Employee Support Services

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT SERVICES The purpose of the CAL FIRE Employee Support Services is to: assist and support CAL FIRE employees to maintain a healthy, efficient, and productive work environment. provide confidential programs to achieve this purpose. assist and support the CAL FIRE employee and employee family members during personal crisis of family stress.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND The Employee Support Services Program was created in October The statewide EAP began in March of 1984 by Governor Jerry Brown In January 1974 Governor Ronald Reagan establishing the State Employee Alcoholism Program.

ORGANIZATION FIRE CAPTAIN STATEWIDE S.A.A.P COORDINATOR

ESS PROGRAM ELEMENTS  EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)  SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAAP)  CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM)  CHAPLAINCY UTILIZATION SERVICES

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counseling service provided under contract by Managed Health Network (MHN). EAP services are provided at no charge to State employees and eligible dependents. EAP services include counseling, as well as work and life services.

HOW TO ACCESS EAP SERVICES To receive services call toll free: (866) An intake specialist will help you connect with the services specific to your needs or; If you are experiencing a crisis help is available by phone 24/7.

ELIGIBILITY LEVEL 1 Bargaining Unit 7 & 8 employees are eligible for the following face-to-face counseling sessions*: 7 sessions per problem type for employee. 7 sessions per problem type for spouse or registered domestic partner. 7 sessions per problem type total for dependent children, not including the employee and the spouse. *per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)

ELIGIBILITY LEVEL 2 All CAL FIRE employees not covered by Level 1 are entitled to 3 face-to-face counseling sessions for each problem type total for employee, spouse or registered domestic partner, dependent children per fiscal year.

WORK & LIFE SERVICES Legal – Up to 30 minutes per session. Face-to-face or by phone Financial – Up to 60 minutes per session. By phone Child & Elder Care – Up to 30 minutes per session. By phone Pre-Retirement – Up to 60 minutes per session. By phone Federal Taxpayer Assistance – Up to 30 minutes per session. By phone Daily Living – By phone

MEMBER SERVICES ONLINE Many services and resources are available online at eap4soc.mhn.com Search for an MHN Counselor Manage stress with interactive tools Take a health risk assessment Ask an expert an emotional health question

MHN website also includes information & tools for: Depression and Anxiety Personal Finance Substance abuse Retirement Planning Grief and Loss Communication and Relationships Health and Fitness Child and Elder Care

SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CAL FIRE recognizes that alcohol and drug abuse may adversely affect job performance, and is fully committed to the Substance Abuse Assistance Program (SAAP). An employee does not have to be experiencing a problem at work to seek assistance through the SAAP The SAAP is also available to employees’ immediate family members.

RECOGNIZING SUBSTANCE ABUSE Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt guilty about drinking? Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

RECOGNIZING ADDICTION Increased tolerance Withdrawal symptoms Excessive or prolonged use Unable to cut down or control use A great deal of time spent in obtaining the substance You give up the things you like to do in order to use Continued use despite physical or psychological problems

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT Components of PTSD –Stressor: witnessed or experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury, intense fear, helplessness or horror –Intrusive thoughts: reoccurring images, dreams or flashbacks, guilt –Avoidance or numbing: isolating, inability to express emotions or feelings, use of substances –Hyper-arousal: Difficulty sleeping, hyper-vigilance, irritability or anger

COMPONENTS OF CRITICAL STRESS MANAGEMENT Pre-Incident Education or Preparation Demobilization or Group Informational Briefing Defusing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Individual Intervention (one-on-one) Family CISM and Support (Education) Follow-Up and/or Referral Crisis Management Briefing (Civilian, schools, businesses)

HOW DOES CISM HELP? Validates reactions; a normal response to an abnormal event. Allows first responders to talk about their reactions to what happened. Provides information, tools and resources for coping with stress. Provides follow up for potential future treatment.

CAL FIRE policy allows the utilization of Chaplains to support personnel and their families during crisis or trauma. CAL FIRE does not have an internal chaplain program. CAL FIRE may contact any chaplain service, church, or place of worship to facilitate support of employees’ needs. CHAPLAINCY UTILIZATION SERVICES

Chaplains may be contacted directly or through Employee Supportive Services or Unit Emergency Command Centers. Chaplains may function in the following settings: funerals or memorials, hospitals, CAL FIRE facilities, emergency incidents under the direction of the incident commander or liaison officer, at the home of an employee or family member. Any CAL FIRE personnel serving as a Chaplain is doing so off-duty.

Employee Support Services 24/7 Crisis Help Line This Help Line is available for CAL FIRE employees and their family members to receive support through times of personal or professional crisis. You will receive personal attention from staff members who are highly trained in peer support. Confidentiality is a core value of all services provided.

The Crisis Help Line has been used to seek help for: Critical Incident Stress Family Issues Grief and Loss Legal or Incarceration Military / Veteran Assistance Serious Injury or Illness Domestic Violence Crime Victims Work Place Issues Anger Management Stress / Anxiety Depression Suicide Intervention / Postvention Substance Abuse Assistance Peace Officer Issues

Thank You