CCAP Insurance Matters

Thurs., October 1, KEYS: Conflict Resolution - Finding Solutions Together, Scranton Hilton, Scranton
Thurs., October 1, Defensive Driving Course, Penn Stater, State College
Tues., October, 6, Prison Nurses Seminar, CCAP North Office, Harrisburg
Tues., October 6, Stress: Reduce, Relax, Recover, Best Western/Country Cupboard, Lewisburg**
Tues., October 13, KEYS: Conflict Resolution - Finding Solutions Together, CCAP North Office, Harrisburg
Thurs., October 15, KEYS: Effectively Dealing With Unions In Troubled Economic Times, Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Twp.**
Tues., October 20, Stress: Reduce, Relax, Recover, Scranton Hilton, Scranton**
Wed., October 28, Stress: Reduce, Relax, Recover, CCAP North Office, Harrisburg**
Thurs., October 29, Annual Producers Meeting, CCAP North Office, Harrisburg
Fri., October 30, Safety Workshop, Penn Stater, State College
Thurs., November 5, KEYS: Conflict Resolution - Finding Solutions Together, Best Western/Country Cupboard, Lewisburg
Fri., November 6, County Risk Manager's Council, CCAP North Office, Harrisburg
Tues., November 10, Prison Personnel Workshop, Penn Stater, State College

For more information on these workshops, please refer to Glimpse Online.

You should have already received your copy of the fall Glimpse. If you have not received a copy and would like one or would like additional copies let us know!

** The Academy for Excellence in County Government is co-sponsoring several of the CCAP Insurance Programs Workshops this fall. Elective and required credits are available and workshops are FREE to current Academy participants. Please see your copy of the Glimpse for actual credits approved.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Linda Rosito or Jenn Carey at (800) 895-9039.

We hope to see you soon!

Training Opportunity For Prison Nursing Staff

By Patty Ensminger, SCLA, Senior Claims Representative and Linda Rosito, Insurance Training Director

PIMCC has recognized the need for prison nursing staff to obtain continuing education credits through the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association. We are offering a Prison Nurses Seminar on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. The training will be held at the CCAP North Office Building, Harrisburg.

The training will include: Legal Documentation, Medication Management and Suicide Screening. The speakers include Marie Milie Jones of Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck, P.L.L.C., John Avolio, R.Ph., Diamond Pharmacy, and Joel Friedman, PhD, from CFG Health Systems, LLC.

This training is being sponsored by PIMCC and is free to members of the PIMCC program. PIMCC members include: Bucks, Carbon, Clarion, Elk, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Warren and Wayne. There is a fee of $150.00 per attendee for nonmembers.

If you have any questions, please contact Patty Ensminger with conference questions and Jenn Carey with registration questions.

Stay tuned for more information coming in the next few weeks.

Coming in January 2010: The Society Of County Human Resource Professionals Of Pennsylvania

By Julia Jackson, Employee Benefit Programs Manager

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), in conjunction with a committee of 12 Pennsylvania county and county related entity (CRE) human resource professionals, has developed a new affiliate association, the Society of County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania. The purpose of this association is to advance the profession of human resources in Pennsylvania counties and CREs, improve the professional development of county and CRE human resources and benefits personnel, and enhance the services available to county and CRE human resources and benefits personnel.

The following is a detailed overview of the Society of County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania which outlines the goals, services and dues structure for this unique association. We ask for your support as we build a network of similarly-tasked professionals, and provide an opportunity for your county or CRE to learn from both experts in the human resource field and from the challenges and successes of your colleagues from across the Commonwealth. Membership will begin in January, so as you begin to plan your 2010 budgets this fall, we hope you will consider the benefits of this new association.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Membership will be exclusive to Pennsylvania county human resource personnel, and chief clerks and other personnel in counties without designated human resource personnel. Membership may include human resource personnel from all county facilities, county related entities and county affiliated human service programs. Associate memberships and sponsorship opportunities will be available.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

To be the primary source for Pennsylvania county human resource information and services
To align as a chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
To provide industry-leading conferences, training and certification programs for Pennsylvania county human resource personnel
To provide legislative advocacy on human resource and employment-related policy

SERVICES

Educational opportunities to include an annual conference, workshops, Webinars and a certification program similar to the CCAP Academy for Excellence
All-inclusive Web site for access to industry-related resources, sample county policies, news and information, survey data, networking tools and more
Quarterly e-newsletter
Mentorship program and resources for new county human resource personnel
A vehicle for county human resource personnel to access sound, cost effective legal advice or expert advice
A "voice" at CCAP and at the county level as issues arise that could affect county human resources

DUES STRUCTURE

Each county or county related entity (CRE) is considered the member, not individual staff, so one annual fee gives all human resources and benefits personnel within the county or CRE full access to the benefits of the Society. Also included in the cost of dues is ONE membership to the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) which will be for the "primary" member within the county or CRE (i.e. human resource director or the chief clerk in counties without human resources staff). This is a $160 value!

Counties with no dedicated human resource or benefits staff, $375 per year
Counties with one to two human resources or benefits staff members, $625 per year
All county related entities (CREs), $625 per year
Counties with three to five human resources or benefits staff members, $875 per year
Counties with six or more human resources or benefits staff members, $1,125 per year

For more information about the Society for County Human Resource Professionals of Pennsylvania, email Julia Jackson or call (800) 895-9039.

P-Cards Continue To Improve County Purchasing Processes

By Brian Sanker, Consultant, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT)

Though procurement cards, or P-Cards, have been around for 25 years, Pennsylvania counties have recently expanded their use as a method to streamline purchasing, especially for everyday items that keep offices humming, and to take advantage of the rebates offered for making everyday purchases. CCAP not only endorses a P-Card program, but the association staff use P-Cards to optimize and streamline purchasing of many items. The P-Card sponsored by PLGIT and CCAP is a great example of how an innovative cash management tool can replace an outdated purchase order system.

What is the difference between a P-Card and a credit card? The P-card looks and operates like a credit card but does not carry a revolving line of credit. Using a P-card to make purchases can eliminate the typical requisition, purchasing, receiving and accounts payable processes and other time consuming steps and costs involved in purchases. In fact, local governments reported an average of $46 in savings per transaction from reduced administrative costs, according to a study that appeared in August 2002 in Government Finance Review. Furthermore, the same study reported that p-cards shaved five days from the time that elapsed between the determination of need and the actual receipt of goods ordered!

Officials do not have to forfeit control to gain from these added efficiencies. The P-Card program sponsored by PLGIT and CCAP has a number of safety features that limit the amount, location and type of spending per card, as well as fraud and misuse protection. For example, workers who buy office supplies on a regular basis can have their shopping limited to a specific amount in a specific store over a specific time period (weekly, monthly, or annually). Supervisors can adjust the limits as needed.

There is no cost to join the PLGIT Procurement Card Program, and the Program offers a cash rebate for annual purchases above $50,000. By paying just $4,500 worth of monthly expenses by P-Card a county is eligible for a rebate. Counties that have an account with PLGIT enjoy an added bonus: they can debit their PLGIT accounts automatically to pay off balances on their procurement cards.

If you would like to learn more about the PLGIT and CCAP-sponsored procurement card program, please call your PLGIT marketing representative at (800) 572-1472 or visit us at www.plgit.com.

Leadership And Media Workshops Exclusively For County Officials And Staff

By Mandi Glantz, CCAP Director of Member and Vendor Relations

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is pleased to announce two workshops being held October 15 and 16 at the CCAP North Office in Harrisburg, PA and open to county officials and staff.

On Thursday, October 15, join us for "Leadership, Management and Decision Making: Getting Where You Want To Be" session with Chuck Mazzitti, President and CFO of Mazzitti & Sullivan EAP Services, Inc. Chuck will explore how your personal planning, communication strategies, focus and attention affect your leadership style. Examine where you are and where you want to be to enhance your ability to provide solid leadership for your staff and constituents. In today's volatile market, focusing on your development as a leader is essential in providing a quality service to your county. This course is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with lunch included. Participants in the CCAP Academy For Excellence In County Government may earn credit to fulfill the Leadership, Management And Decision Making required course upon their participation at the event.

Friday, October 16 features a "Personal Development: Dealing Effectively With The Media During Challenging Times" overview. Linda Burkley, APR and president of Ardis Communications and Debra Tingley, APR and director of publications with CCAP will present a full-day workshop focused on dealing with the media. Discussion will include tips on developing messages that resonate, speaking effectively during interviews, leveraging your county's media opportunities, open records in the media spotlight and more. The course will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch included. Participants in the CCAP Academy For Excellence In County Government may earn credit to fulfill the Personal Development required course upon their participation at the event.

The workshops are open to all CCAP members, county officials and staff. CCAP vendors are also invited to attend. Workshop fees include refreshment breaks, lunch and session materials on each day the attendee is registered.

Seating is limited - for registration information, please download the workshop flyer and registration form or you may contact Mandi Glantz, CCAP director of member and vendor relations, by phone (717) 526-1010 or e-mail mglantz@pacounties.org.

Preparing For Pandemic

By Bob Lauzonis, Loss Control Specialist

BACKGROUND

Some things in life are cyclical. Such is the case with influenza. Disease experts have calculated that, on the average, once every 30 to 40 years, pandemic influenza affects people globally; resulting in numerous deaths and interruptions to daily life and county operations. The last influenza was in 1968 and was considered to be the mildest case. The most serious was in 1918, resulting in the deaths of millions of people worldwide.

Society has been dealing with pandemics for centuries:

*Year - Period in Time*	*Name of Pandemic*	*Number of Deaths*
1300s	Bubonic plague; "Black Death"	25 Million Deaths
1817	Cholera	Deaths Unknown (?)
1918-1919	Influenza A (H1N1); "Spanish Flu"	50 Million to 110 Million Deaths
1957-1958	Influenza A (H2N2); "Asian Flu"	2 Million Deaths
1968-1969	Influenza a (H3N3); "Hong Kong Flu"	1 Million Deaths

Experts believe that we are due for another pandemic. Two viruses are currently being monitored by health officials, including WHO. One is a new strain of influenza virus - H5N1. It is referred to as "avian flu" and is found in birds. While birds can transmit the virus to humans, there has been no human to human transmission to date. If the virus begins to mutate, it could be transmitted from human to human, which could lead to a pandemic. The second strain of influenza virus is H1N1. It is referred to as "Novel Influenza A," initially referred to as "swine flu" with the first outbreaks in April, 2009. This "novel" flu virus is contagious and can be transmitted from human to human.

In the event of an influenza pandemic, business productivity and operations, including customer service, could be significantly impacted - as employees stay home or will need to be urged, through company policy, to stay home to limit the threat of infecting others in the workplace. According to the U.S. Chambers of Commerce, non-pandemic flu kills approximately 36,000-40,000 Americans each winter and hospitalizes more than 200,000. This costs the U.S. economy more than $10 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses. These figures are minimal compared to what health experts and economists are now warning could happen. Experts say that a pandemic flu could kill more than half a million people in the U.S., hospitalize 2 million more and cost our economy an estimated $70 to $160 billion.

STRATEGY

To help our nation prepare for an avian pandemic, the United States has published its National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Its goals include stockpiling vaccines and antiviral medications, expanding early-warning systems and implementing local and state level preparedness initiatives against the threat of a pandemic. To help reduce the potential spread of the swine flu virus, antiviral medications and CDC guidance are available.

American business leaders play a key role in preparedness. Top federal and state agencies are urging all segments of society to prepare for a pandemic outbreak. The federal Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security are all involved in urging business leaders to plan and be prepared for a pandemic event within their organizations and business communities. Companies should be knowledgeable about the risks associated with the threat of a pandemic flu and to be prepared. Lack of preparedness could have a significant social and economic cost impact. To ensure maximum preparedness, businesses need to develop specific plans to protect employees and maintain operations during a pandemic. Businesses that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and need to plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, it is essential to have a contingency plan.

RESOURCES

For more information, click on the following links:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov
http://www.kasb.org/panflu/
http://www.safetynewsalert.com/category/illnesses/

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/index.html

http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/tr319.html

http://ohden.sph.unc.edu/pandemic/

http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/business/

http://www.cdc.gov

http://www.who.int/en

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm

Take A New Look At How Prepared You Are For Retirement

By Bob Beasley, CRC, CIC, Communications Consultant, Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Most of us have not seen economic times as challenging as those of the past year. It seems as if all the rules that govern how we save, spend, invest and assess risk have changed. In fact, it might be more correct to say that the market suddenly enforced the economic rules again. And that may have you wondering how you can pick up the pieces.

SO, WHAT HAPPENED?

The easiest answer is, investing - even through a deferred compensation plan - involves market risk, including possible loss of principal. In fact, no investment strategy can guarantee a profit nor insulate against losses, especially in a down market. But for most people, investing for retirement is a long-term process and over the long term, market fluctuations tend to even out. Continuing to contribute into your retirement account through a down market gives you the opportunity to use that time-tested maxim: "Buy low, sell high." That's why you may be seeing articles and industry professionals in the media encouraging you to stay invested in your retirement plan.

NOW WHAT?

Participating in deferred compensation is rarely a "start it and let it go" thing. It's best to check up on how your investment decisions are doing, and to consider how you might want to adjust for current market conditions or changes in your personal life.

NATIONAL SAVE FOR RETIREMENT WEEK, OCTOBER 18 - 24

National Save for Retirement Week may be the perfect time to take a new look at how well you are financially preparing for retirement. Together with your employer, Nationwide Retirement Solutions is offering onsite workshops, one-on-one visits and extended business hours to help you decide for yourself how to answer the tough questions you may be facing:

Am I comfortable with how I am investing for retirement?
Am I investing enough for retirement?
Why should I continue investing through deferred compensation?
How can I avoid over-reacting or under-reacting to current market conditions?
Who can I contact when I have questions about deferred compensation?

A Nationwide Retirement Specialist can help you understand market risk and the strategies that may help reduce its effects of market risk in an overall investing-for-retirement strategy. Information from retirement specialists is for education purposes only and not intended as investment advice. Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.

Look for National Save for Retirement Week activities at your worksite. Or contact your local Nationwide Retirement Specialist, someone who can help you understand how to take advantage of the benefits of retirement investing through your employer's deferred compensation plan.

Nationwide Retirement Specialists are registered representatives of Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. In Michigan only, Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation.

The NACo 457 Deferred Compensation program is administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions and sponsored by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP)

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Correctional Health Care Workers - Bloodborne Diseases

By Bob Lauzonis, Loss Control Specialist

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a new series of informational web pages for correctional healthcare workers that focus on protecting those workers who are working in prisons from exposure to bloodborne diseases.

Correctional healthcare workers face unique risks of infection from bloodborne pathogens. They may be bitten or stabbed by an inmate, punctured with a used needle, or splashed in the face with blood. All health care workers are at risk of on-the-job exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, health care workers in correctional facilities face additional challenges:

Jails and prisons can be unpredictable work settings
Security issues are often a higher concern than infection control
Inmates may have a higher rate of bloodborne diseases

But, have we given any thought about providing protection for other county employees that have an occupational exposure to blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious materials (Bio Hazards). In addition to the prison professionals and healthcare, we should include other departments such as Adult and Juvenile Probation; possibly case workers and others.

This NIOSH health and safety topic covers:

Information for managers and workers
The importance of reporting exposures
Safe work procedures
How to create an exposure control plan

The new Web site "NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Correctional Health Care Workers" may be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/correctionalhcw/default.html.

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Quote Of The Month

"In times of change, learners will inherit the earth, while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."

- Eric Hoffer

CCAP Insurance Programs
PO Box 60769, Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769
Phone (800) 895-9039 - FAX (717) 526-1020
Claims Fax (888) 692-2368
Click here to go the Insurance Section of the CCAP Website.

email:jsallade@pacounties.org

Insurance Matters is published monthly by CCAP Insurance Programs for the use of members of CCAP's UC Trust, PCoRP, PComp, PIMCC, COMCARE, COMCARE PRO, BEST Flex, PELICAN and other insurance programs, and insurance producers of these members.

Advice contained in this publication is not legal advice and members are encouraged to seek the opinion of their solicitor.

The information provided in this publication is not intended to take the place of professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, or other appropriate professionals. Statements of facts and opinions expressed in this publication, by authors other than Association staff and officers, are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an opinion or philosophy of the officers, members and staff of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). No endorsement of advertised products or services is implied by CCAP unless those products or services are expressly endorsed, or are owned or managed by the Association programs, or our affiliates. This publication may not be reproduced, modified, distributed, or displayed in part or in whole, by any means, without advance written permission of CCAP. Please direct your requests to John Sallade, Managing Director, CCAP Insurance Programs, jsallade@pacounties.org.

Note: As part of its copyright agreement the CCAP grants the author the right to place the final version of his/her manuscript on the author's homepage, subject to CCAP's standards, or in a public digital repository, provided there is a link to the CCAP website.