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U.S. Department of Justice Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  
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Federal Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Summit

The information on this Web site is presented for educational purposes only.  It is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training.  Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider.

All information contained on these pages is in the public domain unless explicit notice is given to the contrary, and may be copied and distributed without restriction.

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Need Help?

At certain points in our lives we can be overcome by life situations such as the death of a loved one, depression, serious illness, financial problems or marital and family related difficulties. Usually we can handle things on our own. However, sometimes these problems reach a level which could impair work, home-life or our general sense of well-being. When you are not sure where all the pieces of the puzzle go, or it seems like the problem or pain will never subside, the EAP counselors can assist you by helping you plan for a healthier and more productive life.

The Employee Assistance Program has experienced counselors that provide professional & confidential short-term counseling, information, support groups, management consultations, referrals and many more services to DOJ employees and their families.

Instead of letting challenges accumulate into crises, let us help you develop the skills to minimize or even prevent problems.

Contact Your EAP  -  DOJ has several EAPs that service a variety of DOJ components such as INS, EOUSA, FBI, US Marshals, and more. Make sure you call the correct EAP to ensure quick and proper assistance.

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EAP Purpose and Mission

The Department of Justice, Justice Management Division (JMD) is dedicated to offering the highest quality Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to its employees. The Mission of the EAP and its underlying principles are as follows.

  1. Every employee who seeks EAP assistance will be treated with the utmost respect, dignity and consideration for their concerns, feelings and situation.


  2. The goal of the EAP is to provide a quick response to all requests for services both for counseling and Information and Referral.


  3. EAP counselors understand that employees may have problems at any time, thus the EAP provides for emergency after hour contact.


  4. The JMD EAP acknowledges that all persons experience problems at one time or another in their lives. The act of seeking assistance to resolve personal problems is understood to be an act of strength, responsibility, purpose, and taking control of one's life.


  5. Communication between the EAP and an employee is confidential and this understanding is the backbone of the EAP.


  6. Employees are encouraged to seek assistance on their own initiative before problems affect their work. Early resolution of personal problems is in the best interest of the individual and the Department.


  7. Participation in the EAP will not in and of itself, jeopardize an employee's job security or promotional opportunities.


  8. While it shall always be the employee's choice to accept or decline the services of the EAP, it is the employee's responsibility to assess and maintain optimum physical and mental health.


  9. The EAP staff will not get involved when a family member calls and complains about an employee - this would be considered an intrusion into the employee's private life. However, if a family member calls, the EAP will offer assistance to that family member when appropriate.


  10. It is the responsibility of supervisors at all levels to offer a troubled employee assistance through the EAP in hopes this will correct performance, conduct or attendance problems, thus avoiding possible disciplinary action.


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Confidentiality

Contact between an EAP counselor and a DOJ employee is considered confidential. Information regarding an employee's use of the EAP may not be shared with any other party unless the employee provides written permission. The EAP is compelled to keep client information private as required by Federal law and regulation, and prevailing State and local laws.

Confidentiality is excepted in those instances when the employee/client has been determined to be a danger to himself/herself, or to others, and in instances where child or elder, abuse is suspected, as may be required by State reporting requirements and/or Federal law.

All records are kept in the EAP Mosler® safe system and only EAP counselors have access to such. After three years of the date of last contact with a client, client records are shredded entirely. No written materials may be released to a third party without the client's written consent.

Using the Depression and/or Alcohol Screening phone or on-line services is completely confidential. No identifying information is required and the screening can in no way identify you to anyone.

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Which EAP Can I Use?
Employee Assistance Program Directory

DOJ has several EAPs that service a variety of DOJ components such as INS, EOUSA, FBI, US Marshals, and more. Make sure you call the correct EAP to ensure quick and proper assistance.

To find the right person to contact, select your component from the following list:

If you are not a Department of Justice Employee but you are trying to find your Federal agency's EAP phone number, go to the OPM site; enter your agency's name, click the box that says Employee Assistance Program, and click search.

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Component EAP Contacts

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys

Ed Neunlist, LICSW
Administrator, Employee Assistance Program
600 E St., NW, Room 6800
Washington, DC 20530

Local Phone Number: 202-514-1036
EAP Central Phone Number:  (888) 271-0381
FAX:  (202) 353-1722

 

Federal Bureau of Prisons
To contact an EAP counselor near your work or home call:
800-222-0364

Tracy Henderson, Ph.D.
EAP Administrator
Telephone:  (202) 514-4492
FAX:  (202) 616-3220
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Room HOLC-871
320 First Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20534

 

United States Marshals Service

To request a counselor near your work or home call 1-800 222-0364

Karen Ramey, LCSW-C
EAP Administrator
Telephone:  (202) 353-8338
FAX:  (202) 307-9461
United States Marshals Service
Room 750, CS#3
Washington, DC  20530

 

Drug Enforcement Administration

To request a counselor near your work or home call 800 275-7460.

Elyse Sharpe, LCSW-C
EAP Administrator
Telephone:  (202) 307-8160
FAX:  (202) 307-4705
Drug Enforcement Administration
600 Army Navy Drive
Room 2037 East
Lincoln Place 1
Arlington, VA 22202

 

Federal Bureau of Investigation

James Collins, Ph.D.
EAP Administrator
Telephone:  (202) 324-5244
FAX:  (202) 324-1410
Federal Bureau of Investigation
10th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Room 10190
Washington, D.C. 20535

 

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
(800) 765-3277

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Contact JMD EAP

Toll Free:
800-626-0385

Hearing Impaired (TDD):
(202) 514-6027

Call or email us directly:
Ted Schwartz, LCSW-C, ACSW
(202) 514-1846
EAP Administrator
theodor.schwartz@usdoj.gov

Dr. Leo Shea
(202) 307-1136
EAP Counselor
leo.s.shea@usdoj.gov

Staff Credentials

After Hours Emergency Calls: (202)532-3435 Or Page 877-924-0187

Visit Us:
Suite 1167
National Place Building
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20530

Other convenient office locations by request/appointment:
Judiciary Center Building; Main; PHB; 1301 NY Ave.; & 810 - 7th Street.

If you are not located in the D.C. area, please call us so we can assist in providing free, confidential services in your local area.

 

JMD EAP Staff Credentials

The EAP staff is comprised of licensed mental health professionals ready to assist you in numerous ways with any life issue that you are experiencing.

Ted Schwartz is a licensed clinical social worker and the Assistant Director of the EAP and Worklife Group.

Dr. Leo Shea is a licensed Psychologist with over 30 years of clinical practice working with attorneys and law enforcement officers.

All contracted counselors are either master or doctorate level licensed counselors, social workers, or psychologists.

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Services

We offer a wide range of services to DOJ employees and family members, no matter where you live or work. If an issue or service is not listed but you think we can assist, please call us.

  1. We provide confidential, short-term counseling, information, referral, support groups, and other social services to help you with issues such as (but not limited to):

    • Emotional Issues

    • Mental Health

    • Disabilities

    • Alcoholism/Substance Use and Abuse

    • Stress Management

    • Time Management

    • Conflicts in the Workplace

    • Career Counseling

    • Parenting Issues

    • Family, Couple, or Marriage Issues

    • Domestic Abuse

    • Elder Care, and Related Services

    • Long-term/chronic illness

    • Traumatic Experiences

    • Grief and Loss

    • Debt Management

    • Stopping Smoking


  2. Assisting managers and supervisors with employees who have performance, conduct, or attendance problems.


  3. Enhancing teamwork by promoting a healthy and supportive work environment.


  4. Providing educational training to offices on Stress Management, Conflict Resolution, Time Management, EAP Awareness, and more. If there is a topic you would like us to cover specifically for your office, let us know and we can develop a training to meet your needs.


  5. Sponsoring free lunch time seminars in Washington, D.C. The seminars are open to all employees. They cover topics such as coping with stress, improving relationships, brain chemistry, anxiety and depression and more. If you would like to suggest a topic of interest, please contact us.


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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will it really be confidential?

    Confidentiality is the backbone of the EAP and is mandated by both Federal and State laws and regulations. All contact with an EAP counselor is considered privileged and confidential. No information can be released without an employees written permission unless there is a real threat of harm to self or others.


  2. Will using EAP services hurt my security clearance?

    No. Utilizing EAP services does NOT impact security clearances unless an employee poses a threat to national security. No information may be released for a background check without the employee's written permission.


  3. What will it cost?

    Nothing! EAP services are free of charge to employees and immediate family members, whether you work in the immediate D.C. area or anywhere else in the country.


  4. What kind of training do EAP counselors have?

    The DOJ EAP is staffed by licensed mental health counselors. Our contract counselors must be licensed in the State they practice in and have experience in dealing with substance abuse. Contract counselors usually are Ph.D. Psychologists or Masters level clinical Social Workers or Professional Counselors.


  5. Isn't the EAP just for alcohol and drug problems?

    NO!! EAP helps people with any life or work related problem that is causing difficulty. See Services  for a full range of topics covered by EAP counselors.


  6. Is my problem big enough to bring to EAP?

    No problem is too small, or too big. The earlier you seek assistance, the more likely you will keep your concerns from snow-balling into a bigger life issue. When you are not quite sure, pick up the phone and let us help.


  7. How do I contact EAP?

    Find out which EAP you should contact.


  8. When can I call for assistance?

    The EAP office is normally physically staffed from 8am - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, you can page us for emergencies at any time. You can also call and leave a message at any time. Contact us.


  9. Who am I reaching when I call EAP?

    When you call the EAP you will either contact a licensed EAP counselor directly, be asked to leave a message so a counselor can return your call or invited to contact the counselor via the paging system and your call will be returned within 30 minutes.


  10. What are the benefits of calling?

    You will be given quick, free, reliable and confidential services to aid you in dealing with what ever concerns you, by caring staff that are professionally trained.

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Helpful Links

The information on this Web site is presented for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider.

This Web site provides links to other sites not owned or controlled by DOJ that we think might be useful or of interest to you. The Web has an abundance of sites with information on wellness and mental health issues. Some sites are informative and based on good authority, others are merely entertaining. While we have been careful to research each site in hopes of providing you credible and accurate information, DOJ EAP does not endorse or guarantee references or sites listed and is not responsible for the content or privacy practices used by other site owners.

However, none of these sites is a satisfactory substitute for professional help. When people face serious personal problems that defy easy solutions, it usually is time to seek the services of qualified professionals. With that limitation in mind, the following Web sites may be of interest:



 
    Addiction Information

    Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facility Locator
    www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

    A national database of substance abuse treatment services, including, inpatient, outpatient, partial treatment, half-way houses. Call the DOJ EAP for additional assistance 800-626-0385.



  • Adultchildren.org  www.adultchildren.org  Adult Children of Alcoholics: A 12-step program of men and women who come from an alcoholic or other drug-affected home seeking solutions to their problems.


  • Al-anon / Alateen  www.al-anon.org  Al-Anon's helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. Similarly, Alateen is their recovery program for young people. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members. Find a Al-Anon support group near your home.


  • Alcoholics Anonymous  www.aa.org  Official website of Alcoholics Anonymous - Locate meetings and times for AA groups in your area.


  • Alcoholism In The Workplace
      www.opm.gov/employment_and_benefits/worklife/officialdocuments/handbooksguides/alcohol/index.asp   An OPM site offering a A Handbook for Supervisors.


  • Blood Alcohol Level  pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/aaap/aaap_3_pg4_pop1.htm  This site can quickly estimate if you have had too much to drink. Based on your weight and amount of alcohol you have consumed, you can determine your Blood Alcohol Level. Never drive while under the influence. Almost every State has made .08 BAL the point at which an individual will be arrested for driving while under the influence. Stay safe!


  • Deaf Addiction Resources   http://www.rit.edu/~257www/national_directory/nat.directory.htm  The National Directory of Alcohol and Other Drug prevention and treatment programs accessible to the deaf.


  • Families Anonymous (FA)  www.familiesanonymous.org offers a Twelve-Step, self help, recovery and fellowship of support groups for relatives and friends of those who have alcohol, drug or behavioral problems. The group's purpose is to provide mutual support, and to offer a safe place to share experiences and concerns. Attending meetings helps members adopt an honest and consistent approach towards the addict. With group support, members are able to come to terms with the problems in their lives. Experience has shown that help for the family and friends means help for the addict. FA is a non-profit fellowship requiring no dues or fees and is not affiliated with any religion or institution.


