PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center announced that LifeSolutions, its not-for-profit organization that specializes in employee assistance programs, has acquired Erie, Pa.-based Northwest Beacon EAP. Though financial details of the agreement are not being released, the deal calls for six Northwest Beacon EAP staff to be retained as part of the purchase. They will continue serving their 60 northwest Pennsylvania clients from their Erie office but as employees of LifeSolutions. “While the decision to sell Northwest Beacon was difficult, I wanted to find a partner with the experience and resources to take the EAP program to the next level,” Jonathan Evans, president and CEO of Safe Harbor, Northwest Beacon's parent company, said in a release. LifeSolutions, as part of the UPMC WorkPartners health and productivity solutions, offers confidential assessment, referral and short-term counseling services to client employees and their household members. The organization also consults with contracted organizations' managers, HR departments and other company leaders to improve performance and productivity with a focus on human capital. “Because they are part of UPMC, they are able to bring the latest research and program solutions to their EAP customers,” Evans said. Northwest Beacon EAP services are a pre-paid benefit to organization employees. They are provided by professional counselors, social workers or therapists, all of whom have a master's degree and state licensure. Specialists also are available to deal with specific issues, including alcohol abuse, children/parenting concerns and relationship stresses. New benefits for current Northwest Beacon clients include a 24-hour telephone consultation hotline to address specific workplace situations, unlimited telephone manager consultation and access to a computerized self-help program created to help people with mild depression and anxiety.

—Rachel Landen