Caregiving Exchange

What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

An Employer sponsored service and benefit, which includes programs designed to support and empower associates to cope with and overcome personal challenges that may be affecting work place productivity/performance.  These challenges may include: family/personal relationship stress, mental/emotional health, substance abuse, or financial stress, to name a few. 

EAP Programs which may be available through your employer:

• Elder Care:  Are you a caregiver experiencing the challenges of taking care of a loved one?
• Family Care: Have the stresses of parenting and child care been affecting your performance at work?
• Emotional Health: Are you affected by Stress, Depression, and/or Grief at your work place?
• Substance Abuse: Do you suffer from Alcohol or Drug abuse?
• Legal Assistance: Do you need guidance on legal issues like Divorce, Guardianship, and/or Estate Planning?

Estate and Legal Plans

This employee benefit offers you and your family affordable access to attorneys and legal consultations, to discuss and get advice on numerous topics including, but not limited to:

• Estate Planning: Do you need advice on Wills, Trusts, or Power of Attorney?
• Elder Law: Do you have questions on Medicare, Medicaid, or Nursing Home Agreements?
• Family Law: Seeking guidance on Guardianship, or Conservatorship?
• Money Matters: Need help with Bankruptcy, Debt Collectors, or Foreclosure?

What is FMLA?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is legislation that provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to attend to certain medical and/or family related issues.  During this leave period, the employee is entitled to job protection as well as maintaining their health/medical benefits with their current employer.

FMLA Qualifying events could be:

• The birth and care of a newborn son or daughter.
• Adoption or foster care placement for a child.
• Caring for a parent, spouse, son, or daughter, who has a serious illness or health condition.
• Caring for an immediate family, injured active military member; or needing to attend to a qualifying circumstance due to a family member being deployed.
• A serious health condition, illness, or injury that keeps the employee from performing their job duties.