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Office of Work-Life Programs -
Employee Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program Toll Free Number: 1-800-222-0364

Work-Life Program Toll Free Number: 1-800-872-4957

Who is Eligible for this Program?
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to the following members of Team Coast Guard:

Active Duty members and their dependents
Reservists:
- For those activated 30 days or less: Crisis phone counseling with a licensed mental health provider. This benefit starts the first day of active duty. Includes crisis phone counseling for Reservists on weekend drill. Also includes crisis phone counseling for dependents of the reservist while the reservist is activated or drilling.
- For those activated for over 30 days: the same EAP benefits as all other active duty personnel.
- Reservists activated to a combat zone are eligible for full EAP services from the effective date of those orders. Benefit starts on the first day of active duty.
Full-time Civil Service employees and their dependents
Full-time Exchange System and MWR employees and their dependents

Purpose of Program
The Employee Assistance Program is designed to provide a confidential professional assessment and short term counseling and referral services to help employees with their personal, job or family problems. The program also provides financial, legal and supervisory consultations.

Program Confidentiality
All contacts with the Employee Assistance Program are held in the strictest confidence. To maintain privacy and confidentiality the Coast Guard contracts the Employee Assistance Program services with an outside organization to operate the Employee Assistance Program. In no way does using the Employee Assistance Program affect an employee’s chances of promotion or advancement. Service members, civilians and family members deal directly with this national network of providers. The Employee Assistance Program does not reveal the user’s identity to the Coast Guard. In addition, any discussion with an Employee Assistance Program counselor is confidential and protected by law. The only exceptions to the confidentiality are in cases of child abuse and specific state-enforced laws addressing family violence (where reporting is mandatory), suicide and imminent harm to another.

Definitions
The following definitions apply to Employee Assistance Program:

Critical Incident Intervention - EAP contractor services or activities provided in response to a critical incident. Services and activities include, but are not limited to, "inoculations," defusings, debriefings, outreach to the workforce, psycho-educational activities related to trauma, anniversary responses, etc. Provided when requested per Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) COMDTINST 1754.3 (series).
Comprehensive Soldier Fitness - A structured, long term assessment and development program to build the resilience and enhance the performance of every Soldier, Family member and DA civilian. This website is still under construction but looks very promising and worthy of a bookmark. The program is described in the April 2011 edition of the Havard Business Review.
Financial Consultation - a service that provides consultation with a financial expert and is available during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Intake Specialists will arrange for a financial expert to call back within one business day. Once connected, the financial expert can address financial needs and goals, and help develop and implement a plan to address financial issues. There is no limit on the number of times you can use this service.
Formal Referral - The referral of full-time employees and active duty members by supervisors as voluntary clients to the EAP for problems that have occurred on the job.
Informal Referral - The referral of an employee to the Employee Assistance Program by a supervisor, family member, co-worker or health provider due to the identification of a problem that is not necessarily work performance oriented.
Legal Consultation - A service that provides consultation with an attorney by phone to discuss legal concerns. Program can also provide an in-person consultation. Either way, the initial visit (usually a half-hour) is prepaid. Additional visits or services are available at discounted rates. Exclusions: this program does not include advice on matters relating to your Employee Assistance Program, your job or business concerns.
Mandatory Referral by the Command - The formal and mandatory referral of an employee to the Employee Assistance Program as a result of a confirmed positive drug test.
Referral as a part of the Assessment Process - The referral of an employee or family member by an Employee Assistance Program counselor to one or more community resources based on assessment and problem identification.
Resource and Referral Service - An information service that includes individually-tailored responses to callers and website visitors. Number: 1-800-222-0364 (same as EAP). Website: www.worklife4you.com (Screen name and password for CG customers is “uscg”). Services include:
- 24/7 expert guidance (via toll-free number or online) to assist with child care & parenting, pregnancy & adoption, adult care & aging, education, health & wellness, relocation, pet care, and other daily life issues
- Personalized and prescreened referrals for resources related to child care & parenting, pregnancy & adoption, adult care & aging, education, health & wellness, relocation, pet care, and other daily life issues
- Free Prenatal, Child Safety, College, and Adult Care Kits. Click here for a promotional flyer (.pdf) with a description of the kits and information regarding how to request them.
- Parenting discussion group and network
- Scholarship and educational loan assistance
- Personalized relocation packets
- Access to CareConnection (customized online private site that allows employees to update friends and family members on life events such as birth of a new baby, illness, injury, etc.)
- Live and on-demand webinars
- WorkLife4You Overview (.ppt)
- WorkLife4You Flyer (.doc)
Self-Referral - The voluntary use of the Employee Assistance Program by an employee.
Short Term Problem Solving - Limited sessions (one to six) with a licensed professional to resolve problems identified in the assessment. The intent of short term problem solving is to work through the identified problem within the six (6) session time frame thereby eliminating the need to refer the employee to a community resource.
Supervisor Consultation - Meetings and/or discussions between a supervisor and a Employee Assistance Program counselor. The purpose is to discuss a potential supervisor referral, to assist the supervisor in making a referral, to confer as appropriate during the course of intervention with the employee, and/or to follow-up with the supervisor when the intervention has terminated.

