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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 05151990 - 1.41 1-041. TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: Costa Phil Batchelor, County Administrator g; _`s -;.-, County DATE: May 7, 1990 SUBJECT: LEGISLATION: SB 2220 (Seymour) SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECONIlENDATION Adopt a position in SUPPORT of SB 2220 by Senator Seymour which would establish an Employee Assistance Consortium Demonstration Program as a public-private partnership to encourage the delvelopment of employee assistance programs and which would establish the Employee Assistance Advisory Council to develop guidelines for the implementation of the Program and to review and approve all applications from consortia for program funding. BACKGROUND- SB 2220 has been introduced by Senator Seymour. SB 2220, as introduced, makes the following findings: * It is estimated that 200 of employed Californians are experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs or other related family concerns. * Work itself and its possible loss is a prime motivating force in helping a chemically dependent person seek assistance while he or she has the support of job and family. * The constructive confrontation process which focuses on deteriorating job performance is the most valuable workplace strategy in motivating the chemically dependent person to pursue rehabilitation. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:Y-e--,_YES SIGNATURE: Aia, '��4 .Y-RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON Mca1T 5 t 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED MAY 15 1990 PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Please see Page 2 . M382 (10/88) BY � DEPUTY i * Occupational programs have had considerable success in both intervention and rehabilitation. While cost effectiveness figures vary, employers generally find that for every dollar they invest in an employee assistance program, they save from $5 to $16. * Only 200 of the workforce has access to programs through their employer or union. Smaller businesses have been unable to participate in employee assistance program services due to the costs associated with program development and implementation. SB 2220 establishes an Employee Assistance Advisory Council in the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. The Council would consist of six members, one each from labor organizations, management organizations, the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, the Department of Industrial Relations, the State Department of Mental Health and the State Chamber of Commerce. The Council would be responsible for developing guidelines for implementation of the Employee Assistance Consortium Demonstration Program and would be responsible for reviewing all applications from consortia for program funding. The Employee Assistance Consortium Demonstration Program is created by the bill to provide a public-private partnership where the state will provide 'financial and technical assistance resources to consortia to establish employee assistance programs designed to primarily serve the small business community. The goal of the program is to achieve and maintain a drug free workplace by pooling resources , of smaller employers to provide employee assistance program services, including but not limited to, problem assessment and referral, management consultation and training, case management services, program promotion and education. A "consortium" , for purposes of this bill is defined as a not-for-profit corporation which provides employee assistance program services to two or more businesses. "Employee assistance program" for purposes of this bill is defined as a worksite-focused program designed to assist in the identification and resolution of productivity .problems associated with employees impaired by personal concerns, including, but not limited . to, health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stressor other personal concerns which may adversely affect employee job performance. The Employee Assistance Consortium Demonstration Program would be authorized to provide resources to a consortium for only two years. The first year funding could not exceed 70% of the total program cost or $60, 000, whichever is less. The second year funding could not exceed 300 of the total program cost or $26,000, whichever is less. The bill appropriates $,200 ,000 in federal funds to the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Program for purposes of the. bill. This bill is consistent with the drug free workplace goals of the Board of Supervisors and provides important support to insure that small businesses have access to employee assistance program services. It is therefore recommended that the Board of Supervisors indicate its support for SB 2220 . cc: Senator. John Seymour County Administrator Health Services Director Drug Program Administrator Alcohol Program Administrator Director of Personnel Chair, Drug Abuse Advisory Board Chair, Alcohol Advisory Board Les Spahnn, SRJ. Jackson, Barish & Associates Harry York, Concord Chamber of Commerce Steve Roberti, Central Labor .Council Michael Radetsky, United Way (Concord)