Alabama Division of
RISK MANAGEMENT

Employee Assistance Program

Presentations

What is it?

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. EAP services are 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. An employee or family member desiring to make a self referral should call 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.

The Employee’s involvement in the program is still voluntary; however, if the Employee chooses not to participate, the supervisor should document this. The supervisor should then follow normal disciplinary procedures regarding the job-relate issue(s) that led to the referral.

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.