EVS Week 2025: Training Fund benefits for Service members

EVS Week 2025: Training Fund benefits for Service members

Happy Environmental Services Week!

National Environmental Services week, September 14-20, 2025, honors the important work that EVS staff perform in healthcare facilities to promote better patient care. We have several programs, opportunities, and support services to help our EVS and Service members achieve their education and career goals.

Benefits for Training Fund Service Members

Tuition Assistance

Members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA), which can cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs. After 1 year of service with your employer, Service members can apply for Tuition Assistance.

Increase in Tuition Assistance for Service members!

Eligible Service members can now apply for up to $5,250 in Tuition Assistance. The previous annual maximum cap for Service members was $3,500.

This is a limited-time opportunity that is only available on a first-come-first-served basis, or until available grant funds are exhausted.

Learn More

I am working full time and wanted to continue my education goals. I thought they would be out of reach since I was struggling with funds but because of the Tuition Assistance and the Service member Tuition Assistance funding increase I am able to take the pre-req classes I need to be able to eventually apply for nursing school.

Amanda Chu

Medical Assistant, UW Medical Center- Northwest Campus

Tuition Assistance Deadline Oct 15 & Application

Tuition Assistance Deadline: October 15, 2025

Training Fund members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) to cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs at accredited and approved schools.

Note: If you’re currently using Tuition Assistance, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

 

How to apply for Tuition Assistance: 
  1. Complete a Training Fund member application to connect with an Intake Coordinator and Resource Specialist, and we’ll connect you with your Navigator.
  2. Work with your Navigator on an education plan and explore available resources.
  3. Register for classes & submit your request for funding, if you qualify for Tuition Assistance.
  4. Explore other benefits with your Navigator, e.g., career counseling and tutoring.
Professional Development

Service members have access to up to $500/year in Professional Development reimbursement for: 

  • Continuing Education Unit (CEU) conference registration, courses, and required materials 
  • Professional Memberships 
  • National Certifications exams or courses/review materials that prepare members for those exams

You can use your Professional Development funds to cover the cost of BLS/CPR/ACLS/PALS Certification through LifeTek! Training Fund members receive a discount. Learn More

You also have free access to unlimited CEU courses through HealthStream.

All elgibile members now also have access to Conference Travel Funding up to $3,500/year to attend local or national conferences with Continuing Education credits. Learn More

Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET)

We work with some of our employer partners to offer an Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET) training. The ACET program allows EVS members to learn more skills and possibly receive certification pay. This healthcare industry-informed 24-hour EVS professional training program combines interactive online learning and examination with onsite training and assessment.

English Tutoring

Improve your English listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the Training Fund’s SMRT English program that has English Language courses specifically designed for healthcare professionals.

This easy to use, fun, online English learning includes a personal English Tutor, healthcare specific English lessons, support for every level of English, and training on using computers and internet safely. SMRT English tutoring is free for Training Fund members.

Connect with your Training Fund Navigator to discuss your tutoring needs before requesting a tutor.

Questions? Email  or call us at (425) 255-0315.

Welcome to the Training Fund, Sound Behavioral Health

Welcome to the Training Fund, Sound Behavioral Health

Banner image: White text on a dark blue background across the top reads, "Welcome, Providence Hospice and Home Care members!" Training Fund logo on an orange background on the bottom. Three circular images of hospital workers centered on the right side.

Welcome to our new members from Sound Behavioral Health! You may be eligible for Training Fund programs and services.

We offer education and career advancement programs so that you can develop your skills, advance your career, and improve your professional opportunities.

Watch our welcome video to learn more about the Training Fund!

Not an SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member? You may be eligible for BEAM.

In-Person Info Sessions

Meet with us onsite, in-person at Sound Behavioral Health sites to learn more about the Training Fund and benefits and services available to you!

Auburn – Aug. 14, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Bel Red – Aug. 15, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Tukwila – Aug. 19, noon – 1:00 p.m.

Lake City Way – Aug. 20, noon – 1:00 p.m.

Cap Hill – Aug. 20, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Virtual Info Sessions

Attend a virtual info session to learn more about the Training Fund and benefits and services available to you!

Register: Sunday August 24, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Register: Thursday September 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Register: Wednesday September 10, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Register: Saturday September 20, 9:00 a.m .- 10:00 a.m.

