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Agencies offer numerous services to civilians

  • Published
  • By Joyce Atlee
  • Family Advocacy Outreach Manger
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Have you ever heard anyone grumble, "Everything on this base is geared toward active duty -- there are no services here for civilians"? Well next time, tell Mr. or Ms. GripeMeister that nothing could be farther from the truth. Tinker offers numerous services to base civilians from several agencies.

Let's start with the Employee Assistance program. First, EAP offers no-cost counseling. Civilian employees can have up to six sessions per incident or issue, per year. There is no charge to your leave for the first session if it's during duty hours. If you participate in the "Fit-4-Life" Program, you can use those hours for sessions. Counseling is available to all civilian government employees, nonappropriated fund employees and military members married to a civilian employee. This also includes immediate family members.

Examples of issues you might seek counseling for include relationship problems at work, home or both; stress issues; difficulties with grief, anxiety, depression, alcohol or drugs; or any other concerns.

To make an appointment, contact the Federal Occupational Health Program Call Center at 1-800-222-0364. Or call one of the following counselors directly: Brenda Ferguson at 734-6687 and Bob Magar at 734-6691. For legal or financial concerns, call the FOH Call Center, which is operational 24/7.

Supervisors and managers can request management consultations regarding a civilian employee, whether the employee's situation is work related or not. Also, supervisors can request briefings on more than 50 topics, such as EAP orientations, stress management, anger management, balancing work and personal life, effective communication, healthy lifestyles and more.

For a list of briefings, email brenda.s.ferguson.ctr@tinker.af.mil or bobby.magar.ctr@tinker.af.mil. In addition, more helpful information is available online at www.foh4you.com.

The EAP office is located in Bldg. 244 (where you also find the Honor Guard) on First Street.

Check out the next Wingman Monthly to learn about services available through Civilian Health Promotions Services.