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the Value of EAPs

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TSI Launches Advanced Training Institute (September 5, 2006)

TSI CEO Amaral to Give Keynote at Annual EAPA Conference (September 16, 2005)

TSI to Participate in Annual EASNA Institute (April 12, 2005)

Direct Access to Valuable Technological Resources Gives TSI's New Software Version the Edge (October 14, 2004)

TSI and emindhealth, Inc. Collaborate to Provide Web-Based Solutions (May 4, 2004)

TSI a Key Partner at EAPA Conference in New Orleans (November 5, 2003)

TSI to Conduct Training Workshops on Making the Business Case for EAPs (August 11, 2003)

DataMinder Creator Dick Harper Teams Up with TSI (June 9, 2003)

TSI to Participate in Annual EASNA Institute (April 10, 2003)

TSI CEO Amaral to Participate in Annual EAPA Conference (October 16, 2002)

TSI Releases New EAP Software Version (September 23, 2002)

TSI Launches Advanced Training Institute

YREKA, Calif., Sept. 5, 2006 – EAP Technology Systems Inc. (TSI) announced today that it has launched the first advanced training institute for EAP, health care, HR, and business professionals on current topics, the latest trends, and the newest developments in the EAP field. The institute will offer a variety of learning formats, including audio conferences, webinars and workshops.

“We are very pleased to fill the long-felt need in the EAP field for advanced training,” says TSI’s President & CEO Dr. Tom Amaral, a 26-year EAP veteran. “We are especially excited about offering the audio conferences, which are very convenient for today’s busy EAP professionals. They can attend these sessions from the convenience of their offices – or in conference rooms with their entire staff – and immediately put what they’ve learned to work in their programs. They don’t have the cost of travel or take time out of the office to attend high-priced conferences.”

Training events in the advanced institute are grouped into four tracks. The “Measuring and Communicating Value” track includes presentations on measurement, reporting, and presentation strategies that have been proven effective in communicating EAP value, covering such topics as satisfaction surveys, outcomes, research-based model for understanding value, and return-on-investment. One of the upcoming audio conferences in this track is on “Applying Public Relations Best Practices to Effectively Communicate EAP Value,” presented by public relations and marketing experts Charles Epstein and Michele Rubin. These featured presenters will share insights on how to apply public relations practices to dramatically improve the impact of EAP communications in responses to customer reports, marketing, and RFPs.

A second track entitled “Business Smart” provides presentations on how to run a successful EAP business, including topics on marketing, finance, sales, operational efficiencies, and technology trends. The first audio conference in this track is on “EAP Pricing Strategies,” presented by Dave Sharar. This presentation will delve into EAP pricing trends and offer strategies on how to align better performance with higher prices.

The “EAP Best Practices” track addresses innovations and specific best practice issues in the EAP field, such as integration of EAPs and work/life programs, critical incident response services, and other innovations. One of the initial audio conferences in this track will be presented by Mark Hyde on the innovative provision of organizational services through an EAP and the benefits and perceived value of providing these services. The “Best Practices” track also includes a highly interactive policies and practices series that explores best practices on topics such as opening and closing cases, outreach and casefinding strategies, client follow-up and monitoring protocols, intakes and assessments, and brief interventions.

The “Metrics and EAP Data Warehouse” track includes presentations on benchmarking, performance metrics, and data from the EAP Data Warehouse™. Dr. Amaral will be giving an audio conference in this track on “EAP Metrics: What to Measure and Why,” during which he will introduce standardized performance metrics for the EAP field and show how these metrics can be used to demonstrate value and drive best practices. This track also includes an ongoing series of presentations highlighting the latest national normative data from the EAP Data Warehouse™ on key EAP metrics.

TSI CEO Amaral to Give Keynote at Annual EAPA Conference

YREKA, Calif., Sept. 19, 2005 – The EAP Association will hold its Annual Conference, entitled “Revolutionary Thinking: Employee Assistance Meeting Expanding Needs” in Philadelphia on Oct. 15-17, 2005, and TSI President and CEO Dr. Tom Amaral will give a keynote address and participate in two other workshops at the event.

