application.rb

var staffs = new Array();
var staff_to_services = new Array();
var arr = new Array();
staffs.push( new Array(null, 'Choose a staff member', null) );
staffs.push( new Array(0, 'Any', 0) );

in_my_controller_view.html.erb

<!-- make the staffs select -->
<!-- @staff_members gets populated by this controller method -->
<% @staff_members.each do |staff| %>
  <% staff.services.each do |service| %>
    staffs.push(new Array('<%= service.id %>', '<%= staff.first %>', '<%= staff.id %>'))
    arr.push('<%= service.id %>');
  <% end %>
  staff_to_services['<%= staff.id %>'] = arr;
<% end %>