Agency Responsibilities

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Role:

We have governmentwide responsibility for providing policy guidance and technical assistance to agencies in establishing and improving EAPs. In the development and implementation of EAPs, we work closely with the following agencies who share responsibility for alcohol and/or drug abuse activities.

The Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Role:

1. The Division of Federal Occupational Health (DFOH) provides professional consultation and technical assistance to agencies in the development and oversight of EAP programs and delivers comprehensive EAP services to agencies through interagency agreements. Federal professionals monitor and evaluate the delivery of program services and provide quality assurance that employee and agency needs are being met.
2. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides assistance to agencies on facilitating and extending programs for the prevention of drug abuse and for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers. In terms of the Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program, SAMHSA is responsible for enforcing the Mandatory Guidelines on Drug Testing and coordinating the review of agency drug plans under E.O. 12564. SAMHSA also provides technical assistance to Federal agencies on drug testing, medical review, laboratory certification, and overall drug program implementation. SAMHSA compiles the Semi-annual Report on Drug Testing.
   
   

Individual Agency Roles:

Federal agencies are responsible for:

• Developing agency policy on EAP goals and training;
• Providing top management support and endorsement for EAPs;
• Determining the extent of services to be provided through the EAP and the methods for providing them;
• Negotiating or consulting with unions, as appropriate, on the provision of EAP services to bargaining unit employees;
• Publicizing the EAP through internal memos, newsletters, posters, etc.;
• Encouraging employee utilization of the EAP by making these services convenient and available to employees.