GaDOE launches Statewide Employee Assistance Program 

The Georgia Department of Education is launching a statewide Employee Assistance Program for all full-time public-school teachers and staff in the state, along with Pre-K teachers.  Georgia’s Public Education Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a partnership between Kepro and GaDOE, and will be provided at no cost to districts, schools, or employees. This program is designed to support the mental health and wellness of teachers and staff and will allow access to mental health counseling, financial and legal resources, work/life referral services, and more.  Services are available starting today, and teachers and staff will receive additional access information directly from GaDOE or from their district or school. The EAP is free, confidential, and supportive – neither the state nor local districts or schools will have access to information shared in counseling or consulting sessions.  “It is absolutely essential that we support those who support our kids,” State School Superintendent Woods said. “That includes putting mental health resources in place. Establishing a statewide EAP for our public-school educators and staff was a clear recommendation of the Teacher Burnout Task Force – this is the first of many actions we plan to take in response to their report.”  The launch of the EAP is a direct response to the recommendations of the Teacher Burnout Task Force chaired by 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year Cherie Bonder Goldman. The classroom teachers who comprised the Task Force recommended that the state, local districts, and schools “provide mental health support or strengthen existing programs of mental health support for teachers and staff (i.e., Employee Assistance Program).”  Services available through the EAP include up to six free sessions of mental health counseling, referral services for childcare, eldercare, home repairs, moving/relocation, and more, and free consultations with legal or financial experts.