Information and Season’s Greetings for December, 2021
Just can’t believe it is December already!! However you celebrate this time of the year, this message comes to you all with the best of wishes for the season and the hope that you are blessed with peace and good health.
As is always mentioned from month to month, PARTA will continue as it has – no meetings or activities in the foreseeable future. All of ARTA meetings are “virtual/ zoom” events so that is the lead we are taking at this time.
We are, of course, anxious for the time we can meet safely in person again and trust that those of you who can will meet with your dear friends and family as you can.
President’s Message
I have gone through the PARTA Bylaws and Policies and Procedures and updated them to reflect the directives found in the ARTA documents concerning Virtual Meetings and Pandemic Protocols. These were approved by CEO Daniel and ARTA staff and will be found on the ARTA Website under PARTA.
If you have any concerns, questions or information, I hope you will contact Secretary Judy Cruise or myself at the numbers above so that we can help you get things straightened out in a timely manner or pass along information relevant to our membership.
The staff at the ARTA Office are amazing and can direct you to the proper source for answers as well.
ARTA: 780-822-2400
New ARTA Office: 15505 137 Ave. T5V 1R9
Another great source of information is the ARTA website.
What is the Inkblot Member Assistance Program (MAP)
Inkblot is a digital-first and progressive mental health provider.
Members and their eligible dependents can access timely and effective support in all areas of their life. Inkblot provides:
- 5 free hours of individual and couple counselling
- 5 hours of health coaching, life transition coaching, career coaching.
- Access to financial and legal consultations are available on an as-needed basis.
ARTA covers up to 5 hours of counseling per member/dependent. It also covers 5 hours of career, life and health coaching, and access to financial and legal support (on an as needed basis).
How do I get started?
Refer to an email sent by Inkblot to your email address or go to arta-map.net.
Click on the green Get Started button and enter in your ARTA Member ID. You will be asked to enter your email address and create a password.
I am having trouble logging into Inkblot. What do I do?
To get assistance with logging into your Inkblot account you can email support@inkblottherapy.com or call 1-855-933-0103 and someone will be happy to assist you in setting up your account,
What if I don’t like my Inkblot counsellor?
The first session with any new individual counsellor is 30 minutes and it’s free! This is to ensure that they are the right fit for you. If they are not the right fit, you would unmatch with that counsellor, match with a new counsellor and again, the first 30-minute session is free.
What is the Inkblot billing process? / Can I use my insurance?
Your first 5 hours of counselling is covered by ARTA. On your 6th hour of counselling, you will be prompted to enter your credit card information and will be billed at the rate of $75/hour for individual counselling, and $120/hour for couples counselling. After completing the session, you will be emailed a receipt (or you can download it from your Inkblot online account) which you can use to submit a claim for reimbursement through Green Shield Canada.
Can my spouse/dependents use Inkblot?
Yes, your spouse and/or dependents can use Inkblot! They sign up independently of you by going to ARTA-MAP.net and clicking on ‘Get Started’.
Will my ARTA know that I am scheduling sessions with Inkblot?
No, ARTA will not know if you have signed up for Inkblot or if you have scheduled or completed a session. Your use of Inkblot is voluntary and confidential.
How long is a typical Inkblot counselling session?
Counselling sessions are typically an hour in length. However, individual sessions can be booked for either 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Couple/family sessions can be booked for either 60 or 90 minutes. It is up to you the length of your appointment.
What are the Inkblot counsellors’ credentials?
Inkblot counsellors have a minimum of a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of previous experience. Additionally, they are accredited and are in good standing with their regulatory body.
What are the additional services available to me?
You have access to the Inkblot Advisory Services which include financial advice, legal support and health and career coaching and life transition support. You have 5 hours of career, life and health coaching which don’t count towards your mental health counselling.
- For legal advice: you have access to a 30-60 minute consultation to ask any questions you might have. If you wish to continue seeing the lawyer, you receive up to a 25% discount off their hourly rate.
- For financial advice: you have access to working with a financial advisor. Appointments are usually between 30-60 minutes.
What if I am in crisis?
You have access to a 24/7/365 crisis hotline which puts you through immediately to a masters-level clinician.
The phone number to access the crisis hotline is 1-855-933-0103.
This can also be found on ARTA-MAP.net.
ARTA Branch Subsidy Grant Initiative
During the 2021-2022 ARTA business planning process, the ARTA Executive Committee created a new initiative called the “ARTA Branch Subsidy Grant”. The intent of this grant was to have ARTA assist branches to support their long-term sustainability through a financial grant that would ensure the branch could continue to offer an array of programs to its members.
Branches will receive a subsidy for each paid-up ARTA member declaring this as their home branch.
Secretary-Treasurer, Judy Cruise, prepared our membership list as of September 2021, which included the names of all members declaring PARTA as their home branch, confirmation of the last time membership dues were collected and the plan for collecting membership dues in the future
PARTA received a cheque in the amount of $1600 this last week and it has been deposited.
As of now, the executive has not met but the members will certainly be made aware of the process and outcome once the options are discussed. This is a lovely “gift” and PARTA members are worthy of this kind initiative of the ARTA Executive Committee.
“Gifts come and go. What really matters are the people who light up our lives all year long. Thank you!”
Here’s to the idea that Christmas is a spirit in your heart that could last the whole year long.
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