All districts across the province of BC are participating in the EIP Program.
Why is the BCPVPA offering this program?
Members of the BCPVPA Benefits Plan include principals, vice-principals and members of exempt staff at the district level. While the current benefits provided to Plan members are good, the BCPVPA recognizes that accessing early support is key in mitigating the severity and disruptiveness of mental and physical health challenges. To better serve the mental and physical health needs of its Plan members in an increasingly dynamic and challenging professional environment, the BCPVPA is offering the EIP program to establish the foundations of a robust early support system.
I would like EIP support, what next?
Simply complete a referral form or contact humanworks directly.
Who provides the support once I am engaged in the program?
humanworks is a team of professional counsellors, consultants, and therapists with extensive experience in the K-12 sector in British Columbia. The humanworks team has provided support at every professional level within the K-12 system – from CUPE staff and teachers to administrators, district leadership teams, and superintendents. The humanworks team has cultivated strong and trusting relationships in many school districts across the province and has served as a valuable resource for the BC Principals & Vice-Principals’ Association over the last four years.
What can I expect once my referral is submitted to participate in the BCPVPA Benefits Plan Early Intervention Program?
Once your referral is received by humanworks, an EIP Consultant will contact you by your preferred method of communication to confirm program eligibility and schedule an initial consultation. During the initial consultation, the EIP Consultant will review your case with you and provide guidance as to appropriate next steps to begin to address your specific challenges and barriers. Following the initial consultation, the EIP Consultant will develop a customized plan that will assist you in moving forward to address your personal wellness challenges in the context of your work role. The goal is that by the end of the program, you are appropriately resourced with the tools and skills necessary to remain healthy and durable in your work role.
Will my participation in the EIP be kept confidential?
Maintaining the confidentiality of Plan members who choose to participate in the EIP is an important component of the program. Members’ personal information will not be shared without expressed consent by the member. Specific medical information will not be shared with the employer; however, functional information may be shared to assist with job accommodation or return to work with the member’s consent.
How is the Early Intervention Program (EIP) different from my district’s Employee-Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)?
The EIP is an element of the Benefits Plan services provided for all Plan members. With its focus on early access, the EIP is designed to support Plan members in the early stages of disability or illness to mitigate the severity and intensity of members’ health challenges. While participating in the EIP, the member works with an EIP Consultant, who provides direction and support regarding mental and physical health, return to work, and accommodation. The EIP Rehabilitation Consultants bring with them over a decade of experience working directly with administrators and other exempt staff in the public education sector; they have a thorough understanding of the health concerns of plan members and the challenges of their work roles.
An Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) program is a general counselling support service provided to employees by their districts. An EFAP provider works exclusively with the employee and focusses on mental health concerns; which means they do not coordinate with other health service providers and they are not involved in organizing return to work activities with the employer.
In the context of the EIP, the EIP Consultant may suggest that the member consider accessing the counselling supports available to them through their district’s EFAP, as one possible option to address their mental health concerns. Additionally, the EIP Consultant will also work with the member to identify other appropriate health supports and coordinate with the employer regarding return to work and accommodation requirements, as needed.
