The WSIA Weekly, 8.14.15
Important Fall Conference update – new venue is Lynnwood Convention Center
For all who have registered or are making plans to register for our September 25th Fall Conference following last week’s opening of registration, please note that the venue has been upgraded from the Lynnwood Embassy Suites hotel to the nearby Lynnwood Convention Center. We apologize for any confusion. The Embassy Suites is still the hotel of record, located approximately 5 minutes away, and has a complimentary shuttle available for conference attendees. The Fall Conference program agenda is here, registration page here, and sponsorship info here.
New Regional Meetings announced!
We’re pleased to add to our busy fall calendar of events two new regional meetings, now scheduled for September 2 and September 3. The program, “Nurse Case Management From the Ground Up: An Injured Worker’s Perspective,” features Willamette Nurse Consulting Group’s Lauren Danahy and injured worker David Drake. It takes place on September 2nd at Valley Medical Center in Renton from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and at the US Bancorp Tower in Portland on September 3 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. It has been approved for 1 L&I general CEU credit and 1.5 WWCP credits. All the info, plus instructions on RSVP, are here on our website. Regional meetings are complimentary to attend for WSIA members.
Department issues Management Update on translator services – no SI changes intended
On Monday, the Department of Labor & Industries issued a new Management Update governing interpreter services in workers’ compensation for the State Fund and Self-Insurance. We worked with the Department ahead of its issuance to attempt to limit any confusion among self-insureds, since it really only updates State Fund procedures. Hence the listserv notification that no change to current practice is intended, and the document was transmitted to self-insureds for reference purposes only.
Department seeks Safety & Health Improvement Project (SHIP) grant applications
Earlier this week, the Department of Labor & Industries announced that it is seeking new grant applications for the Department’s Safety & Health Improvement Project (SHIP) program, specifically focused on innovative return to work projects. While the SHIP program is principally open to employer and employee groups covered by the State Fund, self-insured employers or groups are eligible to apply for grants if partnered with an eligible State Fund employer, association, or union. WSIA’s Safety Committee chair John Shervey, for example, sits on the grant review committee. For more information, check out the program’s webpage here. The application cycle for return to work projects is open until further notice.
Ready for some football? WSIA is!
We’re just as excited as many of you are to see fellow WSIA member Seattle Seahawks back in action tonight, even if it’s only pre-season play. Go Hawks & have a great weekend!