Employee Assistance (EAP)
Life presents complex challenges. If the unexpected happens, you want to know that you and your family have simple solutions to help you cope with the stress and life changes that may result. That’s why Houston County Schools is offering The Hartford's Ability Assist Counseling Services to all of their employees at no cost. Their straightforward approach takes the complexity out of managing stress when life throws you a curve.
From the everyday issues like job pressures, relationships, retirement planning, personal grief, loss, or a disability, Ability Assist Counseling Services can be your resource for professional support. You and your family, including spouse and dependents, can access this service at any time.
The service includes unlimited telephonic support, and up to 3 face-to-face emotional or work-life counseling sessions per occurrence per year, so each member of your family can get counseling help for their own unique needs. Legal and financial counseling are also available by telephone during regular business hours.
Ability Assist Flyer
Please click below for a downloadable flyer on the EAP services available to you.
Ability Assist Counseling Services
Emotional or Work-Life Counseling
Helps address stress, relationship or other personal issues you or your family members may face. It’s staffed by highly trained specialists who listen to concerns and quickly make referrals to in-person counseling or other valuable resources if necessary. Situations may include:
- Job pressures
- Relationship / marital conflicts
- Stress, anxiety and depression
- Work / school disagreements
- Substance abuse
Financial Information and Resources
The EAP provides support for the complicated financial decisions you or your family members may face. Speak by phone with professionals on a wide range of financial issues. Topics may include:
- Managing a budget
- Retirement and estate planning
- Getting out of debt
- Tax questions
- Saving for college
Legal Support and Resources
Offers assistance if legal uncertainties arise. Talk to an attorney by phone about the issues that are important to you or your family members. If you require representation, you’ll be referred to a qualified attorney in your area with a 25% reduction in customary legal fees after a free 30-minute session. Topics may include:
- Debt and bankruptcy
- Guardianship
- Buying a home
- Power of attorney
- Divorce
Health Champion
A service that supports you through all aspects of your health care issues by helping to ensure that you’re fully supported with employee assistance programs and/or work-life services. HealthChampion is staffed by both administrative and clinical experts who understand the nuances of any given healthcare concern.
Travel Assist
The best laid travel plans can go awry, leaving you vulnerable and possibly, unable to communicate your needs. When the unexpected happens far from home, it's important to know whom to call for assistance.
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, Travel Assistance services are available when you're more than 100 miles from home for 90 days or less.
Call (800) 243-6108 for help while traveling. The Identification number is GLD-09012.
EstateGuidance will services
Having a will is important no matter the size of your estate. A will ensures that your intentions will be honored in the event of your death, including your wishes about who will inherit your property, serve as guardian for your children, and manage your estate. Without a will those decisions may be left to others.
You have access to EstateGuidance Will Services and this free service helps you create a simple, legally binding will online, saving you the time and expense of a private legal consultation.
To create your will, visit www.estateguidance.com and use the code WILLHLF.
Contact Information
Georgia's Public Education EAP - Additional Coverage
Georgia’s Public Education Employee Assistance Program offers various resources to help you when facing issues that interfere with your health and well-being at home or work, including up to six sessions of mental health counseling. GaDOE, in partnership with Kepro, provides the EAP for all K-12 public school teachers and staff in Georgia, along with Pre-K teachers. Household members and children up to age 26 are also eligible.
Services provided by the EAP are confidential and at no cost to you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access the EAP by visiting www.EAPHelplink.com, using access code GADOE, or calling (866) 279-5177.
A wealth of resources are available on GaDOE Community at https://login.community.gadoe.org/events/qa-public-education-employee-assistance-program. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to download Georgia’s Public Education EAP Toolkit. Please get in touch with the GaDOE Office of Communications with questions, comments, or concerns.
