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Graduate Assistants United at UF
  • About
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​​Resources for Graduate Assistants

Accessibility Resources
UF-GAU Accessibility Aid Rental Program
Beginning in Fall 2022!

Access the Vote
Even though voting is considered one of our most basic rights, voters with disabilities can often find casting a ballot challenging. According to a 2016 Election Day study done by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), 60% of polling locations were inaccessible. Issues such as lack of transportation, signature matching requirements, and failure to provide information in accessible formats can all create obstacles for voters with disabilities throughout the voting process.​

Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida
The Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is an established disability resource center. Operated and governed by a majority of people living with disabilities, the CILNCF has delivered high quality programs and services to North Central Florida since 1981.

Their mission to empower independence starts with 5 Core Services: Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Information & Referral, Peer Support, and Transition. Through these services and supporting programs, the CILNCF is improving the quality of life throughout our community, increasing levels of personal independence, and fulfilling our mission: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities.

Disability Rights Florida
Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Disability Rights Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that has authority and responsibility under nine federal grants. Our services are free and confidential.

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
FAAST is the state of Florida’s assistive technology program. Assistive technology activities provided by FAAST include device loans, device demonstrations, device reutilization, device trainings, information and assistance, and a statewide financing program. FAAST serves Floridians who have disabilities and their family members, service providers, educators, therapists, employers, health and rehabilitation professionals, assistive technology vendors, procurement officials, and all other interested parties throughout the state of Florida.

Gator Lift
Free shuttle service for students, faculty, and staff with temporary or permanent mobility-related disabilities throughout campus and to a limited number of off-campus, UF-owned properties.  Normally provided Monday – Friday from 7 AM – 11 PM during each semester.

RTS ADA Paratransit Service
RTS also offers complementary door-to-door paratransit service in lift-equipped vehicles for those ADA paratransit certified riders who are unable to use the fixed-route service. These rides are offered by appointment at a cost of $3 per trip. Please place your service request the day before your trip. Call MV Transportation at (352) 375-2784 to set up your travel reservation.

UF Disability Resource Center​
The Disability Resource Center approves accommodations for students based on an interactive on-going process with students to meet their individual needs. Below is detailed information and procedures associated with the accommodations for students to follow. 
[Application requires proof of medical/physical condition. Available for all UF graduate students.]


UF Employee Accommodations (ADA)
​The Office for Accessibility and Ge​nder Equity reviews disability accommodation request from all employees.
[Application requires proof of medical/physical condition. Available for graduate assistants/workers.]
Dental & Vision Resources
Coming soon...
Family & Childcare Resources
Better Beginnings
An emotional health and wellness clinic in Alachua, Florida with a special focus on reproductive and perinatal mental health.

Childhood Immunizations/Vaccines
No cost childhood vaccines are available through the Vaccines for Children program. (352) 334-7950.

Connect – Connecting Families to Community Programs
Select the county you live in and complete the screening form to be connected to services and evidence-based programs that may help you and your family.

Florida Department of Children and Families
Search for child care providers and inspection reports to find information to help you make the best choice for your family.

Gender Neutral/Family Restrooms
Gender Neutral/Family Restrooms are located in Library West (second floor), Marston Science Library (first floor) Smathers Library (second floor) and the Education Library (first floor).​ Gender Neutral/Family Restrooms all contain baby-changing tables.


Gator Grad Care Contact (Health insurance and Coverage)
Kelly Maloney
Account Manager
4800 Deerwood Campus Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Ph# 904-616-5093, Fax# 904-301-1702
Email: kelly.maloney@bcbsfl.com

Contact for: 
  • Ordering breast pump – currently through Care Centrix 1-877-561-9910, Option 2 (as of 6/2020). 
  • Coverage for birth control options following childbirth. 

Graduate School Spouse and Family Resources
The Graduate School recognizes that maintaining a balance between academic and family commitments is crucial to a graduate student’s well-being and success. The Graduate School has collected a list of resources available at UF and in Alachua County.

