Accreditation
After successfully completing one of EASNA’s original charters, the development of an accreditation process for employee assistance programs that promoted compliance with the highest national standards for quality management and service delivery, EASNA investigated transferring this function to an organization that could ensure the quality delivery of a rigorous accreditation process.In 2001, COA and EASNA released the EAP Standards and Self-Study Manual, 1st Edition – a resource defining the best practice standards in the employee assistance field. EAP’s accredited under this first edition were awarded the EASNA Accreditation as Administered by COA. In 2002, EASNA recognized the merit in having COA become sole custodian of the accreditation process and standards, while EASNA assumed the role of supporting those member organizations seeking accreditation. Later, in 2002, the standards went through another round of field comment, resulting in COA’s release of the EAP Standards and Self-Study Manual, 2nd Edition – a comprehensive blueprint of best practices in the EAP field, which includes standards for Administration and Management, Management of EAP Human Resources, Health and Safety, Finance, EAP Legal Liability, Contracts for EAP Services, Quality Improvement, Personnel and Affiliate Competence, Staff Supervision and Training, Professional Practice, Service Delivery and Intake, Assessment and Service Planning.
Thus, while EASNA no longer is a direct provider of accreditation services, EASNA continues to actively support accreditation for providers of employee assistance programs. Mentoring services are provided to EASNA members seeking COA accreditation.