WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - March 4, 2009) - The National Business Group on Health, an
association of more than 300 large employers, including 64 of the Fortune
100, today released "An Employer's Guide to Employee Assistance Programs."
The Guide is the culmination of a nearly two-year-long study of best
practices and evidence-based approaches to the design and delivery of
effective and efficient employee assistance programs. It provides
employers with findings, recommendations, and metrics for standardizing and
improving the strategic alignment between employee assistance programs,
employers' business objectives, and employee needs.
"For decades, EAPs have been providing value to employers, employees and
families with various services. In fact, one can see their value by the
increase of utilization of services during this recession," said Helen
Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health. "Despite this
recognition of the value of EAPs, there is a continued lack of definition,
coordination, and the rigorous cost-impact assessment necessary for
employers and their employees to understand and derive full benefit from
EAPs."
Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the study was conducted
by the Employee Assistance Workgroup (EAP Workgroup), a 27-member committee
of EAP, behavioral and mental health services experts.
The NBGH created the EAP Workgroup to develop recommendations to improve
the coordination and integration of employee assistance programs. The
Workgroup felt strongly that having an EAP aligned with an organization's
values and vision would measurably enhance business operations, employee
experience, and community perceptions of the company, and provide a
positive return on investment.
"Mental health and substance-use conditions continue to be among the
leading causes of illness and lost productivity for most large employers,"
stated Kathryn Power, Director of SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health
Services (CMHS). "EAPs represent a first-line response to providing
prevention, triage, and short-term problem-resolution services within an
organization. As such, they enable employers to leverage the value of
their investment in their workforce, address the costs of doing business,
and mitigate business risks."
"An Employer's Guide to Employee Assistance Programs" provides employers
with strategic recommendations to help them identify the key attributes of
a high-performing employee assistance program that, if adopted, will
protect their human capital investment by improving the health of all
employees and dependents, as well as guidance on how to improve the
performance of existing programs.
Specifically, the Guide details seven key challenges identified by the EAP
Workgroup, along with the Workgroup's specific recommendations for
addressing these challenges and recognizing the inherent opportunity in
doing so. The information contained in the Guide will enable employers to:
-- enhance the quality and business value of existing programs,
-- standardize the definition of EAP and the scope of covered services to
ensure consistent program administration,
-- improve employers' abilities to coordinate EAP roles and
responsibilities to maximize the quality and efficiency of services, and
-- employ key metrics in support of EAP quality, integration, and
performance.
Additional information about EAPs, including the complete Guide, is
available at
www.businessgrouphealth.org.
About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit,
membership organization of large employers devoted exclusively to finding
innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health
care and related benefits issues. The NBGH identifies and shares best
practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related
paid time off and work/life balance issues. NBGH members provide health
coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their
families. For more information about the NBGH, visit
www.businessgrouphealth.org.
About the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is the Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services with the mission to build resilience and facilitate recovery for
people with or at risk for substance abuse and mental illness. SAMHSA's
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) leads national efforts to improve
prevention and mental health treatment services for all Americans. CMHS
pursues its mission by helping States improve and increase the quality and
range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for people with
mental health problems, their families, and communities.
Contact Information: Contact:
Ed Emerman
609.275-5162
eemerman@eaglepr.com