KENTON—A new program for small businesses will mean access to valuable counseling and recovery services for thousands of employees across the region.

The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is partnering with New York-based ENI to provide free EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services to small businesses across Hardin, Allen and Auglaize counties. The pilot program will target businesses with fewer than 100 employees, offering them one free year of access to NexGen EAP Plus benefits. This program would give their employees access to a variety of resources, ranging from health insurance advocacy to a nationwide network of more than 40,000 counselors.

“The hope is that we can get people easy access to help that, due to expense or stigma, they might not be willing to seek out on their own,” said Jennifer Mills, EAP Business Navigator.

Local Ohio State University Extension offices are joining in the efforts to promote this resource for small businesses, local farms, and agriculture providers.  An informational webinar will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. EST.  Registration is required for this webinar: www.osu.edu/nextgeneap

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The webinar will be recorded and shared with registered participants.

The program was initiated by the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board after identifying a gap in service to local businesses. Understanding that many owners and managers do not have the time to manage both their businesses and the sometimes-complex needs of their employees, the Board moved to partner with ENI and Activate Allen County to create NexGen EAP Plus.

This program is designed to ensure that all our local workers have access to the vital services provided through an EAP, and to simplify the operation for businesses by providing a local navigator to help both the employee and employer get the very most out of the program.

For more information about the program, contact: Jennifer Mills, 419-996-9403, [email protected]

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