Lactation Rooms
  • UF Campus Lactation Rooms: https://campusmap.ufl.edu/#/index. Click the carrot next to Wellness, select the check mark next to Wellness and then select the check mark next to Lactation Rooms to see their location around campus. 
  • Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS) has a lactation room for our students/staff/faculty, McCarty D room 3038E
  • Lactation Spaces in Library West and Marston Science Library: https://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/LactationSpaces
  • UF Lactation Support Policy: https://hr.ufl.edu/forms-policies/policies-managers/breastfeeding/

Legal Assistance - Title IX Office
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities.
The Title IX Office is the appropriate place to initiate a complaint (if the reporting party is the victim) or file a report (if the reporting party is a witness) of anything that may be construed as sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault.
You can reach out to the Title IX Office by calling (352) 273-1094.

For more information about your legal protections under title IX you can visit the US Department of Education. 

Official GA Leave Policy
Official UF Graduate Student Leave Policy as cited in the GAU Collective bargaining agreement - Article 8: Leaves of Absence
  • 5 days of paid per semester and 6 weeks of unpaid leave per semester for “birth of child and care of that child”, “placement of adoptive/foster child with graduate assistant”, “caregiving for someone in graduate assistant’s household”, and “illness of graduate student”.

Temporary Financial Relief - Aid-a-Gator
While graduate students are eligible for Aid-A-Gator, graduate assistants (this includes medical and veterinary residents), post-doctoral fellows and associates must apply as employees via the Faculty and Staff Aid-a-Gator program.

General applications for aid can include issues related to housing, utilities, food, technology, travel, and other notable expenses.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care and community services.

​You must have a total household income equal to or less than the amounts shown in the WIC Income Guidelines OR you are income-eligible if you are currently receiving Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Food Assistance. However, you do not have to be on a public assistance program to qualify for WIC.
Food Resources
​UF-GAU's Gainesville ​Weekly Food Deals
Posted every Friday morning

Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry
UF food pantry for all students, staff, & faculty
[GatorID required, no proof of income required]

Fresh Access Bucks Program
At participating Gainesville farmers’ markets, you can double your SNAP/EBT benefits.
Locations:
  • Grove Street Farmers Market
    Mondays 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Union Street Farmers Market @ Celebration Pointe
    Wednesdays 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • 441 / Alachua County Farmers Market
    Saturdays 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
​
Gainesville Free Grocery Store
​
Tuesdays, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
[No ID or proof of income required]

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and an asset limit of $2,250 ($3,250 if the household contains an elderly or disabled member). 
[Proof of income required for application. Individuals may apply individually even if cohabitating.]

​
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care and community services.

​You must have a total household income equal to or less than the amounts shown in the WIC Income Guidelines OR you are income-eligible if you are currently receiving Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Food Assistance. However, you do not have to be on a public assistance program to qualify for WIC.
[Proof of income required for application.]

​Florida SNAP Income Eligibility

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​WIC Income Eligibility

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Health Care Resources
​GatorGradCare (GGC)
All graduate assistants appointed with at least a 0.25 FTE are eligible for GGC. Dependants can also be added to GGC plans for an additional cost.

Please send any questions about services or utilization of GatorGradCare to organizing@ufgau.org.


Alachua Country Community Support Services: Public Health Unit (PHU)
Low-cost and sliding-scale medical services. 

Gainesville Health Center of Gainesville, FL
Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. 

Services provided:
  • ​Birth Control
  • Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)
  • STD Testing, Treatment & Vaccines
  • Pregnancy Testing & Services
  • Abortion Referrals
  • Mental Health
  • HIV Services
  • Men's Health Care
  • Women's Health Care
  • Transgender Hormone Therapy
Mental Health Resources
UF Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC), 352-392-1575, counseling.ufl.edu
Counseling services on campus are free for students who are actively taking classes, but sessions are often limited in number. They also maintain a provider database where you can find a provider if they are not able to provide services when you need them.