  • Gamblers Anonymous  www.gamblersanonymous.org   is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous (GA) membership. GA is self-supporting through its’ own contributions. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause.


  • Gam-Anon  www.gam-anon.org  The self-help organization of Gam-Anon is a life saving instrument for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers. We come into the group feeling alone, frightened, helpless, desperate and ashamed. We hesitated to share problems and failures, fearing none could understand. The Gam-Anon group is warmly accepting and it offers the new member identification. The message we receive is: "Come join with us, we too were alone, afraid and unable to cope with the problem; we will share with you a new and fulfilling way of life". Gam-Anon's purposes are three-fold: To learn acceptance and understanding of the gambling illness; to use the program and its problem solving suggestions as aids in rebuilding our lives and, upon our own recovery, to give assistance to those who suffer. To find a local chapter click on Meeting Schedule at their home page.


  • Lawyer Assistance Programs  www.abanet.org/legalservices/colap/lapdirectory.html  Attorneys at one time or another may suffer great stress, emotional turmoil and physical reactions to the pressures of work, family and uncontrollable life events. Few occupations are as stressful as the practice of law. Some times alcohol and drugs are the remedy of choice to relieve the pain and sense of depression many people experience. Unfortunately, what appears to be relief often leads to devastating and destructive consequences. Attorneys in need of substance abuse assistance can contact a local ABA Lawyer Assistance Program chapter for direction and assistance or the contact the DOJ/JMD EAP at 800-626-0385.


  • Narcotics Anonymous  www.na.org  The official listing for Narcotics Anonymous International, a community-based association of recovering drug addicts.


  • The Office of National Drug Control Policy  www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/index.html  offers information on drugs of abuse as well as National and State policy and activities.


  • SoberRecover  www.soberrecovery.com  is a constantly updated library for natinal drug rehab, residential treatment, sober living houses, alcoholics anonymous, eating disorder and teen wilderness program


  • Tobacco Information and Prevention  www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm  This is a CDC site offering information on tobacco and how to quit.


  • Working Partners for an Alcohol - and Drug Fee Workplace  www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm  This is a U.S. Dept. of Labor site specializing in workplace related alcohol and drug information. This site also has information on creating partners and research databases.


  • The White House's Youth Anti-Drug Campaign site  www.TheAntiDrug.com  is an online drug and alcohol abuse prevention resource for parents. Besides providing facts about a large number of substances abused by youth, this site gives parents an excellent set of tips for how to talk with your children about drug abuse. The teen drug use news and archives can keep parents up-to-date. Parents and youth can elect to tell their stories, so that others may benefit from their experience and how they coped. Parents so inclined can have their children access a similar, but youth-oriented, anti-drug site.  www.Freevibe.com


  • Links to other addiction programs  http://ncadd.org/links/index.html  This is a Natinional Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence site with a great other link list.


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    Adoption Resources
  • AdoptUSKids.org  www.adoptuskids.org  This is a national photo listing service for children awaiting adoption across the United States. You may "Meet the Children" without registering, to learn more about the child and to contact the case worker.


  • American Academy of Adoption Attorneys  www.adoptionattorneys.org   The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of approximately 330 attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law. The Academy's work includes promoting the reform of adoption laws and disseminating information on ethical adoption practices.


  • Child Welfare Informatin Gateway  www.childwelfare.gov  Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


  • The Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS)  www.jcics.org  Joint Council on International Children's Services (202-429-0400) is the oldest and largest affiliation of licensed, non-profit international adoption organizations in the world. Our membership includes adoption agencies, child welfare organizations, parent support groups and medical specialists with an interest in intercountry adoption.


  • KIDSAVE  www.kidsave.org  Kidsave (202-237-7283 or 1-888-543-7283) works to move older children out of foster care and orphanages and into permanent loving families or long term mentoring relationships. Kidsave sponsors Family Visit Programs in which caring adults host a child in their home and work with Kidsave to help that child find an adoptive family. Kidsave helps these older children meet people who often end up adopting, mentoring or staying connected to them.


  • The National Adoption Foundation (NAF)  www.nafadopt.org  The mission of the National Adoption Foundation (203-791-3811), is to provide financial assistance, services and support to families, before, during and after their adoptions are finalized. The Foundation's programs are available to any family whether they are adopting an infant, a child from abroad or a child from foster care! In addition to providing financial assistance, NAF seeks to educate policy makers and the public about the financial barriers to adoption and the unmet needs many families have. The Foundation's presence on Capitol Hill and in the media assure that the interests of adoptive families are being promoted and protected.

    The National Adoption Foundation is the only national resource dedicated exclusively to providing financial support, information and services directly to adoptive families.


  • North Americian Council on Adoptable Children  www.nacac.org/howtoadopt.html  How to Adopt…..Information providing an overview of the steps involved in adopting a child from the United States foster care system.


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    Aging Resources
  • Adult Day Care, Virginia, Search Engine  http://www.dss.state.va.us/facility/search/adc.cgi  Adult Day Care, Virginia, search engine http://www.dss.state.va.us/facility/search/adc.cgi To locate an Adult Day Care Centers in Virginia, visit this site. For other states contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 1-800-677-1116 for the AAA in your area, or search for them online www.eldercare.gov .


  • Aging Solutions  www.aging-parents-and-elder-care.com/index.html  Advice, comprehensive checklists, and links to key resources ...designed to make it easier for caregivers to quickly find the information they need ... and avoid missing things that are important in the care for their loved one. Providing care for our aging parents or elder spouse can often be very frustrating, with new surprises almost every day. Whether you care for aging parents in your home, or manage elder care plans from a distance, most of us don't know where to go for reliable answers ... or even what questions to ask. Here's help "


  • Area Agency on Aging (AOA) Eldercare Locator  www.eldercare.gov  The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide toll free service that provides older adults and their caregivers information about local services for seniors without charge. The U.S. Administration on Aging provides this service available online so that consumers can easily link to the information and referral (I&R) services of their state and area agencies on aging. These I&R programs can help you identify appropriate services in the area where you or your family member resides.


  • Alzheimer’s Association  www.ALZ.org  is the largest national voluntary health organization supporting Alzheimer research and care. On this site, you'll find information about the disease, their programs and services, and advocacy efforts.


  • American Association of Retired Persons  www.aarp.org  AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service, AARP seeks to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting independence, dignity and purpose.


  • Benefitscheckup  https://ssl1.benefitscheckup.org/ Developed and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation's most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.


  • Caregiving  www.caregiving.com   This site offers information, support and information about care giving. Directs you to local support groups and provides other interesting information.


  • Careguide  www.careguide.com  CareGuide is a website featuring a full range of services, articles and resources for elder care. Visitors can explore the site via the Resource Guide below, or find content by taking our elder situation assessment.


  • Children of Aging Parents  www.caps4caregivers.org  is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the nation's nearly 54 million caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population.


  • Doctors Guide - Arthritis information  www.docguide.com  Offers the latest medical news and information for patients or friends/parents of patients diagnosed with arthritis.


  • Elder Care Handbook   http://www.feddesk.com/freehandbooks/1014-4.pdf  Free handbook on issues related to caring for the elderly. Ten articles of interest.


  • ElderWeb  www.elderweb.com  This site provides thousands of reviewed links addressing long term care information, a searchable database of organizations, and an expanding library of articles and reports, news, and events addressing eldercare. This site is designed to be a research site for both professionals and family members looking for information on eldercare and long term care, and includes links to information on legal, financial, medical, and housing issues, as well as policy, research, and statistics. ElderWeb has been used extensively by journalists and students doing research, and by professionals looking for Internet resources, as well as by family members looking for help for their elderly relatives.


  • Five Wishes Document  www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html  An Aging with Dignity resource. The Five Wishes document helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician.  Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know:
    1.Which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them.
    2. The kind of medical treatment you want or don't want.
    3. How comfortable you want to be.
    4. How you want people to treat you.
    5. What you want your loved ones to know.

    The document is valid in all but 15 states. The 15 that Five Wishes is not legally valid in, either require a specific state form or that the person completing an advance directive be read a mandatory notice or "warning." Residents of these states can still use Five Wishes to put their wishes in writing and communicate their wishes with their family and physician. Most health care professionals understand they have a duty to listen to the wishes of their patients no matter how they are expressed.


  • Geriatric Care Managers  www.caremanager.org  GCM is a non-profit, professional organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of dignified care for the elderly and their families. With more than 1,500 members, GCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of elders while striving to ensure that the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human services are used when and where appropriate. A geriatric care manager (PGCM) is a professional, such as a social worker, counselor, nurse, or gerontologist who specializes in assisting older people and their families to attain the highest quality of life given their circumstances. A GCM can; conduct care planning assessments to identify problems, and provide solutions; screen, arrange and monitor in-home help or other services; review financial, legal, or medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists to avoid future problems while conserving financial resources; provide crisis intervention; act as a liaison to families at a distance, overseeing care and quickly alerting families to problems; assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement complex, assisted care home, or nursing home; provide consumer education and advocacy; offer counseling and support. Some PGCMs also provide family or individual therapy, finance management, and conservatorship or guardianship assistance and/or caregiving services. PGCMs have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their community. One call to a PGCM will connect you to the appropriate services.


  • Granddriver  www.granddriver.info  While most older drivers may be good drivers, the physical changes associated with aging can ultimately affect our ability to drive safely. That's why the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and its partners in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, have created "GrandDriver", a pilot program that provides information about aging and driving.


  • HHS - Administration on Aging  www.aoa.dhhs.gov  This site provides you access to information about the agency, its mission, budget, and organizational structure. In addition you can learn more about the Older Americans Act, the federal legislation establishing the AoA and authorizing a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans and their caregivers.


  • LifeCare  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/lifecarenet.htm  Provides information addressing Elder Care services. Will locate licensed day care providers, nursing homes, alternative living resources and other services in the U.S. per your needs and determine cost and availability. This is a DOJ supported service and is offered free to DOJ employees. Call 800-873-4636 or TDD 800-873-1322.


  • Medical Alert Services:  Provide medical monitoring service to provide 24/7 monitoring and family peace of mind. The user wears either a necklace or a wrist band with a panic button attached. If the user needs assistance they can press the button, which alerts the medical monitoring vendor who has the capacity to alert a previously designated person, or depending upon the circumstances 911. Below are several vendors that offer such services. The Department of Justice does not endorse these companies and encourages users to fully research vendors and other medical alert vendors to determine reliability and to make cost comparisons.


  • Medicare  www.medicare.gov  This site offers information about Medicare Eligibility, Enrollment, and Premiums. It also directs you to other sites such as nursing homes, prescription drug assistance plans, a Participating Provider Directory and other sites of interest. This is a nice site to visit if you are in need of understanding Medicare and looking for resources.


  • National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information  www.longtermcare.gov  This is a new web site developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.


  • National Council on the Aging (Benefits CheckUp)  http://www.benefitscheckup.org  BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands of people every day to find programs for seniors that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. View this site to fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.


  • New LifeStyles  www.newlifestyles.com  New LifeStyles offers information and referral services on senior residences and care options. This information is available, free to all that need it. New LifeStyles referrals are to service providers who advertise with their company. They put out a listing publication for various cities in the USA. To see if they have one in your city or to get free copies for yourself or your office you may request it on line.


  • Nursing Home Guide   http://www.feddesk.com/freehandbooks/1216-4.pdf  Offers information on how to choose a Nursing Home.


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    Anger Management
  • Southern Poverty Law Center  www.tolerance.org/hidden_bias  Do you have racial, religious, or other biases deeply hidden in your psyche? Two social psychologists funded by the National Science Foundation - Anthony Greenwald, of the University of Washington, and Mahzarin Banaji, of Yale University (now at Harvard University) - have developed a unique and statistically powerful tool to identify and quantify either hidden or unconscious attitudes. To learn more, and to test yourself, visit this site.


  • American Psychological Association (APA)  www.apa.org  If Anger Management is an issue for you this APA site is a good place to start. Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems-problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. And it can make you feel as though you're at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion. This APA site is meant to help you understand and control anger.


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    Care Giving

  • Cancer care giving http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Someone-You-Love-Is-Treated This booklet, When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer, from the National Cancer Institute, offers information taken from many caregivers about things they wish they had known early on. They have collected their tips in this booklet. Some of the tips seem simple, but they may not always be easy to do. Use this booklet in whatever way works best for you. You can read it from front to back. Or you can just refer to different sections as you need them.


