Support for ADG Local 800 Members

We realize many members are impacted in challenging ways by recent developments, including the COVID pandemic, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, recent IATSE negotiations, and the related slowdown in work.

Finding help when you or somebody you care about is going through a difficult time can be overwhelming. Please find a list of resources below for ADG Local 800 members who need help navigating in ways both financially and emotionally.

This lists we have compiled are of a broad range of accessible mental health services and tools including suicide prevention, alcohol and drug misuse and addiction, industry organizations, and employee assistance plans. This list is in no way comprehensive, but if Local 800 workers cannot find the help they need from this list, one of the organizations here can guide them to appropriate help in their communities.

Many ADG Local 800 members have been impacted in challenging ways by the continued slowdown in work. To assist our members in finding help, we developed this page to list resources to help you navigate both financially and emotionally.

This lists we have compiled are a combined IATSE and Local 800 list of accessible industry organizations, services and tools that address healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and drug misuse and addiction, and employee assistance. It is in no way comprehensive, but if Local 800 members cannot find the help they need from this list, one of the organizations here can likely guide them to appropriate help.

Addressing Healthcare Challenges

Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions (EHIS) is a joint program of the Entertainment Community Fund and MPTF, and offers Western Region residents in our entertainment and performing arts community personalized counseling and enrollment support to ensure you understand and purchase the best plan to fit your individual and family needs. EHIS programs are always adapting to the shifting landscape of health care options, and are singularly focused on keeping members of the entertainment community healthy and capable of pursuing their chosen careers.

Services include:

Competitive health insurance options and enrollment assistance in medical, dental, vision and travel health plans
Group, individual, family and senior options
Alternatives to COBRA
Enrollment in Medi-Cal, Covered California plans, Child Health Insurance Program, Medicare and Medicare products
Educational seminars on insurance options, including Affordable Care Act plans, Medi-Cal and Medicare
Community outreach through participation in health fairs, conferences and other local event
Information and practical tips from our monthly Health Insurance HQ and our online educational resources and materials
Covered California Certified Insurance Agents; CA Insurance License (0M72678)

To discuss your situation, register or log in to the Entertainment Community Fund Client Portal and complete a short online form. A Health Benefits Specialist will contact you by phone and/or email to offer comprehensive health insurance counseling.

In addition, EHIS offers free educational "Every Artist Ensured" workshops with comprehensive information on the latest insurance options on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month at 12pm PT. To enroll in a workshop, visit the Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions website.

Visit the Entertainment Health Solutions Website

Video Presentation from Annette Green, Executive Director of EHIS

Financial Assistance Resources

The Entertainment Community Fund

The Entertainment Community Fund (ECF) is a Human Services organization that strives to meet the broad range of needs of the entertainment community in the United States. It helps with emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, career development and management, senior care, disaster resources, and many support groups, including for seniors, people living with long COVID, sober curious, self-care, and financial struggles. The ECF can also help workers navigate the benefits available through their health insurance plans and other Member Assistance Programs.

Information on ECF Emergency Financial Assistance

The Motion Picture and Television Fund

The Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) offers a variety of services that provide emotional and financial relief to industry members and their families during times of need. Areas of support include counseling services, guidance to community resources, financial assistance, many resources for seniors, housing assistance, resources for veterans, and more.

MPTF provides temporary financial assistance to qualified industry members who have a demonstrable financial need due to unforeseen circumstances. This assistance may help towards such basic living expenses as mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, car insurance premiums, car payments, and food. Those under 65 can call 323-634-3888 to speak to someone at MPTF. For those 65 or over, please call 323 634 3866.

Labor Community Services

Labor Community Services assists unemployed and underemployed union families in Los Angeles County throughout the year with groceries and other support.

Union Plus

Union Plus is a nonprofit organization founded by the AFL-CIO to provide unique consumer benefits programs exclusively to union members (current and retired) and their families.

During the work slowdown, Union Plus is offering a range of services and benefits, including mortgage assistance, medical bill negotiating services, free financial advice and legal counseling. See the full list of services offered HERE.

