Dear Alaska Flight Attendants,
Your Alaska EAP committee would like to share the following important information with you concerning the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program, FADAP. Also, please read the following information about the Employee Assistance Fund, EAF.
National Recovery Month
For the 24th year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is proud to sponsor National Recovery Month (Recovery Month). This year’s theme is “Pathways to Wellness”, which encourages us to walk along side family, friends and neighbors who are struggling to break free of addiction.
This long-standing observance spreads the message that prevention works, treatment is effective and people recover from mental and/or substance use disorders. September is National Recovery Month and a wonderful opportunity to highlight recovery.
SAMHSA has developed a Toolkit to help you plan events for National Recovery Month to increase awareness of the power of recovery. This kit assists in planning Recovery Month events and has resources to distribute in communities and during local events that support people with substance use disorders and mental illness.
To find an event in your area go the SAMSHA webpage
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-Events/Find-an-Event.aspx
FADAP- Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program
FADAP is a substance-abuse prevention program, created and promoted for and by the flight attendant profession and funded by the FAA. FADAP’s mission is to support a culture of safety which will be able to assist flight attendants in meeting their personal and professional goals through substance-abuse awareness, combined with self and peer referrals for assistance, and the implementation of a flight-attendant-specific recovery support system.
The advancement of the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program has been endorsed by your flight attendant peers and managers from 25 carriers during a March 2009 “Return to Cabin” Summit This year members of the MEC, along with Alaska Management are attending the 3rd Annual FADAP conference in Maryland Oct 1-3. AFA is seeking a “return to the cabin” program for our Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines and has been working hard to promote this program. Andy Schneider is among the guest on the panel at this year’s FADAP conference.
For more information on FADAP please visit the website: http://www.fadap.org/
FADAP Mentor Program
Are you interested in the FADAP Mentor program? The FADAP mentor program is open to flight attendants who have at least two years of active recovery. FADAP mentors are available to assist & support flight attendants in new recovery and/or returning from initial inpatient treatment. Periodically, FADAP mentors also play a role in developing and advancing specific recovery programs available through FADAP. Alaska Airlines was the first to initiate the FADAP Mentor Program, which now has been extended to other carriers. We currently have FADAP mentors in SEA, PDX & LAX (most residing in SEA). FADAP mentors also play a role in assisting and supporting each other as a group.
Interested flight attendants can contact:
Deb McCormick, FADAP Coordinator, 401-225-1459 or email dmccormick@fadap.org.
For more information, flight attendants can visit http://www.fadap.org.
EAF- Employee Assistance Fund
It has been brought to the attention of your AFA leadership that some members believe EAF is sponsored by AFA, leading to the misconception that AFA has a say in whom is eligible for funding. We would like to clarify that AFA supports EAF but is not a sponsor. Therefore AFA has no involvement in the decision making or approval process for providing assistance to those requesting it.
The Employee Assistance Fund was conceived in 1992 by Alaska Airlines Captain Al Brunelle. Al wanted to help fellow employees who may be suffering financial hardship due to a medical or catastrophic event.
The Fund is not a part of the Alaska Airlines Company or Air Group. It is a separate, non-profit organization made up of employees who volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors, representing all divisions of Alaska Airlines.
The goal is for every Alaska Airlines employee to donate $1 per paycheck. 100% of all contributions go towards assisting fellow employees at Alaska Airlines. The EAF is a 501(c)3, charitable organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.
All employees are eligible to apply, whether or not they donate to the EAF. Applications are strictly confidential. Assistance granted is a gift, not a loan and is not required to be repaid.
Last year, about 30 percent of employees gave to the EAF through payroll deduction. The EAF raised approximately $286,000, which was used to help about 73 employees pay their mortgages, COBRA insurance, car payments and insurance, and medical and grocery bills while they recovered from injury or illness.
Besides payroll deductions, we have several fundraising events: EAF Online Auction in Oct/Nov, the Golf Tournament in Aug, and the Left on Board (LOB) sale. Many employees have also undertaken their own projects to raise money for the EAF. One such activity is the Gold Coast Center piñata auction, held in early May each year. We have also had a pilot design study cards to sell with the proceeds donated to the EAF, and many others have done charity hikes/swims/runs; with all proceeds going directly to the EAF.
The Mission of The Employee Assistance Fund, as a non-profit organization, is to provide financial support to qualifying Alaska Airlines employees who need assistance due to catastrophic or medical reasons. For more information on the EAP program please visit this website: www.alaskaeaf.com
You can also contact Flight Attendant Tobe VanOs:
In solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Terry Taylor, Yvette Gesch, Melanie Buker, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn and Sandra Morrow
