Employee Assistance Program (2024)

The Department of Energy partners withthe Federal Occupational Health Services (FOH) Employee Assistance and Work-Life Programto provide DOE Federalemployees and their families with comprehensivetele-basedEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life services. This program helps employees balance wellness, performance, conduct, and health through support in these areas:

Emotional wellbeing and resilience
Healthy relationships and parenting skills
Health and wellness
Financial and legal guidance
Overall personal and professional growth
Behavioral health services

The FOH EAP and Work-Life Program offers an array of tele-based services and resources aimed at enhancing personal wellness and work-life balance. Services are free and confidential within the bounds of the law. The FOH EAP and work-life services are available to all DOE Federal employees and their families 24/7/365.

To Request Employee and Work-Life Assistance

Telephone Access to EAP and Work-Life Assistance:

To access your EAP and Work-Life program or to make a confidential appointment with a licensed counselor call1-800-222-0364(or 888-262-7848 if you are hearing-impaired). Call anytime—counselors are available 24/7. When contacting the EAP,identify your agency. You will be helped or given an appointment to meet with a counselor, depending on your situation. Meetings with your counselor are confidential within the guidelines of the law.

Online Access to EAP Services:

To access EAP information and resources, self-help assessments, webinars, podcasts, and more, visit:FOH4You.

Online Access to Work-Life Services:

To access work-life information, family resources, health and wellness presentations and interactive searchable databases visit:WorkLife4You; to get the registration code, visit the internal page: Employee Assistance and Work-Life Program.

Services Offered

FOH offers free and confidential virtual counseling and consultation services for DOE Federal Employees and their families. Services includebut are not limited to:

Management consultation regarding individual employee and workgroup situations
Workgroup grief counselling following traumatic events, including employee deaths
Around the clock toll-free access to mental health professionals
Face-to-face assessments, solution-focused counseling, referral services for family/relationship issues, workplace concerns, personal and emotional difficulties, health and behavioral issues, alcohol and drug problems, and more
Financial and legal services, including identity theft prevention and recovery services (telephonic)
Supervisor/management consultations
Childcare and elder care resources including location, costs and availability
EAP orientations for employees and managers
EAP health and wellness presentations
Comprehensive, interactive EAP website, which includes monthly live webinars and dozens of stored webinars
Critical incident response services for crises in the workplace
Grief support services when a loss affects the workplace
Promotional materials including electronic brochures and monthly email campaigns, and timely information when natural disasters and other crises occur
Quarterly reports providing EAP usage details to evaluate and highlight program effectiveness
Emotional Wellbeing and Resiliency
Interactive screenings and Wellness Webinars on:
- Relationships and Parenting
- Personal and Professional Growth
- Financial and Legal Awareness
- Health and Wellness

Community Resources

Crisis Hotlines

Domestic Violence,1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – a24/7 hotline providing crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and referrals to anyone frightened about their relationship
Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (press 1 for veterans) – a24/7 confidential national hotline which provides free emotional support to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN), 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) – a national hotline with referrals to local crisis centers for specialized counseling and support groups. Spanish available.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-422-4453 (4-A-CHILD) – Provides 24/7 confidential and anonymous child abuse crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources in 170 languages
Office for Victims of Crime– a U.S. Departmentof Justice service that provides national helpline contact information for victims of any crime
Crisis Text Line– a 24/7 confidential service offering mental health support by trained volunteer counselors via text: text HOME to 741741 at no charge for AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon customers (standard texting rates apply for other carriers)

Eldercare

OPM Handbook on Workplace Flexibilities and Work-Life Programs for Elder Care– OPM’s handbook provides guidance on Federal eldercare leave and work schedule flexibilities and other worklife programs available to employees
Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116– a service of the US Administration on Aging which offers links to programs to assist older people and their families including nutrition, transportation, housing, and end-of-life services
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 703-942-5711 –a membership association of attorneys who focus on improving the quality of legal services for seniors and people with special needs; also offers an online elder law attorney locator service
Aging Life Care Association, 520-881-8008 – a professional association of aging life care professionals who focus on assisting older people and their families in making long-term care decisions and arrangements; also offers an online locator service
Caring Connections, InfoLine, 1-800-658-8898 –a service of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, offers information on advance directives, hospice and palliative care, financial issues, and grief, Monday-Friday, 9-5 pm ET
AARP,1-888-687-2277 –a non-profit organization that provides an array of aging resources including legal and financial services, driver safety, end of life, and long-distance caregiving, Monday-Friday: 7 am- 11 p.m. ET

