Benefits

OSU employees and anyone who lives in the employee’s household with them can use the EAP services. Once employees are hired they can use the EAP to access resources as they transition to employment at OSU. (For example, employees may have signed their offer letters but are not working yet and need assistance with childcare options and moving/relocation resources). Employees can also use the EAP services after termination for an additional 30 days.

Employees that are eligible to use the EAP include:

• Academic Faculty
• Professional Faculty
• Classified Staff
• Graduate Assistants
• Post-Doctoral Scholars

 (Includes part time and full time employees. Eligibility is not tied to PEBB eligibility.)

• Are you interested in a confidential and no cost resource that can help you with whatever you are needing support with in life currently that is easy to access?
• Are you planning a birthday party or family reunion and wondering about location options?
• Are you relocating and need moving resources and travel planning assistance?
• Are you planning a vacation? Are you looking for discounts at movie theaters, concerts, online shopping, hotels or theme parks?
• Do you want health and wellness advice?
• Do you need Medicare/Medicaid information?
• Are you looking for assisted living, Home health, respite or skilled nurses for a family member? 
• Do you need daycare resources or summer camp ideas for a special needs child?
• Are you interested in adoption and are unsure where to start? 
• Do you need marriage or family counseling support?
• Do you need legal advice on topics such as Family law, ID theft, Custody, Real estate, Contracts or Tax questions?
• Do you need a Local referral for an in-person consultation with an attorney at a discounted rate?
• Could you use financial advice on topics such as Budgeting, Debt, Credit, Tax issues, Retirement planning, College Savings, Real estate or Estate planning? 
• Are you looking for pet parent resources?
• Do you need help with resources for mental or emotional support?
• Are you looking for individual counseling for adults or children?  First three sessions are free.

Upcoming:

Mindfulness: Being Present in Your Work and Life - Tuesday, October 27, 2020, 10AM PST

• The idea of mindfulness or being mindful is complete engagement in the present moment. It is a state where you are not thinking, reflecting, judging or deciding, but are instead simply experiencing the things currently in your available experience. In many ways people are largely unaware of our present moment, and often operate on “auto-pilot” to some degree. The auto-pilot mode is our default mode of operation. Even when we find ourselves in a pleasurable quiet moment we automatically begin to daydream about others, plan/worry about the future or ruminate about the past. We miss living in the present moment because we fail to pay attention to it. Mindfulness is about waking up to the present moment and paying attention to our experience. Learning mindfulness is not difficult; however, it is difficult to remember to do it. This training discusses mindfulness and how to incorporate its practice into your life.
• Register here

Informed Or Infirmed? Healthy Media Consumption As Election Day Approaches:

• Description: As Election Day nears, are your media consumption habits helping you make good decisions, or are they making you sick? The upcoming election is a significant source of stress and anxiety for many of people. Participating in social media discussions, reading newspapers, following your favorite political pundits, and watching election news on TV can help you stay informed and engaged. If you’re not careful though, you may use these avenues in unhealthy ways that make you feel worse. This training will help you implement healthy media consumption habits that don’t damage your mental and physical wellbeing.
• Important Information About Capacity Limits and Recordings:
  • The live webinar has registration limits, and some people may receive a message informing them that registration is full. If you get that message, please feel free to register for one of the other live sessions, or you may use the links below to access a recording once the live sessions are over. The registration links below will turn into links to a recording once the live sessions have finished.

Previously Recorded:

Laughter, Humor and Play to Reduce Stress and Solve Problems 

• Webinar Description: Professional comedians shouldn’t be the only people to use smiling, laughter, humor and play as part of their daily routine. These skills are valuable for everyone. A good smile has long been a key tool for anyone who needs to influence others. Laughter is now shown to improve our pain tolerance. Humor and play can be the building blocks of problem-solving. Together they can improve our happiness and effectiveness.
• Webinar Recording

Making Distance Learning Work

• Webinar Description: Is the kitchen table your child's new classroom? This Fall, back-to-school is anything but normal. Distance learning is becoming the norm which is a huge adjustment for everyone. Devorah Heitner, PhD, an expert on young people’s relationship with digital media and technology, will join us to share practical advice and tips for how you can help your kids succeed in this new digital classroom. She’ll also discuss how parents can make this all a little easier on ourselves, too.
• About the presenter: Devorah Heitner, PhD, is an expert on young people’s relationship with digital media and technology. She’s the author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and founder of Raising Digital Natives. Her mission is to cultivate a culture of empathy and social/emotional literacy. Dr. Heitner’s work has appeared in top tier media like the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own digital native.
• Webinar Recording

Coping During Uncertain Times

• Webinar Description: People have a powerful need to understand and predict their environments in order to feel in control. When we are exposed to potential threats to our well-being, we naturally respond to this uncertainty with anxiety and fear. This training will address ways of effectively coping with uncertainty in today’s media-saturated world. The course will examine how to remain positive and functional despite the risks of living in a changing world. Included will be practical tips for coping with uncertainty, re-establishing control and how to speak to children about fear. Employees can register at the link below.
• Access the recording here (in order to access the recording, employees will have to fill out the “registration info” then the recording is accessible)

Coping With Pandemic Anxiety As Kids Return To School

• Webinar Description: The start of the school year during the COVID-19 pandemic is filled with uncertainties and concerns that are causing understandable stress for many parents and caretakers. This workshop is designed to help people cope with emotions and anxiety in response to returning to school during the pandemic. It will provide an understanding of the types of reactions people may experience during this time, and offer practical tips for coping.  This webinar is available on two different days in August. Employees can register through the links provided below.
• If you missed the webinar offered on Coping With Pandemic Anxiety As Kids Return To School you can still access the recording. Register with your name and email address here. After registering the recorded webinar appears on the screen.

Back to School & Distance Learning Support by Care.com

• Webinar Description: Join this webinar to learn more about your Care.com benefits in general to locate child, elder, pet or home care. This webinar will also cover how to use Care.com to find resources for back-to-school child care, distance learning support, nanny share, learning pods and more!
• Webinar Recording
• Powerpoint Presentation

Questions? Contact Employee Benefits at employee.benefits@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-2805.