Employee & family assistance program

As part of the Employee Assistance Program (Policy 67), eligible University of Waterloo employees and their dependent family members have a range of health and wellness services under the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), provided by Homewood Health Inc.™. The program is a complement to the current full benefits program, at no additional cost to eligible employees.

Homewood Health offers short-term, outcome based confidential counselling that includes face-to-face (flexible hours), telephone or online sessions for a variety of reasons. The program also includes Life Smart Coaching and other online services. 

Please be assured that the program is confidential. Your private information, including whether you or your dependents have accessed the program, is never shared with family members or the University. Find out more about Homewood Health's services.

    Contact

    Contact Homewood Health directly by phone or through their website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year. You will be asked a series of questions to confirm your eligibility for the benefit and to enable aggregate statistical reporting. Instant support is always available over the phone.

    In an emergency, consultation can be arranged within hours. Homewood Health's online resources are also available after registering for a username and password on their website. To access these online services, you will need the following information:

    Your account name is: UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
    Your invitation code is: UAL823

    1.800.663.1142 (English)
    1.866.398.9505 (French)
    1.888.384.1152 (TTY)
    604-689-1717 International (call collect)
    www.homeweb.ca


    Notice of Privacy Incident Affecting our Employee and Family Assistance Program Services

    In 2021, the University of Waterloo was informed of a data breach incident at the institution’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider Homewood Health. The personal information of some employees and/or their family members who accessed this service prior to April 1, 2021 may have been disclosed to unauthorized third parties during this incident. The records include limited personal information, such as name, date of birth, email address or telephone number and employer. In some cases, the records include the type of service accessed or other information relating to the services provided.  No clinical notes, financial, Social Insurance Number (SIN), or healthcare information was accessed.

    The University is not aware of the identities of the individuals who may have been affected by this breach since Homewood Health only reports anonymous statistics with the University.  Homewood Health published a statement on this incident and provided direction for those who may have been affected. We encourage staff or family members who have personally accessed the service prior to April 1, 2021 to contact Homewood Health by calling their confidential inquiry line at 1-833-787-2862 or by submitting an inquiry using their online form to see if you were potentially affected.  If you or a family member have been affected, Homewood Health is offering identity and credit monitoring protection.

    The EAP committee recognizes this news is upsetting, and we are committed to working with Homewood to ensure the confidential and safe support of our employees.  Please reach out to an EAP committee member with any questions or concerns. 

    Homewood Health
    1.800.663.1142 (English)
    1.866.398.9505 (French)
    1.888.384.1152 (TTY)
    604-689-1717 International (call collect)
    www.homeweb.ca