CISA Cares: Supporting The Mission Through Employee Well-being

In a world where the demands of the workplace are ever-evolving, CISA (the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency) understands the significance of prioritizing employee well-being. Amber Donnelly is the Program Manager for CISA Cares, a program developed to provide employees with the resources needed to thrive on the job and at home.

CISA Cares: Resources for Personal and Professional Growth

“We’re trying to make sure we keep our employees engaged and productive,” Donnelly said as she stressed CISA’s focus on supporting the mental health of their workforce. “We have incorporated more burnout prevention resources and stress, anxiety, and grief counseling.” CISA Cares helps their employees do their best and stay their best.

CISA’s Most Valuable Assets

Recognizing that employees are their most valuable asset, CISA extends these resources to their family members as well. Donnelly herself is a strong advocate for the programs, practicing what she preaches.

“I started utilizing the fitness program about six months ago, so I take three hours each work week that I get to step away from my desk and go to the gym if I want to, but I actually utilize FedStrive, one of our wellness portals to take Zoom online classes.”

The three hours a week boosts her physical health but also helps her mental state. Exercising serves as a stress reliever and helps keep her focused. “If it’s been a stressful day, it really helps me regain that composure.”

Meeting Their Employees Where They Are

Things change, and stressors change, so CISA seeks to provide its employees with the right tools, resources, products, and processes for them to thrive.

Starting in 2022, CISA launched its online wellness platform, FedStrive. “We now have 600 employees that are actually signed up and utilizing that, which is a third of our workforce,” Donnelly shared.

Also in 2022, CISA rolled out the emergency backup dependent care program. This new program gives employees the option to work with a vendor that finds a childcare provider to cover any last-minute childcare needs. “They can also utilize that for themselves for post-surgery care or for adult care,” Donnelly added.

“We’re truly looking at all aspects of how we support and make sure we are resilient for our employees, so they can do their best and focus on the CISA mission.”

Access to these services is made easy through a user-friendly SharePoint site and a 24/7 hotline. CISA’s comprehensive approach ensures that employees can perform at their best and focus on their mission.