Dear GW Employees:

Today's society is becoming increasingly complex and our employees face a variety of difficult personal situations. Usually individuals are able to resolve these problems effectively on their own. However, personal crises that we all experience occasionally, can affect happiness, family relations, performance at work, and physical health. Outside assistance during these times can be helpful.

For these reasons, we are very pleased to let you know that a valuable benefit, the Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, has been revised and expanded for your use. The program is available to employees and their dependents. There is no cost to employees and their dependents for this benefit, and it is not necessary to be enrolled in a University-offered medical plan to take advantage of the services provided by the EAP.

Effective December 1, 2008, GW contracted with a national provider of EAP services, CIGNA Behavioral Health. Employees and their dependents can now access the EAP Program and CIGNA Behavioral Health Personal Advocates by calling toll free 1.877.622.4327.  The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The EAP is a confidential service.

As of December 1st, eligible individuals wishing to take advantage of this benefit should contact Cigna Behavioral Health directly to either, speak with a Personal Advocate or obtain a listing of participating counselors. Each EAP counselor is a licensed mental health professional.  Employees are encouraged to speak with an EAP Advocate who will provide the required authorization to obtain additional EAP assistance, if necessary. Employees may also go online to www.cignabehavioral.com and enter the employer ID: gwu, for additional helpful resources and information.

The EAP counselor can provide professional counseling for marital and family concerns, substance and alcohol abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, and many other issues that commonly occur throughout life. The EAP counselor will assist the employee and their dependents in devising a plan of action.  Issues may be resolved through consultation, support, or information, and referrals for longer term counseling or resolution will also be made if appropriate.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Dr. Lee Smith, who will be leaving the University at the end of the month, after 21 years of service as its Director of the University’s Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (F/EAP).  As Director, Dr. Smith assisted countless numbers of University employees and their families, and we are grateful for her service. We wish her the best.
Please contact the Benefits Administration Department at 202-994-9620, if you have any questions or need further information.

Sincerely,

Val M. Berry, SPHR
Vice President