• About the Author

elevating EAP awareness

~ articles and trends for EA and other workforce professionals

elevating EAP awareness

Monthly Archives: September 2014

Expecting a Magical Time in Orlando

23 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by madjac1 in Employee Assistance, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Disney World, Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Hotel, World EAP Conference

I’m really looking forward to next week’s World EAP Conference at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Hotel in Orlando, Fla. The event, indexsponsored by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA), features scores of informative sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities with both current EAP acquaintances as well as the chance to meet new EA professionals. … And attendees are from all over the globe! (This will also include making some time to do a little sightseeing at Walt Disney World.)
Impact Publications, publishers of this blog, edits and lays out EAPA’s quarterly magazine, the Journal of Employee Assistance (JEA), as well as Impact’s Employee Assistance Report (EAR) newsletter.
The conference, to be Sept. 29-Oct. 2, has been a great way to connect with EA professionals to learn about important EAP trends and solicit articles for these publications, the JEA in particular. Some of the articles are based on conference presentations.
To find out more about the JEA or this event, visit http://www.eapassn.org

imagesTo learn more about EAR, check out the “Employee Assistance Professionals” tab at http://www.impact-publications.com.

This blog will feature highlights from the 2014 World EAP Conference the week of Oct. 6-10.

In the meantime, why not check out some of the nearly 300 posts on this blog? Happy reading!

Advertisements

Share this:

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Peterson Case Sheds Light on Child Abuse

18 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by madjac1 in Child Care / CCSN, Employee Assistance, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Adrian Peterson, child abuse, Child Care Support Network, Foster Care Support Network, National Child Abuse Hotline, NFL, Prevent Child Abuse America

stock-photo-stop-child-abuse-prevention-from-domestic-violence-and-neglection-end-abusing-children-125458424By Mike Jacquart

Of all the off-the-field problems that football players are experiencing these days, this case just might be rocking the NFL the most:  Minnesota Vikings star running back and 2012 season MVP Adrian Peterson accused of abusing his 4-year-old son… allegations that have led to his indefinite suspension from the team. Scores of news reports are focusing on key details of the case, including whether the Vikings acted swiftly enough in their decision. Questions like these are for other sources and websites to discuss and determine, not this blog. …

…What we “do know” at least something about is child abuse. That is, if any “good” can come out of a high-profile case like this, it’s that people are becoming more aware of child abuse who might not normally have given it a thought. Impact Publications, publishers of this blog, has addressed child abuse repeatedly in its Foster Care Support Network (FCSN) and Child Care Support Network (CCSN) trainings for foster parents, and early childhood professionals, respectively. The following are among a few key points to consider:

From FCSN… “Foster Care Training” tab at …  http://www.impact-publications.com

* Abused children express their issues of abuse in a variety of ways… including.. secrecy about the abuse (reluctance to talk about it); entrapment and accommodation (feeling there is no way to escape it so the child learns to cope with it); and “backpedaling”or recanting abuse allegations (done to restore the family structure or calm a parent, other family… even the perpetrator).

* A therapist or other mental health professional should be involved in cases of alleged child abuse. There are several reasons why this is important. Children who have been sexually abused often have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Other youth may not have PTSD, but have some other diagnosis such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Reactive Attachment Disorder. Only a trained mental health professional is qualified to make a diagnosis and advise treatment.

* Key resource: Prevent Child Abuse America …     http://www.preventchildabuse.org

From CCSN…. “Child Care Training” tab at … http://www.impact-publications.com

* Risk factors of abuse: economic, housing or personal issues; isolation from family or community; difficulty controlling anger or stock-photo-unhappy-child-sitting-on-floor-in-corner-at-home-173523629managing stress; dealing with physical or mental health issues; abusing alcohol or other drugs; lack of interest in the care and safety of their children. (This is not to say that parents exhibiting one or more of these traits are, in fact, abusing or neglecting their kids. However, helping parents who might be struggling in any of these areas reduces the likelihood that children will be abused or neglected.)

* Signs that child abuse may be occurring include: sudden change in behavior; learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes; or the child is withdrawn, avoids physical or eye contact, and prefers to be alone.

* Important aspects of child abuse to remember include: in many cases sexual abusers are not strangers; the child must understand that the abuse was not his/her fault; when a child tells you what happened, it’s very important to let him or her talk.

