Page 14 - Work Force September 2025

EAP coordinator helps
co-workers lead healthy,
productive lives
What is EAP and how to use it?
The New York State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential, voluntary and free benefit available to all state employees.
Jointly sponsored by CSEA and New York State management, EAP is designed to help employees balance work, family and personal life by connecting them with the right support and resources.
What Can EAP Help With?
• Mental health and emotional well-being • Substance use or addiction concerns
• Family or relationship issues
• Grief, loss, or traumatic events
• Financial or legal stress
• Work-related challenges
• Health care navigation and referrals
• Community resources and support groups
How Does It Work?
EAP coordinators are trained professionals who understand the unique pressures of public service jobs.
EAP coordinators:
• Listen without judgment
• Offer guidance and support
• Connect members with services and providers • Follow up to ensure needs are met
• Maintain strict confidentiality
When Should I Call EAP?
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed or unsure where to turn
• Before things become a crisis
• When you want a safe space to talk and explore your options
Don’t wait. EAP is not just for emergencies— it’s here to support you at any stage.
How to Reach EAP
To find your EAP coordinator or for more information:
Call: 1-800-822-0244 or Email: nyseap@eap.ny.gov
Visit www.goer.ny.gov/employee-assistance-program or ask your
union representative for a direct contact.
SYRACUSE — At Central New York DDSO, where work can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly demanding, CSEA member Merlin Dixon is making a profound impact in his new role.
Dixon, now serving full-time as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) coordinator, has become a trusted resource for CSEA Central New York DDSO Local members.
With more than 20 years of state service, Dixon brings a combination of experience, compassion and deep personal connection to the role.
“I consider myself a state kid,” said Dixon. “My mom worked for OPWDD [state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities], so I grew up around the people we serve. I’ve always felt part of this community.”
Before taking on the EAP role, Dixon worked as a developmental assistant and supervised multiple group homes. He understands firsthand the emotional toll this work can take and the importance of having someone in your corner.
“EAP helped me personally
early in my career, so when the coordinator position opened, I knew I wanted to give back,” said Dixon. “People tend to see EAP as a last resort, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be a proactive resource, and I want members to know that we’re here to help before things reach a breaking point.”
Established in 1983, the New York State Employee Assistance Program is a work-life services benefit
jointly sponsored by CSEA and management, designed to help state employees balance the demands of work, home and life.
EAP coordinators like Dixon
are trained to assist employees in identifying and resolving personal, family and workplace issues so they can lead healthier, more productive
Dixon (Photo provided by Merlin Dixon.)
lives. Because EAP is confidential and voluntary, members can seek help with confidence, knowing their privacy is protected.
Dixon’s day-to-day work includes helping members connect with in-network care, navigate substance abuse treatment options, help
with home-life balance or simply
be a sounding board during tough times. He coordinates with human resources, labor relations and local providers to ensure members get the timely support they need.
“I’m not a therapist or a banker, but sometimes I feel like both,” said Dixon. “Mostly, I’m just someone who listens and helps point people in the right direction. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll find it.”
Dixon is also focused on promoting wellness and early intervention. He attends new employee orientations, makes regular visit to homes and day programs and organizes proactive wellness events.
He recently hosted a wellness benefit fair in Syracuse that featured more than 20 vendors and coordinated to have a mobile breast screening unit available.
“Your work life and personal life don’t stay separate anymore,”
said Dixon. “Especially in 24/7 care environments, the stress can bleed into everything. I want EAP to be the bridge that helps people manage both.”
Central New York DDSO Local President Barry Richards praised Dixon’s responsiveness and dedication, noting his consistent presence during recent critical incidents.
“He’s been there, sometimes the very next day,” said Richards. “People trust him. They know he understands exactly what they’re
going through.”
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan
recently sent Dixon a personal letter thanking him for his outstanding service.
“The New York State EAP was created to support employees like you, those who understand the unique culture of our agencies
and bring real knowledge of our communities,” wrote Sullivan. “Thank you for you that you do to support, uplift, and guide your fellow CSEA members.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
14 The Work Force
September 2025