  • Care Giving  www.caregiving.com  This site offers information, support and information about care giving. Directs you to local support groups and provides other interesting information.


  • Careguide  www.careguide.com  CareGuide is a website featuring a full range of services, articles and resources for elder care. Visitors can explore the site via the Resource Guide below, or find content by taking our elder situation assessment.


  • Geriatric Care Managers  www.caremanager.org  GCM is a non-profit, professional organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of dignified care for the elderly and their families. With more than 1,500 members, GCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of elders while striving to ensure that the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human services are used when and where appropriate.


  • LifeCare  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/lifecarenet.htm  Provides information addressing Elder Care services. Will locate licensed day care providers, nursing homes, alternative living resources and other services in the U.S. per your needs and determine cost and availability. This is a DOJ supported service and is offered free to DOJ employees. Call 800-873-4636 or TDD 800-873-1322.


  • Medicare/Medicaid  www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid... Offers information on many topics including information booklets titled Medicare Basics and When Employees Become Caregivers.


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    Child Care and Parenting

  • A Child Care Primer - If this is your first time searching for child care read this section first.


  • Boys & Girls Club of America  www.bgca.org  In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow - all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids. To find a club in your neighborhood visit this site www.bgca.org/clubs .


  • Child Safety and Protection  www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/psc_english_02/intro.html  Concerned about how to talk with your child about safety and protection measures? This site is a pamphlet by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It is designed to help you talk with your children (including teens) about how to help protect themselves against abduction and exploitation.  You may also find the following related site of help: www.amberalertnow.org .


      • CHILD CARE REFERRAL RESOURCES

    • National listing of GSA Child Care Centers 13235 Visit this site to find centers near your work or home.


    • Childcareaware  www.childcareaware.org  (National) Childcareaware is a non-profit initiative committed to helping parents find the best information on locating quality child care and child care resources and referral agencies nationwide, and by connecting parents with the local agencies best equipped to serve their needs. Know what to ask and look for when picking a child care facility.


    • Children's Defense Fund  www.childrensdefense.org  Offers resources specifically for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Topics include health care and insurance, raising children with disabilities, child care and early education programs and food and nutrition programs. as well as state-by-state information.


    • Day and Summer Camps
      • Allensguide  www.allensguide.com  Kids and Teens National listing of summer camp referrals.

      • American Camping Association  http://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php  The American Camp Association (formerly known as the American Camping Association) is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 6,700 plus membership and exceptional programs, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living - lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

      • Campfire USA  www.campfire.org/go_to_camp/  Camp Fire USA's mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. This is done through progressive, age-appropriate, small-group activities in a variety of settings, including at our many camps across the nation.

      • Camppage.com  www.camppage.com  Resources for finding Summer and Day Camps throughout the USA.

      • Children's Museums National Site  www.childrensmuseums.org/visit/us_members.htm  Find the children's museum in your state to research what activities fit your child's age, needs and schedule.

      • Montgomery County Parks and Recreation  www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/activities/summer_camps.shtm  Camp referrals and other recreational resources.

      • National Association for Gifted Children  http://nagc.org/index.aspx?id=1103  CAMPS listing throughout the United States.

      • PG County Parks and Recreation  www.pgparks.com/things/things.html  Camp referrals and other recreational resources.

      • Summercamps.com  www.summercamps.com  Assist in finding camps throughout the USA.

      • YMCA  www.ymca.net/  There are more than 2,400 YMCAs in the United States, and each one offers different programs and events. For more information on any U.S. YMCA, start your search here. Please note: If you are looking for a YMCA outside the United States, click here http://www.ymcaworldservice.org/ys/intrnlysonweb.aspx .

      • YWCA  www.ywca.org  Find your local YWCA and research activities held in your area. YWCA reaches all around the world, connecting women, providing a voice to their concerns and needs. Programs may include support groups, shelters, breast cancer recovery groups, fitness classes, business coaching and much more.


    • LifeCare  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/lifecarenet.htm  Provides child care search services, including "Backup Child Care." LifeCare will locate any licensed day care provider or center in the U.S. per your needs and determine cost and availability. Backup Child Care - Access through ChildrenFirst backup care centers around the country (you pay only $35 per child per day, plus a one-time $39 registration fee per family) is available by contacting LifeCare.
      This is a DOJ supported service and is offered free to participating DOJ components. To find out if your component is participating click here http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/lifecarenet.htm, or contact your personnel office to make sure the list is current. Visit on-line or call 800-873-4636. Let LifeCare do the research for you!


    • Maryland Childcare Resource Network  www.mdchildcare.org/mdcfc/network/mainnumbers.html  Find child care and other helpful information in the State of Maryland.


    • Nannies Services
      • Cherub Nannies  http://members.tripod.com/CHERUB4U/onlinerequest.html   CHERUB Nannies is the premiere nanny service for fine families of the Washington, D.C. metro area.

      • 4nannies.com  www.4nannies.com  helps families locate nannies without an expensive nanny agency.

      • All-American Nanny  http://allamericannanny.com  Our specialty is placing quality Nannies into homes nationwide. All-American Nanny is the number one choice of families who have the means to provide the very highest quality of care for their children. Locating qualified candidates and matching your family's requirements to the right Nanny is what All-American is all about.


    • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)  www.naeyc.org/accreditation/center_search.asp  Offers a search engine to find NAEYC accredited childhood programs in your state and neighborhood. This list includes the names, address and contact information for all early childhood programs currently accredited by NAEYC. It is provided to help parents and others identify individual programs that have successfully demonstrated compliance with the Academy's Criteria -- the current consensus of the early childhood profession as to what makes a high quality program for young children.


    • N. Va. Child Care Referrals   This site offers phone numbers to obtain child care services in northern VA.


    • The Washington Child Development Council (WCDC)  www.wcdconline.org  Offers referrals to child care providers in DC.  Once at the site, click on "Services" on the left side of the screen. WCDC has been committed to promoting the accessibility of quality services for children and families living in the District of Columbia. Services include information regarding Center or Nursery Schools, Family Child Care, Before & After School Care, Financial Assistance, Assistance to Providers.


    • Washington Parent  www.washingtonparent.com  Serving parents in the Washington Metropolitan Area since 1982, providing family enrichment through education and support...first in print and now online.  Summer Camp information for the DC Metro area at this site.


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    Conflict Resolution
  • National Association for Community Mediation  www.nafcm.org  A site containing general information about mediation and links to community mediation centers.


  • Community Relations Service  www.usdoj.gov/crs   A Department of Justice website devoted to assisting to resolve community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin.

  • Southern Poverty Law Center  www.tolerance.org/hidden_bias  Do you have racial, religious, or other biases deeply hidden in your psyche? Two social psychologists funded by the National Science Foundation - Anthony Greenwald, of the University of Washington, and Mahzarin Banaji, of Yale University (now at Harvard University) - have developed a unique and statistically powerful tool to identify and quantify either hidden or unconscious attitudes. To learn more, and to test yourself, visit this site.


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    Consumer Protection and Consumer Education Information

  • Federal Citizen Information Center offers a wide assortment of informaton and educational material visit any of the four sister listed sites and find a treasure of information; http://www.Pueblo.gsa.gov;   http://www.FirstGov.gov;   http://www.ConsumerAction.gov;   http://www.Kids.gov.


  • Better Business Bureau  www.bbb.org  File a complaint. If you think that a company or charity has treated you unfairly, file a complaint online. The BBB will contact the organization to help resolve the issue. Local BBBs across the US and Canada serve the consumers and businesses in their areas and you can find a local BBB through this site. There is much more information about consumer ratings, identity theft and more.


  • Consumer Protection Offices  www.consumeraction.gov/state.shtml  Find your local State and County offices. City, county and state consumer protection offices provide consumers with important services. They might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate a variety of professionals, promote strong consumer protection legislation, provide educational materials and advocate in the consumer interest. City and county consumer offices are familiar with local businesses and local ordinances and state laws. If there is no local consumer office in your area, contact your state consumer office. State offices, sometimes in a separate department of consumer affairs or the attorney general's or governor's office, are familiar with state laws and look for statewide patterns of problems. Consumer protection offices in the U.S. territories also are included in this site. This list is arranged in alphabetical order by state name. State, county and city jurisdictions and TDD numbers are in bold type.


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    Dieting and Nutrition
  • BMI And Calorie Calculator  http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/caloriesneed.htm   Find your BMI (Body Mass Index) and how many daily calories you need to maintain your weight.


  • Create a Diet Menu  http://www.nhlbisupport.com/chd1/create.htm   Create a menu based on your health needs and to lose weight. Automatically determines fat, calories and cholesterol counts based on your selections.


  • Nutrition  http://nutrition.gov/index.php?mode=homepage  Users can find practical information on healthy eating, dietary supplements, fitness and how to keep food safe. The site is kept fresh with the latest news and features links to interesting sites.


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    Disabilities
  • EEOC  www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html   EEOC Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act.


  • Federal Employment of People with Disabilities (Schedule A)  www.opm.gov/disability/mngr_3-13.asp  Federal agencies fill jobs two ways, competitively and noncompetitively. Persons with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either way. Jobs filled competitively are advertised through vacancy announcements. Jobs that are filled noncompetitively do not have to be advertised. Instead, a selecting official can select a person with a disability who has Schedule A certification and is qualified for the job. People who are selected for jobs must meet the qualification requirements for the jobs and be able to perform the essential duties of the jobs with or without reasonable accommodation. People who are disabled and have a certification letter from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or the Department of Veterans Affairs may apply for noncompetitive appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. Applicants with certification letters may apply directly to agencies' Selective Placement Coordinators or their equivalent to be considered for jobs. Managers can contact the agency's Selective Placement Coordinator or human resources office or their equivalent to obtain more information about sources for applicants with disabilities. Selective Placement Program Coordinators can be reached for many Federal Agencies by going to this site: http://apps.opm.gov/sppc_directory/


  • Deaf and hard of hearing peresons health resources.   http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/health.html   This resource list identifies healthcare programs and initiatives designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing persons. Communication accommodations include not only a variety of devices, such as text telephones, but also qualified American Sign Language and oral interpreters as appropriate, and medical and allied personnel with sign skills and sensitivity to the varied communication needs of individuals with hearing losses.


  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION STATE OFFICES  http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/VOCREHAB.HTM  By contacting your local vocational rehabilitation office, you will tap into a wealth of resources related to employment options for people with disabilities. Vocational Rehabilitation, a state-supported division of services, assists individuals with disabilities who are pursuing meaningful careers. VR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities through local job searches and awareness of self-employment and telecommuting opportunities.


  • Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP)  http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap/  CAP provides assistive technology as a form of reasonable accommodation http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html to enable a qualified person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job. CAP's scope is to provide the assistive technology used to modify the computer and telecommunication environment for federal employees with disabilities.


  • Manual and Procedures for Providing Reasonable Accommodation USDOJ/JMD  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/eeos/ddaccomprocfinal081502.htm  The Department of Justice (DOJ) has a legal obligation to provide reasonable job accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities. This policy statement provides examples of the types of accommodations that are appropriate and generally will be provided to Department employees and applicants with disabilities.


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    Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence Screening   http://psychcentral.com/dvquiz.htm   Are you in a violent or otherwise abusive relationship. Not sure? Answer the survey to get a quick assessment. However, regardless of the outcome of this survey, if you feel you are in an abusive relationship or fear for your safety or the safety of your family, contact your local law enforcement agency or seek assistance by contacting National Domestic Violence Hotline http://www.ndvh.org/ at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) . Make a safety plan by visiting http://www.ndvh.org/help/planning.html to better plan for your safety.


  • Domestic Violence handbook  http://www.feddesk.com/freehandbooks/050304-1.pdf  Responding to Domestic Violence handbook offers resources and information regarding domestic violence.


  • Office on Violence Against Women  http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/  Since its inception in 1995, the Violence Against Women Office, now the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has handled the Department’s legal and policy issues regarding violence against women, coordinated Departmental efforts, provided national and international leadership, received international visitors interested in learning about the federal government’s role in addressing violence against women, and responded to requests for information regarding violence against women. Vist this site for more related information.


  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence  www.ncadv.org  A site providing education and resources for victims of domestic violence.


  • Family Violence Prevention Fund  www.endabuse.org  A site providing educational information about domestic violence. It also has a section devoted to domestic violence in the workplace.


  • National Domestic Violence Hotline  www.ndvh.org  Provides resource information and education about domestic violence.

