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Supporting Federal Workers: A Conversation on Providing Social Work and Mental Health Services for the Federal Workplace through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Frey, Jodi J.
; 
Chen, Eva
; 
Hardy, Gary
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Frey, Jodi J.
 Chen, Eva
 Hardy, Gary
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Date
2026-04-27
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Peer Reviewed
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Employee Assistance Archive School of Social Work
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Abstract

In recognition of Mental Health Month, join the University of Maryland School of Social Work for a timely conversation on how social workers and Employee Assistance Professionals support federal workers, their families, and the agencies that serve our country. This one-hour webinar will feature UMB SSW alumni Eva Chen and Gary Hardy, who have built distinguished careers in workplace social work and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in federal settings. Through a moderated panel discussion by Dr. Jodi Frey, also a UMB SSW alumna with federal EAP and workplace social work experience, speakers will share their professional journeys, insights into the behavioral health needs of federal employees and families, and the important role of EAP in promoting well-being, reducing stigma, and strengthening organizations. With experience spanning the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Institutes of Health, military and federal service systems, and support for active-duty service members, first responders, and their families, panelists will offer a unique perspective on social work careers in public sector workplace settings. Eva Chen brings leadership and consultation experience from the House and NIH, while Gary Hardy brings a 30-year federal career supporting those in service-related professions including the U.S. Army and USAID. The session will also highlight career pathways for current MSW students and alumni interested in workplace social work, employee assistance, and federal service. Gary Hardy will briefly share how participants can connect with EAPA to learn more, build professional networks, and get involved in the field.

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Learning objectives By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the role of social workers and Employee Assistance Professionals in supporting the mental health and well-being of federal workers and their families. 2. Identify common behavioral health and workplace challenges affecting federal employees, including stress, stigma, burnout, and barriers to help-seeking. 3. Discuss how social work skills can be applied in federal workplace, organizational, and EAP settings. 4. Recognize career pathways and professional opportunities in workplace social work, EAP, and federal service. 5. Identify ways to engage with EAPA and other professional networks to explore and grow in the field. Full speaker bios Eva Chen, MSW, LCSW-C, CEAP Eva Chen joined the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) team at the U.S. House of Representatives in 2025 as a Senior Employee Assistance Counselor. She brings over 20 years of experience in social work, employee assistance, and clinical counseling. Prior to joining OEA, Eva served at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 25 years. Her roles included eight years as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Manager, twelve years as an EAP Consultant, and later as a Management Analyst at the Office of Management and Policy Analysis within the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In that position, she focused on data analysis, strategic and workforce planning, organizational change, knowledge management, and risk management for five years. Eva holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with a clinical concentration in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) in Maryland, as well as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), a GROW Coaching Certified Facilitator, a Certified Stop Smoking Practitioner, a Certified Retirement Coach (CRC), a Certified Workplace Money Coach, and a Certified Federal Workplace Mediator. She is also certified in a number of assessment tools, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Strong Interest Inventory, LIFE ORIENTATIONS (LIFO), and the Emotional Intelligence Inventory (EQ-i 2.0). Eva is deeply passionate about clinical counseling and EAP. She served for eight years as an officer in the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA), including roles as Vice President of the Potomac EAPA Chapter and First Vice President of the Washington, DC EAPA Chapter. Her professional interests include cognitive-behavioral therapy, appreciative inquiry, emotional intelligence, organizational and management consultation, and life transition work. Gary L. Hardy Gary L. Hardy, a Baltimore native, has dedicated his life to service. He began his career in uniform as a Military Police officer in the Maryland National Guard, serving three years before joining the United States Marine Corps. During his four years in the USMC, he served as a Rifle Instructor, shaping and preparing Marines for the demands of military readiness. Following his military service, Gary continued his commitment to public service through a thirty-year federal career, retiring from the federal government in 2021. As an Employee Assistance Professional, he provided confidential support to active-duty service members, first responders, and their families. Through this work, he witnessed firsthand how often those who serve are the last to seek help. Many face heightened risks of behavioral health challenges—including mental health concerns and substance use disorders—yet fear stigma, concerns about job fitness, and a belief that they must cope alone often prevent them from reaching out. Entrepreneurship was never part of Gary’s original plan. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he observed a sharp rise in anxiety, social anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and suicide among the populations he served. Feeling a continued sense of duty, he founded SAP Solutions, LLC in 2021 to extend his mission beyond retirement and ensure that service members and first responders receive the support they deserve. Outside of his professional life, Gary enjoys spending time with his wife and their four adult children. He loves traveling, gardening, and cheering on his hometown teams—the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens.
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Frey, J. J., Chen, E., & Hardy, G. (2026, Apr 27). Supporting Federal Workers: A Conversation on Providing Social Work and Mental Health Services for the Federal Workplace through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Presentation for University of Maryland School of Social Work
Keyword
federal worker
 EAP
 Employee assistance programs
 Mental health
 United States--Officials and employees
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https://archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu/handle/10713/24327
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