Services and Resources Available

Critical Incident Intervention (arranged via Coast Guard Work-Life staff)
Financial Consultation via phone
Legal Consultation via phone or in person
Resource and Referral Service with call-backs after a specialist does the research
Short-Term Problem-Solving Counseling via phone or face-to-face
Supervisor Consultation
www.foh4you.com - provides information on a wide variety of work, family, and health concerns.
www.worklife4you.com - see description under Resource and Referral above.

Requesting Services or Resources
Critical incident stress management counseling related to workplace critical incidents can be arranged by contacting the Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) at your Regional Work-Life Office. Work-Life Offices are located at Integrated Support Commands CG-wide and at the Headquarters Support Command.

Program References
The following reference provides details of the Employee Assistance Program:

Employee Assistance Program - COMDTINST 1740.7B
Employee Assistance Program - DHS Management Directive Number 254-02 (accessible from DHS/Coast Guard computers)

Related Web Sites
The following web sites provide information related to the Employee Assistance Program:

ABA Homefront – Sponsored by the American Bar Association, this site provides legal information of interest to the military community. Includes a nation-wide search engine.
A Complaint Free World - A non-profit, non-religious organization which provides purple bracelets and other materials to help people affect positive change in their lives. Based on a simple idea that has helped thousands live happier lives. If you are ready to stop complaining this website is for you.
Coast Guard Legal Assistance - Coast Guard legal assistance attorneys provide advice and counsel regarding personal legal issues to service members, dependents and retirees at no cost. Site includes some resources and a find-a-lawyer locator.
Department of Homeland Security Employee Assistance Program - Lots of useful information and links available on a broad range of EAP and workplace-related topics.
Armed Forces Legal Assistance - Locate active duty legal activities offering general legal services within the continental United States.
Best of the Web - Disorders - An excellent, well-maintained resource for researching mental health disorders on the Internet. Includes a wide array of useful self-help links.
Federal Occupational Health EAP - Contains helpful information on a wide range of subjects.
Gift From Within - An international nonprofit organization for survivors of trauma and victimization that provides helpful resources for both therapists and those seeking to help themselves recover from traumatic events. Name of organization comes from a quote attributed to Franz Kafka: Anything that has real and lasting value is always a gift from within.
GLBT National Help Center - at 1-888-843-4564 (adults) and 1-800-246-7743 (adolescents) - Provides telephone and e-mail peer counseling as well as information and resources.
HOMEFRONTConnections - A DoD online social networking site for military members and families. You can participate in blogs and discussion forums, upload documents, post pictures and videos, send messages, and stay connected with other social media sites. Service members, military families, service providers and commands can share information on this secure site. A real plus: you can access this site via CG computers.
InTransition - This is new DoD program for all military members including members of the Coast Guard. It provides service members currently receiving mental health treatment a bridge of support between health care providers should they transfer to a new location or separate from active service. The program may be accessed by service members or referring mental health providers by calling toll-free 1-800-424-7877 (continental United States including Alaska and Hawaii); 1-800-424-4685 (outside the United States). Individuals outside the US may also call collect 1-314-387-4700.
Live Your Life Well – Site sponsored by the advocacy group Mental Health America. Identifies “10 Tools To Live Your Life Well.” This website is designed to help you cope better with stress and create more of the life you want. You’ll want to write these ideas down.
Medal of Honor Speak Out - Medal of Honor recipients speak out to save lives by encouraging America's military to seek help when adjusting to life after combat, particularly for post-traumatic stress.
