New UW Employee Assistance Program Begins Dec. 1

November 18, 2013

The University of Wyoming will offer an employee assistance program (EAP) that provides benefited employees and their household members with professional counseling, legal and financial assistance beginning Dec. 1.

UW has entered into an agreement with MINES and Associates of Littleton, Colo., to provide statewide services at no cost to UW employees.

“We recognized there was a demand for a program that could provide valuable assistance to meet the needs of many of our employees and their families,” says UW Human Resources Benefits Manager Eric Goldenstein. “It’s been a priority for some time, and the program is included in the University Plan 4 (UW’s strategic plan)."

Goldenstein emphasizes that participation in the EAP is voluntary and strictly confidential. Employees can choose to meet face to face or access professional assistance online or by telephone, 24/7. MINES provides a network of doctoral-level licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, certified alcohol counselors, master's level therapists and certified employee assistance professionals.

Assistance is offered in the following areas:

Counseling -- The MINES professionals offer up to six free counseling sessions per year to help employees and household members deal with issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, stress, anxiety, financial problems, legal referrals, work-related issues and other problems. (https://www.uwyo.edu/hr/_files/docs/employee-benefits/EAP-Guide.pdf)

Financial -- Each employee and household member can receive a 30-minute office or telephone financial consultation on topics  including credit counseling, debt and budgeting assistance, tax planning, retirement and college planning services and other services. (https://www.uwyo.edu/hr/_files/docs/employee-benefits/EAP-Legal-Financial.pdf , USERNAME: mines, PASSWORD: associates)

Legal -- Employees and household members also are entitled to one initial 30-minute office or telephone consultation at no cost, with a 25 percent rate reduction thereafter. Legal assistance is offered in areas including civil/consumer issues, personal and family legal services, business legal services, criminal matters, do-it-yourself legal forms and more. (https://www.uwyo.edu/hr/_files/docs/employee-benefits/EAP-Legal-Financial.pdf , USERNAME: mines, PASSWORD: associates)

Online Resource -- PersonalAdvantage, an online interactive resource, offers free assistance through assessments, courses, calculators, quizzes, articles and more. These free programs can help UW employees prepare for and deal with challenges involving emotional and physical well-being, financial stability, personal growth and relationships. (https://www.uwyo.edu/hr/_files/docs/employee-benefits/EAP-PA-Overview.pdf, USERNAME: uofwy, PASSWORD: employee)

Beginning Dec. 1, access any of the programs by visiting www.MINESandAssociates.com, or by calling 1-800-873-7138.

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