Employees of Iowa State now have access to employee assistance program services under a new contract.

ISU has signed a 5-year contract with The Richmond Center for Community Mental Health Services and McFarland Clinic to establish EAP services. The EAP benefits have been enacted to help employees deal with personal or work-related problems at an early stage.

The benefits will be given to ISU employees at no cost.

“ISU’s employees lie at the heart of the university’s work. Their well-being has long been one of ISU’s highest priorities,” said Carla Espinoza, assistant vice president for Human Resources.

“I believe that this EAP contract continues ISU’s tradition of providing excellent heath care opportunities for its employees,” she added in a press release.

The new EAP benefits have been provided in addition to the medical health care plans available for ISU employees. The programs at the Richmond Center and McFarland Clinic will offer 24-hour service.

“I think the prime benefit is 24-hour emergency service. I believe it is crucial that we offer 24-hour service,” Espinoza said.

An advisory committee worked with Espinoza to determine what kind of EAP services ISU wanted to obtain.

The joining of the Richmond Center and the McFarland clinic represents unique collaboration, and these organizations want to provide high quality service for the ISU community.

“The ISU community is integral to the strength and vitality of central Iowa. Effective EAP services help maintain this vitality. We are pleased to be working with McFarland Clinic in new ways to deliver the best possible services to ISU,” said Mary Bernard, executive director of the Richmond Center, in a press release.

“This opportunity gives the center yet another way to express its commitment to excellence in community-based mental health services,” she added.

Employees will receive “direct services from 14 highly qualified professional counselors, who have a combined record of more than 139 years of professional experience,” said Paul Whitbeck, manager of McFarland Clinic’s Department of Mental Health Services.

Some additional benefits included in the program are three no-cost assessment and consultation sessions, referral networks to assist employees who need ongoing treatment and access to EAP services throughout Iowa.

Employees who would like assistance from EAP services can contact the Richmond Center at 232-5811.