Family Crisis Connection

How do I get assistance through the Caring Coworkers Fund?

Contact a Caring Coworkers Representative to start the process. Reps are designated for each affiliate, but you can contact any of the people listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides if an employee receives Family Crisis Connection assistance?
Employees will discuss their needs with an FCC representative. If a request for assistance is approved, the FCC representative will work with Methodist Hospital Foundation on the employee’s behalf.

Are all employees eligible for assistance through Family Crisis Connection?
Employees who have worked for Methodist Health System for at least six months are eligible for assistance. Employees working for Methodist Health System less than six months will be directed to Best Care EAP for professional guidance.

What kind of assistance is available?
Family Crisis Connection provides assistance up to $1,000. Employees will not receive cash. Bills or invoices are submitted to the FCC Representative who forwards them to Methodist Hospital Foundation. The Foundation makes payment on the employee’s behalf.

Can an employee be helped more than one time?
Employees are eligible to seek FCC assistance once every three years. Employees can contact Best Care EAP for professional guidance at any time.

Can employees offer contributions to benefit Family Crisis Connection?
Yes! Gifts from employees make Family Crisis Connection possible. Methodist Hospital Foundation is proud to accept your FCC contributions at any time. During Caring Campaign, our annual employee giving campaign, you can support FCC through ongoing payroll deductions, a one-time payroll deduction or cash. Paid-time-off (PTO) hours can also be converted into a donation. See below for the PTO conversion information. One hundred percent of your gift will benefit Family Crisis Connection.

How does a gift of paid-time-off (PTO) work?
Donating PTO has proven to be a very popular way for employees to make a gift. PTO hours are converted to cash and taxes are subtracted – at approximately 35 percent by IRS rule. The balance benefits Family Crisis Connection. Please note: PTO hours are NOT transferable directly between employees.

What is a Family Crisis Connection Special Funded Effort?
A Family Crisis Connection Special Funded Effort (SFE) is an opportunity for employees in a certain department/affiliate to rally around a specific co-worker-in-need. To begin the process, the employee-in-need will visit with an FCC representative. If the FCC representative believes an SFE would be helpful, he or she will coordinate with the employee’s supervisor and begin the gift collection process. Individual gift amounts and the names of donors are kept confidential. Again, no cash will be disbursed. Methodist Hospital Foundation will pay bills on the employee’s behalf. The employee-in-need is encouraged to use all of the dollars generated on their behalf within one year of initiating the SFE.