EA News...

Regulations Clarify Mental Health Parity Act
The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury came out with regulations clarifying the parity act. According to some analysts, EAPs cannot serve as gatekeepers, unless a similar form of management is applied to medical benefits. Also employers cannot require employees to exhaust EAP benefits before they access mental health care if a similar requirement does not exist for accessing medical care. More....

New Approach Measures Workplace Outcomes in EAPs
The new approach uses a short, precise, and easy to administer survey that collects employee feedback, both before and after EAP services are provided, on five key aspects of the effects of personal issues on workplace functioning. Learn more....

CEAP Candidate Eligibility Requirements Changing
In response to a recent study of the EAP profession and the general business climate, the Employee Assistance Certification Commission (EACC) reviewed and modified the eligibility requirements. To make the credential more attainable to those entering the EA profession, the eligibility requirements for new CEAP candidates will be changing, effective July 1, 2010. Primary changes are a decrease in the work experience requirement and in the required number of hours of CEAP advisement. Information on the new requirements is available HERE.

ROI for At-Risk Drinking Clients Seen in the EAP
Researchers conducted a brief intervention for at-risk drinking in an EAP, and then measured presenteeism and absenteeism. They found that clients who received the brief intervention had improvements in presenteeism (on-the-job productivity) and few costs associated with productivity loss compared to clients who were not seen. More...

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EA Events...

2010 Tri-Chapter Conference Announced
On February 18-19, 2010, the 2010 Tri-Chapter Conference "EAP in 2010: Where Are We Going? " will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The Conference will feature 6 speakers and 12 hours of CEU's/PDH's. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

North Carolina Chapter Will Hold 31st Annual Conference
On March 17-19, 2010, the 31st Annual North Carolina EAPA Training Conference, "EAPs: Launching into the New Decade" will be held at the Renaissance Charlotte South Park Hotel, in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information read our brochure. You can register and pay on-line on the NC EAPA website.

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EA Opportunities...

EAPA Members - DSM-5 Needs Your Input!
On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, the APA will announce the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5. These will be posted on www.DSM5.org for public review and comment until April 20, 2010. EAPA members are invited to review the draft criteria. Because DSM is widely used by so many health care professionals in a variety of care settings, your input is crucial.

You Can Own the 2008 Comprehensive Study of EA Professionals!
This is a comprehensive survey of over 3,000 EA professionals to identify critical tasks performed by these professionals. Results were intended to facilitate the continued development and improvement of the Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) credentialing exam. The study was completed in November 2008. You can view and purchase the study online.