Dr. Amaral has been selected as the Distinguished Lecturer for this year’s conference, and will be giving a presentation on “How Does Your EAP Measure Up? A Review of National Benchmarking Data Drawn from the EAP Data Warehouse” on Mon., Oct. 17. During the presentation, Amaral will introduce a set of standardized performance metrics for the EAP field, provide national comparison data on these metrics, and show how this information can be used to demonstrate value and drive best practices. Amaral has over 25 years of research and consulting experience in the EAP field.

“Today, EAPs need to demonstrate their business value more than ever, and benchmarking offers a powerful method for showing value as well as an excellent tool for identifying best practices,” said Amaral. “During the presentation, I hope to stimulate thinking and discussion around the development of appropriate core performance indicators for EAPs.”

At the pre-conference institute on Thurs., Oct. 13, Amaral will also conduct an all-day workshop on strategies for measuring and reporting on EAP business value. The workshop will be based on research and methods developed by Amaral and colleague Dr. Mark Attridge to help EAPs make the business case and demonstrate value, covering topics like benchmarking, workplace outcomes, survey methods, return-on-investment analyses, and effective strategies for communicating and reporting on value.

Amaral and Attridge will also be giving a 90-minute presentation entitled, “Expanding Business Value through EAP Partnerships: A Review of Research and Best Practices” on Mon., Oct. 17. The presentation will provide a research-based conceptual model for understanding the business value of EAP partnerships and collaborations. The authors will share case examples of best practices for specific current and emerging partnership activities, including: The role of EAPs in disease management; partnering between EAPs and health risk appraisal organizations; integration of EAPs and work/life programs; partnering between EAPs and disability management; and the role of EAPs in corporate health and productivity initiatives.

TSI will again have an exhibit booth at the conference, showcasing its cutting-edge software, EAPISoft, which includes extensive reports, an integrated appointment scheduler, case management tools, a comprehensive resources directory, ability to track consultation and organizational services, privacy and security features to meet HIPAA requirements, and Internet accessibility, among many other key features.

TSI to Participate in Annual EASNA Institute

YREKA, Calif., April 12, 2005 - TSI CEO and President Dr. Tom Amaral and colleague Dr. Mark Attridge will give a presentation entitled, "Expanding Business Value through EAP Partnerships: A Review of Research and Best Practices" during the 17th Annual EASNA Institute in Chicago on May 5-7, 2005.

The Institute's theme this year is "Expanding the Vision: New Leverage Points for Health and Performance" and will focus on supporting and promoting innovative research that validates and progresses the EAP field and results in healthier and more productive workplaces. The conference curriculum offers an opportunity for open exchange of information, trends, and issues among members, partners, and stakeholders for the enrichment of the Employee Assistance field with a focus on collaborative quality and service excellence.

"I am very excited about participating in this year's EASNA Institute," said Amaral. "The conference theme is very timely in terms of what is going on in the EAP field right now with the focus on work performance, partnerships, and documenting value." Amaral has 25 years of experience in the EAP field and is chief design architect of the EAPISoft software system, which enables EAPs to demonstrate their business value.

The Expanding Business Value through EAP Partnerships presentation will provide a research-based conceptual model for understanding the business value of EAP partnerships and collaborations. The model, which has been developed by Dr. Amaral and Dr. Attridge over the past three years, identifies the three primary areas of value associated with an EAP's partnership activities: Human capital management gains, health benefits claims savings, and organizational impacts.

The research and best practices associated with an EAP's value within each of the three impact areas will be discussed for specific current and emerging partnership activities, including: The role of EAPs in disease management; partnering between EAPs and health risk appraisal organizations; integration of EAPs and work/life programs; partnering between EAPs and disability management; and the role of EAPs in corporate health and productivity initiatives.

Dr. Attridge, also commenting on the presentation, stated, "I look forward to having the opportunity to share the research literature that exists in the EAP field on partnerships. Most people don't realize how the available research supports the business value of EAP collaborations." Attridge was the Research Committee Chair for the Employee Assistance Professionals Association from 1999 through 2004, and has over 18 years of experience in research.

The three-day Institute will also feature keynote and peer presentation workshops by many of the field's other thought leaders, including Mark Hyde, Dave Sharar, Brenda Blair, Mary Ellen Gornick, Kirk Harlow, Chuck Taylor, Rich Paul, and others.

