COLUMN
Risk-shari ng news BRAD WILSON, ADMINISTRATOR SDML WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUND
SDML Work Comp Fund Offers Mental Health Benefit for First Responders and Families Last January, the SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund launched a First Responder Assistance Program. This new benefit covers over 12,000 first responders, in addition to their spouses and dependents* whose departments/ agencies are members of the SDML WC Fund. First responders include law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel, 911 dispatchers, correctional officers, emergency management, and members of search and rescue teams. As a result of member usage, the SDML WC Fund Board of Trustees voted to continue to fund the program for 2022. We understand the challenges and stress that can be placed on employees/volunteers and the families of first responders. The First Responder Assistance Program, provided by Connections EAP, Inc. of Rock Valley, Iowa, is an important benefit available to first responders and their families. You do not have to sign up for this benefit. As long as your department is a member of the SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund, you are automatically eligible for this benefit. This program was created in response to the growing recognition that stress, and trauma experienced by first responders places an emotional and mental health cost on them and at times, family members. One of the unique benefits is the Critical Incident Stress Debriefings coordinated by Connections EAP. At your 22
request, trained peer support first responders and credentialed mental health professionals will conduct Critical Incident Stress Debriefings in response to tragic events. There are many more personal benefits available as well including: FREE and CONFIDENTIAL access to information and professional assistance for first responders and dependents* includes threesessions “in person” or via telehealth assessment and solution planning with a local credentialed professional counselor at no out-ofpocket cost to the first responder. First responders and dependents can also talk to experts, browse for information, and access services for: • • • • • • • • • •
Emotional problems Stress Anxiety Depression Post-traumatic stress Marital or family conflict Drug or alcohol issues Grief Caregiving responsibilities Legal or financial problems
dependents* can access the following experts through a variety of communication modes. Phone, email, web, and some in-person support include: • 24/7 Phone Access – Toll-Free Hotline • Local Credentialed Counseling Professionals – Nationwide Network • Local Credentialed Addiction Counselors • Elder or Adult Consult and Care/ Find in 50 states • Child Consult and Care/Find • Special Needs Child Consult • Pre-Natal support • Summer Care Consult/Find • Access to Attorneys for Legal Help • Consumer Credit Counseling • Family Budget Planning • Adoption Information and Support Services • Access to web-based self-help information and assessments • Webinars, & Additional Worklife Information • …AND MORE!
These services are CONFIDENTIAL, and you are entitled to three FREE sessions per incident, per year. You may use this benefit for incidents that occurred in the past, both related or unrelated to your experience as a first responder.
Connections EAP counselors may recommend various services or treatments beyond the three sessions of assessment/ solution planning. Costs for treatments beyond those provided by Connections are the first responder’s responsibility but may be covered in part by a regular
Additionally, first responder employees, volunteers, and
*Dependent defined as per Federal IRS standards.
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