.”

Family Services launched the J.J. NeimanBrown Memorial Fund in early 2022 to support child or other caretaking costs for faculty and postdoctoral researchers as they engage in professional and academic development opportunities. This fund was established by UI faculty member Maurine Neiman and her husband Bennett Brown in memory of their three-year-old son J.J., who unexpectedly died in his sleep in 2020. Since his loss Maurine and Bennett have focused on making meaning out of tragedy, working to ensure J.J.’s name lives on as a source of joy and positive change.

A total of $3,305 was allocated among seven recipients to support:

• Travel to attend conferences

• Expenses related to presenting research at symposium

• Child care expenses to allow for attending academic meeting

“This has allowed me to make choices that I'm not sure I would have made if there was no chance for some financial assistance. It also makes me feel that I might be able to take advantage of some opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have considered (i.e. taking my daughter with me to a conference, or hiring care for her while I'm gone).”

Recipient of Academic Caretaking Fund, 2023