The COA (Council On Accreditation ), which is an organization of EAP professionals in the United States, has set forth criteria for the evaluation of an EAP provider. The following is an excerpt. There are certain items that may not necessarily be compatible with the situation in Japan, but we feel that this checklist is nevertheless the best of what is available at present. >) website. COA now conducts program accrediting according to the standard set by EASNA. www.
COA's Accrediting Standards
COA's program standards are for "Provisional" or "Full" accreditation of EAPs. Provisional accreditation can be awarded to any EAP that meets the COA standards certified by an COA authorized, on-site team of two peer reviewers. Full accreditation can only be awarded to an EAP that meets the COA EAP standards as certified by an COA authorized, on-site peer review team. The standards focus on 11 sections:
1) Administration
Sufficient office space and hours
Office must be handicap accessible
Procedures for after-hours problems/emergencies
Written EAP policy prohibiting personal gain by EAP professionals resulting from referral recommendations
Administrator's credentials
2) Design and Implementation
The design of the EAP is based on the needs of the organization and its employees
EAPs must establish and maintain a written policy and program description
An advisory committee or coordinator is established to provide overall direction and feedback to the EAP
Action outline to establish a fully functioning EAP
3) Program Operations
Ease of accessibility by employees and supervisors
Written policy and procedures regarding intake process
EAPs must be able to conduct psycho-social assessment
Emergency, urgent, and routine response procedures
Client follow-up and plans for reintegration into workplace or family
4) Record Keeping
Maintenance of a written case record for each client
Numeric system to identify each record
Separate storage of patient identification information and case records
5) Confidentiality
Written policy and procedures ensuring that case records and patient information are kept confidential
6) Staffing
EAP staff must not engage in practices that are inhumane
All staff must be members of a professional organization that requires adherence to a code of ethics
7) Staff Supervision *
Organization should have a policy that outlines the frequency of supervision of both clinical and contract staff
Contract (account) managers should have a minimum of two hours of individual supervision per month
Ph.D., M.S.W., M.A. licensed/certified clinical staff should have a minimum of one hour of individual supervision per every thirty contact hours
B.A. level clinical staff should have a minimum of two hours of individual supervision per every forty contact hours
*Note: Staff supervision is a process whereby a counseling staff receives a one-on-one supervision from a higher level counselor regarding a particular case. It is a continual process of self-improvement, and even a top-level counselor's skills are maintained consistently high, through the supervision of a third person.
8) Staff Development
Organizations need to have a documented procedure to ensure that staff receive ongoing staff development in areas associated with EAPs
Organizations should conduct an internal needs assessment on an annual basis to identify areas of staff weakness and to develop a training program that addresses those needs
A minimum of four hours of training in Ethical Issues for EAPs should be taken every two years
9) Managed Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Care in an EAP Setting
Managed care programs for psychiatric, emotional and addictive disorders must have written criteria for appropriate level of care that include in -patient, out-patient, intensive out-patient and transitional care that are based on sound treatment practices
10) Evaluation
The organization should have a written plan for evaluation, which is based on its written statement of goals and objectives
11) Research
When an EAP conducts or participates in research with human subjects, policies and procedures must be written to ensure that there is a review of the merits of each research project and the effects of any research procedure on any research subject
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