Dues Loans - First Entertainment Credit Union

First Entertainment Credit Union offers loans to cover union membership fees with competitive rates and quick turn-around on loan approval.

Visit their website to see discount offers that could help you take advantage of rates as low as 8.90% APR.

Unemployment Compensation Websites Listed by State:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Known previously as "food stamps," the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is for people who currently have a low income who meet federal eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.

Each month, SNAP benefits are added to an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to use when you shop for food. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, you must meet your state’s requirements, including income limits. States can also take other resources into account, like the money you have in your bank, to decide if you qualify for SNAP.

To apply for SNAP, contact your state or local SNAP office. Depending on your state, you may be able to apply online, in person, by mail, or by fax. You may need to be interviewed before being approved for SNAP benefits. In California, the SNAP program is called CalFresh, and California residents can apply for assistance through the CalFresh website.

Meeting Emotional Challenges

Suicide Prevention: Call 988

If you or someone you know is thinking of taking their own life, do not wait to get help. Call

or text 988, which is the National Suicide Prevention hotline number in both the United

States and Canada. Learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline HERE.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes (BTS) is best known to IATSE members for its mental health initiative. Behind the Scenes administers an entertainment industry Mental Health First Aid Course that takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations with somebody you may be worried about by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental

health problem, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer that person to appropriate professional support and services.

In addition to mental health and emotional support resources, BTS offers resources for substance misuse, eating disorders, help in finding a therapist, resources for anxiety, depression, bipolar psychosis, schizophrenia, and many other issues.

IATSE Webinars

Among the many topics covered by IATSE webinars are sessions that deal with common personal and workplace struggles. All are available for viewing, 24/7 on the IATSE Education for All GoTo Webinar Channel.

IATSE Education & Training Department webinars focus on several topics relevant to IATSE workers including stress management, mental health resources, conflict resolution and more.

Below are some IATSE webinars related to dealing with stress at work:

• Constructive Engagement at Work with the FMCS

• The Power of Apology with the FMCS

• What is Mental Health First Aid? 2023 Update

• Allyship in Our Workplaces and in Our Union

• Tips from the Bargaining Table to the Dinner Table

• The Art of Inquiry with the FMCS

• Cognitive Bias with the FMCS

• Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions with the FMCS

• Building Mindful Muscle Memory for Gratitude

• Sober Curious with the Entertainment Community Fund

• Beginners Guide to Therapy with the Entertainment Community Fund:

• Guide to Personal Wellness with the Entertainment Community Fund

• Behind the Scenes Mental Health Toolbox Talks

IATSE Training Trust Fund Self Care LinkedIn Learning Collection

The IATSE Training Trust Fund (TTF) has developed a LinkedIn Learning Collection dedicated to mindfulness and managing stress at work. IATSE members and those working under IATSE agreements are eligible for a free LinkedIn Learning subscription through the IATSE Training Trust Fund.

This collection features eighteen courses. Titles are included below:

• Mindful Meditations for Work and Life by Scott Shute

• Mindfulness Practices by Henna Inam

• Managing Stress by Todd Dewett

• De-stress: Meditation and Movement for Stress Management by Desk Yogi

• Managing Stress for Positive Change by Heidi Hanna

• Crunch Time: How to Be Your Best When It Matters Most by get Abstract

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 01: Discovering Meditation and Sleep

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 02: Learning How to Unplug and Recharge

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 03: Setting Priorities and Letting Go

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 04: Facing Challenges with Gratitude and Forgiveness

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 05: Igniting Joy through Presence and Wonder

• Arianna Huffington’s Thrive 06: Understanding the Link between Giving and Success

• Life Mastery: Achieving Happiness and Success by Chris Croft

• Sherly Sandberg and Adam Grant on Option B: Building Resilience

• Happiness Tips by Chris Croft

• Embracing Unexpected Change by Todd Dewett

• Powerless to Powerful: Taking Control by Fred Kofman

• Reduce Tension with Breathwork by Desk Yogi

Anyone with a LinkedIn Learning account can access the TTF Self Care collection, but the TTF free subscription is only available to IATSE workers.

View Videos in the LinkedIn Learning Collection