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Home My WebLink About81-1223-24R STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Adopting Jefferson County's Mental Health Awareness Policy and RESOLUTION NO. 81-12 2 3-2 4 R Guidelines WHEREAS, in February 2024 the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners directed the Human Resources Director to facilitate completion of a Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines; and WHEREAS, mental health is one element of overall health of an individual, including social, physical, occupational, and environmental health; and WHEREAS, mental health awareness refers to the understanding, recognition and promotion of mental well-being and involves efforts to educate people about mental health,reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage individuals to seek help when needed; and WHEREAS, organizational health is a strategic priority identified in the Jefferson County Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners; and WHEREAS,the goal of organizational health is to implement flexible,creative and diverse methods of attracting, training, retaining and communicating with our workforce so that people feel valued and recognized; and WHEREAS, supporting mental health awareness is a foundation of promoting the mental well-being of Jefferson County employees; and WHEREAS, a Mental Health Awareness Working Group comprised of leaders and staff from various departments met to develop the Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines; and WHEREAS, Department Directors and Elected Officials were also invited to participate in the development of this Policy; and WHEREAS, a workshop regarding the Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines was held with the Board of County Commissioners on December 16, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines is attached as ATTACHMENT A; and NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Whereas Clauses are Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above "Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this resolution is to adopt Mental Health Awareness Policy 1 of 3 and Guidelines as is reflected in ATTACHMENT A. Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or section of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 4. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800 (19). Section 5. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon approval and adoption by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners. (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) 2 of 3 ADOPTED and APPROVED this (.J day of December 2024. SEAL: JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF CVIN COMMISSIONERS Kat Dean, air Commi ' ner District 1 .aka ON cp e .aiji1S8l i, 6 :it F. t erton, Member • N% 4 ommissioner District 3 o • ••• G Iie i Eisenhour, Member Commissioner District 2 ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: (---tc16etvc.1 /Z72.?Ay ( f__....,, i„e_.44' ---• -/ Za_____ aroly ,Gallaway, CMC Date Philip C. Hunsucker, Date /2-/ �z-c' Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attofney 3 of 3 ATTACHMENT A Mental Health Awareness Policy & Guidelines I. PURPOSE The Purpose of this Policy is to support the mental health of Jefferson County employees by promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing a supportive environment for those facing mental health challenges within our organization. II. POLICY STATEMENT—COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS Jefferson County promotes the wellness of our employees. Employee wellness is a balance of many factors that includes an individual's personal life, social life, financial condition, and physical and mental health. III. SUPPORTING EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH Jefferson County strives to be an inclusive workplace committed to raising awareness of and supporting mental health through building relationships with our employees and: a. Awareness&Education The County encourages continued awareness and education through the following: • Normalizing conversations around mental health awareness • Providing access to training about mental health awareness • Supporting training for employees who seek training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) • Supporting training for supervisors, managers and directors on communication, coaching and leadership best practices • Sharing information regarding mental health support services • Providing informational resources accessible to all employees b. Mental Health Support The County supports mental health by providing the following: • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)—a confidential and cost free benefit that may provide assistance and support for an employee's mental health.The EAP is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week • Access to Mental Health professionals through health insurance plans • Personal Time Off(PTO),Sick Leave or Vacation—Employees are able to take needed time away from work to attend to their mental health needs • Leave programs such as Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)— Qualifying employees may take leave of absence for mental health issues c. Confidentiality and Privacy • Employees seeking support or accommodation for mental health related issues will be treated with privacy and confidentiality in compliance with regulations • EAP and referrals are completely confidential d. Responsibilities • All Staff—Contribute to a supportive workplace culture: seek assistance and support