Military Pathways - Formerly the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP), Military Pathways offers service personnel and their families the opportunity to take anonymous, mental health and alcohol use self-assessments online. The self-assessments are a brief series of questions that, when linked together, help create a picture of how an individual is feeling. After an individual completes a self-assessment, s/he is provided with referral information including services provided through the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - A national advocacy group that provides easy-to-understand information about mental illness, mental health care, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Particularly helpful for parents and loved ones trying to help. Many local NAMI chapters sponsor education programs. Use their locator to find the nearest chapter.
National Institute of Mental Health - Provides helpful information on mental illnesses and the latest research findings.
National Resource Directory (NRD) - The NRD is a federal government Web site for wounded, ill and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. This Web site, which is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, provides access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national and state level to support the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of Service Members and Veterans into their communities.
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Portal – a great resource for all things related to promoting healthy living and resilience. One of the best sites available for those looking to make changes for themselves as well as for those who are in the business of advising/training others. Literally covers related subjects from A to Y. A very well organized site.
Navy Operational Stress Control (OSC) Official Blog Site - Has tips and ideas for controlling stress. Be sure to scroll to the cartoons. This is a new site that will be developed further. Note: the social media links do not work on CG computers.
Office of Personnel Management EAP Homepage - Provides information on Federal EAPs and links and publications helpful in addressing related issues.
Safe Helpline For Victims of Sexual Assault - A DoD site dedicated to providing crisis help for Active Duty and Reserve DoD/Coast Guard personnel affected by sexual assault. The Safe Helpline provides live, one-on-one expert advice and information worldwide. Available 24/7, users can click, call, or text for anonymous and confidential support. Call 877-995-5247.
Sounds True - Insights at the Edge - For anyone interested in learning about the latest in fields related to emotional health. Provides fascinating interviews with experts on the subject of their latest work and current challenges. Scroll on left side to “PODCAST: INSIGHTS AT THE EDGE”.
TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) - A web-based counseling service available to all TRICARE beneficiaries including all active duty military personnel. It provides private, confidential, video counseling with a licensed mental healthcare provider. To use this service, you must have a Skype , a telephone, and a personal computer that meets certain system requirements. For more information go to your TRICARE Regional TRIAP website: North, South, West.. See a demo video on how it works.
TRICARE Choices for the Reserve Component – a downloadable Tricare brochure that provides useful information for Reserve member coverage.
TRICARE - Contacts & Regional Contractors - Provides contact information and locators for all Tricare Medical and Mental Health Services.
The USAA Educational Foundation - Helps consumers make informed decisions by providing information on many life topics including Vehicle, Family, Financial, House and Insurance. See helpful booklets on Families Dealing With Deployment, Balancing Family and Career, Managing Credit and Debt, When A Loved One Dies: Coping With Grief.
“Veterans Chat” - An online, one-on-one “chat-service” for veterans. (Click on the “Click to Chat Live Online” icon to get started.) It enables veterans, their families, and friends to communicate anonymously with a trained VA counselor. This pilot project went live in July 2009 and is available 24/7.

EAP Newsletter, Let's Talk
To subscribe to Let's Talk go to the subscription page.

Point of Contact
If you are unable to contact the Employee Assistance Program Coordinator on your Regional Work-Life Staff, or need additional assistance beyond the information provided here, please contact the Headquarters Employee Assistance Program Manager, Ms Lisa Teems CG-1112, at (202) 475-5157 Fax: (202) 475-5907 or email at Lisa.A.Teems@uscg.mil.

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Last Modified 1/26/2012

Security Levels

Office of Work-Life Programs - Employee Assistance Program

Office of Work-Life Programs -
Employee Assistance Program