Description
In July 2023, Maryland Department of Labor received funding from Maryland Department of Health to develop and support a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) pilot initiative in three high-need areas of the state. Learn about how this program was started, how it is unique from other states with RFW programs with its integration of substance use and mental health programming, and initial outcomes from the evaluation being conducted by researchers at UMB’s BHWell and PROSPER programs at UMSSW and UMSOM. Presenters will share how employers and employees can get involved and work to make their work setting more recovery friendly. Additionally, three of the presenters are alumni of UMSSW and will be available to answer questions from anyone looking to enter social work macro careers in policy and research. To learn more about RFW program in Maryland, see: https://labor.maryland.gov/employment/rfworkplace.shtml
Instructor
Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey, PhD, LCSW-C, CEAP is a Full Professor with tenure at University of Maryland, School of Social Work. Dr. Frey chairs the Social Work in the Workplace & Employee Assistance Sub-specialization (formerly EAP Sub-specialization) and the Financial Social Work Initiative. She is the Founder and Faculty Executive Director of the newly launched Behavioral Health and Well-Being Lab (BHWell Lab). Her MSW and PhD degrees were earned from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Frey’s research focuses on workplace behavioral health, including the impact of employee mental health, substance use and well-being on productivity and safety. She studies the effectiveness of employee assistance, work/life, and related programs for working aged adults and their families. She has dedicated a significant portion of her research and advocacy work to suicide prevention, mental health, substance use and recovery and the intersection with the workplace.
Recent refereed articles have been published in JAMA, American Journal of Addictions, Social Work, Journal of Career Development, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Research on Social Work Practice, and Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. Dr. Frey regularly presents her research at national and international conferences. She is the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health. Dr. Frey also co-founded the International Employee Assistance Digital Archive, housed at the University of Maryland, and which was awarded the Best Use of Technology in the Employee Assistance Field by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) in 2019.
Dr. Frey co-chairs the Workplace Suicide Prevention and Postvention Committee where she is contributing as a leader in the development and dissemination of the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention. She is also a past chair of EAPA’s Subcommittee on Workplace Disaster Preparedness and Response. In 2006, Dr. Frey was the recipient of the EAPA President’s Award for Excellence, recognizing her work on this committee.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to
- Articulate the goals and structure of the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative in Maryland, including its funding sources and target areas.
- Identify at least three unique aspects of Maryland’s RFW initiative in comparison to similar programs in other states, particularly regarding the integration of substance use and mental health support.
- Summarize the initial outcomes of the RFW pilot initiative as reported by researchers from UMB’s BHWell and PROSPER programs, highlighting at least two key findings.
- List at least three actionable steps employers and employees can take to foster a recovery-friendly work environment.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
No refunds or credits will be granted.
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
