2015 STATE OF THE FUND

Transcription

1 2015 STATE OF THE FUND Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Coun es Municipal Joint Insurance Fund P.O. Box 490, Marlton, New Jersey P: F:

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3 MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES Alloway Township Carneys Point Township Clayton Borough Dep ord Township East Greenwich Township Elk Township Elsinboro Township Fairfield Township Franklin Township Glassboro Borough Greenwich Township Harrison Township Logan Township Lower Alloways Creek Township Mannington Township Mantua Township Monroe Township Oldmans Township Paulsboro Borough Penns Grove Borough Pennsville Township Pilesgrove Township Pitman Borough Quinton Township Shiloh Borough South Harrison Township Swedesboro Borough Upper Pi sgrove Township Vineland City Washington Township Wenonah Borough Westville Borough Woodbury City Woodbury Heights Borough Woodstown Borough Woolwich Township Celebra ng the Power of Partnership Success in Shared Services 1

4 MESSAGE FROM THE JIF CHAIRPERSON The TRICO JIF was formed on January 1, 1991 and is one of the earliest examples of shared services in Gloucester County. That first year alone, Charter members saved approximately 18% of their insurance premiums and the savings have con nued to this date. In addi on to the many millions of dollars saved upon entry into the JIF, TRICO JIF members have received $12,761,861* in dividends and recovered over $3.3 million against par es that have injured municipal employees or destroyed municipal property, and these savings con nue as members work hard to control losses through the many programs offered by the JIF. In 2015, 36 member municipali es shared in $1,125,000 in dividends as a result of their membership in the Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Coun es Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (TRICO JIF). In today s world of budget cutbacks to meet a mandated 2% budget cap, local government must choose programs that represent efficiency and cost savings. The JIF is a perfect example of how to pool together to the benefit of reaching these goals and objec ves towards cost savings. In keeping with the JIF s mission to achieve savings and stability through comprehensive insurance, safety and claims management programs various subcommi ees are chaired and staffed with representa ves of our membership, in order to proac vely deal with the changing needs of the organiza on. Every member has a voice, so speak and be heard during our mee ngs. Addi onally, through the exper se of our team of expert professionals that have been retained by the TRICO JIF, we have been able to maintain a proven record of safety, financial security, ethics and adherence to mandates of the State of New Jersey, Department of Banking and Insurance, and the Department of Community Affairs. Each member is a partner in the TRICO JIF and its success is dependent on a commitment made to the organiza on, community, and municipal employees to control costs and promote safety in the most efficient way possible. It is this partnership commitment that will con nue to assure the success of the TRICO JIF into the future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Fund Professionals for their ongoing support, the work of the sub commi ees, the work of the Fund Commissioners, and all of our municipal employees who ac vely par cipate in the JIF Programs. It takes a fundamental buy in from our members in order to achieve our success. William J. Slusser 2015 Chairperson for the TRICO JIF Fund Commissioner, Oldmans Township *includes addi onal dividends issued directly to Members by the MEL. 2

5 JIF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE JIF members are represented on an Execu ve Commi ee that manages the Fund, paying claims and inves ng its assets. The fund hires professionals such as an administrator, safety director and specially qualified claims a orneys to assist members in the daily opera ons of the JIF. 3

6 JIF LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Execu ve Commi ee serves as the Governing Body of the Fund with five elected Fund Commissioners serving along with the Chairperson and the Secretary of the Fund. During their terms of office, members of the Execu ve Commi ee shall exercise the full power and authority of the Fund Commissioners as expressly provided by these Bylaws. Member Name Execu ve Commi ee Member Name Execu ve Commi ee Oldmans Township William Slusser Fund Chairperson Greenwich Township Harry Rink Alt. 1 Shiloh Borough Brad Campbell Fund Secretary Penns Grove Borough Mayor John Washington Alt. 2 Woodbury City Robert Law EC Member 3 Clayton Borough Sue Miller Alt. 3 Pitman Borough Michael Razze EC Member 4 Vineland City Robert Dickenson Alt. 4 Wenonah Borough Karen Sweeney EC Member 5 Swedesboro Borough Carl Bagby Alt. 5 Logan Township Doris Hall EC Member 6 Washington Township Nicolas Pileggi Alt. 6 Westville Borough William Bi ner EC Member 7 FUND COMMISSIONERS This is an appointed posi on and candidates may be either a member of the governing body or a municipal employee. Fund Commissioners are generally responsible for the opera on of the Fund in accordance with the Fund Bylaws and all applicable statutes and regula ons. The Fund Commissioner is responsible for ac ng as a liaison between the member municipality and the Fund. Each member municipality may also appoint an Alternate Fund Commissioner to a end mee ngs in the absence of the member s regular Fund Commissioner. CLAIMS COORDINATORS Each member municipality in the Fund appoints a Claims Coordinator. It is the responsibility of the Claims Coordinator to oversee the repor ng of claims within the municipality and serve as a liaison between the municipality, the Claims Administrator (TPA), and the Managed Care Organiza on (MCO). The Claims Coordinator can be very effec ve in controlling the ul mate cost and outcome of claims. SAFETY COORDINATORS The Safety Coordinator is appointed by the municipality to oversee the member s safety efforts and act as a liaison between the municipality, the JIF Safety Director and other outside agencies. 4