Register: Tuesday September 23, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

“The folks who historically have enough access, support and resources to do advanced study do not always align with the demographics of our patients population. Having a therapist with a shared identity and shared life experiences brings so much value to the care we’re able to provide to our patients. The Training Fund allows us to invest in our careers and better serve our patients.”

Alanna Martin

Social Worker, Kaiser Permanente

Benefits after 90 days employment

These programs and services are available to you after you have been employed by Sound Behavioral Health for 90 days:

Educational support services: Professional Development Reimbursement $500/year
Academic support workshops Specialty Certification
Tutoring & placement exams Conferences/courses with CEU credits
English Language tutoring Professional memberships with CEU as benefit
Basic computer classes State & Federal license fees required for employment
  • Conference Travel FundingAttend local or national conferences with CEU credit and we’ll reimburse travel and attendance costs up to $3,500 once a year. Pre-approval is required before attending the conference.
  • Career and education counseling services: Work with your Regional Education Navigator to explore resources and reach your career and education goals!
  • Free access to CE Unlimited courses through HealthStream
  • and so much more!

Please fill out our online member application to access available academic and career navigation services.

Benefits after 1 year employment: Tuition Assistance

  Tuition Assistance

Once you have worked at Sound Behavioral Health for one year, you may also qualify for Tuition Assistance, which covers:

  • Tuition 
  • School fees, standard tests including entrance, placement or learning disability assessments required or recommended by the educational institution
  • Required, recommended or optional course textbooks/software/ supplies noted by the course requirements
  • Foreign Transcript Evaluations

for a wide variety of approved healthcare education programs at regional colleges and universities.

If you are in school or planning to attend school in the 2025-2026 academic year, apply for Tuition Assistance. We encourage members to contact us early to work with a Training Fund Navigator on your education plan. Our annual Tuition Assistance deadline is October 15th for the following year. 

Preapproval is required for funding. In addition to reimbursement for tuition costs, we provide Tuition Assistance vouchers so you do not have to pay up front!

Click here to learn more about Tuition Assistance.

Submit your Member Application form today to connect with a Regional Education Navigator & get started. We’re here to help you achieve your education & career goals!

Even if you have not yet worked at Sound Behavioral Health for one year, please contact us to explore academic support and resources, career planning, and how we can help you reach your goals.

We look forward to serving you as you pursue your education and career goals.

If you have questions or need help applying, please don’t hesitate to call the Training Fund office (425-255-0315) or email us.

Apply for Tuition Assistance: Deadline is October 15

Apply for Tuition Assistance: Deadline is October 15

Training Fund members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) to cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs at accredited and approved schools.

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

The deadline to apply for Tuition Assistance for courses beginning in the next year is October 15, 2025.

Tuition Assistance Snapshot: In 2021, 1,061 members used Tuition Assistance to support their education goals. Maximum TA amounts are: $3,500 for Service Bargaining Unit members, and $5,250 for Pro/Tech and RN Bargaining Unit members.

Apply early to receive expert guidance and support from our education Navigators! You do not have to be admitted into a program or know the details before applying for Tuition Assistance – our Navigators are available to work with you and create a plan to succeed.   

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

The TA benefit is based on your Bargaining Unit and FTE:

  • Service members maximum Tuition Assistance has increased for limited time from $3,500 to $5,250/year. Learn More
  • Pro/Tech members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year
  • RN members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year

 

How to apply for Tuition Assistance: 
  1. Complete a Training Fund member application to connect with an Intake Coordinator and Resource Specialist, and we’ll connect you with your Navigator.
  2. Work with your Navigator on an education plan and explore available resources.
  3. Register for classes & submit your request for funding, if you qualify for Tuition Assistance.
  4. Explore other benefits with your Navigator, e.g., career counseling and tutoring.
teacher pointing at a computer

“It was no small feat to balance a full-time job and the responsibilities of being a wife and mother while also studying for my graduate degree. It was only possible thanks to the unwavering encouragement, support and understanding from my husband, son and parents.”

“Most importantly, thanks to Training Fund, I had free education!”

Haidee Wasan

RN, Swedish

Conference Travel Deadline: September 1 2025

Conference Travel Deadline: September 1 2025

The next quarterly Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

NEW in 2025: We provide ALL our eligible members with up to $3,500* once per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences

*Available on first-come, first-served basis, and until funds are exhausted.

