GAG 1-63 Employee Assistance Program.docx

**PURPOSE:** The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through 42Cares and New Directions provides free, professional & confidential support services designed to prevent, assist with and/or resolve personal, family and workplace issues that may affect a department member's personal/professional...

**PURPOSE:** The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offered through 42Cares and New Directions provides free, professional & confidential support services designed to prevent, assist with and/or resolve personal, family and workplace issues that may affect a department member's personal/professional well-being and job performance. **SCOPE:** All Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department employees and their immediate family members may access/use EAP services. To contact a counselor, please call **1.877.281.3804** **GUIDELINES:** The Fire Department's mission regularly requires each member to retain and demonstrate the upmost professional skill and personal reliability. The individual emotional and physical fitness of our department's membership enhances and protects our collective workplace safety and well-being while ensuring we provide the highest quality of service to city residents. 42CARES provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Counseling services will be performed off-site, in person or via telehealth, to ensure privacy. Services include but are not limited to, medical/behavioral health and related assessments, short-term counseling and referrals, financial/legal advice, substance use disorder(s) and assisted living. EAP services are commonly provided to members experiencing emotional/physical issues, substance use disorder(s), family and relationship difficulties, job stress and legal/financial difficulties. Individual use of EAP services will be kept in strict confidence. The EAP service provider will maintain an independent/confidential record system and follow state/federal guidelines pertaining to confidentiality. Client information will be limited to aggregate statistics; the name of an employee seeking assistance and/or the nature of his or her visit(s) will not be released without a signed consent. Department supervisors and union business agents may suggest voluntary use of the EAP services if a sufficient concern exists regarding a member's personal or emotional well-being, physical health, incident-based latency, work performance or policy violation. The Department believes that these stressors can be successfully resolved or improved if properly identified and properly treated; therefore employees are encouraged to proactively utilize EAP services for any matter of personal concern. Access/use of EAP services will not affect a department member's job security, reputation, and/or promotional opportunities. ### Kanss City, Missouri Fire Department **Mandatory Referrals** An employee may be mandated to participate in the EAP as an alternative to disciplinary action because of a justifiable concern that the Department and Local 42 or Local 3808 believes can be successfully resolved or improved if properly identified and treated. EAP provided services include confidential counseling services, assessment and referral for concerns related to a KCFD employee\'s policy violation. [Rights and responsibilities] Under the conditions of mandated referral the employee is required to: 1. Participate in the Employee Assistance Program 1. Complete the necessary release authorization forms 2. Improve any work performance issues 3. Comply with the EAP treatment. In order to be in compliance, they will be required to attend counseling sessions. The employee may utilize sick leave or vacation time to attend these sessions, or schedule sessions on off-duty days. It will be necessary for him/her to attend some of their sessions on off-duty days In cases involving mandated EAP referrals, failure to fully comply with EAP treatment plan will lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination. You have the right to: 1. Understand the specific nature of the policy violation(s), behaviors or work performance issues leading to this mandated referral 1. Representation by a Local 42 Business Agent or Local 3808 representative 2. [\ ] **[Peer Support]** To contact a counselor, please call **913.523.4090.** I. Operation and Deployment a. Requests for Peer Support Team Services i. Individuals requesting PSP services may contact a team member by logging on to http://firestrong.org/ under the Peer Team Resource tab for a list of names, phone numbers, and full biographies of each peer member. In addition, each station will have a poster with all Peer Members contact information. b. High Stress Incident Management ii. The Department recognizes employees may be subjected to high levels of stress during the performance of their duties. The nature of some calls into the 911 system may require public safety personnel to perform duties in harsh environments and in the face of great human tragedy, suffering and even loss. These stressors may have a direct impact on the employee and their family. A High Stress Incident (HSI) is any incident deemed serious enough by the magnitude of the circumstances based on the request or reactions of the on duty personnel. iii. Upon the occurrence of a HSI, a PSP coordinator may be notified by an individual, a supervisor, or by the shift deputy. The PSP coordinator will work with the Shift Commander in order to make an assessment of those affected by the incident. Based on that assessment, the Shift Commander may request additional support be offered for those impacted. iv. Participation in support activites offered is strictly voluntary and any employee may elect to decline without pressure or reprisal. **\ ** 1. NDBH is authorized to disclose specified information below to: 2. I understand that **only** the following information will be disclosed to the above persons at my workplace to allow them to assess cooperation with NDBH and compliance with referral terms: - **Information regarding contact with NDBH** - **Information regarding participation and cooperation with NDBH's recommendations.** - **Information regarding attendance at scheduled appointments and compliance with recommendations.** 3. I voluntarily authorize NDBH to release information as noted above. This authorization expires one (1) year from the date of signature below. 4. I understand that I may request a copy of this form. 5. I understand I am to contact NDBH within [ 3] business days.