TalkSpace, free and unlimited counseling and psychiatric services to GAs and their dependents who are enrolled in GatorGradCare (GGC). Use this special registration link to get started.
 
UF Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 833-306-0103, GAs are eligible to receive services. The toll-free number offers 24/7 access to a licensed counselor who can provide resources or a referral to local provider. Telehealth is also available through guidanceresources.com using Web ID: UFEAP when registering for an account. For questions or more information, email eap-help@ufl.edu.
 
New Directions Behavioral Health, 866-287-9569, a Tier 1 mental health service provider for GGC members, they offer virtual visits for $20 per session.
 
Alachua County Crisis Center, 352-264-6789 (crisis line) or 352-264-6785 (business line), their website, offers free and unlimited counseling services to residents of Alachua County from 8:30am-5pm Monday through Friday. Services may be in-person or online, by appointment or via walk-in. Location: 218 SE 24th St, Gainesville, FL 32641
 
Meridian Behavioral Health, 352-374-5600, mbhci.org, offer outpatient services such as counseling on a sliding scale fee determined by income. If receiving the minimum stipend for a 9-month appointment, estimated cost for a counseling session is $6. 
 
*GatorGradCare Tier 1 Provider Directory is available here, including providers who can address addiction, autism, psychiatric needs such ADHD or depression, eating disorders, and more. Cost for services would be one’s co-pay for a specialist in-network.  
Pet Resources
​​Humane Society of North Central Florida
  • ​​The Humane Society of North Central Florida hosts a low-cost, walk-in vaccine and wellness clinics on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays that is open to the public. The clinic offers basic veterinary care services, including routine vaccines, heartworm and feline combination tests, preventative medication, such as flea control and deworming, and microchipping. Vaccines are $25 each plus the cost of an exam.
    • The clinic is open:
      • Tuesday from 10am to 4pm
      • Wednesday by appointment from 10am until 12pm or WALK-IN from 1pm to 4pm
      • Thursday from 10am to 4pm
  • Operation PetSnip offers high-quality, low-cost spay and neuter services for pets and community cats to anyone, regardless of income or location.
    • Cats - Spay/Neuter: $75.00 (Includes pain medication and anesthesia)
    • Dogs - Spay/Neuter Pricing: $140.00 (Includes general exam, pain medicine, anesthesia, and e-collar)
    • Feral Cat Package - $75.00 (Includes spay or neuter surgery, pain medication, anesthesia, rabies [1 year] and distemper vaccines and a distinguishing ear tip)
  • Humane Society of North Central Florida aims to provide dog and cat food to families who demonstrate a financial need. Our resources are limited. Please call us at 352.373.5855 or stop by seven days a week between 9:30am and 5:30pm for more information and availability.​

St. Francis Pet Care - Downtown Clinic
  • Veterinary Visits – Tuesday and Thursday 9am-noon – Appt Required 352-372-4959
    • We provide basic veterinary care on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to noon ONLY.
    • New patient exam - exam, rabies, distemper, flea/heartworm medication, heartworm test, & fecal
      • Dogs – $86 / Cats - $74
    • Follow-up appointments for recurring patients – $15
  • Preventive Pick-up – Wednesday 9am-noon – Call ahead to request Meds 352-372-4949
    • Current clients needing flea/tick and heartworm preventives can come any Wednesday from 9am to noon to pick up medications.  No appointment is needed however you must call at least 24 hrs prior to the Wednesday pick-up to request mediations.
    • One month doses: $10 for take-home or $5 in-office
  • Food Pick-up – Wednesday 9am-noon – No call needed
    • Free Food Pick-up is every Wednesday from 9am to noon you do not have to be a member of St Francis Pet Care to stop by and request dog or cat food as well as free kitty litter, while supplies last.
  • Low Cost Spay/Neuter Services
    • ​Cats - $65
    • Dogs: small - $65, medium - $75, large - $95, extra large (over 75 lbs) - $120
  • Low Cost Dental Services
    • ​​$250, caps at $400
Transportation Resources
Campus Connector
Fixed-route walk-on shuttle service connecting faculty, staff and students at multiple destinations across campus. The shuttle is free to passengers and does not require a Gator 1 ID to ride. Our service operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM, and shuttles arrive at the stops on each route at 15-20 minute intervals throughout the day.

