University of Southern California
USC

Who Are We?

The Center for Work and Family Life (CWFL) has been helping USC faculty, staff and their families find a healthy and manageable balance between work and personal life since 1980. We recognize that when employees are able to meet their professional and personal responsibilities as well as their health and wellness goals, they are happier and more productive. The programs and initiatives of the Center for Work and Family Life Work are designed to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all faculty and staff, to help faculty and staff have a sense of positive well-being and morale, and to contribute to improved recruitment and retention.

Provost's Family-Friendly Initiative

"To further improve the quality of life of USC faculty and to promote health and wellness, I am establishing a Center for Work and Family Life based on the existing Staff/Faculty Counseling and Consultation Center. A committee chaired by Donna Elliott has been asked to advise the Center."

"The committee will also explore ways to enhance current child care benefits and services, working with Senior Vice President, Todd Dickey and his staff on a needs and feasibility analysis to explore expansion of those benefits and services."

"As part of the family-friendly initiative,
  • To assist on problems of work/family life balance, I will establish a fund to provide temporary support of lab technicians or graduate assistants.

  • For faculty concerned with caring for elderly relatives, referrals will be provided of sources for advice on obtaining adequate care.

  • I will also ask the Academic Senate to endorse changes in the Faculty Handbook concerning automatic extension of the tenure deadline, availability of a two-year extension, and eligibility for teaching relief and a part-time option."

Faculty_Growth_and_FamilyFriendly_Initiatives.pdf

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Advisory Committee on Work and Family Life

An Advisory Committee on Work and Family Life was established by Provost Max Nikias in December 2005 as part of his family-friendly initiative to further improve the quality of life for faculty and staff and to promote health and wellness at USC. Comprised of Provost appointed faculty and staff members, the Committee's primary objectives are to:

  • Identify and evaluate the family and work related needs and concerns of faculty and staff at USC
  • Explore ways to enhance current and future child care benefits and services
  • Make recommendations for improvement to the University's policies, practices and programs to senior leadership
  • Publicly support the efforts of the Center for Work and Family Life to improve the overall family-friendly environment at USC.

Advisory Committee Members

Co-Chairs
Christopher Chomyn, M.F.A.
Senior Lecturer

Bringing his extensive professional experience into his classroom, Chris Chomyn teaches both a graduate level production workshop as well as an undergraduate elective in cinematography. His feature films include Sea of Dreams (2005), Lockdown (2000), Phantasm III (1993) & IV (1998), Picture Bride (1994), and Taxi Dancer (1997) . Chomyn made his reputation for creating compositions that convey the subtext of each moment and draw the audience into the story. He has taught cinematography workshops for: The International Cinematographers Guild, UCLA Extension, Loyola Marymount University, Film Independent and the International Film and Video Workshops in Rockport, Maine.

Stacy Geck, M.A.
Associate Professor of Clinical Management Communication

Stacy Geck is an expert in organizational communication effectiveness, intercultural communication, managerial communication (written, oral, and interpersonal), executive presence coaching, effective mentoring techniques, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a certified facilitator and practitioner. Her research has been published in the Journal of Cooperative Education, the Western Speech Communication Association, and the American Society of Trial Consultants. Outside of USC, she frequently works as an independent management consultant specializing in executive effectiveness and organizational change.

Members
Patrick Bailey
Senior Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director
of Student Life and Involvement
Student Affairs
Miranda Barone
Lecturer, Psychology
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Stephen Finlay
Associate Professor, Philosophy
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Eve Lee
Assistant Professor, Slavic Languages and Literatures
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Frank Manis
Professor, Psychology
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Gary Painter
Associate Professor, Director of Research Lusk Center for Real Estate
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Jennifer Rafeedie
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Childrens Hospital, Keck School of Medicine
Cheryl Resnik
Associate Chair, Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Patricia Riley
Associate Professor, Director Global Communication Master's Program
Annenberg School for Communication, Annenberg School for Communication
Nicolas Schweighofer
Associate Professor, Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Jennifer Siu
Associate Director, Recreational Sports
Student Affairs
Paula Swinford
Director, Health Promotion/Prevention Service, University Park Health Center
Student Affairs
Gabriel Valenzuela
Director, Recreational Sports and Programs
Student Affairs
Patrice Yasuda
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Childrens Hospital, Keck School of Medicine
Ex-Officio Members
Marty Levine
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Office of the Vice Provost
David Haugland
Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Office of the Vice Provost
John Gaspari
Executive Director, Center for Work and Family Life
R. Pete Vanderveen
Dean, School of Pharmacy
Janis McEldowny
Associate Senior Vice President
Administrative Operations
Affiliated Members
Adrienne Gunn
Manager, Child Care, University Park Campus
Administrative Operations
Aileen Valino
Manager, Child Care, Health Science Campus
Administrative Operations

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Available Services

  • Faculty and Staff Counseling
    Short-term individual, couples and family counseling
    Crisis intervention
    Stress management
    Substance abuse and addictions assistance
    Career support
    Coaching for improved performance

  • Work/Life Support at USC
    Personalized consultation
    Information on USC's "family-friendly" policies
    Lunchtime education series
    Links to other USC programs and services

  • Faculty, Management and Departmental Consultation
    Facilitating employee referrals to employee assistance
    Assistance dealing with troubled employees or challenging coworkers
    Consultation and training on substance abuse/mental health issues in the workplace
    Coaching for improved management and leadership effectiveness
    Critical Incident Response
    Addressing departmental change, stress and workgroup dynamics
    Group facilitation
    Customized training and education

  • Family and Dependent Care: Consultation and Resources
    Information and referral to USC and community child care
    Parent education, support and consultation
    Elder and adult dependent care consultation and referrals
    Family / caregiver consultation
    Community support services

  • Workplace Health and Wellness Programs
    Stress management
    Health and fitness referrals
    Smoking cessation referrals
    Nutrition information
    Healthy aging
    Online health screenings
    Weight Watchers at Work®
    Linkages to other USC resources

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CWFL Staff

John Gaspari Linda Snouffer
John Gaspari, LCSW, CEAP
Executive Director
Linda Snouffer, LCSW, CEAP
Assistant Director
Jeff Harris Andrea Bardack
Jeff Harris, MFT, CEAP
Program Manager
Andrea Bardack, LCSW, CEAP
Professional Staff Member
William Macias Jason Sackett
Bill Macias, LCSW
Professional Staff Member
Jason Sackett, LCSW
Professional Staff Member
Andrea Cruickshank Susan Lynch
Andrea Cruickshank
Program Coordinator
Susan Ritchey
Administrative Assistant II

Contact Us

To speak with one of our professional staff or to schedule an appointment for counseling / consultation, please call the Center for Work and Family Life at 213-821-0800. Offices are located on both the University Park and Health Sciences Campus. Services are available at other USC locations by prior arrangement. Office hours are 8 am to 5 pm. Spanish-speaking counselors available.

University Park Campus
University Village (UVI E206)
Mail Code 7794
3375 South Hoover Street, Suite E206
Los Angeles, CA 90007-7794

Health Sciences Campus
Soto Building (SSB 112)
Mail Code 9233
2001 N Soto, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90033

How to Contact a Counselor in an Emergency After Hours?
If you are experiencing a true emergency, dial 911 immediately. To speak with one of our professional staff after hours, phone the Center at (213) 821-0800, and follow the recorded instructions to dial the emergency cell number of the Center for Work and Family Life.

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Who Are We?Work/Life Support at USC
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