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    Education
  • College Circle   www.collegecircle.com/payingforcollege-10.htm  College Circle provides college-bound students and their parents information about planning for college, finding scholarships, paying for college, choosing the right college, and developing a career path.


  • The Federal Resource Center for Special Education  www.federalresourcecenter.org/frc/TAGuide/index0009.html  Get the information/training you need to advocate for your child. Funded by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Parent Training and Information Centers in each state provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and young adults with disabilities and the professionals who work with their families. This assistance helps parents participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of children and youth with disabilities.


  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  www.nichcy.org/idea.htm  A National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities site. The IDEA guides how states and school districts provide special education and related services to more than six million eligible children with disabilities. Learn more about this important federal law here!


  • Locating Colleges and Scholarships via the Human Resources Training Page


  • School Refusal in Children and Adolescents  www.aafp.org/afp/20031015/1555.pdf  Does your child fight going to school? This is an interesting article for parents to examine what might be going on with their child.

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    End of Life Information
  • Connecticut Hospice  www.hospice.com  The Connecticut Hospice inaugurated hospice care in America in 1974. Since then, it has been the beacon and teacher of the growing hospice movement throughout the nation, and beyond. Connecticut Hospice addresses physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs of patients with advanced irreversible illness, and their families. Such care is provided regardless of diagnosis and as long as the Hospice level of care is needed by the patients.


  • End-of-Life information from Medlineplus  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/endoflifeissues.html#cat1  While dealing with end of life issues may be difficult, this site offers advice when confronting such a difficult subject.


  • Find a Hospice Program  www.nhpco.org/Directory  A national database of hospices.


  • Five Wishes Document  www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html  An Aging with Dignity resource. The Five Wishes document helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician.  Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know:
    1.Which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them.
    2. The kind of medical treatment you want or don't want.
    3. How comfortable you want to be.
    4. How you want people to treat you.
    5. What you want your loved ones to know.

    The document is valid in all but 15 states. The 15 that Five Wishes is not legally valid in, either require a specific state form or that the person completing an advance directive be read a mandatory notice or "warning." Residents of these states can still use Five Wishes to put their wishes in writing and communicate their wishes with their family and physician. Most health care professionals understand they have a duty to listen to the wishes of their patients no matter how they are expressed.


  • Funerals: A Consumer Guide (FTC)  www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm  This Federal Trade Commission site provides consumer information on funerals. When a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends often are confronted with dozens of decisions about the funeral - all of which must be made quickly and often under great emotional duress. What kind of funeral should it be? What funeral provider should you use? Should you bury or cremate the body, or donate it to science? What are you legally required to buy? What other arrangements should you plan? And, as callous as it may sound, how much is it all going to cost? Each year, Americans grapple with these and many other questions as they spend billions of dollars arranging more than 2 million funerals for family members and friends. The increasing trend toward pre-need planning - when people make funeral arrangements in advance - suggests that many consumers want to compare prices and services so that ultimately, the funeral reflects a wise and well-informed purchasing decision, as well as a meaningful one. If you need information on this topic, this FTC site may be of assistance.


  • Funerals: A Consumer Guide (GSA)  www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/funeral/funeral.htm   When a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends often are confronted with dozens of decisions about the funeral - all of which must be made quickly and often under great emotional duress. What kind of funeral should it be? What funeral provider should you use? Should you bury or cremate the body, or donate it to science? What are you legally required to buy? What other arrangements should you plan? And, as callous as it may sound, how much is it all going to cost? Check this site for additional information and direction.


  • Funerals.org  www.funerals.org  This is a national funeral consumer organization with state chapters. Contact your local state chapter for advice and directions related to funeral arrangements and your rights by clicking on Directory of Nonprofit Funeral Consumer Groups when visiting their home page.


  • Growth House  www.GrowthHouse.org This award-winning web site is your international gateway to resources for life-threatening illness and end of life care. Our primary mission is to improve the quality of compassionate care for people who are dying through public education and global professional collaboration.


  • Hospices of the National Capital Region  www.thehospice.org  Falls Church, Va. 22042  -  Offers support groups, workshops, seminars, educational sessions and other special events provided by grief counselors for the Washington, D.C. area. Call 800-255-0342 to find services near you.


  • Hospice Patients Alliance  www.hospicepatients.org  HPA promotes quality hospice services whether a patient is enrolled in a licensed hospice or not, whether residing at home or in a facility. HPA protects the rights of patients, their families and caregivers, the bereaved and staff by providing information about the standards of care governing the health care provided, the services required to be provided by law, standard industry practices and how to obtain the very best hospice care available.

  • LastActs.org  www.lastacts.org  Last Acts is a call-to-action campaign to improve care at the end of life. Our goals are to bring death related issues out in the open and help individuals and organizations pursue better ways to care for the dying. We believe in palliative care, which focuses on ways to ease pain and make life better for people who are dying and their loved ones. Palliative care means taking care of the whole person--body, mind, spirit--heart and soul. It looks at death and dying as something natural and personal. The goal of palliative care is to provide the best quality of life till the very end of life.


  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization  www.nhpco.org  Mission & Vision, To create an America where every individual can value the experience of the end of life. Mission to advance the art and science of end-of-life care.


  • On Our Own Terms  www.pbs.org/wnet/onourownterms  Across the country, local coalitions are forming to improve end-of-care in their communities in conjunction with the PBS series ON OUR OWN TERMS: Moyers on Dying. Filled with honesty, courage and humor, the series breaks through the culture of denial to wrestle with how we can die better in America


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    Financial


  • American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC)  www.consumercredit.com  ACCC is a nationally recognized consumer credit (501)(c3) non-profit organization, helping people regain financial control through debt consolidation and credit counseling. The ACCC mission is to financially empower their clients to regain control of the quality of their lives through education and financial management.


  • Annual Credit Report  www.annualcreditreport.com  You are now able to request a free credit report once a year from the three national credit companies all at one time, and you can do so over the internet. If you want a little more information about the legitimacy of this site visit the Federal Trade Commission and read up on this new service. There’s only one online source authorized to provide you free reports from each of the credit companies and that is https://www.annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. Unfortunately, while you can get your credit reports once a year for free, the reports will not include your credit score. If you want to know your credit score you still must purchase that from the credit companies.


  • Benefitscheckup  https://ssl1.benefitscheckup.org/ Developed and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation's most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.


  • Budget Maker Quattro Pro 9 version - MS Excel version  Get in control of your debt by creating a budget. The budgetmaker will automatically tabulate your expenses and income for your. Just fill in the form and make a plan. To access the program click on the version above that you prefer. If the file does not automatically open then either save the file on your computer and then open the file by clicking on the file name you chose to save it as; or when the window pops up asking you for : More information; Pick App; Save File; or Cancel; click on Pick App. Go to browser, and look for the icon that has a calculator or displays the qpw.exe format. If you prefer the Excel format, look for the Excel icon and click on that instead. This should allow you to open the document. Once the spread sheet opens, make sure when you open the page that you are on the correct tab located at the bottom of the screen and that your curser is set at the top left hand corner of the page. Remember to save the document once you are done if you wish to work on your budget again.


  • CNN/Money's Credit Scoring  www.money.cnn.com/pf/features/scoring  Do you know what your credit score is? Do you qualify for the cheapest interest rates? If do not qualify for low interest rate loans, then you may have a low credit score. Take a look at this site to understand what credit scores are used for, how they affect you, and how to find out what your score is. Remember, if you have bad credit, only you can fix it over time. Do not fall victim to the spam emails or other invitations by companies or individuals who (for a small sometimes large fee) claim they can "fix" your credit problems. The only thing these businesses do is clean you of your hard earned money.


  • CNN/Money's Debt Reduction Planner  http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp   If you want to get out of debt you need to have a plan. Go to this site to see how your rate of payment and interest rates determine when you will be debt free. Please look at just how much of your money goes towards just paying interest!


  • Credit Counseling Services  -  http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/Yourcreditrating/P38049.asp   Credit counselors are falling all over themselves to help you out of debt, but some do more harm than good. Here’s what you need to know, including whether you need it and the red flags for ripoffs.


  • DOJ Criminal Division  www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html  This site provides information regarding Identity Theft and other information.


  • Federal Citizen Information Center  www.pueblo.gsa.gov  This site provides a great deal of useful financial information. At this site you can learn about what is identity theft; other topics include HOW TO PURCHASE A HOME; FINANCING; AVOIDING LOAN FRAUD; LOCATING THE BEST MORTGAGE; AND MUCH MORE. Be a smart consumer and protect your financial interests!


  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)  www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum02/cvrstry.html  This site can assist you in avoiding the traps of "PREDATORY" HOME LOANS! Be careful when considering a home equity loan offer in the mail. It may sound like a great deal-?one that you can't afford to pass up! But before you send that application in, be aware that a few unscrupulous lenders are tricking cash-strapped, unknowing borrowers into expensive home equity loans and mortgages. The big risk: If you can't repay the loan you could lose your home. "Predatory" loans are the result of a company misleading, tricking and sometimes coercing someone into taking out a home loan (typically a home equity loan or mortgage refinancing) at excessive costs and without regard to the homeowner's ability to repay. Victims who have trouble repaying a predatory loan often face harassing collection tactics or are encouraged to refinance the loan at even higher fees. To learn more visit this site.


  • Federal Information Center  www.consumerprivacyguide.org/  Privacy Resources; Here are some helpful links to Federal sites, along with informative sites from other non-governmental organizations, all grouped by subject, like Identity Theft; Computer privacy issues; etc.


  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  www.consumer.gov/idtheft/  This site is to the U.S. government's central website for information about identity theft. This site is maintained by the FTC. Information is constantly being added to the site, including government reports and Congressional testimony, law enforcement updates, and links to other sites with helpful information about identity theft.


  • Identity Theft  -   Advice to Federal Employees.


  • IRS  www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105077,00.html  Offers tax information and other related information.


  • Money.gov  www.mymoney.gov  Welcome to mymoney.gov, the Federal Government's website dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money - how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet your personal goals. As a first step, please send for the free "My Money" tool kit. It has information to help you choose and use credit cards, get out of debt, protect your credit record, understand your Social Security benefits, insure your bank deposits, and start a savings and investing plan. Just click on the Free "My Money" tool kit link above, fill out the order form it will bring up, and we'll be glad to send your "My Money" tool kit right away. Thanks for visiting mymoney.gov. This website is managed by the federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission.


  • National Foundation For Credit Counseling


  • Social Security Administration  www.socialsecurity.gov/reach.htm  This site offers provides information related to the SSA and related benefits. Visit this site to answer your questions or to learn more about the benefits and services offered through the SSA.

    IDENTITY THEFT ADVICE

    If you do become a victim of identity theft, there are ways to recover your good credit rating. First, report the identity theft to Social Security's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Then, report it to the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT. You also should contact the three major credit bureaus, tell them you're an identity theft victim and ask them to place a fraud alert on your records. The credit bureaus are:

    • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or http://www.equifax.com
    • Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 or http://www.tuc.com
    • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or http://www.experian.com


    Also, write your creditors and ask them to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name or changing existing accounts or credit limits. For more information on identity theft, visit the Social Security Administration’s identity theft web page.

  • DOJ Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program-  The Department of Justice Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program (ASLRP) for 2008 will soon be accepting requests from attorneys interested in participation. The ASLRP Policy, detailed information about eligibility, application procedures, request forms, component contacts, FAQ, and other relevant materials are posted on the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management (OARM) web page, www.usdoj.gov/oarm. ASLRP information is accessed under the “Resources and Other Programs” link, (during the ASLRP season) from the “Quick Links” directory on the OARM home page, or by entering the ASLRP URL (www.usdoj.gov/oarm/aslrp/aslrp.htm) into the Internet browser. Requests from attorneys seeking to participate in the ASLRP are due to components by April 16, 2008. Renewal requests from current participants selected in 2006 and 2007 are due to components by March 31, 2008.

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    Government Benefits
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  www.fema.gov  after a disaster FEMA and other federal, state, local and volunteer agencies offer disaster assistance. Go to this site for additional information.


  • GovBenefits.gov  http://GovBenefits.gov  This is a government site that can help you find government information related to the full range of government services and financial assistance. From the web site's Community Advocates page, you can search for programs by life event or category, such as housing, nutrition, health care, education, disaster relief, and more.


  • Medicare  www.medicare.gov/default.asp  The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare.

