220 – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees to utilize Harris County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

II. Definitions

Behavioral Health Division (BHD): The HCSO Division consisting of embedded licensed behavioral specialists who provide evidence-based behavioral health consultation, outreach, education, and confidential mental health services to HCSO employees as explained under Policy 418 — Behavioral Health Program.

Duty Status Evaluation (DSE): A formal, specialized, medical evaluation as required by TCOLE’s fitness for duty evaluation standards of an HCSO employee that results from:

• Objective evidence that the employee may be unable to perform a defined job function effectively; and
  • A reasonable basis for believing that the inability to perform essential job functions may be attributable to a medical or psychological condition, or impairment.

  Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A completely voluntary and no-cost support program offered to all Harris County employees and retirees — as well as members of employees’ and retirees’ households — through Harris County’s insurance provider.

III. Policy

HCSO values each of its employees and recognizes that every employee has a life outside of their duties at HCSO. Those outside factors contribute to an employee’s unique value to the agency as a whole but can also bring additional stress to an already stressful environment. Accordingly, HCSO encourages its employees to take advantage of all available support systems, including the EAP.

IV. Procedure

The EAP is a third-party service distinct from the in-house BHD that offers access to counselors and consultants both in person and via telephone to assist HCSO employees process various stressors and address personal needs. It includes resources in all of the following areas:

• Legal assistance from attorneys on non-employment matters;
• Specialized advice on debt repayment or retirement planning;
• Referrals for childcare providers, before- and after-school programs, adoption organizations, and prenatal care;
• Referrals for home health agencies, assisted-living facilities, and long-distance caregiving;
• Referrals for pet sitting, obedience training, and veterinarians; and
• Consultations with fraud specialists on identity theft.
  1. Getting Started

     Any employee wishing to take advantage of the EAP must call the 24/7 EAP hotline at [PHONE REDACTED].

  2. Confidentiality

     The EAP directs an employee to professional and confidential help that is designed not to jeopardize the employee’s job with the county or licensure with TCOLE.

  3. Cost
     1. The EAP helps identify problems before offering referrals to qualified professionals for assistance at no charge.
     2. Professional services referred by the EAP are often covered by the employee’s insurance.
  4. Referring Others

     If you know someone who may benefit from the EAP, you may send them a copy of this policy or encourage them to contact HR for more information.

  5. Additional Information

     Any employee may contact HR for more information about the EAP.

References

Policy 262 — Duty Status Evaluations
Policy 418 — Behavioral Health Program

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

April 21, 2009
May 1, 2018
August 27, 2021
December 11, 2024
March 31, 2025 (Technical Changes)

November 18, 2025