Resolution - Human Resources: Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, and related documents, with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry, through the Southwest Institute for Addictive Diseases, for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services. |
Authority for the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement is granted and in compliance with the provisions of "The Interlocal Cooperation Act" pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 791. The City offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all full-time employees and their immediate families. TTUHSC has provided this service since June 1, 1995, and the current contract expires May 31, 2023. An EAP is designed to assist employees with problems such as depression, stress, alcohol, drugs, grief, and divorce, to avoid declining job performance and absenteeism because of personal problems. This service will provide assessment, counseling, and referral of all mental health/chemical dependency care for the City's health plan of benefits, and provide diagnostic and short-term counseling services to employees and family members. In addition, local counselors will provide employee assistance services for psychiatric and substance abuse conditions that include assessment, counseling, and referral interviews up to a maximum of eight sessions, per covered individual, per year. This includes appropriate referral of clients whose need for counseling exceeds what can be provided by the EAP. Referrals will be made based on the needs and resources of the individual (e.g., the employee's medical insurance plan). The contract has been expanded in order to comply with coverage for dependents on the plan to age 26, City employees who fall under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and fail a drug or alcohol test, may be referred to TTUHSC. As a result, TTUHSC will make a referral to a certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). TTUHSC will bill the City up to $450, depending on the SAP's cost for service, to cover the SAP's fees, per occurrence, for DOT mandated services such as assessment and follow-up. The new agreement with TTUHSC, Department of Psychiatry through Southwest Institute for Addictive Diseases is for one year with an option to renew annually, for up to 4 additional one-year terms. |