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SUBJECT: LIFELINE (State of Kansas Employee Assistance Program) |
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EFFECTIVE DATE:
May 12, 1997 |
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DISTRIBUTION:
Agency Human Resource Managers |
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FROM: William
B. McGlasson, Director DATE: 5/12/97 |
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PURPOSE: To
provide employees and their families with the opportunity to receive confidential
professional help in resolving mental health or personal problems through LIFELINE, the
State of Kansas employee assistance program. The
cost of untreated or misdiagnosed mental health problems and chemical dependence includes
lost productivity, absenteeism, disability, excessive health benefit utilization, job
injury and worker's compensation claims. The State of Kansas strives to maintain a
healthy, productive workforce and contain employee health care costs through the
LIFELINE program. |
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BACKGROUND:
The LIFELINE program, implemented in 1988, is an externally-based, broad- brush employee
assistance program. There are a minimum of 25 counseling sites across the state where
employees and family members can receive free, face-to-face, confidential counseling. The following administrative regulations are references for the
LIFELINE program: K.A.R. 1-2-20, 1-2-30, 1-9-4, 1-9-5, 1-9-6, 1-9-15, 1-9-19a, 1-9-25, 1-9-26,
1-13-1a. |
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PROCEDURE:
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| 7.1 |
Employees
and their families have unlimited access to a 24-hour toll-free telephone number staffed
by licensed counselors. LIFELINE counselors are not state employees. |
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| 7.2 |
The
State does not keep records of an employee's participation in the LIFELINE
program and
does not have access to any individually identifiable data. Participation in the
LIFELINE program will not impact an employee's standing with respect to promotion, transfers, and
other personnel matters. |
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| 7.3 |
Use
of the employee assistance program is voluntary, subject to the provisions listed in 7.4
and 7.5 below. Supervisors are encouraged to recommend the EAP program to employees who
are frequently tardy, and/or absent, exhibiting aberrant behavior, or whose job
performance has deteriorated. |
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| 7.4 |
An
employee with permanent status in a designated position who receives a confirmed
"positive" drug screen result or the equivalent and who have not previously had
a confirmed "positive" result or the equivalent shall be directed to the
LIFELINE program for referral to an appropriate drug assessment and education or treatment
program approved by the Director. |
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| 7.5 |
An
employee with permanent status in a commercial driver position who violates any provision
of 49 CFR, part 382, subpart B including a confirmed "positive" alcohol and/or
controlled substance test result or the equivalent and who has not previously had a
"positive" test result, other violation of subpart B or the equivalent shall be
directed to the LIFELINE program. A substance abuse professional shall assess the employee
and determine what assistance, if any, is needed. If assistance is required, the substance
abuse professional shall determine whether a return-to-duty test shall be conducted prior
to or following the completion of rehabilitation. When treatment or education is required
the employee shall be subject to follow-up tests. The substance abuse professional
determines the number and frequency of the follow-up tests which must consist of at least
six follow-up tests in the first 12 months following the driver's return to duty. The
substance abuse professional may terminate follow-up testing at any time after the initial
six follow-up tests have been completed. The substance abuse professional may require the
driver to undergo return-to-duty and follow-up testing for both alcohol and controlled
substances. |
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| 7.6 |
Mental
health services provided through a LIFELINE
referral may be partially or fully covered by
the state Health Insurance Plan. The employee is responsible for determining what charges
will be paid pursuant to individual health insurance coverage. If a state employee or
dependent is not enrolled in the state's Health Plan or has exhausted outpatient benefits
for that year, the employee or dependent will be responsible for payments of any follow-up
visit beyond the initial visit. |
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| 7.7 |
Employees
referred for mental health counseling or other local resource services by the
LIFELINE counselor shall use appropriate leave if the appointment is scheduled during work hours. |
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| 7.8 |
Use
of the employee assistance program shall not result in any special privileges or
exemptions from state civil service laws and standard administrative rules and regulations
applicable to job performance or disciplinary procedures. |
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| 7.9 |
The
Kansas EAP strictly adheres to confidentiality in accordance with applicable federal and
state laws and regulations. |
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CONTACT
PERSONS: Cheryl Miller at cheryl.miller@khpa.ks.gov or (785) 296-4304. |
