Employee Assistance Program Offers Help

Everyone has problems at one time or another. Problems sometimes start small, but can grow and spread into other areas of a person’s life, threatening a marriage, a career or both.        

As a commitment to the well being of valued employees, the University has contracted the Arkansas Employee Assistance Program to provide confidential counseling, information and referrals for employees who may experience some form of personal distress.

The AEAP is offered to all employees and their immediate family members as well as all Graduate Assistants and their family members.  The university has paid the cost of the program. Typically, problems are resolved within the AEAP. At times, assessment may indicate a need for services beyond the AEAP. The cost of these services, if any, will be the responsibility of the employee. 

The AEAP is not a cure-all and it doesn’t get involved in grievance or disciplinary problems and it is not designed to replace any personnel or management procedures. However, the AEAP is certainly a good place to start when you are facing problems.

State and federal law and professional standards of confidentiality protect employee privacy. Any records or notes remain in the AEAP and do not become a part of a personnel file. AEAP will release only that information that you expressly authorize.

AEAP has a private office off campus with both male and female counselors. Appointments are made for non-emergency situations during the day. But the AEAP is available for emergency situations 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. To schedule an appointment, phone 1-800-542-6021. The 1-800 number may be called after hours and on the weekends and holidays for emergencies.  There are also evening hours available. Help is only a call away.

To learn more about AEAP visit its website at www.uams.edu/eap.