Employee Assistance Service for Education - EASE
Counseling Services for Individuals
EASE provides confidential counseling, phone consultations, and community referrals for ERUSD employees and their families.
EASE counselors specialize in:
- family troubles
- emotional distress
- drug/alcohol problems
- job anxieties and stress
- grief, loss, and life transitions
EASE is primarily an assessment and brief counseling service that focuses on early support. Counselors work with employees, supervisors, and labor representatives to identify concerns and offer proactive help.
EASE is not a replacement for your health-care plan, but it is a helpful and effective extension of your existing benefits.
🌿 EASE Wellness Spotlight: Connect with Nature This Summer
The July Connect with EASE newsletter invites educators and staff to slow down, step outside, and reconnect with what restores them. This month’s featured article, “Connect with Nature This Summer,” explores how simple moments in nature — a short walk, sitting under a tree, tending to plants — can calm the nervous system and support mental well-being.
July is also recognized as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (BIPOC Mental Health Month), a reminder that mental health equity matters and that everyone deserves access to care that honors their unique experiences and cultural backgrounds.
The newsletter draws on key themes from Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, including:
- Rest is more than sleep — different types of fatigue need different forms of restoration
- Slow down without a goal — leisure doesn’t need to be productive to be valuable
- Spend time in nature — even a short walk outdoors can restore balance and reduce stress
- Protect your energy — set boundaries and prioritize relationships that replenish you
- Rest is not earned — it is essential
🎓 EASE Monthly Wellness Workshop — Summer Pause
Our monthly wellness workshops will take a brief pause during the summer as we encourage you to prioritize rest, renewal, and time to recharge. We look forward to welcoming you back in September with new opportunities to support your well-being. Until then, EASE counseling services and resources remain available throughout the summer.
📄 Additional EASE Resources
Employees are encouraged to explore additional wellness supports available through EASE (Employee Assistance Service for Education):
- View the full July Connect with EASE newsletter
- Request a brief EASE Overview presentation for a staff meeting or professional development session
- Learn about the “Paws’itive Vibes” program, which brings certified therapy animals to wellness events for school employees
EASE services are available to district employees and their family members, offering confidential counseling, wellness resources, and support for life and work challenges.
For questions or requests, contact [email protected] or call (562) 922-6683.
📞 24/7 EASE Hotline: 1-800-882-1341