YREKA, Calif., Nov. 2, 2004 – The EAP Association will hold its Annual Conference, entitled “Golden Opportunities: Strategies for Growth” in San Francisco on Nov. 18-20, 2004, and TSI will once again play an important role at the event and at a pre-conference institute, led by TSI CEO Dr. Tom Amaral and colleagues.

At the pre-conference institute on Tues., Nov. 16, Amaral and colleague Dr. Mark Attridge will conduct an all-day workshop on creating and communicating business value for EAPs. The workshop will be based on research and strategies used by Amaral and Attridge to help EAPs make the business case and demonstrate value, covering topics like benchmarking, workplace outcomes, survey research, return on investment analyses, and reporting. The focus during this year’s workshop will be on effective strategies for communicating and reporting on value. Amaral has over 24 years of experience in the EAP field. Attridge, the current EAPA Research Committee chairperson and research principal at Optum, has over 17 years of research experience.

“Being involved in the national EAPA conference provides an opportunity to assist EAP professionals in understanding and presenting the business value of their programs to purchasers and upper management,” Amaral said. “We look forward to partnering once again with EAPA at the upcoming pre-conference institute. This year’s workshop builds on last year’s by focusing on how to help EAPs tell their value story.”

Amaral will also be giving a guest presentation during the all-day workshop entitled “Realistic Organizational Consulting Activities within an EAP,” which will be held during the pre-conference institute on Wed., Nov. 17. This experiential workshop, led by Mark Hyde, the EAP Director at the Mayo Clinic, will focus on how to develop and implement organizational consulting services through an EAP. Amaral will speak during the workshop on a conceptual model for understanding the business value of organizational services.

Amaral and Attridge will also be participating in the Research Roundtable at the conference, which this year will be broken into two sessions held on Thurs., Nov. 18. During the first session, a panel of researchers will present summary findings from new research projects in the EAP field, while the second session will focus on the opportunities and needs for future EAP research. As part of the Future Forum panel of the Roundtable, Amaral will give a presentation on “Future Trends in EAP Practice and Research.”

Amaral and Attridge will also be giving a 90-minute presentation on Sat., Nov. 20, on “Communicating EAP Business Value: Successful Strategies for Measurement, Reporting, and Presenting Results.” The authors will provide a research-based model that identifies the primary areas of an EAP’s impact as well as proven strategies for measuring and reporting results that position an EAP for greater profitability.

TSI will again have an exhibit booth at the conference, showcasing its cutting-edge software, EAPISoft, which includes extensive reports and outputs, an integrated appointment scheduler, case management guides, a comprehensive resources directory, ability to track organizational services, privacy and security features to meet HIPAA requirements, and Internet accessibility, among many other key features.

Direct Access to Valuable Technological Resources Gives TSI's New Software Version the Edge

YREKA, Calif., Oct. 14, 2004 – Innovative employee assistance program (EAP) technology provider EAP Technology Systems Inc. (TSI) today announced the release of Version 2.5 of its unique EAPISoft software that offers users an increased ability to demonstrate business value, greater connectivity, and direct access to valuable resources.

Version 2.5 contains a “Performance Metrics Report,” which is the first report of its kind in the EAP field. This report automatically calculates more than 40 standardized and universal key metrics that can be compared across customers or divisions of an organization. The report tracks a comprehensive spectrum of important performance measures, such as a standardized utilization rate, participation rates among high-risk employee groups, percentage of face-to-face assessments, number of services provided per case, changes in productivity ratings, workplace and behavioral outcomes, and much more.

“This latest release of EAPISoft gives EAPs an even more powerful technology tool for demonstrating and reporting on the business value of their services,” says TSI CEO Dr. Tom Amaral, a 25-year EAP professional and research psychologist. “The new metrics report is standardized so it will apply to any program across the country.”

Version 2.5 also includes an entirely new “Resources” menu that gives users direct access to a host of technical information and resources, including national benchmarking data on the same metrics contained in the new Performance Metrics Report, summarized from many different EAPs. This normative data provide a means for EAPs to determine how well they compare with other programs. This new menu also gives users direct access from within EAPISoft to research articles, papers, presentations, and other technical resources.

