Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Mental, Physical and Financial Health Benefits Offered to Coaches
Swim coaches are the backbone of our teams, and their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be of top concern. USA Swimming coaches are more than technical experts in the sport of swimming; they are mentors, teachers and in many cases, small business owners. We know the toll this year has taken, and USA Swimming is pleased to provide educational, physical, mental, and financial health benefits at levels never before offered to coaches.
USA Swimming Managing Director of Sport Development Joel Shinofield said, “Our coaches provide exceptional opportunities to our athletes and are key to the growth of our sport. USA Swimming staff relentlessly looks for new ways to support these team leaders as they continue to build our swimming community.”
HEALTH INSURANCE
In a strategic partnership with US Equestrian, USA Swimming offered the first-ever all-encompassing, cost-effective health insurance for coach members. Said one coach recently, “I am a full-time coach and the only one with income in our household. I was without any income for 9 weeks. I was earning 30% of my usual income for an additional 6 weeks. This insurance plan for me, is beyond a lifesaver. I am thrilled at the offer.” Read here for more.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Recognizing it is not always easy to ask for help, coaches have been given access to the USA Swimming Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health counseling resources, which is detailed here.
Further mental health opportunities with Headspace and Talkspace to give confidential assistance are also available here.
FINANCIAL COUNSELING
In partnership with OneAmerica, USA Swimming secured free financial advising services for coaches and national team swimmers. This program aims to take the anxiety out of seeking advice with budgeting, managing debt, and planning for the future. Coaches can plan their finances completely confidentially and at no cost here.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
USA Swimming continues to produce web content for coaches to develop skills in a safe, virtual environment through webinars and coaching clinics.
Further, USA Swimming’s proprietary LEARN platform affords coaches a one-stop shop to satisfy continuing education requirements for becoming – and remaining – a coach in good standing.
COMMUNICATIONS
Throughout the pandemic, USA Swimming has provided free Zoom licenses to coaches wanting to utilize the video-conferencing platform for virtual dryland workouts, stroke-technique sessions, or just morale-boosting team hangouts.
TEAM SERVICES
USA Swimming’s Team Services division was established to give individualized attention to club leaders. The staff of Brendan Hansen (Eastern Zone), Jaime Lewis (Southern Zone), Juan Caraveo (Western Zone) and Jay Chambers (Central Zone) stand ready to assist coaches on all USA Swimming matters.
USA Swimming Managing Director of Sport Development Joel Shinofield said, “Our coaches provide exceptional opportunities to our athletes and are key to the growth of our sport. USA Swimming staff relentlessly looks for new ways to support these team leaders as they continue to build our swimming community.”
HEALTH INSURANCE
In a strategic partnership with US Equestrian, USA Swimming offered the first-ever all-encompassing, cost-effective health insurance for coach members. Said one coach recently, “I am a full-time coach and the only one with income in our household. I was without any income for 9 weeks. I was earning 30% of my usual income for an additional 6 weeks. This insurance plan for me, is beyond a lifesaver. I am thrilled at the offer.” Read here for more.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Recognizing it is not always easy to ask for help, coaches have been given access to the USA Swimming Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health counseling resources, which is detailed here.
Further mental health opportunities with Headspace and Talkspace to give confidential assistance are also available here.
FINANCIAL COUNSELING
In partnership with OneAmerica, USA Swimming secured free financial advising services for coaches and national team swimmers. This program aims to take the anxiety out of seeking advice with budgeting, managing debt, and planning for the future. Coaches can plan their finances completely confidentially and at no cost here.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
USA Swimming continues to produce web content for coaches to develop skills in a safe, virtual environment through webinars and coaching clinics.
Further, USA Swimming’s proprietary LEARN platform affords coaches a one-stop shop to satisfy continuing education requirements for becoming – and remaining – a coach in good standing.
COMMUNICATIONS
Throughout the pandemic, USA Swimming has provided free Zoom licenses to coaches wanting to utilize the video-conferencing platform for virtual dryland workouts, stroke-technique sessions, or just morale-boosting team hangouts.
TEAM SERVICES
USA Swimming’s Team Services division was established to give individualized attention to club leaders. The staff of Brendan Hansen (Eastern Zone), Jaime Lewis (Southern Zone), Juan Caraveo (Western Zone) and Jay Chambers (Central Zone) stand ready to assist coaches on all USA Swimming matters.