What is EAP?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to assist employees and their families with problems that are affecting their job performance and/or their personal lives.  This goal is achieved by offering assessment, short-term counseling and/or referral and follow-up services.

Most frequent issues brought to EAP:

• Marital Issues
• Substance Abuse
• Family Problems
• Work-related Stress Management Problems
• Depression
• Grief Issues
• Coping with Life Changes
• Anxiety

EAP services are for those problems that can be addressed in brief, solution-focused therapy.  It is not intended to address acute or chronic conditions.

Who is eligible for EAP services?
All full-time employees and their immediate family members.

How much do I have to pay for this service?
There is NO COST to the client accessing EAP services.  (There are problems that may be identified in an EAP session that require referral to other providers.  The cost of these services is NOT covered by EAP.  The client would be responsible for these fees.)

How many times can I go to EAP?
Your EAP provides UNLIMITED sessions per family per year.  The scope of EAP is short-term and solution-focused therapy.

How do I schedule an appointment?
Call your EAP at (319)398-6694 or 1-800-383-6694.  The intake worker may ask for some brief demographic information from each caller.  She will help to identify the best site for you and arrange an appointment.

Who are the Providers?

• 8 counselors locally
• Experienced
• Affiliate providers provided for off-site employees
• All licensed mental health professionals

How do I find you?

• Main Site:  Mercy Health Plaza, 5264 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
• Mercy Care Clinics:  Marion, Blairs Ferry, Vernon Village, Johnson Avenue
• Affiliate Sites

CONFIDENTIALITY

     It is essential to the success of the EAP program that employees trust that their confidentiality will be respected.  State and federal regulations as well as professional ethics govern EAP guidelines regarding confidentiality.  (42 CFR, Part 2 and Iowa Code, Ch. 228)
     Most often, employees will seek EAP services on their own with no involvement from the company.  No information will be disclosed in this situation.
     When a MANDATORY REFERRAL is made, Mercy EAP Services is able to notify the referring party that an initial appointment has been kept.  No further information can be given without written informed consent.  Informed consent means that an employee has read and signed a release of information form that specifies what information may be shared with another party.  Any employee who is referred to EAP by a supervisor or human resources will be requested to sign a release of information to the referring party.
     The rules of confidentiality are for the protection of all parties involved.  By assuring employees about the confidential nature of the program, supervisors help the EAP to truly be viewed as a benefit to the employee.