Employee Assistance Program

COVID-19 Updates

EAP New Resources for Employees

April 15, 2020

To all employees of our component districts-

Vivian Greene once said, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain..." We at the EAP have witnessed an awful lot of dancing in the past few weeks! We continue to be in awe of the creativity and resilience that so many staff have shown in finding new ways to connect with students, co-workers, family, friends and the community at large.

That being said, we also are aware that some may be struggling to prioritize self care in the face of so many other demands on their time and attention or may have worries about family being out of work or feeling isolated or putting themselves at risk on the front lines.

We have gathered a number of resources that you or your family members may find useful and have titled it our Coping With COVID Employee Toolkit. We have attached a copy of the Toolkit to this email. It is also available on our website www.ocmboces.org/eap.

Please remember that EAP is here for you during this challenging time. To keep you and our staff safe, we are currently offering teletherapy via phone or secure video conferencing. Give us a call at 315-471-1361 or email us at eap@ocmboces.org to schedule an appointment or if you just need to talk.

Be safe and be well,

Your EAP Staff

ATTACHMENT: Coping with COVID Employee Toolkit

Support During the Pandemic

March 18, 2020

To all staff and family of our participating districts-

There is widespread anxiety about COVID-19, which is common in the case of epidemics and pandemics. There are still uncertainties about this disease which also fuels anxiety and panic. Current or anticipated disruptions in day-to-day life, such as quarantine of self or loved ones, travel plan cancellations and school closures also fuels these feelings. Many people are experiencing mood problems, sleep issues, phobia and spikes in symptoms for pre-existing mental health disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder. We are sensitive to these concerns and want to do whatever we can to help you and your family navigate this uncharted territory as effectively as possible.

Our EAP counselors can help you find constructive ways to manage this anxiety and any other concerns you may have. In addition, our staff can help parents and guardians communicate with their children about COVID-19 and allay anxiety they may have regarding the disease and its impacts.

In order to best assist you and minimize risk to both our staff and clients, we will limit person-to-person contact whenever possible during this time. Therefore, we will make arrangements with you to connect with us for teletherapy sessions and consultation if a face-to-face appointment is not prudent. Additionally, all scheduled workshops through April 14, 2020 will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date if possible. We will get through this together.

You can reach us as always at the following numbers: (315) 471-1361 or (800) EAP-8764

Stay safe and be well,
Your EAP Coordinators

About the EAP

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, voluntary, and confidential consultation and assistance to help employees and their immediate family members resolve difficulties that may be affecting their personal life or job performance.

EAP services include initial evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, short-term counseling (up to six sessions), referrals to outside resources, and follow-up. The EAP also provides workshops and information on a variety of wellness topics, such as concussions, suicide, and healthy food choices.

Anything that is causing difficulties in an individual’s personal or work life is appropriate for the EAP. Employees and their family members can talk with an EAP counselor about alcohol and drug use, financial difficulties, grief, marital and family conflict, anxiety, depression, or anything else that’s preventing them from being and doing their best. No issue is too small or too serious.

Services provided directly by the EAP are free of charge. There are times when a referral to an outside resource is recommended by the EAP or requested by the employee or family member. In these cases, the individual is responsible for the cost of services, although their health insurance may cover some or all of the costs. Ability to pay for additional services will always be considered when an outside referral is made.

To make an appointment, employees and their family members can call 1-800-EAP-8746 or 315-471-1361 to speak with an EAP Coordinator. An appointment will be scheduled at the earliest possible convenience. Day and evening appointment times are available depending on one’s needs and schedule. The Ithaca EAP Office is in the Boardman House in downtown Ithaca. The EAP also has offices in Cortland and Syracuse.

All contact with the EAP is confidential to the fullest degree provided by the law. An employee’s involvement in the program is not disclosed to their employer or anyone else. However, absolute confidentiality does not apply to child abuse, court orders, or threats to the safety of individuals.

To learn more, visit the EAP website.

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Monthly Wellness Topic: Lyme Disease

This month, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is offering information on the following topics related to Lyme Disease:

Lyme Disease Overview
7 Ways to Give Ticks the Slip
Tick Removal
What to Do After a Tick Bite
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome

If you would like to receive any of the information offered, please email the EAP at eap@ocmboces.org and include your name, school district, and email address. The EAP will email the information directly to you.