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Specialty Lines
I just finished a presentation last week at the County Administration Conference on outsourcing. Since I know county officials and staff love to know what other counties are doing, I sent notes to lots of folks asking for examples of outsourced projects or services, and what worked and what did not. The response was very good and very helpful.
One example of a success really impressed me, and reinforced something I have seen counties struggle with - the concept that every department, building, location and service is part of the large whole. For example, with a work comp claim, some departments will tell us there are no modified duty jobs available in that department. But the employee is not an employee of XYZ department, they are a county employee. They can perform modified duty in another area of county government.
We get bogged down sometimes by silos - everyone is very good at knowing what their responsibility is in their particular silo. We forget about the people in other locations, especially if they are not near the courthouse or the administration building. Everyone is so busy, it is easy to forget we are all part of the same entity.
The outsourcing success story is a short one. The county's Youth Detention Center was having trouble with its food vendor. The kids hated the food. Service was inconsistent. But instead of seeking another private vendor, county management realized they had a great option within the county. Their prison food service was provided by county employees and was very efficient and cost effective, plus the food was very good. So they "outsourced" the YDC food service to their prison kitchen staff. It saved money and the food was much better. And by the way, I've had lunch at that county prison when there for a meeting, and it really is good!
I know in the real world our county government can make some cooperative projects like this one example. You should give it a try.
Make sure you contact us when you need help with something,
John Sallade
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| PCoRP Loss Prevention Grants Offered for a Fourth Year
The PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program has proven to be a very successful program and well received by the members. Over $288,000 has been awarded to PCoRP member counties and PCoRP member county related entities in the 2014-2015 policy year.
The PCoRP board approved to again offer during the 2015-2016 policy year the loss prevention grant program, and has set aside $795,000 to fund the program for another year. The purpose of the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program is to continue to provide the members the opportunity to fund loss prevention projects for their county or county related entity. The program is to support members' safety committees and administration by awarding grants to offset the costs of enhancing safety, maintenance and risk management programs. PCoRP members have from June 1, 2015 through to May 31, 2016 to submit an application for a 2015-2016 PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant.
Members need to be aware of several changes made to the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant program for the 2015-2016 policy year regarding enhancements to the program, and also the CCAP Insurance Program contact person for the loss prevention grants.
FUNDING AMOUNT INCREASES
Members can apply for grants up to a total of $15,000. This can be for one or more projects, but the total awarded to a member in a calendar year for all PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program grants cannot exceed $15,000. All PCoRP members are eligible to apply for the $15,000 grants.
NO MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED FOR GRANT
The PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program grants are
now outright grants to all PCoRP members. The Board at their April 9, 2015, meeting established the guideline that there would be no matching funds required by members to receive a grant.
CONTACT PERSON TO APPLY
It remains a simple process. Complete the 2015-2016 application form and return it to Andrew Smith at CCAP.
The PCoRP Loss Control staff (Maureen McMahon, Andrew Smith, Dennis Cutler and Jean Henry) is available to assist your safety committee and/or management with identifying potential grant funded projects.
Below are examples of projects and purchases that members over the last several years have used the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program to fund.
- Security cameras and recording equipment for in and outside of jails, administration buildings, courthouses and other county buildings.
- Building security and access control systems including X-ray equipment
- Video surveillance equipment
- Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
- Fire alarm systems including smoke and fire detectors
- New carpeting
- Replace sidewalks and curbing
- Pave parking lots and driveways
Below are additional, unique examples of projects and purchases that members have used the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program to fund.
- Installing a drainage swallow
- New flooring for the county owned camp store
- Widen and resurface handicap ramp and replace the hand railings
- Purchases of a snow plow and a snow blower
- Lightning and surge protection
- High visibility t-shirts for outdoor maintenance personnel
- Asbestos abatement
- Removal of trees and stumps, and pruning trees
- Kevlar vests for sheriff's department
- Heat tapes in gutters and downspouts
- GPS systems installed in county vehicles
PCoRP will be sending all the members the updated PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program Information Sheet that provides current explanations and information about the grant program, and also the 2015-2016 PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program Application form. In addition, you can obtain a copy of both the information sheet and application by clicking on the following links:
QUESTIONS
Questions about the Loss Prevention Grant Program
should be directed to Andrew Smith or phone (800) 895-9039 x 3369.
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PELICAN Insurance Announces New Grant Program
On May 14, 2015, PELICAN's Subscribers Advisory Committee met and approved an exciting new program for its members. Beginning June 1, all PELICAN members are now eligible to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 each to assist with costs to help ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors to their facilities. No matching funds are required for the grant program and the funds are available until the end of the PELICAN policy year, which is February 28, 2016.
Grant applications and more information has already been mailed out to all PELICAN members. If you are currently a PELICAN member and have not yet received an application, please feel free to contact Andrew Smith or Dave Harman.
