WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- The Air Force Materiel Command Employee Assistance Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is developed to provide civilian employees confidential resources to help manage normal, everyday life challenges that may affect job performance and personal well-being.
EAP services are also available for dependent and other household family members to assist with any life challenges, no matter how large or small, that adversely affect their ability to function successfully in their day-to-day operations.
Services provided by EAP include counseling, financial services, legal services and Worklife4you.
Danna Plewe, Air Force EAP manager, said EAP is a bundle of services that individuals can take advantage of free of charge.
“These services are a person’s right to take advantage of; they are not tracked or monitored,” said Plewe.
Employees having difficulty balancing their life issues can meet or speak with an experienced, licensed EAP counselor who may provide consultation, assessment, short-term problem solving counseling and referral services.
“If an individual has a fear or concern about being seen by EAP on base, there is the ability to be referred to an off-base partnership provider,” said Plewe. This would be a licensed mental health professional in the community who supports EAP benefits to civilians.”
The Air Force has approximately 22,000 affiliate providers worldwide and can provide services in up to 80 languages.
No matter if the issue relates to work, relationship, family, health, finances, substance use or something else, the EAP can help - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Financial information, as well as planning tools, are available to assist members with assessing budgets, savings and investing strategies. Also, this tool can help with figuring out if it’s advantageous to buy or lease an automobile.
EAP also covers free consults with a lawyer or financial expert. The legal benefit does not include any assistance for labor or employment matters.
According to Plewe, EAP is not just a service people can take advantage of when there is a crisis. Employees can call anytime for information on a variety of stressful subjects.
In addition, EAP can provide consultation and management coaching resources for supervisors and managers. Consultants try to assist supervisors to identify issues before they become problems and support their employees. The goal is to enhance their employees’ productivity.
Consultations will assist supervisors with how to confidently refer employees to the EAP, while reinforcing that the EAP is a voluntary service, and no employee can be forced to use it. Supervisor consultation can be obtained 24/7, 365 days a year by calling the EAP’s toll-free number.
At Wright-Patterson AFB, AFMC offers a newer EAP program called worklife4you. Worklife4you services can also help 24/7 with items such as parenting, adoption, special needs and aging loved ones.
“Worklife4you is like a concierge service that you can call to assist with about any everyday challenge,” said Plewe. “To access Worklife4you members simply need to go to the website. It takes place predominantly over the phone. However, individuals can ask to be transferred to a local affiliate.”
Worklife4you can also assist with finding care givers for individuals who are caring for elderly parents or help search for childcare resources.
The EAP number also provides civilian members with immediate access to a counselor in times of high stress or immediate need.
Plewe emphasized how easy it to get information. Simply call the toll-free number to access the traditional EAP service or the newer Worklife4you services.
EAP services are confidential within the limits of the law. In some states, this means counselors cannot disclose the details about a visit without the member’s permission unless the person is a danger to themselves or to others. Additionally, if the person is involved in the abuse of a vulnerable person, or is a national security threat, the law states the counselor must report these details to the appropriate authorities.
For assistance call 1-800-222-0364 (1-888-262-7848 TTY), or visit for EAP www.FOH4You.com or for Worklife4you www.worklife4you.com (use code USAF).