Alberta Public Service Employee and Family Assistance Program

Overview

The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential counseling and wellness resource service for Alberta Public Service employees (including wage employees) and their immediate family members. LifeWorks (formerly Morneau Shepell) delivers EFAP to APS employees. The Alberta Public Service Commission sponsors the program.

If you are an Alberta Public Service employee, you and your immediate family members can access wellness resources and supports through the Employee and Family Assistance Program. Immediate family members include:

• spouse
• benefit partner
• dependent children up to age 21 living in the home
• dependent children up to age 26 if attending post-secondary school

Family members must access EFAP on their own, using the same contact information, including creating their own confidential login ID and password on the LifeWorks workhealthlife website to access services. Your family members' right to confidentiality is just as important as yours. Family members age 15 and younger must access the EFAP through a parent or guardian.

Download the printable EFAP Brochure (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Access services

You can access EFAP resources and services, including counselling, in several ways. Support is provided anywhere in Alberta or Canada and is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week:

• over the phone at 1-800-268-5211 (English and French options available)
  • TTY: 1-877-338-0275
• in person
• online
• through the free EFAP app
• through a variety of self-guided resources (PDF, 638 KB)

For employees posted nationally or internationally, refer to the EFAP Brochure for Expats (PDF, 375 KB).

Programs and services

The program offers:

• counselling services
  • EFAP counseling is based on a short-term, goal-oriented counselling model
  • while there is no set limit for the number of sessions individuals can access, the short-term model addresses issues in under 8 sessions, and is not meant to replace long-term counselling customized to the individual based on their needs
  • when individuals require long-term counselling, EFAP will work with them to refer to appropriate resources in their communities, which can be claimed under the employees' other benefits through Alberta Blue Cross or other provider, as applicable
• health coaching with registered nurses to consult on health-related problems
• LIFT online program to improve physical fitness and well-being
• naturopathic and nutritional consulting
• financial and legal advice
• other work/life solutions services to help with life's challenges

Assistance provided by EFAP is confidential and at no cost to Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members, as one of the benefits of working in the Alberta Public Service.

For more information about these services, Alberta Public Service employees can contact Human Resources.

Types of supports

The EFAP offers a variety of supports to help Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members manage emotional health.

Career supports

• Career counselling (PDF, 487 KB)
• Resiliency coaching (PDF, 511 KB)
• Retirement planning (PDF, 509 KB)

Healthy living

• Health coaches (PDF, 450 KB)
• LIFT program (PDF, 226 KB)
• Naturopathic services (PDF, 459 KB)
• Nutrition support (PDF, 449 KB)
• Stop smoking (PDF, 434 KB)
• Stress coaches (PDF, 485 KB)

Family matters

• Family supports (PDF, 456 KB) to help with parenting, caregiving and other challenges
• Enhancing your relationship program (PDF, 450 KB)
• Separation and divorce program (PDF, 423 KB)

Financial planning and legal support

• Financial consultation services (PDF, 451 KB)
• Legal consultation services (PDF, 479 KB)

Trauma support

LifeWorks' Trauma Assist Program (PDF, 193 KB) helps Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members affected by post-trauma stress. It provides confidential access to specialized care to treat and build resiliency. The program provides:

• assessment and treatment over approximately 10 to 12 sessions
• help with coping strategies
• strategies to manage symptoms impacting their lives

If they experience any symptoms of trauma response (PDF, 55 KB), they can contact LifeWorks (formerly Morneau Shepell) directly at 1-800-268-5211.

Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members can also read How a traumatic event can affect you (PDF, 392 KB) to better understand their own reactions, as well as reactions of others during traumatic situations.

E-counselling

Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members can connect with a counsellor from any computer with Internet access, at any time. E-counselling provides professional, confidential, online counselling services to Alberta Public Service employees and their immediate family members.

How it works

1. Visit workhealthlife.
2. Choose “Email a counsellor” from the “Let Us Help” section.
3. Follow the instructions to register as a user.
4. Post a message expressing your feelings or concerns.
5. An e-counsellor will reply within 2 business days.

E-counselling is not a good option for people facing deep emotional problems or complex situations. Read more about E-counselling services (PDF, 65 KB) to see if they could be right for you.

Contact

EFAP services

Connect with EFAP resources and services, including counselling:

• call 1-800-268-5211
• contact a counsellor or research EFAP services online
• download the free EFAP app

Wellness, Health and Safety

Connect with Wellness, Health and Safety with the Alberta Public Service Commission:
Email: [email protected]