The USG Center for Counseling and Well being
The Center for Counseling and Well being is available to all staff and students. Staff are provided with an initial consultation before being recommended to appropriate professional assistance.
The UMCP Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)
The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) has been in existence on the College Park campus since 1984. The FSAP became a full time program in 1988 and since then we have seen over 4,000 employees (including hundreds of their family members) for a variety of problem areas, including: job difficulties; alcohol and drug problems; marital and family problems; emotional distress (anxiety, depression, stress related disorders, etc.); legal, financial and a variety of other concerns.
The FSAP is available to meet with all full and part-time employees for assessment, referral and in many instances, short-term counseling services at no cost. Employees tend to use the program for an average of three visits, although we are able to work with employees for up to 10 sessions. When referrals are made, attention is paid to the employee's ability to afford such services, the location of the provider and the provider's area of expertise. We also help employees weave their way through the maze of managed care and insurance providers, insuring that you receive the best services available. In many cases when an employee cannot afford to seek help outside of the University, the FSAP will often provide the service here on campus.
We are aware of the sensitive nature of all communications with employees and are extremely careful about honoring every employee's right to confidentiality. We understand that no one would use the FSAP if they did not trust that the information shared with the counselors stayed in our offices and we work hard to assure employees that this trust will remain. In cases where communications need to be shared with a supervisor, they can only occur if an employee signs a consent form, specifically stating what information can be shared, with whom, and for how long a period of time.
The FSAP's Emergency Loan Fund (FSAP-ELF) assists UMCP faculty and staff members who are experiencing a personal financial emergency and have exhausted all other avenues of support. For more information about applying for an emergency loan or contributing to the loan fund, call 314-8170 or 314-8099 or read more about it under ELF.
FSAP Counselors are also available to provide presentations on a variety of topics including: Managing Stress; Supervising the Hard to Reach Employee; Negotiating Conflict; Coping with Change; Effective Meeting Management; Interventions for Substance Abusing Employees and Family Members; Preventing Violence at Work. Counselors are also available to meet with departments for a debriefing following a death or other traumatic event.
We are also available to consult with supervisors & department heads regarding how to best handle a difficult employee or a difficult situation at work. Guidance is provided on how to best refer an employee to the FSAP, with an emphasis on early intervention and attention to the problems. Coaching is also provided to managers in how they can best work with their employees. This approach is one that usually is successful in allowing departments to hang on to valued faculty and staff.
Visit the FSAP webpage here: http://www.health.umd.edu/fsap.