Family Support  Services

Support for what matters most

Looking for local daycare? 
Trouble talking with your tight­lipped teen? 
Too many child and elder care responsibilities?

Balancing the demands of work and family is an ongoing challenge and often the juggling act can feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re trying to find daycare, dealing with caregiving emergencies or looking after older relatives, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help.

WHAT’S THE CONNECTION TO Family SUPPORT SERVICES?

Your EAP offers a total approach to caregiving support.  Professionals will help you cope with the stress, guilt and sense of ‘being overwhelmed’, often associated with caregiving responsibilities.  Family Support Specialists can also provide a one-on-one telephone consultation that offers relevant information, resource referrals and educational materials, for day-to-day challenges or longer-term solutions.

HOW CAN THE SERVICE HELP?

Family Support Specialists will assess, identify and locate caregiving services to suit your needs.  They will research provider locations, current availability, fees and provide options on:

• Parenting classes
• Daycare centers and after school programs
• Schools, educational services and special needs programs 
• Adoption and multiple birth services
• Emergency home care services
• Seniors’ accommodations/nursing homes
• Caregiver support groups
• Rehabilitation and home support programs
• Companion and elder care programs
• Palliative care
• Outreach and transportation services

Note:  While fees for referred services are your responsibility, many may be covered by your provincial or organizational health plans.

TARGETED RESOURCE PACKAGES

Depending on your individual situation, you may also receive a targeted resource package complete with a selection of educational articles and other helpful tools.  Article topics include:

• Planning a family
• Maternity/parental leaves
• Parenting effectively at all ages and stages
• Talking to kids about divorce, peer pressure, drugs, etc.
• Building strong blended families
• Talking to older parents about their changing needs
• Understanding palliative care
• Support for older relatives with cognitive impairment
• Other family­ related topics 

ADDITIONAL CHILDCARE RESOURCE PACKAGES:

• Preparenting Program: The Preparenting Program seeks to educate and support expecting or adopting parents through the pre and postnatal period.  The Preparenting Program includes a  preparenting resource kit containing a variety of educational resources, articles and pertinent information, to help parents-to-be prepare for the new baby. Once an employee enrolls in the Preparenting Program, they will have the option of receiving monthly e-mails from Family Matters on pre and postnatal issues.   Employees can also consult with a Dependent Care Consultant throughout the course of the program.

• Parenting Plus Package: The Parenting Plus Package is provided to clients who identify the need for parenting information on children aged zero to five. The package includes a combination of print and video material designed to assist with the daily challenges experienced by parents of young children, and includes the latest findings in child development.

Back to Services