EAP-Peer Support

Getting the Support You Need

I. POLICY

The Field Enforcement Bureau (FEB), through the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM), will provide an employee assistance program. Additionally, specially trained police officers (agents) may provide peer to peer support to fellow agents.

II. BACKGROUND

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential service offered to help State employees who face personal matters that adversely affect job performance. Supervisors are encouraged to refer employees to the EAP when an employee’s personal issues have begun to negatively impact his or her work performance. Supervisory referrals are submitted through the Comptroller’s Office of Human Resources EAP representative to the EAP office within the Employee Relations Division of the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, Department of Budget, and Management, by completing a referral form. Referral forms are available on the DBM state employee website. Employees are responsible for making the required performance or behavioral improvement whether he/she agrees to participate in EAP.

EAP participation is totally voluntary. Once referred, the employee will be scheduled for an initial assessment with an EAP counselor. This initial visit will be considered work time and there is no fee or leave charged to the employee for attendance during the assessment period. If treatment is recommended beyond the initial assessment period and the employee agrees to proceed with it, a co-payment will be required for those subsequent sessions and the employee must begin to use accrued leave if attending those sessions during work hours.

EAP also is an essential part of the State’s initiative to eliminate the impact of Domestic Violence issues. Employees experiencing domestic violence are encouraged to contact the EAP Office for guidance.

Designated agents who have received specialized training in critical incident stress management from a recognized professional organization, are referred to as Peer Support Providers. These Peer Support Providers may provide informal assistance to fellow agents who have experienced a traumatic event. The informal peer to peer support is not part of any formal EAP referral or any administrative action taken by FEB. While peer to peer support may be requested in conjunction with EAP, it is not a replacement.

III. CANCELLATION

None.