when needed, seek understanding of mental health awareness, participate in mental health awareness training and provide feedback about training experiences • Senior Leadership—Provide support and resources for policy implementation • Human Resources-Oversee policy implementation, provide training resources, coordinate accommodations for employees and coordinate on-site mental health response providers when necessary Mental Health Awareness Policy&Guidelines • Managers and Supervisors—Support employees (for example, provide regular feedback and recognition, assess workload management, etc.), promote mental health awareness and facilitate access to resources • Employees—Participate in training, seek support when needed, contribute to a supportive workplace culture, bring concerns about and suggestions for mental health awareness to Supervisor, Department Head or Human Resources e. Resources • Employee Assistance Program (EAP1—Confidential and free benefit to County employees, available 24/7: 800-777-4114, https://www.fchn.com/Members/EAP • Discovery Behavioral Health—Free crisis services to all residents of East Jefferson County available walk-in 884 West Park Ave, Port Townsend from 8am - 5pm or crisis line available 24/7: 888-910-0416, using R.E.A.L. principles of Recovery, Empowerment, Advocacy and Linkage, https://www.discoverybh.org/ • Salish Regional Crisis Line—888-910-0416; available 24/7 for Kitsap, Clallam &Jefferson Counties • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- National Suicide Lifeline available for talk,text or chat: 988 • National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)Jefferson County- Local support groups to connect, share and get support and encouragement: 360-385-1716, namijeffcowa.org. • Believe in Recovery-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services: 360-385-1258, https://believeinrecoveryllc.com/ • Crisis Textline available for text (741741) https://www.crisistextline.org/ • Crisis Connections peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges: 877-500-WARM (9276) https://www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm- line/ IV. REPORTING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS Employees: If an employee has concerns about their own mental health • Contact your supervisor or department director. If you are uncomfortable contacting a department director, contact human resources. • Reach out to co-workers,friends or family • Contact medical provider • Contact EAP • Contact Jefferson Behavioral Health • Contact Suicide Hotline If an employee has concerns about the mental health of another employee • Contact your supervisor, department head or human resources. • If an employee prefers to remain anonymous, they may send a note through interoffice mail. Managers: If a manager has concerns about an employee who may be facing a mental health issue, or if approached by an employee about a mental health issue • Talk with the employee if they feel comfortable • Encourage employee to seek mental health assistance • Provide resources to employee including o Contact information for the EAP Page 2 of 3 Mental Health Awareness Policy & Guidelines o Jefferson Behavioral Health o 988-Call,Text, Chat SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE National Suicide Hotline o National Alliance of Mental Illness NAMI • Offer opportunity to employee to take time off using their own accrued leave • Offer ability to take extended leave • Communicate with employee to check on and support their well-being • Take training in Mental Health Awareness • Check in with Human Resources V. RESPONDING TO TRAUMATIC EVENT IN THE WORKPLACE In a situation where employees in a work group or department are impacted by a traumatic event in the workplace, Department Leaders and Human Resources will: • Inform employees of the Employee Assistance Program and other resources for emotional and mental health support • Contract with a mental health professional to provide on-site emotional and mental health support to employees immediately and in the longer term, if necessary VI. REFERENCES • FMLA—Family and Medical Leave Act, federal law that entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, with continuation of benefits • PFML- Paid Family and Medical Leave—state regulation that provides eligible employee up to 12 weeks off for employee illness or for employee to care for a family member • HIPAA—Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 1996,federal law that protects the privacy and security of health information Page 3 of 3 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Mark McCauley, County Administrator Sarah Melancon, Human Resources Director DATE: December 23, 2024 SUBJECT: Resolution Adopting Mental Health Awareness Policy & Guidelines STATEMENT OF ISSUE: In February, 2024, the Board of Commissioners requested development of Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines. A workshop with the County Commissioners was held on December 16, 2024, regarding the process of development, purpose and goals of the Mental Health Awareness Guidelines and Policy. ANALYSIS: The goal of the Mental Health Awareness Policy and Guidelines is to normalize conversations regarding mental health awareness, reduce stigma, create an environment of empathy and support, outline resources available and provide guidelines to employees and leaders for supporting mental health in our workplace . RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Mental Health Awareness Policy & Guidelines. REVIEWED BY: 401/4F/2/ Mark McCa , County Administrator Date