County employees get access to pair of services

The Kendall County commissioners extended access to two services for county employees that can combat troublesome times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that laid a heavy burden on residents across the country.

County Benefits Coordinator Michelle Lux encouraged the contract extension with Deer Oaks EAP Services, which is an employee assistance company that connects members to resources like grief counseling when an employee loses a loved one or “elder-care assessments,” according to the company’s website.

The company’s resources are utilized by agencies across the country but notably several large agencies close to home, including Bexar County and the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio.

Lux said the Deer Oaks services are extended to all county employees and any members of their household, including students who are away at college. The company website guides employees through resources the assist with life’s woes and hurdles. She said the company even will connect employees with three free counselor visits before guiding them to a longer-term solution if needed.

After Precinct 2 Commissioner Richard Elkins noted how great the program is, he motioned to approve the contract extension, and it passed with unanimous support from the other commissioners.

Next up, H-E-B officially will be hosting another COVID vaccination drive for county employees, but things will run a little differently this year. A couple of H-E-B employees showed up in previous years for an entire day, allowing employees to come in as they found time. But county employees hoping to take advantage of the drive will now need to book their vaccine appointment online.

Lux said this was the first year the vaccine drive would be booked out. She said this was to avoid having an H-E-B employee out there all day for only 75 employees to show up. Further, she said having a headcount ahead of time allows the vaccinators to ensure they only bring the number of vaccines needed.

The vaccine drive this year is set from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 19, but the timeframe may be extended if enough employees register online.