“Our customers can see how they measure up against other EAPs with our new software version,” says Amaral. “It’s also the beginning of the notion of using the software as a ‘portal’ to technical information in the EAP field. Our users are in their software all day, and because it’s an Internet-based program, it provides a very convenient platform for accessing technology from a variety of sources. It’s like one-stop shopping for your EAP technology needs.”

EAPISoft Version 2.5 also has greater connectivity and can integrate with finance and accounting programs, software used by business partners, and other database systems. One example is the HR data uploading feature in EAPISoft, which allows software users to automatically populate client records with data derived from HR software systems. The new version also enables users to directly access emindhealth’s (www.emindhealth.com) ad hoc affiliate request services and national affiliate network, and to electronically transfer records from emindhealth’s network database into EAPISoft. For those EAPs that use ProtoCall Services (www.protocallsrv.com) as their call center, Version 2.5 can also provide direct access to ProtoCall’s secure customer web-based tools to safely manage client data, send alert messages for at-risk callers, and retrieve monthly performance reports.

Version 2.5 adds to EAPISoft’s already impressive technical capabilities, including extensive reports and outputs, an integrated appointment scheduler, case management guides, a comprehensive resources directory, ability to track organizational services, privacy and security features to meet HIPPA requirements, and Internet accessibility. TSI has versions available of EAPISoft to meet the specific needs and budgets of all EAPs.

TSI and emindhealth, Inc. Collaborate to Provide Web-Based Solutions

YREKA, Calif., May 4, 2004 – EAP Technology Systems Inc. (TSI) and emindhealth, Inc. (EMH) today announced that they have teamed together to provide integrated web-based “enterprise” solutions to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). The goal of the new alliance between industry standard software provider TSI and leading North American affiliate network services provider EMH is to facilitate more efficient ways for EAPs to compete on a national level.

“We are very excited about the added value provided to our customers by making emindhealth’s services available through our software,” said TSI CEO Dr. Tom Amaral. “Their network management services provide an easy and cost-effective way for EAPs to locate affiliates in field locations and to build the comprehensive networks that are necessary to service wide geographic areas.”

Through the collaboration, EMH’s customers will now be able to seamlessly access its North American network of affiliates from within TSI’s web-based EAPISoft software, without going outside the secure software for Internet access, to log in or enter additional password or user name information. In addition, TSI’s customers will be able to make ad hoc affiliate requests directly from within EAPISoft, allowing them to locate credentialed affiliates at a fraction of the cost it normally takes to complete such searches.

“TSI’s user-friendly EAPISoft program provides an excellent platform for access to our managed network and affiliate referral services,” said emindhealth CEO Jim Lightsey. “In its EAPISoft program, TSI also has the robust data collection and reporting abilities that will allow our customers to capture the information necessary to prove the value of their services.”

TSI and EMH can also provide further seamless integration between their services. For example, customers of both companies now can benefit from real-time transfer of case tracking information from EMH’s web-based referral tool into EAPISoft, allowing customers to build robust data sets of referral activity without duplication of effort.

The collaboration with EMH is yet another reason why TSI’s highly flexible EAPISoft software is an attractive choice for EAP-related needs. Because EAPISoft is an Internet application, it can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Speed, ease of use, security, scalability, and extensive reporting capabilities are among its most significant benefits.

TSI a Key Partner at EAPA Conference in New Orleans

YREKA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2003 – Continuing to build on the excitement generated from recent workshops and presentations at professional conferences focusing on making the business case for EAPs, TSI will again participate in the Annual EAPA Conference November 22-24 in New Orleans.

At the pre-conference institute, TSI CEO Dr. Tom Amaral and colleague Dr. Mark Attridge will conduct an all-day workshop focusing on making the business case for EAPs. The workshop will be based on research and methods used by Amaral and Attridge to help EAPs make the business case and demonstrate value, involving topics like communicating value, benchmarking, workplace outcomes, survey research, and return on investment analyses. Amaral has over 23 years of experience in the EAP field. Attridge is the current EAPA Research Committee chairperson, and has over 16 years of experience in the research field.

