1. WHAT IS THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)?

The EAP is an independent service which offers assistance to employees and their families on any type of personal problem. These problems may include, but are not limited to, substance abuse issues, family problems, divorce and separation, and financial issues. The EAP offers help to a person in defining the personal problem(s) and suggests appropriate specialists or agencies for continued help, if desired. The Western Upper Peninsula Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency, Inc. is a private, nonprofit agency based out of Houghton, Michigan. The EAP is a division of the Coordinating Agency and while also based in Houghton, has satellite offices throughout the Western U.P.

2. WHO CAN USE THE EAP?

The employee and any member of the employee's immediate family may use the program. If necessary, the program can be accessed more than once by any eligible person.

3. CAN I ACCESS THE PROGRAM AFTER REGULAR WORK HOURS?

Yes. The assessment offices can be reached between 8:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at 906-482-3031 or 1-888-482-4097. There is also a 24- hour toll-free hotline (1-800-562-7622) staffed by persons trained to work with crisis intervention and a variety of other personal problems.

4. WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED?

When a place of employment has a contract for these EAP services, employees and their family members are eligible to use the program's services at no additional cost.

Employees of non participating entities may also access the program but may have to pay an assessment fee. This fee depends on that individual's income and the number of dependents in the family.

Once a person has had an assessment, he or she will be referred to the appropriate professional counseling services, if desired.

5. HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS THE PROGRAM?

The EAP complies with Federal Law 42CFR Part 2, 1987 to maintain strict confidentiality of information that is personal. The EAP cannot release any information without written permission of the client except in rare circumstances as identified below:

The EAP will not release any information regarding the employee unless:

1. The employee consents in writing;
2. The disclosure is required by a court order; or
3. The disclosure is made to medical personnel in a medical emergency

Federal law and regulations do not protect any information about a crime committed by an individual either at the EAP or against any person who works for the EAP or about any threat to commit such a crime. Federal laws and regulations do not protect any information about suspected child abuse or neglect from being reported under State law to appropriate State or local authorities.

Therefore, unless one of the above situations occurs, the employer, family members, health insurance agencies, and health care providers, among others, cannot have any verbal or written information disclosed to them without a person's express written consent. The EAP does not even disclose the fact that they have talked to or seen an employee.

6. WILL THE EAP'S FINDINGS GET INTO MY PERSONNEL FILE?

Without written permission (or a court order), a report cannot be released for use in the personnel file.

7. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY SPOUSE OR CHILD CHOOSES TO USE THE PROGRAM?

Again, no one may receive any information without written permission of the client. Minors are protected under the same law, thereby making the information confidential from everyone, including the parents, if that's what the minor chooses with the exceptions as identified in #5.

8. WHAT HAPPENS IF I CHOOSE TO RELEASE CERTAIN INFORMATION?

A client has a right to choose exactly what is to be released to another party. Any third party that receives information of a confidential nature is bound by law to keep that information confidential. A third party cannot again release that information without a client's written permission.

9. I STILL FEEL UNEASY ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ACCESSING THE PROGRAM. IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO GET HELP THROUGH THE EAP?

Clients may use the telephone numbers listed below and discuss their situation by phone and withhold their names, if desired.

10. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ASSESSORS?

All agency assessors have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health care or human services, and experience in dealing with substance abuse and co- dependency problems, marital issues, and financial problems. All assessors are (or working towards being) credentialed by MCBAP.

11. WHY ARE EMPLOYERS INTERESTED IN THIS PROGRAM?

In addition to being an extra health care benefit for the employees and their families, the EAP may help the Employers to save money. The EAP is actually part of the growing preventive medicine concept. In theory and practice, employees who voluntarily seek help for personal problems are less likely to be absent from work. They are also less likely in the long run to need health care services; they thus help reduce the cost of health insurance premiums. A reduced number of personal problems in the workforce means fewer mistakes at work due to fatigue or inattention. An EAP saves money for the individual as well as for the employer.

12. HOW DOES THE EAP TIE IN WITH COUNSELORS ALREADY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY?

Counseling agencies are separate from the EAP. However, the EAP and the community agencies work closely together. Clients that come to the EAP for services will be given the opportunity for a referral(s) to the appropriate community counselors, if necessary and desired. The EAP serves as a gateway to placement into the appropriate service(s) in the communities when applicable.

13. WHERE DO I GO TO GET HELP?

When you or a family member is struggling with a personal problem, you may contact the EAP assessment provider for your location, discuss your situation, and schedule an appointment at the most convenient location.

Below are listed the Agency offices and toll-free lines. In additional the emergency toll-free line remains Dial Help at (906)482-4357 or 1-800-562-7622. The primary EAP contact person is Barbara Bouwkamp at (906) 482-3031.

However, a call to any of the numbers below will provide you access to her or to someone who can assist you/your organization with a specific issue.

Coordinating Agency Assessment Service
902 W. Sharon Avenue
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-7473
Toll Free (888) 482-4097
EAP (906) 482-3031

Coordinating Agency Assessment Service
818 Pyle Dr., Kingsford, MI 49802
(906) 779-1999
Toll Free (888) 779-0095

Coordinating Agency Assessment Service
10199 Lake Road
Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone (906) 932-0191
Fax (906) 932-4101

Coordinating Agency
Western UP Substance Abuse Services
Coordinating Agency
902 W. Sharon Avenue
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-7710
Toll Free (888) 482-4377

Note: Appointments can be arranged in other communities or the work site when requested.