Examples of Work-life Areas covered by the program:

• • Parenting and Childcare Providing information on becoming a parent, developing parenting skills, learning about child development, and finding and managing child care. Personalized searches and referrals are executed for childcare centers, family childcare homes, in home care such as nannies/au pair, summer camps, sick care/back-up care, and enrichment programs. Also Balance EAP offers parenting webinars, related resource materials, and parenting videos.

• • Prenatal Program Assisting members as they begin the process of pregnancy and becoming parents. Each member receives A Prenatal Guide, which includes valuable information to assist them as they make choices. A Prenatal Guide includes information on choosing a childbirth method, a birth attendant, a pediatrician, feeding your baby, traveling during pregnancy and information for fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Referrals can also be made to lactation consultants, doulas, etc.

• • Pet Care Providing members with a packet of educational materials and referrals to veterinarians, kennels, groomers, walkers, pet sitters, and other related resources for the member’s pet. Our Pet Guide has tip sheets and information on How to Choose A Pet, Pet Proofing Your Home, How to Choose a Veterinarian/Kennel, and other pet related information.

• • College Coaching Offering assistance with the college search process for both college-bound children, as well as the working member in search of furthering his/her educational needs. In-depth consultation (one hour) with a college coach who will discuss all aspects of the college selection and enrollment process. Our college coaches have over 25 years’ experience as high school guidance counselors working with families, and they can assist with any step in the process. Each member receives the college tip sheet series, which include tips and resources spanning the entire college process.

• • Education Assistance Assisting members with selecting and managing the family’s education from preschool through college. The referrals include information on working with teachers, understanding testing procedures, resolving school problems, and improving study habits. The consultants provide personalized searches and referrals to colleges and universities, special-needs programs, scholarship/grant searches, and vocational schools.

• • Special Needs Assistance Providing assistance to employees and family members who request information on special needs. When the employee calls the referral service, a counselor will assess the employee’s needs, educate them about the options available, and make referrals to community resources. Types of special needs cases include ADHD/LD, Amputees, Autism, Behavior Disorder, Blindness/Low Vision, Brain Injury, Burn Victims, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Disability, Diabetes, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder, Hearing Impaired, Heart Disease, HIV/AIDS, Language Disorder, Mental Illness, Mental Retardation, Neurologically Impaired, Parkinson’s, and Physically Disabled.

• • Adoption Assistance Offering adoption consultation with an experienced MSW Social Worker. This experienced adoption counselor helps the member understand the various stages and types of adoptions. Single employees as well as couples wanting to adopt have used the service. Members who wish to reconnect with their birth mothers have been referred to adoption reunion registries. Referrals are given to public and private adoption agencies, adoption support organizations, adoption attorneys, domestic and international adoption agencies, state reunion registries, and state adoption units.

• • Eldercare Assistance Helping members understand and navigate through eldercare options (such as researching housing options, transportation needs, coping with the aging process, understanding the needs of and communicating with elderly relatives, and understanding Medicare/Medicaid).

• • Disability Resources Identifying disability resources and support groups; whether dealing with a child, spouse or adult, our care managers can locate resources and offer support for disabled individuals (such as referrals to housing, special needs program, advocacy organizations, and more).

• • Relocation Services When members need to relocate to a new state or area, our referral consultants can assist in finding moving companies (along with identifying the company’s better business rating); locating storage facilities; identifying real estate agents/companies or apartment complexes (or other housing options); locating house cleaners (at both old and new locations); finding utility companies; identifying service connections; locating specialty stores such as grocery stores, pharmacy, or natural food stores; finding doctors; and identifying service providers such as dog walkers, lawn care specialists, painters, carpenters, car rentals; and public/private schools.

• • Home Repairs Identifying “handymen” or repair services such as plumbers, electricians, and lawn maintenance.

• • Low Income Assistance Identifying 211 resources revolving around basic living challenges (foreclosures, setting up a bank account, housing expenses, etc.).

• • Housing Locators Finding housing with Balance EAP online search tools or with the help of a Work-Life Specialist.

• • Meal Services Locating meal services (such as home delivery, Kosher, Ethnic, etc.).

• • Travel Helping members with travel and recreation plans.

• • Weather Related Services Offering weather related support such as information regarding snow removal, flooding and water damage, tree removal, etc.

• • Discount Service Offering an Online Savings Center where you receive significant discounts on the following: computers, dining (in or out), vacations, electronics, cell phones, movie tickets, new and used cars, and much more!

• • Volunteering Identifying local volunteer opportunities.

• • Community and Religious Organizations Identifying community organizations (such as houses of worship, etc.).

• • Fitness Locating Health and Fitness information (including clubs, trainers, food stores, etc.).

• • Professional Services Assisting with resume writing and career planning.

• • Recreation Providing ticket and entertainment discounts.