“Once again being involved in the national EAPA conference provides an opportunity to assist EAP professionals in understanding and presenting the business value of their program to purchasers and upper management,” Amaral said. “We look forward to partnering with EAPA at the upcoming pre-conference institute. The independent workshops we just conducted were highly interactive and very engaging for both attendees and ourselves as presenters.”

Among some of the responses from recent workshop attendees: “Great help. Very informative.” “Amaral and Attridge are cutting edge -- doing critical work for the field!” “Very helpful. Thought provoking.” “Excellent!”

Amaral and Attridge will also be participating in the Research Roundtable at the conference, which will focus on current hot research topics in the EAP industry. As part of the Roundtable, Amaral and colleague Mark Hyde of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, will do a presentation entitled, “Integration of Organizational Assistance Services and Traditional Core Technology.” The presentation will show the results of an exploratory research study conducted through the EAP at Mayo Clinic to examine the relationship between its organizational assistance services and its traditional core technology services. The presentation will also provide a conceptual model for understanding the business value of organizational assistance services provided through an EAP.

Attridge, and colleague Mary Ellen Gornick of the CPA Group, will also be giving a half-day seminar on “Making the Business Case for EAP and Work/Life,” in which participants will better understand factors that contribute to the business value of work/life services; and learn about research studies and measurement tools for demonstrating the value of work/life.

“I look forward to having the opportunity at this year’s EAPA conference to be able to share the wealth of research literature that exists in the EAP field, and the growing body of research that’s coming out on work/life programs.” Attridge said.

TSI will again have an exhibit booth at the conference, showcasing its cutting-edge software, EAPISoft, which includes extensive report generating capabilities, case management guides, ability to track organizational services, privacy and security features to meet HIPAA requirements, and Internet accessibility, among many other key features.

TSI to Conduct Training Workshops on Making the Business Case for EAPs

YREKA, Calif., August, 2003 – Building on the excitement generated from its presentations at professional conferences recently, TSI representatives will hold full-day workshops at various locations around the country focusing on making the business case for EAPs.

TSI CEO Dr. Tom Amaral and colleague Dr. Mark Attridge will conduct workshops entitled “Making the Business Case for EAPs: A Review of Research and Methods” in Chicago and Baltimore starting in October. They will also give this one day seminar as part of the Pre-Conference Training Institute during EAPA’s 32^nd Annual Conference to be held in New Orleans in November. Additional locations and venues will be announced later this year as TSI finalizes co-sponsoring agreements with local professional groups.

“We are gratified to have had such terrific responses to our presentations on research and making the business case at recent EAPA and EASNA conferences,” Amaral said. “We look forward to expanding our workshop on these topics to a full day format where we can share research and strategies in depth.”

At the recent EAPA conference, both Amaral and Attridge participated in a research roundtable focusing on hot topics in the EAP industry, which drew nearly 400 people. “The tremendous response to the research roundtable indicates not only the high level of interest in research but also the key role research plays in validating the services that EAPs provide,” said Attridge.

The workshops will be based on research and methods used by Amaral and Attridge to help EAPs make the business case and demonstrate value, and will cover topics like benchmarking, outcome studies, satisfaction surveys, and return on investment analyses. Amaral has over 23 years of research experience in the EAP field and has given presentations at numerous EAPA and EASNA conferences. Attridge is the current EAPA Research Committee chairperson, and has over 16 years of experience in the research field.

These interactive workshops will present case examples, practical techniques, and step-by-step instructions that can be applied to both internal and external programs. The discussion will include how to implement the most successful strategies for making the business case, how to effectively communicate business value to top management and purchasers, and how to profit from the existing research that already makes the business case for EAPs.

DataMinder Creator Dick Harper Teams Up with TSI

YREKA, Calif., June 9, 2003 – Dick Harper, owner and operator of highly regarded software system DataMinder, has agreed to an affiliation with EAP Technology Systems Inc., a leading provider of EAP software solutions, calling it “A dream come true.”

Harper, with nearly 20 years of experience in EAP software development and sales, will assist TSI in software sales and marketing strategies, the migration of DataMinder customers over to TSI’s EAPISoft application, as well as software enhancement and new product development.

