08-01 Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
The Toronto Police Services Board (Board), Toronto Police Service (Service), Command Officers, Senior Officers Organization (SOO) and Toronto Police Association (TPA) recognize that it is in the best interest of its members to provide an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for those members and their families who experience personal problems relating to health, marriage, family, lifestyle, retirement, legal issues, finances, gambling, substance abuse, psychological/emotional disorders, work, or critical incident stress.
Procedure
The EFAP provider for the Service, TELUS Health is contracted to provide assistance to
- active members (full-time, part-time and temporary), their spouse/partner and dependents
- retirees, their spouse/partner
- auxiliary members (critical incident stress only)
- lifeguards (critical incident stress only)
- Members and family wishing to use the services of the EFAP provider may contact TELUS Health directly by calling 1-855-431-EFAP (3327). Members can also access services online at one.telushealth.com or through the TELUS Health One app
When it is determined, within the established guidelines, that any of the above noted require professional assistance, the cost of such services is borne by the employer. Participation by Service members and families is voluntary; this is not a mandatory program.
EFAP Committee
The EFAP Committee is a committee of the Board comprised of a representative of each of the Chief, the SOO, the TPA, the EFAP provider and representatives of other Service support units, such as, Human Resources, Psychological Services, Chaplaincy and the Toronto Police College.
Committee Mandate
The ultimate goal of the EFAP Committee is to provide _____ The Committee acts as an advisor on practices, issues and trends in employee and family assistance programs in support of policing and Service support services. The Committee may recommend _____
leadership and support to ensure a strong and responsive support program for Service members and their families.
changes, deletions or enhancements to the program to ensure best practices in responding to current, ongoing and future trends and emerging issues.
Confidentiality
The EFAP provider must maintain
confidentiality and adhere to all privacy legislation to ensure all personal information and participation by members of the Service and their families is anonymous and safeguarded.
All EFAP client information, including participation in the program cannot be
shared without the expressed written consent of the client with the exception of legal and ethical requirements, that being, the duty to protect and the duty to warn.
The EFAP provider will only breach client confidentiality when required by law, such as
- when records are subpoenaed by a court of law
- when there is suspicion that a child is or may be in need of protection from current or potential physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect
- when there is a need to intervene to prevent serious harm to an individual or others
- when there is a need to report a health professional where there is reason to believe that they are not working in accordance with the standards of the Regulated Health Professions Act
The EFAP provider is required to report non-identifying statistical reports to the EFAP Committee for the purpose of continuous monitoring of the program. The information contained in the reports will be used for
evaluation, potential program enhancements and re-design, program awareness opportunities and the identification of emerging issues and trends overtime.
The EFAP provider is required to ensure a _______. A comprehensive client case file management system further ensures confidentiality. The EFAP Committee oversees the program.
thorough and confidential file management system in accordance with all relevant legislation governing the handling of both electronic and hard copy materials
Member
- When voluntarily seeking assistance for an issue shall
- contact the EFAP provider and make every effort to resolve the problem
- Members should be aware that other outside community support agencies are available to assist when required. The EFAP provider will assist in locating these community support agencies. Members may also obtain this information from their family physician.
Member
- When seeking information about using the EFAP provider SHALL
- contact TELUS Health at 1-855-431-EFAP (3327)
- visit the TELUS Health website at one telushealth.com and register using the username “TPSEFAP” along with the password of “TPSEFAP”
Member
- Upon becoming aware that another member may be experiencing a problem SHALL
- refrain from diagnosing a person who is suffering a problem
- encourage the member to seek assistance voluntarily before work performance or safety is affected
- provide support and encouragement to assist the member and/or family in accessing EFAP support
- refer to Procedure 08–04 in the event of a traumatic critical incident
Supervisor
- Upon becoming aware of a member who requests assistance for a problem SHALL
- advise the member of all options available for assistance, including the EFAP provider
- permit the member the opportunity to call the EFAP provider, subject to operational requirements
- follow–up as necessary with the member for support and encouragement
- refer to Procedure 08–04 in the event of a traumatic critical incident
Unit Commander
- Upon becoming aware of a member who requests assistance for a problem SHALL
- ensure all reasonable steps have been taken to support the member in accessing support and treatment, as necessary
- confer with the member and offer ongoing support, if appropriate
- refer to Procedure 08–04 in the event of a traumatic critical incident
Unit Commander
- When dealing with EFAP issues in general SHALL
make every effort to encourage the use of and proactively promote the positive benefits of the EFAP and provide the necessary information to the members and/or families to make contact as soon as possible.
Unit Commander
- Refer any complaints or concerns to the EFAP Committee by contacting the
EFAP Liaison/Critical Incident Response Team Coordinator.
