Facility Will Provide Private Space for Mental Health Support Services for Thousands of County Employees, Municipal Employees and Emergency Service Workers
Watch the News Conference Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4yo9gZRP0E
Emphasizing his steadfast commitment to employee health and wellness, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins officially cut the ribbon on the new Westchester County Employee Assistance Program (WCEAP) facility. The new location will provide a private setting for thousands of Westchester County employees and their family members, as well as employees from 34 municipalities and emergency service departments, who are receiving mental health and support services. Operated by the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), WCEAP is a robust program that provides free and confidential intake, assessment, short-term counseling and referral services for a variety of issues including anxiety and depression, personal growth and well-being, relationship and family issues, eldercare and childcare, legal and financial concerns, misuse, trauma and loss.
Jenkins said: “Our administration takes the health and safety of our Westchester County employees very seriously, and we recognize how hard they work to provide essential services to our residents. Our colleagues are people first, and our goal is to increase employee happiness, wellness and productivity. I want to thank our Department of Community Mental Health for their commitment to providing support across the County, and our EAP team that works tirelessly to assist our employees and the employees of many municipalities when they are in need.”
Westchester County introduced an expanded EAP in 2023, offering employees and their family members support services for mental health issues, parenting and family stresses, traumatic events, eldercare support, financial counseling, childcare, grief services and more. The Program also provides critical incident response and intervention.
DCMH Commissioner Michael Orth said: “I want to thank County Executive Jenkins for his continued, steadfast commitment to the employees of Westchester County, and ensuring that these necessary services are available in a place that provides a safe and comfortable space. He continues to show that he cares about the well-being of the entire County workforce. Since the expansion of the EAP services, we have been able to provide additional services and reach more employees, helping to resolve issues both large and small.”
In 2024, nearly 600 County and municipal employees contacted EAP, and were either provided with support, or referred for long-term assistance. WCEAP provided 35 training sessions to nearly 1,000 Westchester County employees, as well as 47 training sessions to nearly 600 municipal employees.
WCEAP Director Lara Fenig Stangel, LMSW said: “Thank you to everyone here today and special thanks to the EAP team that works so hard to ensure that the employees are aware of and receive the best support we can provide.”