Emotional Health

National Institute of Mental Health –the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders, offers basic information on mental disorders, a range of related topics, and the latest mental health research; includes resources for anxiety, depression, and fear
National Center for PTSD –a Veterans Administration site with resources on post-traumatic stress disorder, focused on those who have served in the U.S. military

Financial Literacy

FDIC–provides consumer education about banking, finances, mortgages, identity theft, and fraud
MyMoney.gov, 1-800-333-4636 (FED-INFO) – the Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission coordinates and collaborates with other Federal entities to strengthen Americans’ financial capabilities and increase access to financial services
America Saves – a program coordinated by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America to help individuals save money, reduce debt, and build wealth
Financial Literacy,1-888-777-7077 –sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills for all life stages

Grief and Loss

HelpGuide– a nonprofit mental health and wellness website that assists individuals in coping with life events
Mental Health America, 1-800-969-6642 – a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental health issues and promoting the overall mental health of all
GoodTherapy, 1-888-563-2112 – an organization that disseminates mental health news and information and provides an online directory of therapists
Wendt Center for Loss and Healing,202-624-0010 – a non-profit counseling center in Washington, DC, that provides mental health services, training, and online educational information to help ease the impact of illness, loss, and trauma

Nutrition and Healthy Living

Healthy Eating- agateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety sponsored by US Dept. of Agriculture
HHS MyHealthfinder Nutrition- a section of U.S. Health and Human Services’ Healthfinder site that focuses on healthy eating for families

Parenting

OPM Handbook on Leave and Workplace Flexibilities for Childbirth, Adoption and Foster Care– OPM’s handbook provides guidance on Federal parenting leave and work schedule flexibilities and other worklife programs available to employees
National Parent Helpline, 1-855-427-2736 (4-A-PARENT) – a Helpline for parent and caregiver emotional support, articles, and referral to local resources, Monday - Friday, 10-7 PM PST
Healthy Children, 630-626-6000 – a parenting website sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics with numerous articles about children’s stages, health and wellness, family life, pediatrician referrals, and other topics
Parent Encouragement Program, 301-929-8824 –a non-profit organization that offers parenting education classes in the DC Metropolitan area

Stress

Stress Management– American Psychological Association website that offers articles and resources on numerous stress and mental health topics
University of California Los Angeles–Mindful Awareness Research Center provides free podcasts and apps that teach mindfulness meditation
The Foundation for a Mindful Society – a non-profit organization that offers information about the benefits of and instruction in mindfulness meditation
Harvard Medical School – a source for current and reliable health and wellness information

Substance Abuse

Rethinking Drinking–a National Institutes of Health site on alcohol use and risky drinking
Alcoholics Anonymous– a self-help group for those who wish to stop problem drinking
Gamblers Anonymous– a self-help group for those who wish to stop problemgambling
Gam-Anon– a self-help program for families and friends of problemgamblers
Narcotics Anonymous– a self-help group for those who wish to stop using drugs
Nar-Anon– a self-help group for those affected by someone else’s addiction
Overeaters Anonymous– aself-help group for those who wish to stopcompulsive eating

FAQs

Are employee assistance programs really confidential? ›

Confidentiality. All records, which contain information pertaining to the identity, diagnosis, or treatment of anyone accessing EAP, are confidential.

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Why don't EAPs work? ›

With the first two obstacles—cost of care and timely access to care—to be overcome, EAPs are bound to leave issues unresolved, which will likely resurface in the future. These hurdles limit EAPs to making an assessment and offering recommendations.

What are the pros of offering an EAP benefit to employees? ›

What are the benefits of an EAP? An EAP helps employees improve their health and wellness, as well as their fortitude, so they can better respond to challenges that life throws their way. In turn, employers may experience better productivity, customer service and employee engagement.

Is EAP protected by Hipaa? ›

An employee assistance program is subject to HIPAA's Privacy and Security Rules if it provides medical services, such as direct counseling, or handles employees' PHI. In cases where the EAP is part of an employer-self-insured plan, the employer is responsible for ensuring HIPAA compliance.

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What employee data is considered confidential? ›

Confidential employee information includes personal data, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, trade secrets, and sensitive financial data, with strict legal obligations under various laws for its protection.

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Is payroll information confidential or highly confidential? ›

Payroll includes a lot of confidential information. Your payroll records include both business and employee information. There are names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, pay rates, benefits, deductions, and bank accounts.

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Are employees bound by confidentiality? ›

Yes, the policy remains binding even after an employee's separation from the company. Former employees are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information they had access to during their employment.

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