*Previously $1,500 for only Pro/Tech members

Funding is Awarded Quarterly

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter for upcoming conferences. Applications must be submitted prior to conference attendance to qualify.

Apply before September 1st for any upcoming conference.

We encourage you to apply early! Pre-approval is required. You must apply for funding BEFORE you attend the conference.

Members also have professional development money available to them.

These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
  • Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
  • Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The next quarterly deadline to apply for a Conference Travel Funding Award is September 1st*

*Applications must be submitted before the conference. September 01 deadline applies to conferences in the first quarter of the following year (if approved, these are funded from current year benefits).

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter. It is recommended that applications be submitted throughout the year for an upcoming conference. 

Inaugural Training Fund Graduation

Inaugural Training Fund Graduation

The Training Fund hosted its inaugural in-person graduation ceremony on June 18 to celebrate the more than 500 members and participants who completed a range of degree programs, healthcare trainings, and apprenticeship programs in the past year. Families, teachers, supporters, and union and employer leaders cheered on graduates as they marched at Kane Hall on the University of Washington Seattle campus. 

Featured graduation speaker and Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) apprentice Melissa Burns spoke about finding her career pathway with the Training Fund during her own recovery journey.  

“It was the first time I started to imagine a real path forward—not just surviving but building something new,” said Burns who graduated from the Introduction to Healthcare Employment and Apprenticeship Programs (IHAP) and Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) Training program. “It’s giving me the chance to give back—to create the same kind of safe, understanding, and compassionate space for teens and families that helped me in my own journey.” 

Graduate speaker Cecilia Mora-Pitts, IHAP and Medical Assistant Apprenticeship graduate, said she was ready to give up on the medical field before she connected with IHAP.  Now she is a medical assistant with Kaiser Permanente, and she’s pursuing further education to become an RN with the support of the Training Fund.  

“Completing not just one – but both of the programs – has been a life-changing journey,” Mora-Pitts said. “There were late nights, early mornings, and moments of self-doubt. But the instructors, mentors, and peers created an environment where I felt seen, supported, and pushed to be my best.” 

Graduates completed other Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium programs including Medical Assistant Apprenticeship, Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship, Behavioral Health Technician Apprenticeship, and SUDP Apprenticeship. In addition, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members who used their Training Fund Tuition Assistance benefit were also honored for completing a variety of degree programs. 

The graduation event also highlighted the importance of labor management partnerships and workforce development programs. Jane Hopkins, President of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, spoke to the breadth of possibility when barriers are removed.  

“We wanted to make sure that it didn’t matter which hospital you worked in, that you could be anything you wanted to be. You could have a lot of money, you could have a little, but you have an opportunity to be what you want to be,” Hopkins said. “You just need to be given the opportunity to do that. I am so proud of what we’re doing here today.” 

Leslie Hampton, Assistant Administrator, Professional Practice & Patient/Family Centered Care at UW Medical Center, shared her perspective as an employer who has watched her team grow with the Training Fund, and seen the positive impact on patients and coworkers. 

“I have seen how people can blossom. You have all experienced it. You see someone who doesn’t think they want to go back to school, and you say ‘Hey, have you thought about this?’ and ‘Use the Training Fund to help you.’ You see that person come to life and realize ‘Oh I can do this.’ and then they turn into someone that encourages someone else,” Hampton said. “What could be more inspirational?” 

Learn more about career pathways to enter critical roles in healthcare by visiting  https://healthcareapprenticeship.org/  

Visit https://healthcareerfund.org/ to learn more about advancing your career with the Training Fund. 

Conference Travel Deadline: June 1

Conference Travel Deadline: June 1

The next quarterly Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

NEW in 2025: We provide ALL our eligible members with up to $3,500* once per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences

*Available on first-come, first-served basis, and until funds are exhausted.

*Previously $1,500 for only Pro/Tech members

Funding is Awarded Quarterly

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter for upcoming conferences. Applications must be submitted prior to conference attendance to qualify.

Apply before June 1st for any upcoming conference.

We encourage you to apply early! Pre-approval is required. You must apply for funding BEFORE you attend the conference.

Members also have professional development money available to them.

These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
  • Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
  • Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The next quarterly deadline to apply for a Conference Travel Funding Award is June 1st*

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter. It is recommended that applications be submitted throughout the year for an upcoming conference.