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In March 1992, the Governor issued Executive
Order No. 48 authorizing the creation of an EAP for all employees of State
Government and designating the Finance Department as the State Agency to
implement the directive. The Finance Department officially implemented the
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on October 1, 1994. We are currently providing
assistance to any participating state agency/employee that request EAP services.
Any agency not currently participating can enroll by notifying, in writing, the
State EAP Director at the Division of Risk Management. Please include the name,
duty title, official mailing address, phone number and email address of the
person that will serve as the EAP representative/coordinator.
Our EAP is a short-term counseling and referral service designed to help
employees become more effective and efficient in their jobs by providing
professional, confidential assistance to problems that are likely to affect
their family life and/or job performance.
Beginning October 1, 2006 the EAP will be managed by
Behavioral
Health Systems, Inc. (BHS). Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, BHS has a
network of master’s prepared mental health professionals, psychologist, and
psychiatrist available to assist with problems such as:
- Supervisor and subordinate conflict
- Alcohol and other drug abuse
- Marital and family issues
- Stress
- Grief
Expected outcomes of great value to the State
include:
- Increased retention
- Reduced absenteeism
- Improved productivity
- Fewer job injuries
- Reduced conflicts involving EEO,
harassment, ADA issues, etc.
- Happier employees
Self-Referral
EAP services are available for employees and dependents. The EAP can be
accessed by contacting BHS at 800-245-1150 or 205-879-1150 (Birmingham). The BHS
Care Coordinator assigned to the State will conduct a short intake to determine
the appropriate level of care as well as any client request, such as location of
appointment or gender of provider. Non-emergency appointments are generally
scheduled within three days.
An initial assessment and up to two follow up sessions will be provided annually
at no cost. Should additional sessions, or treatment beyond the scope of EAP,
such as intensive outpatient or inpatient psychiatric or substance abuse
treatment, be required, your BHS Care Coordinator will assist in the transition
to your medical plan or community resources.
Supervisory Referral
Informal supervisory referral: A supervisor, upon learning an employee is
experiencing difficulties that have had little or no impact on job performance,
recommends EAP services to an employee. The employee may have confided in the
supervisor regarding personal problems or a performance problem may have
surfaced that does not yet require discipline. The supervisor suggests the use
of the EAP but, in accordance with state and federal law, the employee’s
participation, or lack of, is not reported to the supervisor.
Formal supervisory referral: the
supervisor formally recommends the use of the EAP to help in resolving personal
issues that may be contributing to performance problems. The supervisor wanting
to make a formal referral should contact the state’s designated Care Coordinator
to discuss the problem situation and provide the information needed for the
Release of Information (ROI). An ROI is required in order for the Care
Coordinator to communicate compliance information to the supervisor. If referral
is deemed appropriate, the supervisor will inform the employee verbally and in
writing of the referral decision. A
referral form
should be completed.
An employee’s participation in the
program is voluntary. If the employee does not want to participate, the
supervisor should document this. Normal progressive disciplinary procedures
concerning the job related issue(s) should be followed.
For additional information, contact your BHS Care Coordinator at 800-245-1150 or
205-879-1150 or visit our website at
www.behavioralhealthsystems.com.
The member password is: DORM.
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