DataMinder was developed as a DOS application in the mid-1980s, and was considered by many to be the premier “high end” system. Internal as well as external EAPs were equally served by DataMinder as an integrated EAP-managed care system. DataMinder was user-definable and data-driven with a broad base of users across the full spectrum of EAP and managed care installations that still deploy the DOS-based system within the newer Windows environment.

“I am extremely excited about the synergies of this union,” Harper said about working with TSI and company CEO, Dr. Tom Amaral. “I have long admired Tom and his work on EAP research and software. The new TSI product includes all of the concepts that I have found absolutely essential to realizing my clients’ needs for a software system that will adapt and perform with the changing environment of the EAP and managed care industry. The new TSI product for Windows, which embodies all of the strongest features of DataMinder, is an old DOS man’s dream come true.”

“We are pleased to welcome Dick to our team,” said Amaral. “He brings with him a wealth of practical knowledge about software to TSI’s continuing efforts to deliver innovative software solutions to the EAP profession.”

The affiliation with Harper is yet another reason why TSI’s highly flexible EAPISoft software is an attractive choice for EAP-related needs. Design similarities between EAPISoft and DataMinder will make the conversion virtually seamless. EAPISoft adds extended reporting capabilities with graphics and color, and provides faster, user-friendly queries for reports and ad hoc searches. It also adds greater notes features, which are much more user friendly.

EAPISoft is also available as an Internet application, which means it can be accessed from anywhere in the world, at any time. Speed, ease of use, security and scalability are among its most significant benefits, allowing an EAP to demonstrate the value of its services. It also provides a competitive edge, saves money normally spent on building and maintaining an internal IT infrastructure, and reduces time spent on administration.

TSI to Participate in Annual EASNA Institute

YREKA, Calif., April 10, 2003 – TSI company CEO Dr. Tom Amaral and colleagues Dr. Mark Attridge and Mark Hyde will give a presentation entitled, “Making the Business Case for Organizational Assistance Services: Literature Review and New Research” during the 15^th Annual EASNA Institute in San Antonio, TX on April 24-27, 2003.

The conference theme is “Productivity & People: The Business of EAPs” and will draw on key EAP issues of people and productivity. The conference curriculum includes information for clinicians, managers and administrators, and will aid them in defining the role of the EAP in the challenging business climate of today. Crucial topics that will be addressed include: The Aging Workforce; Coaching; Making a Business Case for EAPs; HIPPA; and Critical Incident Stress Management.

“I am very excited about our participation in this year’s EASNA conference,” said Amaral. “It’s also very exciting and gratifying to have one of our customers explore best practices issues by using the data and research capabilities built into the software we developed for them.”

The presentation will show the results of an exploratory research study conducted through the EAP at Mayo Clinic to examine the relationship between its organizational assistance services and its traditional core technology services.

Mark Hyde, Director of the EAP at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, which serves 27,000 employees, stated: “We receive many requests for organizational assistance services and decided to study what type of impact these organizational activities might be having on the delivery of our client-focused services. We believe strongly in providing programming that is driven by customer needs and is value based. This research study allowed us to examine our services in a very unique manner."

The presentation will provide a conceptual model for understanding the business value of organizational assistance services provided through an EAP. Learning objectives will include making participants aware of the wide variety of organizational assistance services that EAPs might provide; introducing them to a conceptual model and the existing research on organizational assistance services; helping them understand the research-based business value of organizational services; and showing them how to apply the conceptual model and research findings on organizational services to their own practices.

Dr. Attridge, Research Committee Chair for the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association, also commenting on the presentation, stated, “I look forward to having the opportunity to be able to disseminate the wealth of research literature that exists in the EAP field. Most people don’t realize how much the available research supports the business value of EAP services.”

TSI will also have an exhibit booth at the conference to show EAPISoft’s strategic features, which include extensive report generating capabilities, integrated appointment scheduler, case management guides, a comprehensive resources directory, ability to track organizational services, privacy and security features to meet HIPPA requirements, benchmarking capabilities, and Internet accessibility. TSI has available versions of EAPISoft to meet the specific needs and budgets of all EAPs.

