New mental health and backup care services available for employees

From: Hokie Wellness

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve employees’ work-life balance, Virginia Tech is pleased to offer new mental health services plus backup care options for children and adults. These benefits are available now.

TimelyCare mental health and wellness resources

TimelyCare is a virtual health service available to full-time faculty and staff and non-student wage employees* at no cost. TimelyCare is an addition to the Employee Assistance Program and other mental health and wellness support currently offered by the university. Employees may access TimelyCare services regardless of their location in the United States.

TimelyCare offers employees three services:

• TalkNow, which connects you with a mental health professional to address issues promptly. It provides immediate care during a crisis when you need someone to talk to right away. If you are outside of the United States, TalkNow is available with a U.S.-based phone number or virtual private network.
  
• Twelve (12) scheduled counseling appointments per academic year with counselors licensed in the state where you are located.
• Health coaching, which provides information and guided sessions on well-being topics such as dealing with conflict, time management, exercise, sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness.

For scheduled counseling and health coaching, employees can look at the biographical information and photos of counselors and choose the one they feel best suits their needs. Additionally, TimelyCare accommodates more than 250 languages and offers translation services. The service’s app and website comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Employees can connect to TimelyCare by computer, tablet, or smartphone using their Virginia Tech email address. Both phone and video sessions are available. We encourage you to register with TimelyCare before you need the service. We also encourage employees to download the app so you can access services whenever and wherever you need them. For questions or IT support, call 833-4-Timely.

Care.com backup care services for children and adults

For the next year, Virginia Tech is piloting backup child and adult care services with Care.com, a quality, vetted, subsidized solution to help when your regular, ongoing care is unavailable. The service has flexible backup care options for children, adults, and seniors.

Full-time faculty and staff** across all Virginia Tech campuses and offices will be able to use up to 10 days of backup care for any combination of child or adult care. For example, you can request an in-home caregiver for only $6 per hour (minimum of four hours, maximum 10 hours) for up to three children. Or can send your child(ren) to one of Care.com’s partner centers for $15 per child per day.

Employees can also source and vet their own caregiver through Care.com, arrange and pay for care directly, then be reimbursed through Care.com up to $125 per day after the $6 per hour in-home or $15 per day co-pay is paid. Requests can be submitted online, through the app, or by phone.

Care Specialists can also provide guidance and support for daily needs as well as major life decisions, including finding the best options for aging parents, pet care, house cleaning services, moving across country, exploring how to pay for college, and more. Care Specialists can save time by researching and identifying licensed providers and care resources that meet an employee’s unique needs. Care.com also provides on-demand information on its website.

Care Specialists includes former teachers, nannies, and autism specialists; social workers; and gerontologists—all who have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree and an average of six and a half years of experience.

Employees can access Care.com services by phone at 866-814-1638 or by computer, tablet, or smartphone using their Virginia Tech email address. We encourage you to register with Care.com before you need the service. When registering for the first time, use your PID when asked for your employee ID, not your 90-number. We also encourage employees to download the app so you can access services whenever and wherever you need them.

Employees using Care.com benefits should consult their HomePay resources to understand tax implications. Care.com is not authorized to provide tax guidance and recommends employees consult a tax advisor. 

Hokie Wellness serves Virginia Tech to foster a healthier community by providing prevention services, education, outreach, and resources to employees and students. If you have questions, need assistance, or want to join the Hokie Wellness Google group to stay up to date with monthly updates, contact the team at hokiewellness@vt.edu.

NOTES:

* Student wage and graduate assistants are able to access TimelyCare as well. Visit the TimelyCare page on Cook Counseling Center’s site for more information.
** Pending pilot results, this benefit may be extended to other employee groups.