The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59506

Jennifer St. Clair Russell, MSEd, CHES¹, Qiana Timms¹, Deborah Galvin, PhD², and Julie Sabol³. (1) Web & Technology Solutions Group, Social & Health Services, Ltd., 11426 Rockville Pike, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-770-5800, jrussell@shs.net, (2) Division of Workplace Programs, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SAMHSA, DHHS, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall 2, 8th floor, Rockville, MD 20857, (3) Customer Loyalty Practice, ORC Macro, 11785 Beltsville Dr., Calverton, MD 20705

This presentation will focus on a personalized, confidential, interactive workplace tool that delivers health promotion information, early intervention and prevention strategies, and substance abuse information via the Web. GetFit.SAMHSA.Gov, developed by SAMHSA and Macro/SHS, is based on the findings from a 3-year Stanford study conducted by Dr. Robert Mantano. The primary audience for the GetFit Website is employees across the Nation seeking information or need help with substance abuse, mental health, or physical-well being. Employees, family members, friends, and colleagues can gather specific, personalized information about alcohol, mental health, and other drugs immediately and privately from their computer at work or at home. GetFit.SAMHSA.Gov is a “one-stop” shop for employees and their families aimed at reducing substance abuse in the workplace and the home. It links users information and resources from credible sources within the Department of Health and Human Services—SAMHSA, CSAP, CSAT, CMHS, NIH, CDC, NIAAA, and NIDA. The unique feature of the Web site is that it can be tailored, free of charge, to become part of an organization’s existing drug-free workplace program, health and wellness strategy, employee assistance program, or human resource initiative. Currently, two organizations—Operation RedBlock (ORB) and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) are beta-testing customized versions of the GetFit Web site. Operation RedBlock’s customized site is called On the Right Track, www.redblock.com. AFA’s customized site is called Onboard with Health, afaeap.shs.net. GetFit.SAMSHA.Gov is scheduled to launch in April. Preliminary data from the beta sites has shown this to be an effective tool.

Learning Objectives:

• After attending this session, participants will be able to:
• - Justify using technology to prevent substance abuse problems on the job;
• - State the benefits of offering personalized substance abuse information/assessments in a safe, confidential environment; and
• - Identify ways to incorporate this workplace model into their programs.

Keywords: Worksite, Telehealth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment