The current spiraling and escalating rate of change within the business and working world, fueled by the events as well as those emanating from September 11, 2001, were the impetus and driving force behind the initiative and development of this new edition. That single event catapulted EA and the support EA professionals can give to work organizations in ways not imagined in the past. This third edition of EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS will add to the existing body of knowledge by helping EA practitioners to assist employers in managing and supporting their greatest asset, which is its human capital. The current issues and trends discussed demonstrate that the field of employee assistance is dynamic and changing, as are work organizations. Employers now include EA practitioners in their crisis management planning and consult with them on a variety of other issues ranging from organizational change, sexual harassment, workplace trauma and violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues. This new edition has been carefully updated and constructed to help employee assistance and human resource professionals do their jobs better and to help people live happier, more productive lives by providing them with the resources to deal with personal problems, which is to the advantage of all concerned. While savoring the still pertinent and meaningful eighteen chapters originally written for the first edition and the five chapters written specifically for the second edition, the other thirteen chapters are all new and were written specifically for this third edition. Six of the new chapters are in the seven-chapter "Part VI: Special Issues." It was written this way to reflect the specific realities of this new edition because they do indeed mirror the aforementioned spiraling and escalating rate of change over the past six years. Thus, EA professionals will find that this new third edition is "cutting edge" for today and tomorrow.