HPM 10.5 Employee Assistance Manual

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

Answer 1

To provide confidential, professional assistance to any employee with behavioral or personal problems which may impair their job performance, attendance and/or conduct.

Question 2

True or False
EAP services are only available to uniformed employees.

Answer 2

FALSE.
EAP services are available to ALL employees and their lawful spouses, unmarried dependent children and registered domestic partners.

Question 3

What are the exceptions to EAP confidentiality?

Answer 3

1 - When records are lawfully subpoenaed.
2 - When and individual expresses a desire to harm themselves or others.
3 - If child or elder abuse is suspected.
4 - If the individual confesses to a crime.

Question 4

What are the set number of sessions per year for EAP no-cost counseling services that vary by Bargaining Unit Contract?

Answer 4

Excluded employees - 7
Bargaining Unit 5 and 7 - 7
All others - 3

Question 5

What is the PSP in regards to EAP?

Answer 5

PSP stands for the Peer Support Program. The goal is to prevent and/or lessen the impact of a critical incident or unsafe practice by providing emotional support, information, guidance and assistance.

Question 6

How does policy define a critical incident in regards to EAP?

Answer 6

Any actual or perceived event which has the potential to overwhelm a person’s physical, mental or emotional coping strategies.

Question 7

True or False
PSP (Peer Support Program) can take the place of the mandatory debrief following a shooting incident.

Answer 7

FALSE

Question 8

Is PSP (Peer Support Program) confidential?

Answer 8

Yes, UNLESS required to divulge information by law. I.e criminal activity, a subpoena, or if information is divulged that reveals the employee is a danger to themselves or others.

Question 9

True or False
A PSP (Peer Support Program) volunteer SHALL notify their commander and receive approval PRIOR to accepting and responding to a critical incident, whether on or off duty.

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

True or False
When responding to a critical incident or critical incident debriefing, the use of a state vehicle is authorized provided a vehicle is available. If not, the PSP volunteer’s commander shall approve reimbursement for use of the private vehicle.

Answer 10

TRUE

Question 11

True or False
Approval of the appropriate Commissioner is required for PSP use of departmental aircraft.

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

How many hours of CTO is a PSP volunteer allowed for an critical incident debrief?

Answer 12

Up to 4 hours with approval from their Commander.

Question 13

What is ESAP?

Answer 13

Employee Substance Abuse Program

Question 14

Does ESAP provide assistance for substance abuse not related to alcohol or lawfully prescribed drugs? (I.e controlled substances)

Answer 14

No. Unlawful obtainment, possession or use of any controlled substance constitutes criminal activity and is cause for dismissal.

Question 15

True or False
It is the policy of the ESAP (Employee Substance Abuse Program) to treat employee assistance requests with confidentiality if the employee requested assistance PRIOR to becoming subject to an adverse action for misconduct involving alcohol or prescription drug abuse.

Answer 15

TRUE. Such a request shall not be used to initiate disciplinary action and promotional opportunities/job security will not be jeopardized.

Question 16

True or False
Use of leave credits are not authorized for an employee receiving substance abuse treatment under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Answer 16

FALSE. Use of leave credits are authorized in this scenario.

Question 17

What does CIRT stand for and what does CIRT do?

Answer 17

Critical Incident Response Team. CIRT provides assistance to any CHP command (or CHP employee’s family) which has an employee who is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. CIRT services may also be requested when an employee is seriously injured or killed off duty.

Question 18

Who requests a CIRT response?

Answer 18

The Area or Division Commander. OESA (Office of Employee Safety and Assistance) approves a CIRT response.

Question 19

What is a CISD and when should it be scheduled in relation to a critical incident?

Answer 19

CISD stands for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. a CISD is a multi-step process to promote emotional resiliency and recovery for employees who have been exposed to a high-level stress traumatic event. CISD services are provided by licensed medical health professionals through the EAP program. CISD should be scheduled within 24-72 hours post event.

Question 20

Is an employee’s attendance to a CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) mandatory or voluntary?

Answer 20

Voluntary.

Question 21

Can a suitable amount of administrative time off be assigned to a uniformed or non-uniformed employee if a CISD counselor recommends time off? Can the Commander also recommend Paid Administrative Time Off?

Answer 21

Yes. The Commander can also approve administrative time off if reasonable and prudent.

Question 22

If Paid Administrative Time Off is approved (either by a licensed CISD health professional or a Commander) what is the maximum amount of ATO allowed?

Answer 22

Up to 5 days of PAID administrative time off.

Question 23

Can Public Safety Operators, Public Safety Dispatchers and Public Safety Dispatch Supervisors attend Critical Incident Stress Debriefings? Also are those classes eligible for Paid Administrative Time Off as well?

Answer 23

Yes and Yes

Question 24

What qualify as shooting incidents in regards to a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing? When should the Commander or their designee schedule a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing?

Answer 24

1 - Discharge of a firearm at a person, whether or not injury or death occurs.
2 - The employee is the target of an assailant’s discharged firearm, whether or not injury results.
- CISD (one on one or group) should be scheduled with a mental health professional within 72 hours of the incident.

Question 25

Can a CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) be scheduled for a group and/or an individual one-on-one session?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

In regards to active duty employees, who should be notified of an employee’s deployment and subsequent return to duty from military leave?

Answer 26

Division MSO (Military Support Officer) and OESA (Office of Employment Safety and Assistance)

Question 27

What does MSO stand for?

Answer 27

Military Support Officer - Each Division (should) have one. They need to be notified of military deployments and subsequent return to duty.

Question 28

There is a mandatory and discretionary portion to the Department’s Wellness Program. Explain each.

Answer 28

• The mandatory portion of the Department’s Wellness Program REQUIRES commanders and coordinators to support the concepts of wellness, health, and fitness and to disseminate wellness information to all employees.
• The discretionary portion of the Department’s Wellness Program ALLOWS commanders the opportunity and latitude to coordinate wellness activities for all employees within their command.