Everyone needs someone to talk to whether they're going through a difficult time or just received wonderful news. Change can create stress. Routine can create stress. Life is full of challenges and surprises, ups and down, highs and lows. Occasionally, we are faced with problems that become hard to handle alone and it feels like there's just too much to handle. You are not alone as that is a natural feeling. That is also why Rockford Public Schools offers their employees an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

The EAP is a confidential and free counseling service designed to provide you and your family with assistance in managing everyday concerns through problem clarification, counseling, and referral services for all kinds of personal concerns, big and small. To help you understand how the EAP can help your and your family members to be at your best, below please find some of the most commonly asked questions about the program.

Who Can Use The EAP?
Services are available to you and your family members.

What Are Some Typical Concerns For Which People Contact The EAP?
. Job or work stress
. Parenting issues
. Alcohol or drug dependencies
. Burnout
. Marital or relationship problems
. Anxiety or depression
. Anger management
. Coping with change
. Self-esteem issues
. Grief or bereavement
. and much more

Is The Program Really Confidential?
All EAP records and services are treated with the strictest confidence and all information shared is protected by strict policies.

How Much Does The EAP Cost?
You and your household members can access short-term counseling services through the EAP at no charge. Rockford Public Schools has pre-paid the cost of this service. When initally contacting the EAP, the counselor you speak to can approve up to eight free counseling visits. Once approved, a confirmation number will be given to you for the eight free authorized visits. In many cases, problems can be resolved within the scope of the assistance provided by the EAP. However, if the situation requires help beyond the scope of the EAP, your counselor will work with you to find an affordable solution. If you use any resources outside of the EAP, you will be response for any associated fees. The decision to use outside resources is left up to you.

When Should I Contact The EAP?
You should contact the EAP any time you need help working out a personal problem. The philosophy of the EAP is that problems are most effectively handled before they become serious. The key is to get assistance as soon as a problem begins affecting your work or personal life. The EAP staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please contact them a 1-800-523-5668.

Where Can I Find Online Information?
As part of your EAP Program, the Magellan Health Services' website can help you leverage the power and efficienty to provide you and your family members with online assistance for a variety of personal, family and work-related concerns including:
. Information, educational materials and self-help strategies to help you live healthy and work well
. Participate in free interactive online seminars
. Confidential and anonymous access to a wide variety of information and resources, available at no cost
. and much more

Whether you want personalized information on nutrition or parenting, or customized help with relationships or mental health problems, Magellan Health offers articles and interactive content designed to help improve your life - at work and at home. Every month the content is updated and new topics are added.

Additionally, hundreds of assessments, tools and calculators are offered online to help you live healthy and work well. Below are just a few of the many topics that are covered.

Self-Assestments
. Diet and nutrition
. Parenting, child and elder care
. Personal and career development
. Stress, anger and time management
. Disorders such as anxiety, depression
. and much more

Tools and Calculators
. Health
. Home buying
. Fitness
. Investing
. Mental health
. and much more

To access these free and confidential on-line resources visit www.magellanhealth.com/member. If you have not already registered, click on "New or unregistered user". The next screen will ask for your toll free number: 8005235668. The following screen will ask for your organization name: rps. On the next screen you can either establish your own password or page down to the bottom and click on "Continue Unregistered". You will then be directed into the member site where you can access more information.

Managers And Supervisors: Magellan Health Services offers training classes that are available to District employees. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@rps205.com, if you are interested in any of the classes listed in the Magellan Training Program Guide.