By Hollie Knapp-Fisher, Communications Intern

Queen’s has selected a new provider for its Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

“Homewood is known for their personal touch and exceptional level of service delivery,” says Al Orth, Associate Vice-Principal (Human Resources). 

This change in providers will enhance the services currently available to Queen’s employees and their families and add services not previously offered. The new EFAP offers a full range of health and wellness services. All services will be available through a variety of means including in-person, online and over the phone.

The new EFAP services include:

• Short-term counselling for any personal challenge such as relationship concerns, family or parenting issues, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, coping with health issues, or work related challenges.

• Plan Smart – Lifestyle and Specialty Counselling Services, a suite of telephonic services including child and elder care, legal and financial advisory services, nutrition counselling, career counselling, pre-retirement planning, relationship solutions, shiftwork guidance, smoking cessation and a "12 weeks to wellness" health focused service.

• Online services including e-learning courses, an online child and elder care resource locator and the Homewood Health and Wellness Companion which is full of current medical information and health assessment tools.

The new EFAP will be outlined in more detail in a home mailing that is being sent to current employees within the next few days. 

Homewood Human Solutions is well established in the Kingston community servicing organizations such as the City of Kingston, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, Providence Care and Frontenac Community Mental Health and Addictions Services. They also support Canadian universities such as McMaster, Guelph, Simon Fraser, University of Alberta and University of British Columbia.

Effective April 23, Queen’s employees and their families can call 1-800-663-1142 to access any of the EFAP services or visit their website for details on programs and services as well as contact information. Homewood services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During the transition to the new provider, existing employee-counsellor relationships will be maintained until the employee's needs are met. From that point on, future support will be provided by Homewood Human Solutions.