 
    Grief and Support Services
  • The Hospices of the National Capital Region Grief and Loss Services  www.thehospices.org  The mission of The Hospices of the National Capital Region is to improve care for those facing life-limiting illness through direct support of patients and their families, public education and public advocacy. They provide a caring, family-centered approach to respond to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during illness and bereavement. These expert services are readily available and continually improving. Your care is provided regardless of your ability to pay. 800-255-3042. For workshops to help you deal with loss during the holidays, call the 800 number for a listing of nearby groups.

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    Health and Medical
  • AAHCP HOUSE CALL NETWORK  www.aahcp.org/physicianreferral.shtml  shtml Directory of home care physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners by state.


  • Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center  www.alzheimers.org/unraveling/index.htm  The U.S. Congress created the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center in 1990 to "compile, archive, and disseminate information concerning Alzheimer's disease" for health professionals, people with AD and their families, and the public.


  • American Heart Association


  • AVIAN FLU  http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html or http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html  Visit these two sites for information about protecting yourself and family.

  • Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm  this webpage provides background information about avian influenza, including recent outbreaks, the viruses, and the risk to human health.

  • Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)  http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/  Find health, mental health, shelter and other local services via HHS's locater engine, that will assist you to find services in your community.


  • Cancer Hope Network  http://cancerhopenetwork.org/ Cancer Cancer Hope Network provides free, confidential, one-on-one support to people with cancer and their families. They match patients with trained volunteers who have themselves undergone a similar experience. They provide support and hope, to help patients and families look beyond the diagnosis, cope with treatment, and start living life to its fullest once again.


  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


  • CDC Small Pox Vaccine  www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/facts.asp  Information regarding the small Pox Vaccine.


  • Create a diet  www.nhlbisupport.com/chd1/create.htm  If you are looking for assistance in creating a menu that will support your weight loss, experiment with this site.

  • Federal Employees Health Handbook  www.feddesk.com/handbooks/061404-1.pdf  The handbook consist of legislative and regulatory information and guidance and resources central to the operations of Federal employee health services programs.

  • Flu Facts  The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. To learn more click on Flu Facts.


  • Healthfinder  www.healthfinder.com  Visit this site for hand-picked health information from A to Z - prevention & wellness, diseases & conditions, and alternative medicine - plus medical dictionaries, an encyclopedia, journals, and more.


  • Healthierus  www.healthierus.com  A web site on health, fitness and nutrition, brought to you by the Executive Office of the President and the Department of Health and Human Services.


  • HIV/AIDS Hotlines  www.thebody.com/hotlines/state.html  AIDS hotlines are invaluable for basic HIV/AIDS information. You can talk to someone knowledgeable about HIV, and get referrals to various AIDS services in your city or state. Typically, hotlines are open Monday through Friday 9 to 5 with some also open evenings and Saturdays. The National AIDS hotline in Washington, D.C. is the only hotline open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 1-800-342-2437.


  • HIV Testing Sites  www.hivtest.org  Resources on HIV testing including a national database of HIV testing sites and answers to many questions about HIV/AIDS and testing.


  • HIV/AIDS Testing Sites   - For DC, VA. and Md. Only.


  • Home Health Compare  www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/Home.asp?dest=NAV|Home|About#TabTop  This site gives detailed information about Medicare-certified home health agencies that were certified as of January 2003. The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare.


  • HomeCare Agency Locater  www.nahc.org/Tango/HCLocator/locator.html  Looking for a home care or hospice agency? Finding the right provider does not have to be difficult. The Home Care/Hospice Agency Locator contains the most comprehensive database of more than 22,500 home care and hospice agencies. Use this resource to find all the agencies in any particular area of the country.


  • Interactive Health Tutorials  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html  This is a great medical site. It offers medical tutorials and interactive health education resources from the Patient Education Institute. It uses animated graphics with each tutorial to explain the procedure or condition in easy to read language. You can also listen to the tutorial if you prefer.


  • Lab tests on line  labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/glucose/glance.html   This site explains what lab tests are looking for and understand what your test may mean.


  • Mayo Clinic  www.mayohealth.org  Visit this site to find diseases & conditions A-Z.


  • Meals On Wheels  www.mowaa.org/search.shtml  Provides meals to home bound elderly and handicapped persons. National listing of contacts.


  • Medicaid Information  www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/  Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills.


  • National Women's Health Information Center  (NWHIC)   www.4woman.gov/about/index.htm  NWHIC is a service of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. The NWHIC provides a gateway to the vast array of Federal and other women's health information resources. This site can help you link to, read, and download a wide variety of women's health-related material developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, other Federal agencies, and private sector resources.


  • Nursing Homes  www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp  Medicare/Medicaid approved nursing home locator.


  • Pandemic Flu Information  www.pandemicflu.gov/  Information addressing medical and local state informtion.


  • Physician finder on WebMd  http://doctor.webmd.com/physician_finder/home.aspx?sponsor=core   Looking for a physician in your area, contact your insurance provider through their internet site or phone number first to get a provider in your plan. Otherwise this WebMd site offers a great search engine to find all kinds of physicians.


  • Social Security Administration  www.socialsecurity.gov/reach.htm  This site offers provides information related to the SSA and related benefits. Visit this site to answer your questions or to learn more about the benefits and services offered through the SSA.


  • Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)  www.istm.org   If you have visited a foreign country and incurred a strange bug bite or illness that other doctors have no familiarity with, contact ISTM and seek out one of their expert travel medicine doctors. ISTM is committed to the promotion of healthy and safe travel. In cooperation with national and international health care providers, academic centers, the travel industry and the media, ISTM advocates and facilitates education, service, and research activities in the field of travel medicine. This includes: preventive and curative medicine within many specialties such as tropical medicine, infectious diseases, high altitude physiology, travel related obstetrics, psychiatry, occupational health, military and migration medicine, and environmental health. ISTM is based in Stone Mountain, Ga. and can be reached by phone at 770-736-7060.


  • University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center

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    Health Insurance Resources


  • Benefitscheckup  https://ssl1.benefitscheckup.org/ Developed and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation's most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)  www.cms.hhs.gov  Home page for CMS which is part of HHS. For information on Medicare click here www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicare.asp. For information on Medicaid click here www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp .


  • Federal Employees Health Benefits Program  www.opm.gov/insure/08/planinfo.asp  Find your health insurance plan information, benefits and phone numbers at this site.


  • Medicare Handbooks  www.feddesk.com/medicare.htm  Understanding Medicare benefits can be a daunting tasks. Feddesk.com offers free Adobe Acrobat downloads on Medicare topics which is a great resource. Read the "Medicare & You 2006" handbook. Please click on the following link for the handbook: www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf. It will list the specific plans available in your loved one's area. You can also visit www.medicare.gov on the web and get personalized information, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). They can answer questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY 1-800-486-2048.)


  • Needymeds  www.needymeds.com  This site is designed to provide information about patient assistance programs which provide no cost prescription medications to eligible participants. NeedyMeds is an information source. It is sort of like the Yellow Pages. They have information on the programs many drug companies have that give away free prescription medications to people who have no insurance and qualify for their programs.


  • Prescription Assistance   https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php   The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Among the organizations collaborating on this program are the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, the Lupus Foundation of America, the NAACP, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the National Medical Association. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).


  • Private Health Insurance  A primer on locating and obtaining health insurance for your adult children who do not have a health insurance plan and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.


  • State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)  www.cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp  The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 created a new children's health insurance program called the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This program gave each state permission to offer health insurance for children, up to age 19, who are not already insured. SCHIP is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services.


  • State Health Insurance Counseling Programs (Medicare)  www.aafp.org/x19934.xml   If you are confused and are not sure if Medicare A/B or Medigap insurance is worthwhile because you already have a health insurance plan, or if you have other Medicare benefits questions, contact your local State Health Insurance Counseling Program Counselor. This site will give you your state's toll-free senior counseling hotline number to answer your questions.

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    Law Enforcement and Mental Health

  • Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress   http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/about.shtml  conducts research, education, consultation and training on preparing for and responding to the psychological effects and health consequences of traumatic events. These events include natural (hurricanes, floods and tsunami) and human made disasters (motor vehicle and plane crashes, war, terrorism and bioterrorism). The Center’s work spans studies of genetic vulnerability to stress, individual and community responses to terrorism, and policy recommendations to help our nation and its military and civilian populations.


  • Force Science Research Center (FSRC)  http://www.forcescience.org/about/ The FSRC was launched in 2004, to conduct unique lethal-force experiments. The non-profit FSRC, based at Minnesota State University-Mankato, uses sophisticated time-and-motion measurements to document critical hidden truths about the physical and mental dynamics of life-threatening events, particularly officer-involved shootings. Its startling findings profoundly impact on officer training and safety and on the public’s naive perceptions. FSRC defines "Force Science" as the application of unbiased scientific principles and processes in repetitive physical experiments that is designed to determine the true nature of suspect provocation and officer response (action-reaction dynamics).


  • Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation  http://www.mc-lef.org/ Provides assistance to primarily children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel who were killed on duty or died under extraordinary circumstances while serving our country at home or abroad. Funds enable the Foundation to provide these children with scholarships for their higher education. When a child of a United States Marine is afflicted with a physical or mental disability and requires special medical equipment or tutoring, the Foundation may grant financial assistance to that family if their personal insurance does not cover the complete cost of treatment for this child. Funding is based on donations.


  • Officer-Involved Shooting Guidelines (IACP Psychological Services Section) http://www.theiacp.org/div_sec_com/sections/OfficerInvolvedShooting.pdf   Article that addrsses operational and mental health issues.


  • Post Incident Shooting   An article explaining the reactions expereinced by agents/officers and family members.


  • Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_death.html  Part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) provides a one-time financial benefit to the eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct and proximate result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. Please review the site for information and application forms.


  • Shift Work   http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/downloads/LE_Shift_Work.pdf   Managing the Challenges of Disrupted Sleep Patterns and Extended Duty Hours.


  • Stress and Community Work  http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/downloads/LE_Working_the_Beat.pdf   An article addressing stress and strategies to deal with it.


    • Suicide Prevention

  • National Police Suicide Foundation. http://www.psf.org/  The mission of the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation is to provide suicide awareness and prevention training programs and support services that will meet the psychological and spiritual needs of emergency workers and their families. Contact 866-276-4615.
  • The Pain Behind The Badge©. http://www.thepainbehindthebadge.com/index2.html The purpose of this site is two-fold: not only to showcase the hour-long documentary film that finally addresses the significant problem of law enforcement suicides, but also to help YOU find help for those who might be contemplating taking their own life. The number of officers, deputies, and agents who take their own lives is almost three times that of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; on average, we lose a first responder to suicide at the rate of ONE PER DAY. Yet in spite of the staggering frequency of law enforcement suicides, widely-available resources are frequently neglected. Contact (702) 573-4263 for additional information.

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    Legal
  • American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA)  www.adoptionattorneys.org   The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of approximately 330 attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law. The Academy's work includes promoting the reform of adoption laws and disseminating information on ethical adoption practices.


  • American Bar Association  www.abalawinfo.org  Community section of the ABA website provides basic information on legal topics.


  • ABA Legal Aid Explained  www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/freehelp.html#  An American Bar Association site. This is a great site to get general and specific information about legal services and referrals.


  • Diminished Capacity Assessment  www.apa.org/pi/aging/diminished_capacity.pdf  Assessment of older adults with diminished capacity: A handbook for lawyers. Washington, DC: American Bar Association and American Psychological Association


  • Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement State and Local Child Support (IV-D) Agencies  www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.htm#exta  This site lists the various state offices available throughout the USA.


  • Find Law  www.findlaw.com  A site providing articles on legal topics and links to federal and state codes and case law.


  • Five Wishes Document  www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html  An Aging with Dignity resource. The Five Wishes document helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician.  Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know:
    1.Which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them.
    2. The kind of medical treatment you want or don't want.
    3. How comfortable you want to be.
    4. How you want people to treat you.
    5. What you want your loved ones to know.

    The document is valid in all but 15 states. The 15 that Five Wishes is not legally valid in, either require a specific state form or that the person completing an advance directive be read a mandatory notice or "warning." Residents of these states can still use Five Wishes to put their wishes in writing and communicate their wishes with their family and physician. Most health care professionals understand they have a duty to listen to the wishes of their patients no matter how they are expressed.


  • LifeCare  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/lifecarenet.htm  Provides legal referrals to DOJ employees only for such matters as divorce, consumer issues, etc. First 30 minute consultation is free. Costs are the responsibility of the employee.


