SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For nearly 800 Seymour Johnson Air Force Base civilian employees, and more than 140,000 Air Force-wide, a new, free program is now available to help alleviate some of the stress of everyday work and personal life.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2017, the Air Force rolled out the Federal Occupational Health’s Employee Assistance Program and WorkLife4You services for all civilian employees as part of the service’s commitment to taking care of the Total Force.
“[The Employment Assistance Program] was born from the Air Force Community Action Information Board process back in 2015,” said Jeffrey Craver, 4th Fighter Wing community support coordinator. “They identified a gap in services provided and a need for services for our civilian employee population.”
According to the FOH’s website, the program’s mission is to “improve the health, safety, and productivity of the federal workplace.” It does so by offering a full spectrum of services ranging from counseling, financial and legal services, and health and wellness presentation to risk management consultations, crisis response, and child and elder care. Live representatives are also available 24/7 to help connect individuals to the appropriate service.
“As we move forward, and we start to hear increased language on work-life balance and some of the benefits of healthy living and taking care of yourself, this is just another resource that we need to armor our civilian population with and let them know that it’s a benefit for them.” Craver said.
Craver, who previously worked as a consultant for Military OneSource, noted a lot of similarities between the two programs, with one key difference though about the EAP.
”It’s kind of unique because it includes any member who lives in your home, regardless of age or regardless of relationship,” Craver explained. “Unlike Military OneSource or other assistance programs, where sometimes your dependents are cut off at a certain age or they don’t recognize a boyfriend, girlfriend, or intimate partner as a dependent, this program, as long as they’re living in the same house with you, they’re affecting your life, so they are available as well to receive services.”
No matter the issue, the program can connect you to a resource to improve the situation. Additionally, support is provided on a strictly confidential basis to encourage users to freely express their concerns.
For more information about the program, or to get in touch with a representative, call 1-800-222-0364, or visit the website at FOH4You.com.