Exploring the characteristics for a culturally sensitive employee assistance program with a First Nation child and family staff through the use of qualitative interviewing

Abstract

The study was conducted within a First Nation organization that delivers mandated protection and customary care services to a First Nation population. In the study the focus was on three central issues, these were stress, coping and the employee assistance concept. The study concentrates first on what stressors could be common to similar fields of practice and which are commonly faced by both organizations and individuals. Next, a discussion of coping and the various ways that individuals attempt to address their stress is outlined and finally the employee assistance concept and model is dialogued with germaine characteristics and issues. Then, by using the above information and characteristics obtained through a qualitative interview process a possible model of an First Nation employee assistance program is suggested.