Employee Assistance Program

Project Description: Description of Services The Employee Assistance Program will be contracted to provide comprehensive support services to employees of the Howard County Public School System in a manner that is consistent with the standards and ethics prescribed by the National Association of EAP Providers. Quality of service for employees is the highest priority and will take priority of the types of services to be contracted by a potential provider. Service is to be provided in a manner that assures both accessibility and confidentiality for employees. APPENDIX E, Data Sharing Agreement outlines the conditions regarding data applicable to the services. As appropriate, the contractor shall identify a connection between EAP services and the school system’s organizational goals. Identified Service Delivery Priorities:  Offer work/life assistance in the areas of prenatal care, child care, parenting, emergency care, elder resources and at-risk adolescents.  Provide critical incident response counseling to address issues resulting from traumatic events such as employee grief and loss, chronic illness, and natural disasters.  Provide counseling around additional issues including career coaching, relationship counseling, depression assistance, legal consultation, financial coaching and tax consultation.  Provide a 24 hour crisis “hotline” that is staffed with mental health professionals for assessment and referral services  Provide counseling services by qualified mental health providers for up to six (6) face to face sessions for employees and/or family members: o To include identification, assessment, and short-term treatment services for self-referred employees,  Provide ‘same day’ emergency appointments for employees, administrators, and/or supervisors making viable requests  Provide immediate assistance in the form of consultation for administrators and/or supervisors of HCPSS  Provide on-going consultation and assistance for staff in administrative and/or supervisory roles with the HCPSS  Provide monthly reports to share information such as, utilization rates, data on employee satisfaction with EAP, and administrator/supervisor satisfaction with EAP services.  Annually, provide a minimum of 40 hours of onsite training and seminars for employees / supervisors / Crisis Response Services as coordinated with the HCPSS Benefits Office.  Annually, provide pamphlets (minimum 30 each for elementary schools, 60 each for middle schools, 90 each for high schools and 60 each for satellite offices) and posters (minimum two Howard County School System RFP Page 3 each for all schools / satellite offices), Additional pamphlets / posters may be requested as needed throughout the year.  Quarterly, provide the Office of Human Resources with printed and electronic materials to help promote the use of the EAP.  Annually, provide a minimum of 40 hours of onsite training and/or wellness seminars to promote proactive health practices and address common personal or work-related concerns.  Annually, participate in Benefits Open house events, job fairs and district gatherings, as requested by HCPSS.