Employee & Family Resources

09/04/2026

Read September's blog on The Importance of Belonging. We’ve all had moments when we felt like we belonged and moments when we definitely didn’t. Have you ever walked into a room where you didn’t know anyone and immediately started looking for a familiar face? Or started a new job and wondered where you fit in? Maybe you’ve been part of a conversation where everyone seemed to know each other and you were standing on the outside trying to find your way in. Read more on our website: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07Fw940

08/18/2026

Thank you to Sara Klute Behn, one of EFR's trainers and life coaches for presenting the workshop "Regulate & Restore: The Art & Science of Mediation". Our staff was able to learn about mediation, explore new techniques in breathwork, body awareness, and meditation, and left feeling more anchored and with a plan they can refer back to in the future.

08/13/2026

In this episode of Emotion Well, host Johanna Dunlevy speaks with her colleague, Raichel Burnett, EFR's Community-Based Services Manager, as she shares stories about her life as the guardian of her younger sister, preparing for motherhood, and the life experiences that influenced her approach to leadership.
Listen here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H0740GB0

08/12/2026

EFR in the news! Community-Based Services Director, Haley Pederson Hundley, was on We Are Iowa Local 5 News sharing news about our juvenile delinquency diversion services. Watch the segment below.

Recently, our Juvenile Diversion Program received additional grant-based funding to expand it's program, increasing access to school and community-based restorative justice opportunities for youth throughout Central Iowa. EFR's diversion services work collaboratively with schools, families, community partners, and the juvenile justice system to provide meaningful alternatives that prioritize restoration, education, and healthy development. Contact EFR's Juvenile Diversion Program at [email protected] or call 515-471-2323.

▶️ Subscribe to Local 5 on YouTube: https://bit.ly/Local5YouTube_su...

08/10/2026

August is World Cancer Support Month. Read our August blog by guest contributor Barb Ranck, EFR coach and trainer. Learn the small choices you can make in your life to lead to better health and reduce cancer risks.
https://na2.hubs.ly/H073X9F0

08/07/2026

Our Student Assistance Program (SAP) offers free, confidential counseling sessions to students and anyone in their household. Appointments are offered in person or virtually offering students and their household members immediate help and resources to support their mental health and well-being, navigate challenges, and achieve personal and academic success. Learn more about SAP here: https://efr.org/how-we-help/student-assistance-program/

Many thanks to Employee & Family Resources for joining us at the Resource Fair today! All UCSD students & their household family members have access to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) provided by EFR. We’re at UHS today until 6pm! Learn more about your SAP: urbandaleschools.com/sap

08/06/2026

Thank you to EFR trainer, Megan Hammes, for presenting Mental Health First Aid to the employees of Scott County in June.

On post-course evaluation, 100% of the participants reported they were confident that they could have a supportive conversation with an adult experiencing the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance abuse challenge. Mental Health First Aid is a highly researched training that is effective in making a difference!

08/04/2026

Meet Oliver, the office dog at L & L Insulation. Even Oliver knows the importance of promoting EAP benefits at work. He did not want to let go of this postcard given to him by our Employer Services Manager, Teresa Belden, at an orientation educating employees about everything EFR's Employee Assistance Program has to offer!

Did you know that having an orientation (in-person or virtual) can help boost your EAP utilization by 50%? Contact your Account Manager today.

07/30/2026

Our Account Manager, Mel Mackey, presented at Farm Bureau's Harry Potter themed benefit fair for their employees. Thank you Farm Bureau for the opportunity to educate your employees on EAP benefits in a fun way. Are you a Gryffindor? Check out our Legal Consultation benefit. Slytherins might find value in our Financial Consultation benefit. No matter what house you are in...all our EAP benefits are useful.

07/29/2026

Once a month, we take a Wednesday Wellness Walk. Regular movement breaks during your work day gives you a boost of energy, clears your mind, and sharpens your focus. This month we utilized the skywalk here in downtown Des Moines as the outside weather has just been too hot!

We encourage our employees to take regular stretch breaks and schedule movement into their day, but when we get together for our monthly walk it's a good opportunity to talk to people in other departments (and compare our walking footwear!).