We believe . . .

• In creating healthier, safer and more caring workplaces and communities.
• In community partnerships to achieve our objectives.
• In being an open, honest and transparent organization in all of our endeavours.
• In the value of prevention and early intervention.
• That our collective strength is stronger than our individual efforts.
• In being professional in all our relationships, treating each other with respect, integrity and equality.
• In individual and collective accountability to ensure we do our best.
• That the workplace has the ability to create positive change for workers, families and communities.
• Our energy needs to be directed towards our future - creating, molding and weaving a path which reaches our goals.
• We can make a difference.

We Are Very Unique

Available to all employees, their families and retirees, the EFAP/ARS Model has grown to encompass a clientele of nearly half a million people with six offices in Canada and the United States. What sets our model apart is our unique approach to embrace the workplace, the community and the family in bringing about a "change in culture", wherein everyone benefits from a wellness-centered approach to attain psychological and emotional well being. The EFAP/ARS Model of EFAP, when correctly developed and applied, becomes a very productive instrument for not only responding to needs, but also for creating positive change in the society in which the workplace is an integral part.

We recognize that personal difficulties and workplace issues will always be present, despite the combined efforts of those involved, however, we can make progress toward meaningful social responsibility which, after all, is really no more than the old-fashioned notion of helping each other. Respect for the individual is more than a statement ~ it is a working solution for most of our problems.

The EFAP/ARS Model is best displayed on our Model page representing the interaction of participating areas.

History & Characteristics

The EFAP/ARS model is based on a collaborative, community-based approach to employee assistance. Since it was launched by MacMillan Bloedel and its five Canadian unions in 1980, the EFAP/ARS model has been adopted across Canadian and US communities benefiting numerous employees, retirees and family members. The model has distinct characteristics that set it apart from all other employee and family assistance programs:

• It is a non-profit service owned and operated at the community level by those it serves.
• There is no limit to the number of counseling sessions per individual or family.
• It provides a broad range on intervention, prevention and wellness services.
• It is affordable - a proactive, preventative-focused, employee benefit program.
• It provides services to all employees, retirees, and dependent family members.

Health Management & Risk Reduction

The stresses of today's world …and today's workplace… can pose serious health risks. With typical ARS utilization rates between 8% and 15%, some communities have seen escalated usage rates of up to 40% during difficult times. By focusing on proactive and preventive measures, our philosophies work towards a more integrated approach to health management and risk reduction.

Honors & Achievements

Our Model is the only Employee Family Assistance Program to be officially recognized by the United Nations.

• Distinguished Service to Families Award
• Officially recognized by the Canada Committee for International Year of the Family
• Award for Best Business Achievement
• Work and Well Being Award, Canadian Mental Health Association
• Workplace Awareness Award, Canadian Mental Health Association
• Industrial Relations Management Association Award

What we do

We are a benefit program that helps employees, families and retirees get confidential and professional assistance in addressing personal concerns.

Few programs can match the comprehensiveness and dynamic scope of services offered by our non profit Employee and Family Assistance/Assessment and Resource Program (EFAP/ARS). The simplicity of the model's concept, along with its inherent flexibility, gives it tremendous potential to address the specific needs of our member organizations.

With an increasing awareness of the economic and ethical implications involved when an employee is experiencing personal difficulties, many employers, employee groups and unions have realized the benefit and effectiveness of our proactive, prevention based program which provides immediate access to confidential counselling services in a readily accessible and professional office setting, located away from the workplace.