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New Contact for PComp Safety Improvement Program Grants and PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Programs
The CCAP Insurance Programs contact person for both the PComp Safety Improvement Program Grant and the PCoRP Loss Prevention Grant Program has changed. With the retirement of Gary Nicholson, Loss Control Services Manager, the acting contact for both grant programs is Andrew Smith, Loss Control Specialist.
Both the PComp and PCoRP grant applications and all related materials should be submitted to Andrew.
The entire loss control staff (Maureen McMahon, Andrew Smith, Dennis Cutler and Jean Henry) are available to assist your safety committee and/or management with the grant applications and helping to identify potential grant funded projects.
Questions about either grant program can be directed to Andrew Smith by email or by phone at (800) 895-9039 x 3369.
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| Strategies to Reduce Workplace Violence
Violence in the workplace has become a serious problem in all industries. Not only is workplace violence potentially fatal, it also degrades employee morale and productivity.
Here are some suggested methods to help reduce workplace violence:
- Have a clear, written policy that communicates zero tolerance toward workplace violence in any form. Determine in advance what discipline will be taken against employees who threaten or take violent action in the workplace, and follow through if such threats arise.
- Provide opportunities for people to make decisions on their own. The single most frequent cause of workplace negativity is traceable to a manager or the organization making a decision about a person's work without his/her input. Almost any decision that excludes the input of the person doing the work is perceived as negative.
- Make opportunities available for people to express their opinion about workplace policies and procedures. Recognize the impact of changes in such areas as work hours, pay, benefits, assignment of overtime hours, compensation pay, dress codes, office location, job requirements and working conditions.
- Create a management team trained to recognize the warning signs of potential violence. Alert your employees about what constitutes workplace violence, including destruction of property and implied threats of violence, and encourage them to report these incidents immediately.
- Have a reporting system to let management know about suspicious or threatening behaviors. Learn to recognize employee behaviors that contribute to workplace violence, such as emotional disturbance and substance abuse. Do not create rules for all employees when just a few people are violating office policies. Minimize the number of rules directing the behavior of adult people at work. Treat people as adults and they will usually live up to your expectations, as well as their own.
- Communication is essential. Each person wants to have the same information as quickly as everyone else. Provide the context for decisions, and communicate effectively and constantly.
- Provide appropriate rewards and recognition so people feel their contribution is valued. The power of appropriate rewards and recognition for a positive workplace is remarkable. Reward and recognition is one of the most powerful tools an organization can use to buoy staff morale.
- Provide appropriate leadership and a strategic framework, including mission, vision, values and goals. People want to feel as if they are part of something bigger than themselves. If they understand the direction, and their part in making the desired outcomes happen, they can effectively contribute more.
The above recommendations will help employees form a strong foundation for positive morale, minimizing negativity and workplace violence.
For more information, contact the CCAP Loss Control Department at (800) 895-9039 or email us at:
Maureen McMahon, Loss Control Specialist
Andrew Smith, Loss Control Specialist
Dennis Cutler, Loss Control Specialist
Jean Henry, RN, Loss Control Wellness Nurse
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Upcoming Events
PComp Board Retreat and Meeting
June 24-26, 2015
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA COMCARE Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 11 a.m.
CCAP Office, Harrisburg |
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HOT TOPIC
Property Appraisals
About 15 years ago, CCAP's PCoRP program realized that the counties were not consistent in the way they valued the property and contents owned by the county. We went to bid and selected Industrial Appraisal (IA), a Pittsburgh based company, to start a program of appraising all property of the PCoRP members. We hoped to get reliable data, consistent from one member to the next. We discovered some members had vastly undervalued their property, some were very exact, and some were insuring too much property. Sounds like a reassessment, doesn't it?
We also discovered some members really did not have a good handle on what property they did and didn't own. The results were very helpful and have meant PCoRP has great data to provide to our actuaries and reinsurers, which keeps costs under control. This has worked out so well, that we have just signed a five year extension with IA, starting in 2015.
A couple of points need to be made. First, IA can only appraise what you tell them about and let them see. Many times when someone in the country reviews the final property listing from IA, they note that IA missed something. More often than not, it was because no one from the county told IA (or PCoRP) about the building!
IA comes out and looks at every building valued at $500,000 or more. All PCoRP members are on a five year rotation, meaning within that five year period every member will receive an onsite appraisal of their buildings. In the other four years, there is an annual update based on information provided by the county.
When the county obtains a new building, you need to advise PCoRP through your local insurance producer if the value is $500,000 or more, PCoRP will have IA come out to appraise the building.
The appraisals do not include contents - the values for contents are modelled based on IA's data about county government buildings. If the county has detailed inventory and values, those can be used instead of the model. IA also does not place values on fine art, valuable papers or mobile equipment. Members need to supply PCoRP with values for these items.
IA can also appraise unique property, such as a piece of fine art, statues or sculptures. That is not included in the PCoRP pricing and would need to be paid for by the county.
For more information, contact Karen Cohen, Property and Casualty Programs Manager at CCAP.
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Quote of the Month
"Step with care and great tact
and remember that life's a
great balancing act."
- Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go
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