* Key resource: National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

 

 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Ray Rice Incident Shows Prevalence of Domestic Violence

16 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by madjac1 in Employee Assistance, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

domestic violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Ray Rice, Safe at Work Coalition, Sandra Molinari

By Mike Jacquart

You’d have to be living in a cave to not have seen  … or at least heard of… the video of former Baltimore Ravens running back 13700687-3d-stop-violence-crossword-on-white-backgroundRay Rice assaulting his then fiancee (and now wife) in a hotel elevator.  Unfortunately, domestic violence is all too common in the U.S.

The term “domestic violence” refers to physical, sexual and/or psychological harm – as well as financial control and abuse — caused by a current or former partner or spouse. Domestic violence is also commonly referred to as “intimate partner violence.” Consider:

* About one out of three American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.

* Nearly 8 million paid workdays are lost each year due to domestic violence.

What can be done about this problem? The following are among the recommendations offered by Sandra Molinari, a professional with more than 10 years’ experience in the domestic and sexual violence field, in an issue of Employee Assistance Report (www.impact-publications.com):

* Educate employees about domestic violence through EAP-led workshops, newsletters, informal brown bag lunches, etc.

11611414-one-caucasian-couple-man-and-woman-expressing-domestic-violence-in-studio-silhouette-isolated-on-whi* Creating a supportive work environment in which everyone feels safe disclosing abuse. This includes maintaining requests for confidential assistance, and respecting the choices of adult victims in response to the difficult situations they experiencing. Special care should be taken to send the message that victims are NEVER responsible for the abuse they are suffering.

* Seek out the expertise of domestic violence advocates in your community for additional guidance, support, and training.

* Check out some of the noteworthy online resources. They include: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence… http://www.ncadv.org     the Safe at Work Coalition… http://www.safeatworkcoalition.org    … the National Network to End Domestic Violence …  http://www.nnedv.org    or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

As Molinari points out, talking about domestic violence is not easy, nor is it comfortable. “Most people – and many employers — would rather just write it off as a family issue, to be dealt with by the concerned partners.,” she notes. “As we have seen, however, it is a widespread ill in our society, and playing the ostrich with one’s head in the sand will ultimately hurt businesses and organizations.”

Watch for a new article by Sandra Molinari on this topic in an upcoming issue of Employee Assistance Report.  To check it out and order a free trial, go to the “Employee Assistance Professionals” tab at http://www.impact-publications.com.

 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Mental Health Matters

11 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by madjac1 in Child Care / CCSN, Employee Assistance, Supported Employment / JTPR, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

American Association of Suicidology, Carson J Spencer Foundation, suicide, warning signs, Working Minds

imagesSeptember 8-14 is National Suicide Prevention Week.

The American Association of Suicidology’s Consensus Warning Signs:

Are you or someone you love at risk of suicide? Get the facts and take action. Call 911 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider when you hear, say or see any one of these behaviors:

* Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves.

* Someone looking for ways to kill themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons or other means.

* Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide.

Seek help by contacting a health health professional or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral should you witness, hear or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of these behaviors:

* Hopelessness

* Rage, anger, seeking revenge

* Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking

* Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out

* Increasing alcohol or drug use

* Withdrawing from friends, family or society

* Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time

* Dramatic changes in moodverbage

* No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life.

RESOURCES INCLUDE:

Carson J Spencer Foundation – http://www.carsonjspencer.org

American Association of Suicidology — http://www.suicidology.org

Working Minds — http://www.workingminds.org

 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

National Suicide Prevention Week

08 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by madjac1 in Child Care / CCSN, Employee Assistance, Supported Employment / JTPR

≈ Leave a comment

Every 16 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. Every 17 minutes, someone is left to make sense of it.  (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).

suicideNational Suicide Prevention Week — Sept. 8-14 — is an annual week-long campaign in the United States to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide.[1] By drawing attention to the problem of suicide in the United States, the campaign also strives to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, as well as encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance and support people who have attempted suicide.[2]

As part of the campaign, health organizations conduct depression screenings —including self-administrated and online tests— and refer interested individuals to a national toll-free telephone number.[3][4] Since 1975, NSPW awareness events are held throughout the week that correspond to World Suicide Prevention Day, which is recognized annually on the 10th of September.

Watch for an additional post(s) on this topic later this week.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...
Advertisements

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011

Categories

  • Child Care / CCSN
  • Employee Assistance
  • Supported Employment / JTPR
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: