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Specialty Lines
December of a commissioner election year is a wistful time when you work for an association whose membership turns over more than 30% of its members. At the same time we are saying goodbye to many members, we also see the energy and enthusiasm of the newly elected officials raring to learn and start their new responsibilities.
As a result we also see some openings on our insurance boards. We will be sending a note to the program members in early 2020 to seek out nominations to fill the openings on the various boards. Some of these will be appointed by the CCAP President, and some by the boards themselves, but all from those who express an interest in serving. For each program, the nominee must be from a county that is a member of the program. Commissioners, county managers, chief clerks, solicitors, risk managers and HR directors are the current mix we have on the board, depending on the type of program.
Here's the list of openings by board. Let me know if you are interested in more details about serving on a board.
CCAP UC Trust - 2 board positions
PComp - 4 board positions
Health Alliance - 2 board positions
Make sure you contact us when you need help with something,
John Sallade |
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Thank You Retiring Insurance Board Members!
Thank You Retiring Insurance Board Members!
We would like to thank the following members of CCAP's insurance board who are retiring from their board positions at the end of 2019:
CCAP UC Trust
Jeff Snyder, Clinton County Commissioner
Chuck Witmer, Centre County Controller
PCoRP
Paul Crooks, Bedford County Commissioner
PComp
Paul Conklin, Clinton County Commissioner
Mark McCracken, Clearfield County Commissioner
Mike Baker, Indiana County Commissioner
Wylie Norton, Sullivan County Commissioner
Health Alliance
Janis Kemmer, Elk County Commissioner
Kathleen Majot, Potter County Chief Clerk/HR Director
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Wellness Matters - The Science Behind Hand Washing
Frequent and correct handwashing is the most effective defense against acquiring and transmitting viral and bacterial illness.
Without getting too scientific, this is how it works. The main strategy is to remove microorganisms. When you wash your hands with regular soap, the soap breaks down the oil on the skin surface. The friction mechanically loosens microorganisms, the suds lift the organisms off the skin, and rinsing flushes the loosened organisms from the skin.
Below are the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for effective handwashing:
- Wet hands with clean, running water
- Turn off the tap (this saves water)
- Apply soap
- Lather all surfaces of the hand including the front and back, between fingers, and under the nails
- Scrub for 20 seconds
- Rinse your hands under clean, running water
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them (some health organizations recommend using a towel to turn off the faucet after rinsing your hands)
The CDC recommends handwashing/hand hygiene:
- Before, during, and after preparing food* Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone who is ill
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After changing diapers or assisting with toileting
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
Employers can help reduce work place illness transmission, including influenza, by encouraging ill employees to stay home, offering onsite flu shot clinics, and providing handwashing education through flyers strategically posted in break and lunch rooms, bathrooms, near vending machines and water fountains.
Printable flyers, posters, and educational material are available, free of charge, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov. |
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Reporting Risk Management Results
Creating an awareness on the effectiveness of your risk management program is critical for risk managers. Risk Managers need their county to think of them as a partner and "go-to" person when issues arise, and when hard decisions requiring analysis and recommendations are needed.
Showing the value of risk management efforts to county leaders is essential. An effective, positive message needs to be developed and promoted.
Understanding that county budgets are extremely tight, providing data allows leaders to see why the risk management position is valuable and warranted. Developing and sharing reports that detail cost savings and/or successful activities that have occurred helps show the value of the county's risk manager.
"Results standards" evaluate the risk management program in terms of outcomes (reduced frequency, severity of incidents) and/or lower overall cost of risks. "Activity standards" look at the risk management program and its actions - how has the program prevented losses from occurring. Provide a detailed list of trainings offered, safety equipment purchased, safety committee activities and program results. It is recommended combining both results and activity standards which will assist leadership to assess the risk manager and program's effectiveness.
Additionally, educational website links, especially those related to the risk management profession, are excellent resources. These sites typically possess articles that inform on the latest ideas and innovations in risk management.
Schedule time with leadership to review your successes. And, not just at insurance program renewal time. It is also important to emphasize the
risk manager's vision, processes to meet that vision and expected outcomes. Again, given county operations are unique and inherently risky, focusing on controlling risks is critical.
As risk managers, continual education with top leadership on the depth of your risk management activities never stops. You'll need to inform them of operational or program concerns that will occur; but, if you are able to gain their support and trust, your risk management program will flourish.
As a reminder, the PComp Safety Improvement grant requests for 2019 are due by December 15.
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PCoRP Membership Meeting Update
The PCoRP membership met on Monday, November 25 during the CCAP Fall Conference. The dinner meeting also included attendance from some of the newly elected commissioners from PCoRP counties. There were 35 of the 52 PCoRP member counties present. Schuylkill County Commissioner and PCoRP Board of Directors Chairman Frank Staudenmeier chaired the meeting, and welcomed the newly elected commissioners to CCAP and the PCoRP program. He noted the public entity risk pool is doing well, and encouraged all members to take advantage of the many services provided by PCoRP. He also introduced the PCoRP Board of Directors.
John Sallade, Managing Director, Insurance Programs at CCAP provided a financial report and reviewed PCoRP's operations. He suggested the members consider the sharp increase in jail liability and employment liability claims costs over the past three years, and explained PCoRP's focus on these claims.
PCoRP's annual awards were presented, and will be announced in the next issue of Insurance Matters to allow time for them to be presented back in the home county of the winner.
Any questions about the PCoRP membership meeting should be directed to John Sallade at CCAP.
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Winter and Holiday Driving Safety Tips
Tis the Season for chilly weather, smores and bon fires soon to be followed by sleigh riding and cups of hot cocoa. Oh, to be a kid again and only have snow days to worry about. With the change of Seasons comes many additional driving dangers, now is the time to make sure your vehicle is in optimal condition.
According to Consumer Reports here is a list of 5 things to get your vehicle ready for the plummeting temperatures.
- Make sure your battery is in good condition
- Check your wiper blades and replace if needed
- Clean your windows and keep them clear of dirt, frost and snow
- Check your tires consider putting on snow tires or all season tires if they need to be changed
- Check your oil
The temperatures fluctuate drastically in the coming months, give yourself extra time when you head out the door so you are not rushing to get where you need to be. Watch out for fallen leaves that may be wet from the dew/frost they can be just as slippery as ice. With the bare trees the risk of sun glare is more prevalent as well, a sun glare will leave you temporarily blinded. Those water run offs now may be frozen over in the morning. Along with the weather related driving dangers, the seasons bring other hazards as well. Holiday travel makes the roads more heavily congested, give yourself extra time and remain calm in traffic. Along with watching out for other drivers you need to constantly be on alert for wildlife especially early morning and evening.
Slow down, give yourself extra time. Stay alert and we all should get where we need to be safely!
NSC certified Defensive Driving Instructor
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Staff Update
Welcome to
Kelly Krakowski, who started work at CCAP on November 18 as the new Insurance and Reinsurance Manager. She will conduct direct marketing to members of CCAP's insurance programs and will be our main contact with local insurance producers, answering coverage questions from the members, working with Willis Re Pooling on reinsurance matters and much more!
Kelly brings to CCAP over 27 years of insurance experience that includes both industry and regulatory work. She can be reached at (717) 736-4707 or
[email protected].
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Nationwide 457(b) Plan
As many of you know, CCAP partners with The National Association of Counties (NACo) and Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) to help ensure the financial security of county employees with a competitive Deferred Compensation Program. The NRS Deferred Compensation Program allows county employees many options for tax deferred supplemental retirement savings.
Click here for an overview of the NRS Deferred Compensation Program.
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New Associate Members
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
www.ktmc.com
Law
Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our lawyers regularly take on the foremost defense attorneys-and win-in class actions, shareholder derivative suits, antitrust litigation and other complex litigation around the globe. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients.
Statewide Tax Recovery
www.statewidetaxrecovery.com
Other
Statewide Tax Recovery, LLC provides delinquent tax collection services for the counties, municipalities and school districts of Pennsylvania.
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Quote of the Month
"How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?"
-Dr. Seuss
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