  • Partnership for Caring  www.partnershipforcaring.org  America's Voices for the Dying Stateis a national nonprofit organization that partners individuals and organizations in a powerful collaboration to improve how people die in our society. Among other services, Partnership for Caring operates the only national crisis and information hotline dealing with end-of-life issues and provides state-specific living wills and medical powers of attorney. (Also called Advance Directives)

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    Manager's Corner
  • Pandemic Flu OPM Manager Guidance   www.opm.gov/pandemic/agency/factsheets.asp  Offers Fact Sheets designed to provide Federal managers, supervisors, and human resources officials and specialists with a quick summary of the basic facts and sources of information relating to such matters as applying for retirement, death benefits, Social Security benefits, Thrift Savings Plan, and Office of Workers' Compensation benefits; Federal employee insurance programs during a pandemic health crisis; flexible work arrangements; and Employee Assistance Programs.


  • Pandemic OPM Employee Guidance   www.opm.gov/pandemic/agency/informations.asp  Human Resources Information Specifically for Employees. Offers Fact Sheets that are designed specifically to provide Federal employees with a quick summary of the basic facts and sources of information relating to such matters as flexible work arrangements, Employee Assistance Programs, health benefits and insurance programs, and pay and leave flexibilities. In addition,OPM has consolidated information about Federal benefits into a comprehensive guide entitled, "What You and Your Family Need To Know about Your Federal Benefits During an Emergency."


  • Pandemic Flu Information   www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html   Present and historical information.


  • Depression Impact Calculator   www.depressioncalculator.com/Welcome.asp  Productivity Impact Model Calculates the Impact of Depression in the Workplace and the Benefits of Treatment to how much depression among your own employees is costing your component.


  • The Alcohol Cost Calculator   www.alcoholcostcalculator.org/business/  Problem drinking, including alcoholism, can strike anyone, even your most valued employees. Alcohol costs borne by business are frequently hidden, showing up in more expensive emergency room visits and more missed work days. Alcohol problems reduce the productivity of workers and increase health care costs. The Alcohol Cost Calculator for Business, developed by Ensuring Solutions, will help you estimate the cost of alcohol problems to your business and the wide-ranging effects they have on your employees' health and well-being. The Calculator also suggests ways you can reduce costs while addressing your employees' needs.


  • WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEADER   www.apa.org/releases/good_leaders.html  This is an APA press release regarding a study in this area and The Assertiveness Quotient.


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    Marital/Partner in Conflict Resources (Divorce, separation, etc.)
  • Divorcenet  www.divorcenet.com  Offers a wide array of resources, some of which are free while others are fee based. State by state specific information.

  • Divorsesource.com  www.divorcesource.com  This site offers a wide assortment of information and services, some free but most are fee for service.

  • Lifecare  This is a DOJ funded service that offers legal referral services, (as well as other supportive services such as child and elder care referrals) that can assist you in obtaining a lawyer to represent your interests when separating or divorcing. Callers are entitled to 30 minutes of free legal advice with their assigned attorney. Employees who elect to contract with the attorney through LifeCare, are entitled to a 25% discount from the attorney's regular hourly fees. To access this site, click on the above noted URL or call them at 800-873-4636.

  • Our Family Wizard  www.ourfamilywizard.com  This site offers an online family calendaring system to help families organize their schedules, store important information and promote civilized communication.

  • PAIRS  www.pairs.com  Offers classes nationally for couples who want to salvage their relationship. Also offers training to professionals who would like to improve their skills for working with couples.

  • The Divorce Resource Network, LLC  www.tdrn.org  Offers some free and fee for services to residents of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Includes information and services such as mediation, legal advice, coaching, financial and tax advice and help with purchase, sale or financing of a residence.

  • Up to Parents  www.uptoparents.org  This is a free website devoted to promoting and protecting the best interests of children caught up in marital conflict. Altogether this site suggests three web sites for families facing divorce or trying to resume a healthy marriage. The three websites are unique tools to help parents through difficult transitions. Divorcing and divorced parents can find help at www.UpToParents.org. Parents never married to each other can find help at www.ProudToParent.org. Parents intending to stay married by wishing to remember their children's needs as they work through marital problems can be helped by www.WhileWeHeal.org www.WhileWeHeal.org.

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    Medications
  • Prescription Assistance   https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php   The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Among the organizations collaborating on this program are the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, the Lupus Foundation of America, the NAACP, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the National Medical Association. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).


  • Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide  www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/buyperscript-online/guide.htm  Compare prices online. Buy only from U.S.-based sites, and look for websites that are certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.


  • Medications  www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/medicate.cfm  A National Institute of Mental Health site offers a detailed booklet that describes mental disorders and the medications for treating them -- includes a comprehensive list of medications.


  • Medications and Older People  www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/meds4old/697_old.html  Learn how to prevent dangerous drug interactions. Tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking, learn the side effects to watch out for, and ask about any special precautions or interactions with foods.


  • Medicinenet  www.medicinenet.com/medications/article.htm  Find relevant and reliable medical information on common medications.

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    Mental Health
  • American Family Physician  www.aafp.org/afp/20030115/297.html  Diagnosis of Eating Disorders in Primary Care, article.


  • Center for Mental Health Services  www.mentalhealth.org  Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is charged with leading the national system that delivers mental health services. The goal of this system is to provide the treatment and support services needed by adults with mental disorders and children with serious emotional problems. Almost 44 million Americans The are affected by mental illness in any given year, and more than 5.4 percent are diagnosed each with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002; Mental Health, United States, 1999).


  • Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress   http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/about.shtml  conducts research, education, consultation and training on preparing for and responding to the psychological effects and health consequences of traumatic events. These events include natural (hurricanes, floods and tsunami) and human made disasters (motor vehicle and plane crashes, war, terrorism and bioterrorism). The Center’s work spans studies of genetic vulnerability to stress, individual and community responses to terrorism, and policy recommendations to help our nation and its military and civilian populations.


  • Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation  www.bpkids.org  This site provides education and resources relative to children and adolescents with bipolar depression.


  • Depression Info Center  www.mhsource.com/depression  Educational articles and research related to depression.


  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)  http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/aboutdbsa.html  DBSA is the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses - depression and bipolar disorder. The organization fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. DBSA offers an on line questionnaire to assist you to see if you might have Bipolar Disorder symptoms http://www.dbsalliance.org/questionnaire/screening_intro.asp . A positive result from this questionnaire suggests that you could benefit from a comprehensive mental health screening. However, regardless of the results of this survey, if you have concerns, contact your physician and/or a mental health professional.


  • eMedicine  www.emedicine.com/ped/topic298.htm  Eating disorder article related to Bulimia


  • HHS's Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)  http://www.circlesolutions.com/pc  Find health, mental health, shelter and other local services via this locater engine, that will assist you to find services in your community.


  • Mental Health America  www.nmha.org/index.cfm  Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.


  • Mental Health Info Source  www.mhsource.com  Educational information.


  • Mental Help Net  www.mentalhelp.net  A site containing articles and news related to mental health topics.


  • National Institute of Mental Health  www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm  This section provides information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.


  • Pastoral Counseling  www.aapc.org/directory.cfm  to find a pastoral counselor visit this search engine, which is part of the The American Association of Pastoral Counselors.


  • Pendulum Resources  www.pendulum.org  A website offering articles related to manic-depression.


  • Psychological Tests and Quizzes   http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/   If you desire a quick anonymous approximation of your mental health concerns you might want to visit this site. However, remember that the listed tests are only an informal assessment of your current situation and for an accurate assessment and diagnosis you must speak to your doctor, a licensed mental health professional or your EAP counselor.


  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychopharmacology  www.icisf.org/articles/Acrobat%20Documents/TerrorismIncident/PTSDPsychoPharm.pdf  An article that informs the reader about PTSD and how medications can be of assistance.


  • School Refusal Children and Adolescents   http://dominionhospital.com/School%20Refusal%20Brochure%20one%20page.pdf  A Dominion Hospital Presentation


  • Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy   www.cet.org/  The Center for Environmental Therapeutics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 in response to accelerating international interest in new environmental therapies. The Center is made up of a multidisciplinary team of eminent researchers and clinicians — experts in mental health, ophthalmology and optical physics, electrical engineering, biochemistry, physiology and gerontology — who are committed to pooling their efforts toward the development and application of effective environmental therapies.


  • Service Pets for Mental Illness  Pets, especially trained dogs are often used to assist blind and physically disabled persons. They are also used in assisting those who suffer from a mental illness. The following sites offer information and guidance regarding Psychiatric Service Dogs and other related information:


  • Symptoms and Treatment of Mental Disorders  http://psychcentral.com/disorders/#adult   This is a site offering sources for mental health information, as well as providing annotated guides to the most useful websites, newsgroups, and mailing lists online today in mental health, psychology, social work, and psychiatry.


  • State Crisis Hotlines SAMHSA  www.mentalhealth.org/hotlines/state.asp  This SAMHSA site lists State Hotlines throughout the USA. Counselors are available to address the concerns of any interested caller.


  • Suicide Hotline  www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s mission is to provide immediate assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis by connecting them to the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider through a toll-free telephone number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is the only national suicide prevention and intervention telephone resource funded by the Federal Government.


  • Suicide-Survivor Support and Information  www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/Support_Groups.cfm  The American Association of Suicidology recognizes the importance of social support in the wake of suicide. If you are in need of support, please search our database for a support group in your area. If we need to add or update a support group listing, please e-mail our Support Group Coordinator - kbarker@suicidology.org .


  • Suicide and Teens  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/youth-dep-suicide.htm   An article regarding recent CDC statistics, warning signs and prevention information.


  • Women Counseling and Career Center, (The Commission for Women) Montgomery County/Md  www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfwtmpl.asp?url=/Content/CFW/CFWCCC.asp   provides a broad scope of programs and services designed to meet the needs and interests of women in our community while fulfilling the Commission's mandate to address inequities women experience in society. Services at the Center include individual counseling for personal and career issues, couples counseling, workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics, vocational testing, a legal call back program, and information and referral services and the use of the Center's library. The Center has a highly qualified professional staff and services are provided at low and affordable fees.

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    Military Family Resources and Support

  • Hotlines & Family Support Information Numbers
    • Army (800)833-6622  Army Family Assistance Hotline provides information, useful resources and helpful referrals related to family issues.
    • Air Force (866) 299-0596  Provides information and referral for both active and reserve Air Force service members and their families.
    • Navy (800)372-5463  Offers information and referral (I&R).
    • Marine Corps East of the Mississippi (minus Wisconsin) (800) 336-4663;  West of the Mississippi (plus Wisconsin) (800)253-1624  I&R assistance.
    • National Guard Bureau HQ (888)777-7731 to obtain I&R and the 800 number for each NNG state coordinator.
    • Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Life Connections (800)222-0364 - This is DLAs Employee Assistance Number and offers I&R and support.
    • US Coast Guard EAP and Worklife program (800)872-4957 provides I&R and support.
    • Deployment Health Support Hotline (800)497-6261 provides health information about present and past military deployments to service members, veterans, family members and the general public. Offers case management and referral services and operates 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.
    • Veterans Affairs  www1.va.gov/opa/IS1/contacts.asp   List of offices and phone numbers provding benefits to veterans.


  • Air Force Aide Society  www.afas.org  The AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY (AFAS) is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. It promotes the Air Force mission by helping "to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and assisting them to finance their education". It is rooted in the original Army Air Corps and the World War II Army Air Forces, whose members wanted to "take care of their own." Through the years, AFAS has become increasingly effective in helping individuals with personal emergencies-- as well as extremely useful when used by commanders to help solve personnel problems in their units.


  • American Red Cross Services for the Mililtary
    www.redcross.org/services/afes
    The Red Cross offers assistance to military personnel and their families such as financial assistance, counseling and emergency communications with their deployed family member. Visit this site for additional information.


  • Army Emergency Relief
    703-428-0000
    www.aerhq.org
    The Army Emergency Relief (AER) is the Army’s own emergency financial assistance organization. They provide assistance to reservists and their families when needed.


  • Coast Guard Mutual Assistance  www.cgmahq.org  Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to the Coast Guard community. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is administered by the Board of Control located at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, Regional Directors in various CGMA regions throughout the country, and Representatives at selected duty stations.


