The New Mexico Psychological Association

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Affiliated with the American Psychological Association • 2501 San Pedro NE  Suite 110  Albuquerque, New Mexico  87110           phone: (505) 883-7376  •  Fax: (505) 883-9917   •  e-mail:   newmexpa@aol.com  •  website:  www.nmpa.com   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2004

Contact: Amelia Myer, 505-883-7376 or 259-0890 
Clara Farah, Ph.D., 505-653-4983
 
        Educational Assessment Systems, Inc. – EASi, Honored With 

2004 “Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award” 

Albuquerque, NM - The New Mexico Psychological Association (NMPA) has awarded Educational Assessment Systems, Inc. -- EASi, the 2004 "Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award" for the company’s exceptional efforts in providing a psychologically healthy workplace for its employees. The company is being recognized for its professional development program that is designed to address challenges EASi employees have faced with employee isolation as a result of working in a rural communities. EASi created strategies to provide employees with professional connections and a stronger sense of community through the use of the internet, continuing education opportunities, newsletters, in-house support staff and a comprehensive benefits package. 

The award was presented to EASi Chief Executive Officer Gail Chasey Beam, Ph.D., and several EASi employees on Friday, October 15, at NMPA’s Annual Conference, Hilton Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd.

For nearly 25 years, EASi has served children and adults with special needs in New Mexico. Founded in 1980, EASi was originally established to provide school districts with educational assessment for special education eligibility. Today, the company, still under the leadership of its original owner, has grown into a significant provider of special education related services. EASi now serves children and adults who require speech-language pathology services, physical and occupational therapy and psychological support. Their workforce includes over 150 occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists and educational diagnosticians.  Over the years, EASi staff has served nearly half of the state’s 89 school districts.  In addition, EASi has also served or continues to serve 18 tribal or pueblo schools throughout New Mexico.

According to Clara Farah, Ph.D., chair of the New Mexico Psychological Association committee that choose the awardees, the benefits of a healthy workplace can include increased productivity and employee retention rates, recruiting advantages, company image enhancement, a better workplace atmosphere, as well as workers who are less stressed and more satisfied with their jobs. Failure to provide a psychologically healthy workplace can impact the bottom line. A 2000 poll conducted by the American Psychological Association found that one in four employers has taken a "mental health" sick day. Recent studies also show 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA) is an innovative program designed to enhance well being in the workplace by bringing together business leaders and psychologists to work on programs that benefit workers and honor exemplary New Mexico companies. The program offers psychologists and businesses a unique chance to develop and maintain working relationships in their communities.

Awards are given each year to recognize the efforts of those New Mexico businesses that demonstrate concern about the psychological well being of their employees. Criteria for the awards have been established in conjunction with the American Psychological Association. The award is available to all workplaces, whether it is a for-profit Fortune 500 company or a neighborhood based non-profit organization.