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Workshops, Events & Updates

Jan. 23, 2025

LegalShield Special Enrollment

As mentioned during the Town Hall with Dr. Leshin, the Legal Services and Identity Theft Protection plans offered through LegalShield are now available for enrollment without requiring a qualified life event.

Visit the Financial and Legal page for more information

Jan. 23, 2025

Home Insurance Webinar for Affected Employees

Reed Smith LLP, a global law firm that has a leading insurance recovery practice, provided an informational session about fire insurance policies and the claims process in California on Jan. 22.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar:

Jan. 23, 2025

Town Hall: Psychological First Aid - Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. - Join Virtually

All personnel are invited to join a virtual town hall with counselors from the Riverside Trauma Center on Jan. 23 at 1 p.m.

What’s happening: All personnel are invited to join the virtual town hall, “Psychological First Aid,” which will provide an overview of common reactions individuals and communities may experience following a natural disaster, along with practical strategies for managing stress.

This session is open to all JPLers, not just those directly affected by the fires. There will also be time for questions and discussion.

Meet the presenters: The presentation will be led by Larry Berkowitz and Beth Milaszewski, experts from Riverside Trauma Center, based in Dedham, Massachusetts. Riverside Trauma Center supports communities, schools, workplaces, and organizations in recovering from highly stressful events and is a service of Riverside Community Care, a leading human services organization in Massachusetts.

  • Larry Berkowitz, Ed.D. is the co-founder and director of Riverside Trauma Center, where he coordinates and provides disaster response services and post-suicide intervention for individuals, schools, workplaces, and communities. Berkowitz holds a doctoral degree from Harvard University and is a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention, an adjunct instructor in the Clinical Psychology Program at William James College, and formerly held a part-time teaching appointment at Harvard Medical School. He presents on issues related to suicide prevention and postvention, and responses to traumatic events at state, national, and international conferences. Berkowitz has led 3 FEMA-funded Crisis Counseling Programs for the state of Massachusetts.
  • Beth Milaszewski, LICSW, is a seasoned clinician with over 15 years of experience in direct service and management roles. Her expertise includes psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, and program development. Milaszewski specializes in substance use disorders and PTSD treatment using EMDR therapy. She has a history of founding resilience programs, supporting frontline healthcare workers, and providing critical incident stress management. Milaszewski holds a Master's degree in social work from Boston College and is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts. Currently, she is the manager of Trauma Response at Riverside Trauma Center.

Questions? Please reach out to inclusion@jpl.nasa.gov.

Jan. 23, 2025

Altadena Recovery & Restoration Efforts: Limit East Gate Use Starting Jan. 27

Beginning Jan. 27, JPL personnel will not be allowed to park outside the East Gate due to Southern California Edison utilizing the East Arroyo area for Eaton Fire restoration efforts in Altadena.

The big picture: Southern California Edison is in agreement with the City of Pasadena to use the East Arroyo area as their laydown hub for the Eaton Fire restoration efforts in Altadena.

The Protective Services Division is encouraging personnel to limit the use of the East Gate starting Jan. 27, during this time of restoration.

What to expect: Maintenance trucks, emergency vehicles, personnel, and equipment will be moving throughout the area. SCE will have their own traffic control team and security onsite 24/7 to direct traffic as needed and ensure assets are protected. Personnel will be stationed outside of the East Gate Bridge and the entrance near Windsor & Ventura St.

For JPL personnel: Parking outside the East Gate is not allowed and you will be asked to relocate your vehicle.

  • JPL personnel will be allowed passage, however you choose to commute. If you are questioned, please inform them you are going to JPL — be prepared to show your badge or hangtag.
  • Drive carefully, undistracted, and obey all traffic commands from Edison and traffic personnel as large trucks may be maneuvering up and down the narrow roadway.

If personnel choose to utilize the East Gate, you may be subject to unknown wait periods. Projects are also asked to stand down from using the East Lot until the area reopens.

Note: Google Maps currently shows the area to be temporarily closed for personnel who use the hiking area.

Further information will be shared as PSD receives it.

Questions? Please contact the Parking Office at parking@jpl.nasa.gov.

Jan. 23, 2025

Support Session: Emotional Toll of the California Wildfires - Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. on Webex

All personnel are invited to join a virtual support session with JPL’s Employee Assistance Program, Empathia, on Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. on Webex.

What’s happening: All personnel are invited to join a virtual support session, “Emotional Toll of the California Wildfires,” led by JPL’s Employee Assistance Program, Empathia. This session will provide insights to help you better understand normal reactions to traumatic events like this natural disaster, and how to help yourself and others.

In this session, you will learn how to:

  1. Assess level and stage of trauma.
  2. Know some of the common reactions to trauma and especially the vulnerability to anxiety, depression and PTSD.
  3. Understand recommended strategies for helping yourself.
  4. Know how to help friends and family you are concerned about.
  5. Know when and how to leverage your Empathy Services benefits to help yourself and others

Please note: This session is open to all personnel, including contractors; however, only employees have access to additional Employee Assistance Program services.

Meet the presenter: The session will be led by Kris Hooks, a seasoned professional with over 36 years of experience in behavioral health and Employee Assistance Programs. Throughout her career, Hooks has served as a program manager and director, maintained a private practice, authored articles, and delivered engaging in-person and webinar training sessions. As a long-time provider with Empathia Life Matters’ Employee Assistance Program, Hooks is passionate about supporting individuals in achieving their best selves. She holds credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Employee Assistance Professional, and Certified Health and Well-Being Coach.

Questions? Please reach out to inclusion@jpl.nasa.gov.

JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION VIA WEBEX

  • Join by computer
    • Enter the session password: kdDM5GDcp34
    • Click "Join Now".
    • Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
  • Join by phone
    • Call a number below and enter the access code

Jan. 23, 2025

ManTech Facility: Equipment Support for Affected Employees

ManTech’s Woodbury facility plans to reopen on Jan. 21 and resume appointments to assist personnel with replacing lost or damaged equipment.

What's happening: The mandatory evacuation order for ManTech’s Woodbury facility has been lifted. The facility reopened Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Below is information to assist personnel with replacing lost or damaged equipment.

Facility Reopening and Appointment Scheduling
ManTech resumed appointments as of Tuesday, Jan. 21. ManTech is actively receiving and monitoring orders for employees and affiliates affected by the fires. Assets can be scheduled for pickup or shipping, as needed.

Equipment Requests for Affected Personnel
Personnel affected by the fires who require a replacement or loaner computer system, peripherals, or accessories should submit a request through the IT Catalog or contact the JPL Service Desk at (818) 354-4357. If someone does not have access to the IT Catalog, a request may be submitted on their behalf. Please ensure that the request specifies it is for an affected employee or affiliate. These requests will be prioritized.
For computer accessories, personnel can also check the vending machines located on Lab in 111-104 (the Hub) and 171-107 (next to the General Inventory Store), and off Lab in the lobby of ManTech’s facility at 505 West Woodbury Road in Altadena. To view the current stock of items, visit the IT Catalog’s Vending Machine Page.

Available Assets
Personnel are also advised to check the Reassignment Page for available assets. These assets have time remaining on their lease and may be available for immediate deployment.

Potential Donations
ManTech is conducting an inventory of IT equipment, which may be available for donation to families within the JPL community. Additional details will be shared once the inventory is complete.

Support/Help
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Service Desk by calling 4-HELP (818) 354-4357 or by submitting an incident record.

Jan. 15, 2025

Town Hall with Director Laurie Leshin

Join Director Laurie Leshin for a town hall on Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium and online.

Please RSVP here whether you plan to attend in person or online.

Join Director Laurie Leshin for a town hall where she will discuss how our workforce and Laboratory have been affected by fires and what the Lab is doing to support colleagues, protect facilities, and keep critical work on track.

The town hall will be held in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (directions and parking info available here) and will be live-streamed for virtual attendees. Please respond here whether you plan to attend in person or online.

In-person seating at Beckman Auditorium will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and an overflow space has been secured at Caltech's Ramo Auditorium a short distance away (directions and parking info available here), if needed.

The event will be recorded, captioned, and posted on JPL Space. Questions will be taken online and in person during the town hall.

How to watch and participate online:

  • Feed with closed captions: https://secure.video.ibm.com/channel/22420592
  • Use your JPL username and password (SSO) to log in.
  • During the meeting, use the Q&A box next to the video player to submit questions (Note: Anonymous names will still show the user's email address; this is an IBM feature that can't be disabled).
  • If you experience audio or video issues during the livestream, try a different browser, relaunch the stream, or watch on your mobile device. You can also try hitting the HD button at the bottom of the screen and select HD.

Resources Mentioned During the Town Hall:

Air Quality: https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Altadena&state=CA&country=USA

New Information added Jan. 15, 6:00 p.m.:

Parking

  • JPL personnel will be directed to two parking structures near Caltech. JPL hangtags are recommended but not required.
  • Parking structure #123 located at 341 S. Wilson Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
  • Parking structure #124 located at 405 S. Wilson Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
  • Caltech security will be on hand at Wilson Ave. to help direct JPL attendees to the parking structures.

Refreshments

  • Lunch and light refreshments will be provided immediately after the town hall.

Support During the Town Hall

  • For those seeking a space to reflect during the Town Hall, a quiet area will be available on the basement level of Beckman Auditorium. A counselor will also be on site.
  • Bottled water pallets will be distributed for pick-up to anyone currently without access to clean drinking water.
  • Children's Comfort Kits will be distributed courtesy of JPL volunteers.
  • Badging Services – The Badging Office will be on site to assist employees who need replacement badges.
  • If you are not able to attend the town hall and need badging assistance, please call the Badging Office at (818) 354-5050
  • Tech Services – ManTech will be on site to assist employees who need replacement IT equipment.
  • If you are not able to attend the town hall and need tech assistance, please contact the Service Desk at (818) 354-4357

Post-Town Hall Gatherings

Bring your own blanket and join colleagues on the lawn outside Beckman Auditorium after the town hall concludes. This grassroots gathering offers more time to connect. Those who attend virtually are encouraged to check in and connect with one another afterwards via Teams. Members of the Remote Workers Affinity Group are available to hold virtual space with other JPLers.

In-person seating at Beckman Auditorium will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Future Resources

Additional community gatherings, listening sessions, and counseling opportunities are planned for the following week. More information is forthcoming.

Jan. 10, 2025

January 2025 Fires Employee Impact Survey

We understand that the fires have deeply impacted the JPL community. As we make decisions about the best way to support JPL through this crisis, we want to understand our employees' status relative to the fires, and ensure that we provide additional resources where most needed, particularly to those who remain displaced and/or whose homes have been damaged or completely lost. We recognize that the situation is dynamic, and your response today may be different next week. We will update this survey and ask for revised responses, if necessary. Whether or not you have been directly impacted by the fires, we ask that all JPL employees please complete this brief, voluntary survey as soon as possible.

If you know of JPL employees who may not have access to JPL communications or networks, please help us by providing them with the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JPLFiresImpactSurvey.

Update Your Response

Reach out to lisa.haber@jpl.nasa.gov with any questions or to change a previously submitted response.

What if I’m a contractor?

Any JPL contractor who has been impacted by the fires should reach out to their employer for additional information, resources and support.