TSI CEO Amaral to Participate in Annual EAPA Conference

YREKA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2002 – The Employee Assistance Professionals Association (“EAPA”) will hold its 31^st annual conference, entitled “Building Value from the Core: EAP for Today’s Workplace Realities” in Boston, Mass. on Oct. 24-26, 2002 and TSI President and CEO Tom Amaral will participate in three presentations at the event, attended by approximately 2,500 EAP professionals worldwide.

Goals of the conference include discussing the strategic relevance of EAP Core Technology in 2002 and beyond, identifying best practices for EAPs, and applying EA knowledge and skills in new and innovative ways. The three-day conference will include 36 dynamic workshops, advanced level sessions around best practices, networking events, and an interactive, innovative marketplace.

“It is very exciting to be participating in this year’s conference,” said Amaral, who frequently challenges EAPs to demonstrate their worth through the Core Technology in order to align themselves better with the business goals of their organizations. “The conference theme is so timely in terms of what is going on now in the EAP field and the research that is being conducted.”

Using EAP Core Technology Benchmarks to Establish Best Practices will be the topic of Amaral’s first presentation. Benchmarking has emerged as an essential component of quality initiatives, and involves comparing one’s own practices with those of organizations that have established themselves as leaders or innovators in specific business functions.

“While some quality initiatives have occurred in the EAP field, very little on benchmarking has been included in this work,” Dr. Amaral stated. “An orientation toward quality improvement can move the EAP field in the direction of sustainable perceived high value and, ultimately, into the realm of best practices.”

Dr. Amaral will also be involved in a Research Roundtable on Hot Topics in EAP. During this Roundtable, a panel of EAP researchers will address needs, issues, methods, and the latest findings from key research topics in the field, including research being conducted by TSI and its customers.

Making the Business Case with the Core Technology of EAPs will be the title of Amaral’s third presentation. Co-presented with Dr. Mark Attridge, the current EAPA Research Committee Chair, this workshop will show how research that demonstrates the Core Technology can be used to make the business case for EAPs. Dr. Amaral and Dr. Attridge will present insights from their consulting experiences and key studies on EAP outcomes, cost benefit, and best practices. Case studies and interactive discussions will be used to show participants how they can apply these research findings to their own best practices.

TSI Releases New EAP Software Version

YREKA, Calif., Sept. 23, 2002 – Cutting-edge employee assistance program (“EAP”) technology provider EAP Technology Systems Inc. (“TSI”) today announced the release of a new Version 2.3 of its innovative EAPISoft software designed to offer users increased flexibility in exporting data, record logging, and generating mailing labels, all with enhanced security and privacy features.

“This new Version 2.3 will give EAPISoft users the tools to make an even more powerful business case for their EAP services,” said TSI President & CEO, Tom Amaral, a 23-year EAP professional and research psychologist.

An entire set of outputs has been added to Version 2.3 that allows users to export data from EAPISoft into Microsoft Excel. These new data exports make EAPISoft’s analytic capabilities nearly limitless. All data fields in the software that might be analyzed are contained in these exports, and once data have been exported to Excel, users can easily manipulate it in a variety of ways depending on their needs: They can sort, filter, create mathematical formulas, calculate subtotals, run statistical analyses, and, if desired, even send the data from Excel into a statistical application of their own choice. This adds to the already robust analytic capabilities of EAPISoft, which includes among other features, color graphical reports that have the “intelligence” to write custom text based on the actual findings.

Version 2.3 is also very functional when it comes to generating mailing labels for important uses like client satisfaction surveys. Depending on the version, as many as six different kinds of mailing labels can be prepared, each with multiple choices for layout formats.

Security and privacy features related to HIPAA regulations are also addressed in the new software.

“At TSI, we understand the major task our customers face in complying with the HIPAA regulations,” Amaral stated. “While software applications themselves cannot be HIPAA compliant, we are committed to supporting our customers by designing software that will help them meet or exceed their HIPAA requirements.”

Some of EAPISoft’s security and privacy features that will help meet HIPAA regulations include the use of customer IDs, user names, and passwords to log in, ensuring only authorized users can access the software. User levels can also be set for individual fields, menu items, and deletions. Further, the new release gives users the capacity to log all actions that take place in the software (e.g., adding a new record, deleting, modifying a file, etc.). Reports of the logged actions are available to Administrator-level users. In addition, stored data in EAPISoft are encrypted.