Gator Gears
One-semester, two-semester or annual low-cost bicycle rental for UF students. Participants will receive their Gator Gears bicycle, a free bike helmet, a combination U-lock and free labor on repairs for the duration of the rental period.

Gator Lift
Free shuttle service for students, faculty, and staff with temporary or permanent mobility-related disabilities throughout campus and to a limited number of off-campus, UF-owned properties.  Normally provided Monday – Friday from 7 AM – 11 PM during each semester.

Regional Transit System (RTS) Bus Service
Free bus service for UF Students, Faculty & Staff; Santa Fe Students, Faculty & Staff; City of Gainesville & GRU Employees; UF Health Employees; ADA certified individuals; Individuals 18 years of age and under; and Individuals 65 years of age and over.
  • RTS ADA Paratransit Service: RTS also offers complementary door-to-door paratransit service in lift-equipped vehicles for those ADA paratransit certified riders who are unable to use the fixed-route service. These rides are offered by appointment at a cost of $3 per trip. Please place your service request the day before your trip. Call MV Transportation at (352) 375-2784 to set up your travel reservation.

Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP)
Free, nightly, campus safety and transportation service for students. SNAP operates four to seven 15-passenger vans (depending on demand) seven nights a week from 6:30 PM – 3 AM during the Fall and Spring semesters and from 8:30 PM – 3 AM during the Summer semester.

UF Safe Rides By Lyft
Offers current UF students discounted Lyft rides Wednesday through Sunday between the hours of 9 PM – 3 AM within the service area below.
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Utility/Bill Resources
Affordable Connectivity Program
This benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program;
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs:
  • The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
  • SNAP
  • Medicaid
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • WIC
  • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
  • or Lifeline

Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a Federal Grant which is intended to assist households who are unable to pay or are having difficulty paying rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can assist eligible households with the payment of late rent and/or utilities and may also assist with the payment of rent in advance. Payments will generally be made only to landlords/property managers and/or utility companies, not to the households themselves. Each household is limited to $20,000 of assistance.

UF Graduate Student Handbook 2022-2023

​UF Graduate Student Guide


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Copyright © 2002-21 Graduate Assistants United at the University of Florida. All rights reserved. Affiliated with United Faculty of Florida, Florida Education Association, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and AFL-CIO.
  • About
    • Why Labor Unions?
    • Our History
    • Budget and Procedures
    • FAQs
    • Executive Committee
    • Constitution & Bylaws
  • Our Contract
    • Collective Bargaining Agreement
    • Health Insurance
    • Bargaining Blog
    • Contract FAQ
    • Contract Enforcement
  • Advocacy
    • Fee Relief
    • Family & Child Care
    • Health & Dental Care
    • Mental Health
    • Graduate Housing
    • Racial Equity
    • Legislative Efforts
    • Higher Education >
      • Graduate Employee Unions
    • Local Labor Issues
  • Take Action
    • Becoming a Member
    • Committees
    • Caucuses
    • Department Stewards
    • Events Calendar >
      • Hardship Fund Fundraiser 2022
    • Get Out the Vote 2022 >
      • UF-GAU Endorsements
    • Senators and Delegates
    • Support Groups
  • Members
    • Partner Unions
    • Member Benefits >
      • Hardship Fund
    • Exploring Gainesville
  • HB7
  • Contact Us
    • Office Hours
    • Media Room >
      • News Stories
      • Press Releases
    • Partner With Us
    • Changing Your Membership
  • Resources for GAs
    • All Resources
    • UF-GAU Accessibility Aid Rental Program
    • Weekly Food Deals
  • Undergraduate Solidarity