From The Iowa County magazine march 2021 issue

IMWCA Offers an EAP for First Responders

Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association (IMWCA) is happy to inform our 80 county members of a valuable fringe benefit for all of our First Responders*, their spouses and their dependents**. The First Responders Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Connections, Inc. of Rock Valley, Iowa, is an important problem-solving benefit available to our first responders and their families at no cost to their counties. Statistics show that every $1.00 invested on EAPs shows a $3-$10 return on investment (ROI) for the employer. The great news about this benefit is no cost to our members.

We would like to share some highlights of the program.

  • Access to information and professional assistance for your first responders and their dependents includes three hours of “in-person” assessment and solution planning with a local credentialed professional counselor at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Additionally, first responders and dependents can access the following experts through a variety of communication modes. Phone, email, web and some in-person support include:

    • Legal consultation with an attorney credentialed in the state of residence.

    • Consultation regarding personal finances by professional consumer credit counselors.

    • Elder or Adult Consult and Care/Find in 50 states.

    • Child Consult and Care/Find.

    • Special Needs Child Consult.

    • Adoption Information and Support Services.

    • Prenatal Support.

    • Summer Care Consult/Find.

    • Marriage and Relationship Enrichment Resources.

    • Access to web-based self-help information and assessments.

  • Connections EAP counselors may recommend various services or treatments beyond the three hours of assessment/solution planning. Costs for treatments beyond those provided by Connections are your first responder’s responsibility but may be covered in part by their regular insurance benefit. Also, if the county has its own EAP program for all its employees, additional treatments beyond our three hours may be covered by another EAP.

  • The service is confidential – Connections Inc. EAP reports only the number of people who use services. NO ONE from IMWCA or your county employer will be informed of your first responder or dependent’s call or visit unless specified in writing that an EAP professional contacts IMWCA or their employer. 

  • Different locations for in-person assessment and solution planning are available in your area. Connections Inc. will arrange an appointment at a time and location that is convenient and comfortable for your first responder or their dependent.

  • The toll-free phone is personally answered by trained professionals 24/7 at (800) 779-6125. The website username and password have been sent out to our first responder supervisors. Feel free to contact IMWC for this information to be provided again if needed.

Personal and family stress is treated most effectively when employees do not wait to make the call.  Connections Inc. will gladly provide further answers at (800) 779-6125 or on their website at www.connectionseap.com.Your employer will be able to provide you the username and password to access this system.

IMWCA, along with Connections EAP, also have Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) services our members can access. Connections EAP will work with your first responder contact to set up a counselor facilitated session. Ideally, this session will be set up a few days after the traumatic event. It is understood that many entities have their own debriefing teams. Connections EAP is willing to work with your local team to ensure the best possible outcomes.

An individual that requested a CISD through Connections EAP for a large-scale traumatic incident stated, “we had 50 people attend the CISD and we have received excellent reviews. We have been actively offering to host CISD’s when we are aware of a tragic event.”

If your county is interested in more information or needs to set up a CISD, please contact Lisa Mart at IMWCA for more information, lisamart@iowaleague.org or 515.350.3362.

Check out the video provided by Connections EAP for more information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajFMYhcYnpM&feature=youtu.be
*First Responders include; Police Officers, Sheriff, Deputies, Deputies/Jailers, Reserve Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters (volunteer and paid), Ambulance/EMTs (volunteer and paid), Emergency Management and Dispatchers.
**Dependents defined as per Federal IRS standards.