  • Enduring Freedom  www.mfrc.calib.com/Enduring_Freedom  The Enduring Freedom site was designed as a resource to assist the professionals who are providing support to service members and their families during the current military operations. The site contains resources to address mobilization and deployment issues. The resources are organized for our target populations of service members, families and employers. The site also provides organizations and tool kits to aide military parents, military program managers and other child advocates who are supporting children and their families to restore and maintain mental well-being after traumatic events, separations and deployments.


  • Family Separation and Readiness Guide
    www.afcrossroads.com/famseparation
    At this site you can obtain the guide as well as other information. The guide is helpful to those members and their family and friends who are separated due to military deployments, remote assignments, extended tour of duty and other personnel separated f rom loved ones.


  • Federal Children’s Scholarship Fund  www.fedscholarship.org/  Federal Children's Scholarship Fund was formed to help the children of federal employees and retirees, military personnel and veterans with need-based scholarships that assist in building successful college careers!


  • First.gov  www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Audiences/Military_Veterans.shtml  Information for active duty military personnel and reservists related to General Resources, Benefits, Pay, Health Retirement, Training, Education, Career transitions, Family Support, Housing, Voting and Travel and much more.


  • Military Homecoming Support and Resilience  www.helping.apa.org/resilience/homecoming.html  While the end of a deployment or activation represents a reunification of those deployed with their families, there are numerous stresses to face. The American Psychological Association offers an excellent webpage focusing upon considerations for the military returnee (including National Guard and Reservists), families, as well as special needs concerning children. The site also offers a warning symptom checklist and practical coping tips.


  • Military Personnel Locator Information  www.mfrc.calib.com/pdffiles/Military_Personnel_Locator_Information.pdf   Go to this site to find the phone numbers to locate military personnel.


  • The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)  http://vetrecs.archives.gov  A website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online. This online application helps veterans who needs a copy of his/her DD-214 for employment purposes such as veterans’ preference, service computation date calculations, or getting creditable service for retirement. The web site guides you through a simple four step process to request the records. Afterwards the veteran prints out a form, signs it, and sends it to the NPRC within 30 days to receive the DD-214. Other items such as requests for replacement medals and decorations must still be submitted on the Standard Form180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, which is available on the web.


  • The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
    Contact: Mr. John Alexander
    703-696-4904
    http://www.nmcrs.org
    The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members and survivors.


  • Office of Reserve Affairs
    www.defenselink.mil/ra
    This site provides information about the policies, programs and initiatives that the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Reserve Affairs manages for the National Guard and Reserve Components of the united States Armed Forces.


  • U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center
    www.armymwr.com
    This site helps military personnel with issues such as morale, welfare and support for family members.


  • Veterans Affairs  www1.va.gov/opa/IS1/contacts.asp   List of offices and phone numbers provding benefits to veterans.


    • Military Branches
  • National Guard

  • United States Air Force

  • United States Army

  • United States Army Reserve

  • United States Coast Guard

  • U.S. Dept. of Defense

  • United States Marine Corps

  • United States Navy

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    Overseas Assignment Information and Support for Department Employees

  • Guidance and Referral on Foreign Service Lifestyle Issues  www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c1960.htm  Foreign Service employees and family members dealing with personal concerns receive guidance and assistance from FLO's Support Services Officer. Communication is confidential. Contact the Family Liaison Office.


  • Counseling Resources Employee Assistance Program, JMD  www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/eapbrochure.htm  Employees and their family members may obtain counseling and other assistance and support through the JMD EAP. Services are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by calling (202)532-3435. Email requests cab be directed to Ted Schwartz at theodor.schwartz@usdoj.gov. Normal business hours are from 7-4 Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard Time and a counselor can be reached during these hours by calling either 202-616-4998 or 800 626-0385. In the event your call is not immidiately answered and you require an immidiate call back, page the on call counselor at 877-924-0187.
    The State Department also has counselors and resources available by visiting their counseling services web site.


  • Helping Children Cope During Deployment
      http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/downloads/CTChildrenCopeDuringDeployment.pdf  An informative article for parents.


  • Iraq Background Information  www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6804.htm  Before you go review the Department of State information and share with concenred family members.


  • U.S. Embassy Kabul  kabul.usembassy.gov/consular2.html  Consular Section In an emergency, a consular officer is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by phone: Embassy switchboard: +93-(0)70-10-8001/8002 ; Mobile: +93-(0)70-20-1908; Office: +93-(0)70-10-8398. If you are based in the U.S., the Overseas Citizen Services hotline is 1-888-407-4747. Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may reach the hotline by calling 1-317-472-2328.


  • State Department Family Liaison Office  www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/  The Family Liaison Office serves USG employees and their family members assigned to, serving at, or returning from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. FLO's mission is to improve the quality of life for Foreign Service employees and family members by identifying issues and advocating for programs and solutions, providing a variety of client services, and extending services to overseas communities by managing the worldwide Community Liaison Office (CLO) program. Our major areas of interest are Education and Youth, Family Member Employment, Evacuation Support, and Support Services for those experiencing a personal or post crisis. We deliver services in these areas through individual advising, training and presentations, publications, and the CLO program.  Please contact us directly if you need additional help. 


  • Support Services Department of State  www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c1960.htm  Foreign Service employees and family members coping with personal and community crises in the face of the unique challenges associated with service overseas require a strong support system.  FLO works with other agencies and offices to help all who serve at embassies and consulates.  Here are some topic areas:

  • Unaccompanied Tours: State Department Advice and Support and Information  http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c14521.htm  Get some good references and advice for you and your family at this site.

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    Pet Resources
  • Humane Society  http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/choosing_a_pet_sitter/  Know what to look for when choosing a pet sitter. The Humane Society of the United States is dedicated to creating a world where our relationship with animals is guided by compassion. We seek a truly humane society in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value and where the human-animal bond is strong.

  • Pet Sitters
    Locate a sitter for your pet domestically or internationally by visiting any one of these sites. Also check your yellow pages.
    National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
    Pet Sitters International


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    Recreational Information
  • Great Outdoor Pages  www.acefitness.org  The American Council on Exercise is the largest nonprofit fitness certification and education provider in the world. Widely recognized as "America's Authority on Fitness," ACE continually sets standards and protects the public against unqualified fitness professionals and unsafe or ineffective fitness products, programs and trends. ACE makes it easy to locate a health club that is dedicated to upholding the fitness education standards of the ACE and committed to providing excellence in fitness education.


  • Grown Up Camps  grownupcamps.com  This site is dedicated to helping ADULTS find specialty camps from tennis to just fitness. If you have wanted to get away and enjoy an activity while increasing your daily exercise routine, this site may just be the one to help you plan your next vacation.


  • Recreation.gov  www.recreation.gov  The one-stop shop to find information about recreational opportunities nationwide. You'll find information on about 2,500 public recreation sites and links to state tourism sites with information about thousands of private attractions and facilities.


  • RecWorld.com  RecWorld.com  This is an outdoor recreation web directory with listings of special guided adventures and products. Record's goal is to provide adventure seekers with sites that are informative and full of great services and outstanding outdoor related products that any adventuring heart will find satisfying. They list hunting trips, summer pack trips, fly fishing, fresh and salt water fishing, whitewater adventures, houseboat excursions, and many more family recreation opportunities with licensed guides throughout the U.S. and the world. You'll find many other fun and free adventures and the outdoor products to use.



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    Relocation Information
  • Homefair  http://www.homefair.com/homefair/servlet/ActionServlet?pid=27&cid=homefair  Offers a vast array of information addressing all aspects of moving.


  • Rent.com  http://www.rent.com/  This site is a national apartment search engine.


  • RelocationCentral  http://www.relocationcentral.com  RelocationCentral.com is an apartment search engine. You can view actual photos, maps, and floor plans of your new apartment home at no cost.


  • Relo-USA   http://www.relo-usa.com/  Offers a search engine for housing,etc. for listed states.


  • USA Citylink  http://www.usacitylink.com/  This site offers a comprehensive listing of states and cities offering information on travel, tourism, and relocation. It offers detailed city guides as well as official and independent city and state websites.



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    Smoking Cessation
  • American Cancer Society  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_10.asp  Smoking damages nearly every organ in the human body, is linked to at least 10 different cancers, and accounts for some 30% of all cancer deaths. And it costs billions of dollars each year. Yet one in four Americans still light up. If you or someone you love uses tobacco, here's what you need to know about how tobacco kills, and how to get the help you need to quit.


  • Smokefree  http://www.smokefree.gov  Vist this site to get started on quitting.


  • Quitnet  http://www.quitnet.com/  Launched in 1995, QuitNet is the Web's original quit smoking site. QuitNet operates in association with Boston University School of Public Health.


  • Quitsmokingnews  http://quitsmokingnews.com/index.shtml  Just about anything you might want to know on what is happening in the field can be found here.


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    Stress Management
  • Coping with everyday problems  This National Mental America article provides a primer on stress management. If your stress level has been elevated for some time, it may be time to reach out for assistance through friends, family, your own family doctor or a professional counselor. Contact the JMD Employee Assistance Program to talk to a licensed EAP counselor at 800-626-0385 and ask for Ted Schwartz or Dr. Shea.


  • Systematic Stress Management®   aipm.wellnesscheckpoint.com/library/banner_main.asp?P=887E2ASM21  an on-line stress managemet program from the American Institute for Preventive Medicine.


  • Life Events Questionnaire  Life events coupled with stress over long periods of time can adversely affect your health, mental health, family, relationships and work. To get a quick "estimate" on your stress level and likelihood of getting ill, visit this site and complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire is not self tabulating so you will need to add up those items you checked to determine your results. If you are experiencing a significant amount of stress, please contact the JMD Employee Assistance Program at 800-626-0385 to speak to a counselor. Your call is private and confidential.


  • Stress Symptoms  Stress can affect the human body in many ways. This site lists the Physical, mental and Behavioral ways stress may be expressed in a person. Remember, over time, stress can seriously affect the overall health of an individual and seriously impact ones quality of life and premature death.


  • Work Stress Factors  Identify the work stress factors in your work life and attempt to deal with them in a positive and constructive manner in order to reduce stress.


  • Work Stress Questionnaire  Quickly get an estimate on the stress work may be contributing to your overall health by completing this questionnaire. Read the whole form first before starting the questionnaire. It is not self tabulating so consider printing it out and doing the work the old fashion way with pen and pencil. If you have high scores consider contacting your JMD EAP at 800-626-0385 and ask to speak to one of the EAP counselors.


  • Burnout Self Inventory   to get an estimate to determine if you are burning out, complete this questionnaire. It is not self tabulating so consider printing it out and doing the work the old fashion way with pen and pencil.


  • Tips to Prevent Burnout  Take control by considering tips to prevent or address burnout in your life.

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    Sexual Assault Resources
  • RAINN  www.rainn.org/counseling.html  The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. Inside, you'll find statistics, counseling resources, prevention tips, news and more.


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    Training for Federal Employees
  • American Management Association  http://www.amanet.org/seminars/index.cfm   AMA offers 170+ training seminars in 18 subject areas including management, leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, finance, marketing, sales and project management. And programs are offered in our five state-of-the-art Executive Conference Centers and in 40 other cities coast-to-coast.


  • The Federal Training Center  http://federaltrainingcenter.net/  The Federal Training Center provides premier federal financial management and communication training. They offer a wide range of federal financial management training and development seminars relating to budget, accounting, and appropriations law. Communication courses that help professionals write, speak, and interact with impact, round out their offerings.


  • Fred Pryor Seminars and Career Track   http://www.pryor.com/index_Body.asp  Fred Pryor Seminars and CareerTrack, divisions of PARK University Enterprises, Inc., offers international providers of professional seminars. They offer convenient, and practical business-skills training around the world, in every industry and sector.


  • Human Resources Institute   http://www.federaltraining.com/   Offers training to Federal employees from every department and agency in the federal sector.


  • Learning Tree   http://www.learningtree.com/   Learning Tree International offers hands-on training for Management and Technology Professionals.


  • Management Concepts  www.managementconcepts.com   Partnering with individuals and organizations to improve performance through training, consulting, and publications.


  • Program on Negotiation-Harvard Law School  http://www.pon.harvard.edu/   The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School (PON) offers training through their interdisciplinary center on negotiation and conflict resolution. Drawing from numerous fields of study, including law, business, government, psychology, economics, anthropology, and education, PON works to connect rigorous research and scholarship with a deep understanding of practice. PON presents lectures, discussions, classes, and conferences in addition to producing publications and teaching materials. Founded and based at Harvard Law School, PON is a consortium of faculty, students, and staff at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and other Boston-area schools.


  • OPM   http://www.leadership.opm.gov/    The Federal Executive Institute and the Management Development Centers serve government leaders and organizations to improve performance and enhance leadership through, premier interagency residential training, unique customized courses and consulting, innovative customer-focused service.


  • USDA Graduate School   http://www.grad.usda.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1   The Graduate School offers career-related and continuing education courses to professionals and federal, state and local employees throughout the country. The School annually enrolls 200,000 participants in nearly 1000 courses, which are available in a variety of subjects and convenient formats: Daytime; Evening and weekend; Distance Education - Correspondence; Leaderhip Development Programs, Certificate Programs.


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News & Upcoming Events

New Worklife Resource and Referral Services

"Managers... are you interested in a resource and referral service that will assist you and your staff with issues ranging from child care to elder care, legal counseling, personal financial planning, and more? Find out more about the new contract with LifeCare, Inc., that is available starting October 1, 2005!"



 

DC-AREA SUPPORT GROUP OPPORTUNITIES

The Justice Management Division (JMD) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers Department employees a variety of convenient support groups addressing personal, family, or medical issues. Employees attending these support groups report feeling more productive, less distracted at work, and better able to cope with personal issues and challenges.

We would like to determine employee interest in establishing support groups in the downtown DC area. Meetings would be held once a week, Tuesday through Thursday at noon either at NPB, Main or PHB. Below is a brief list of support groups which can be offered.

Caregivers Support Group:  Membership usually consists of employees who are either directly or indirectly responsible for the care of elderly parents, an ill spouse, disabled child or family member. Speakers are invited to address subjects of interest to the group, such as Medicare, Medicaid, advance directives, living wills, long term care arrangements, conflict management, caregiver stress management, and communications considerations. Members offer each other support and practical tips.

Cancer Support Group:  Groups are established separately, one for men and one for women, led by a male and female counselor, respectively. Knowledgeable speakers are invited to present information on a variety of medical issues, based on the interests of the group. Following the presentations, members are free to share and support each other in addressing their own personal challenges and coping methods.

Separation/Divorce Support Group:  Membership consists of employees who are in the midst of separating or divorcing. Sessions include educational presentations addressing emotional, family, legal and financial issues, including adjustments that need to be made. After the presentations, meetings are open for supportive discussion.

Grief Support Group:Membership is usually made up of employees who are dealing with the loss of a loved one or friend in the last 12 months, and who are finding it difficult to accept the loss.

Other support group examples include: Weight Regulation; Returning from Military Service; Coping with Serious Illness or Injury; Overcoming Procrastination; and Financial Wellness.

We would greatly appreciate knowing if you are interested in participating in one of these support groups, or if you have any suggestions for a group not listed above. Please mail or FAX your interest, comments and suggestions as soon as possible to the JMD EAP, by noting below what group(s) you would be interested in or suggesting a group you would like to see established.

Fax: 202-514-8797     Phone: 202-514-1846     Mail: NPB Room 1167

Name: ________________________     Work Phone: ___________     Extension:______

Group: _________________________     Group: _________________________     Group: _________________________

State your order of building Preference to hold a group meeting.......... NPB, PHB, MAIN:

#1: ________________     #2:________________     #3: ___________________

Your response will be kept private and confidential.



 

Career Counseling

Regardless of "where" you are in your career, you may wish to determine what sort of career development activities are beneficial for you. For instance, you may want to assess your "fit" with your current career, or make plans for future vocational options, such as for educational, advancement or retirement purposes. You also may have an interest in determining which types of leisure activities are most compatible for you.

The JMD EAP is now offering a career counseling service to help you and your family members. Please note that interested family members must be of at least high school age. Any employee regardless of geographic location wishing to explore this service further, should contact Dr. Leo Shea at leo.s.shea@usdoj.gov or by calling (202) 307-1136.



 

Communicable Disease Information

Worried about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS]? This is the new flu-like, communicable illness that originated in Asia and is spread via air travel. Or, perhaps you have concerns about smallpox. To get current information on these and other communicable diseases, check the CDC.  For Pandemic Flu (Avian Flu) information visit www.pandemicful.gov.



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Coping with Tragedy

School Shootings: What you Should Know

School Violence:  Tips for coping with stress - A CDC resource.

Managing Traumatic Stress (APA):  Tips for Recovering from Natural Disasters

LifeCare® - Life Event Management Services has provided the following resource guides:

Department of Justice employees can get additional information and resources by connecting to the LifeCare® - Life Event Management Services web site.

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Tips for Your Security

Provided by:  Robert Douglas and Associates and The University of Findlay

Tips for Travel

  • Refer to the State Department website for travel advisories to destination points.
  • Copy all travel documents and keep separate from originals while traveling.
  • Give a copy of all copy documents to a friend or relative who is not in your travel party.
  • Obtain addresses and phone numbers for American Embassies/Consulates in countries that you are traveling to or staying in.
  • Wear nondescript clothing while traveling and use nondescript luggage.
  • Enter and exit hotels at varied times and using varied entrances and exits.
  • Vary your daily activities and routes, traveling on only well-lit, populated streets.
  • Select the safest method of travel within that country.
  • Always pack your own bags and do not accept any items that others have asked you to pack.
  • Limit the amount of time that you spend in the concourse of an airport that is not secure (usually the shopping and eating area).
  • Limit amount of time spent at ticket area by traveling at unusual times.
  • Sit at a gate close to your assigned gate, keep as far away from windows as possible.
  • Report any suspicious package or bag that you see---move away from object and then notify security.
  • Know where closest exit or cover is at all time.
  • Carry all essential personal items with you at all times.
  • Allow extra time at airports for security check in.
  • Request exit isle seats or rear seats near isle.
  • Know where the closest exit is at all times.
  • Should an attack occur, hit the ground---do not run! Lie on your stomach with feet and knees together and soles facing the attack.
  • Obtain a room between the second and eighth floor in a hotel.
  • Know emergency exits and routes.
  • Never open the door to unknown individuals.
  • Keep door and windows locked at all times.
  • Keep all door keys with you at all times? Check keys in at desk.
  • Secure all personal documents and sensitive material in room safe or hotel safe.
  • Hail your own taxi, or wait for the second or third in line.
  • Always request a taxi or other shuttle that maintains appropriate credentials.
  • Avoid restaurants and social places that cater to Americans.
  • Avoid giving the appearance of a tourist (carrying cameras, luggage, etc.).
  • When in a place of public assembly---position yourself away from windows and near exits.
  • Before entering your car, circle it prior to getting in and look for suspicious activity near you or in your car.
  • When using a rental car----keep the gas tank full as possible at all times.
  • Carry a map at all times.
  • Vary routes. Stay together whenever possible when traveling with family and designate a meeting point to reunite (carry a piece of hotel stationery with you for address and phone number.
  • Travel on high traffic roadways. Refer to the State Department's road safety website.
  • Know your locations of "safe havens" (hospitals, police, fire, and EMS offices)—mark these on your map prior to embarking on trip.
  • Park in such a manner that you can pull out rather than back out.
  • Check your rear-view mirror---if some one is following you, proceed immediately to a previously designated safe haven.
  • Be cautious of slow moving vehicles or vehicles attempting to limit your movement.
  • Keep your windows up and car doors locked at all times.
  • Remember one word……MOVE (be it forward, backward, left, or right).


Disaster Planning for the Car

We normally spend so much time in our cars, SUV's and pickups that if a chemical or bio-terrorism incident occurs we may be unable to get out of our vehicles during the immediate emergency. We may be stuck hundreds of miles from home. Also, we may be asked to use our vehicle to evacuate from an area. Therefore we must be prepared to remain in our vehicles for an extended period of time. The emergency material maintained in the vehicle should be sufficient for the number of persons we normally carry in the vehicle.

Disaster Kit for the Car

  • Sturdy shoes or boots
  • Standard First Aid Kit
  • Water
  • Paper/pencil
  • Food that does not require cooking
  • Tire repair kit
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow chain
  • Sand/Rock salt in winter
  • Gas/ >1/2 tank
  • Few dollars/change
  • Gloves / Hat
  • Plastic bags/large/small
  • Blanket or sleeping bag
  • Snow Scraper
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Reflectors and flares
  • Warm clothes during the winter
  • Wipes
  • Toilet paper/garbage bags
  • Maps
  • Whistle
  • Shovel
  • Rope
  • Hammer/Nails

Tips at Work

  • Vary schedule if possible, including meeting and lunch times.
  • Know crisis management plans as well as evacuation plans.
  • Be aware of the normal activity taking place around you---report any unusual activity.
  • Follow security procedures with logging in, carrying identification, display your id, and be prepared to have bags checked if necessary.
  • Do not park in spots identified specifically for individuals----vary parking.
  • Park only in secure lots that are attended or open and well-lit.
  • Report all suspicious packages or unattended brief -cases.
  • Review the FBI Bomb Threat information sheet---keep it near the phones.

Disaster Planning for the Individual at the Office

Your office should have a well thought out disaster plan that is reviewed on a regular basis. You should take the time to learn the office plan and discuss it with your co-workers so that you all are familiar with each other's roles in the plan. Additionally, you should learn if anyone in your office has special needs, or requires special medications. As an individual there are simple things you can do, so that in the event you are stuck at the office your stay, while not your first choice, will not endanger you or your co-workers. The most basic thing you can do is to have sufficient personal items, packed in a bag or backpack that can be used at the office, or carried with you if necessary.

We suggest that you review the General Disaster Plan and adopt those portions that apply to you at your job. The easiest thing you can do is to keep personal gear, and some supplies, at the office so in the event of an incident you are able to fend for yourself and help your co-workers.

Things to Keep at the Office

Your personal office emergency supply drawer should have the following items, at a minimum:
  • Toiletries
  • Men - Shaving
  • Women - personal items
  • Soap-washcloth-towel
  • Comb-brush-toothbrush
  • Clothing - change of underclothing, socks, comfortable shoes, sweatsuit type wear, jeans, t-shirts, gloves
  • Flashlight
  • Battery radio
  • First aid supplies
  • Headache reliever
  • Tissues
  • Candles matches


Food and Water
  • 2 qts water per day
  • 2 to 3 days of easy to prepare food: Raisins, dried fruit, canned items, can opener, crackers, nuts, pretzels, tuna, applesauce, drinks, etc.

Other Items

paper bowls, utensils, medicines, paper cups (check out your local camping supply store), book to read, mylar blanket, jacket if winter, hard candy - preferably life savers (give to people who are in a panic, or otherwise upset. It will help them to calm down.)

This personal gear should be stored in a backpack or carryall that you can easily carry for an extended period of time. It should be enough clothing , food and medicine, if necessary, so that you can exist for 3 days at the office or evacuation shelter.

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EAP Site Index

  • Which EAP Can I Use ?  -  DOJ has several EAPs that service a variety of DOJ components such as INS, EOUSA. FBI, US Marshals and more. Make sure you call the correct EAP to ensure quick and proper assistance.


  • Need Help?  -  Instead of letting challenges accumulate into crises, let us help you develop the skills to minimize or even prevent problems.


  • About EAP  -   Details the JMD EAP mission statement and goals for serving employees.


  • Contact JMD EAP  -  Phone numbers and various ways to make contact with DOJ JMD EAP Counselors.


  • Confidentiality  -  Learn what mandates our confidential program and how it applies to our on-line and phone depression/alcohol assessment services, referrals or direct counseling. Confidentiality exceptions included..


  • Services  -  Detailed information outlining the types of issues, training and manager assistance JMD EAP provides.


  • FAQs  -  "Will using EAP hurt my security clearance?", "Is my problem too small?", "Isn't EAP for substance abusers only?" Find answers here.


  • News & Upcoming Events  -   Current happenings with the JMD EAP, and any training, educational or support groups being offered.


  • Helpful Links  -  Links to Web sites covering issues regarding various mental health diagnoses, cancer, medication, aging, parenting, and more.


  • Coping with Tragedy  -  Articles and suggestions on dealing with tragedy in your own unique way.


  • Military Family Support  -  Information for military families related to emotional, social and financial support.


  • Security Tips  -   provides information and tips on what cautions to take when you are on travel, in the car, or in the office.


  • DOJ Worklife  -  The Worklife Program develops and oversees the implementation of Department worklife policies and offers information and consulting services to employees and supervisors on a variety of flexible work, dependent care, and leave programs


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Last Updated June 3, 2008
doj/egov/iso/caf