7 FUND COMMITTEES All individuals who serve on Fund Commi ees are from the Member Municipali es to ensure that decisions and policies of the TRICO JIF are member driven. FINANCE COMMITTEE The Finance Commi ee serves as the focal point for communica on between the Fund s Commissioners and the Fund s Professionals for the development of an annual budget. The Finance Commi ee works with the Fund s Actuary and with the Fund s Professionals and commi ees as necessary to develop claims funding, expense funding and funding for special programs. In addi on, they meet with the Fund Auditor to review the financial posi on and recommend the return of surplus to the Members. STRATEGIC PLANNING The Strategic Planning Commi ee serves as the focal point for communica on between the Administrator, the Fund Commissioners, and any other professionals regarding long range strategies which should be pursued in order to ensure the integrity, growth, and viability of the JIF. The Strategic Planning Commi ee advises the Execu ve Commi ee regarding long term strategies and planning considera ons. EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE LIABILITY & CYBER COMMITTEE The Employment Prac ces Liability Commi ee serves as a focal point for discussion on issues pertaining to employment prac ces liability and public official s liability claims. The Commi ee advises the Execu ve Commi ee on issues pertaining to the source, amount, and types of these claims and their financial impact on members and on the TRICO JIF. The Commi ee reviews observa onal, sta s cal, and historical informa on presented by the Fund Professionals and recommends policies to be adopted and ac ons to be taken to eliminate, reduce, or mi gate the financial impact of these claims on the membership. The Employment Prac ces Liability Commi ee shall also serve as the focal point for discussions on issues pertaining to Technology Liability. The Commi ee shall advise the Execu ve Commi ee on issues pertaining to the source, number, and types of claims impac ng members. The Commi ee shall review observa onal, sta s cal, and historical informa on presented by the Fund Professionals and shall recommend policies to be adopted and ac ons to be taken to eliminate, reduce, or mi gate the financial impact of these claims on the membership. NEW MEMBER REVIEW COMMITTEE The New Member Review Commi ee is made up of the Chairs of all standing Commi ees of the Fund. The members of the Commi ee review applica ons from municipali es who wish to become members of the Fund for compliance with membership criteria including safety programs and risk factors. The Commi ee makes a recommenda on to the general Fund membership as to the acceptability of prospec ve members. SAFETY COMMITTEE The Safety Commi ee serves as a focal point for communica on between the TRICO JIF, the Execu ve Director, the Safety Director and the member municipali es. The func on of the Commi ee is advisory in nature and is not intended to infringe upon the responsibility of the Safety Director or employees of member towns. The Safety Commi ee advises the Execu ve Commi ee on safety policies, performance of municipali es in terms of safety, and of the individual firms responsible for repor ng on same. The Safety Commi ee works with the Execu ve Director and the Safety Director in a emp ng to iden fy services which may be provided by the JIF to member municipali es in order to reduce the risks of accidents. COVERAGE COMMITTEE The Coverage Commi ee serves as a focal point for discussion on issues pertaining to coverage, underwri ng, and reinsurance. The Coverage Commi ee advises the Execu ve Commi ee on issues pertaining to coverage requirements of members of the JIF, coverage issues in the insurance industry which should be addressed by the JIF, the efficiency and clarity of the JIF in addressing areas of insurance outside of its normal purview, reten on and reinsurance issues, and underwri ng guidelines. NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nomina ng Commi ee is made up of the Chairs of all standing Commi ee s of the Fund, the two most recent past Fund Chairs s ll serving as a Fund Commissioner, and two members at large chosen by the si ng Fund Chair. The Nomina ng Commi ee shall be charged with reviewing and nomina ng candidates for presenta on in the event of a need to elect officers to the Execu ve Commi ee. 5

8 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR January 1, 2016 marks the 25 th anniversary of the Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Coun es Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (TRICO JIF). While several compe ng Joint Insurance Funds have sprung up none can compare with the success of the TRICO JIF. The pages that follow highlight many of the JIF s accomplishments and provides evidence of the fund s success. I can delineate the JIF s success into three categories: FINANCIAL The TRICO JIF has saved Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland County taxpayers millions of dollars in insurance premiums and has returned $12,761,861* in dividends to member municipali es. Premium savings are made possible by keeping overhead costs low and placing emphasis on loss control and claims management. Dollars not spent on claims are returned to members as dividends. This is a stark contrast to compe ng JIF organiza ons that carry much a higher overhead and bill members addi onal assessments due to poor management and rocky claims experience. The JIF s 2016 budget reflects no increase over 2015 and members will receive dividend checks for the 21 st straight year. MEMBER INVOLVEMENT The expenditure of taxpayer dollars requires a high degree of stewardship. With annual budgets approaching $14,000,000, members need to know where every dollar is spent and this is accomplished through monthly bill lists and reports that track every expenditure to the penny. Annual audits conducted by RMAs confirm proper accoun ng. The TRICO JIF was featured in a report from the New Jersey State Comptroller s Office that analyzed the online transparency of the state s local authori es and commissions for its high level of transparency and accountability. A recent audit by the Department of Banking and Insurance found the JIF in full compliance with the statutes and administra ve code governing New Jersey Joint Insurance Funds. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES The JIF is more than insurance coverage. It is an organiza on dedicated to helping municipali es control risk, prevent workplace injuries, and defend lawsuits against its members. Training in safety and risk management topics occur throughout the year with special seminars conducted for elected officials, managers and supervisors, and police personnel. The TRICO and BURCLO JIFs were the first JIFs in New Jersey to embrace wellness programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles among municipal employees. Studies have demonstrated that healthy employees are less likely to be injured on the job and likely to recover more quickly following an injury. All in all, the TRICO JIF is dis nguished by the commitment of its members to each other and the principle of cost control through safety and risk management. This is what truly differen ates us from other JIFs. Paul J. Miola, CPCU, ARM Arthur J. Gallagher & Co Execu ve Director for the TRICO JIF *includes addi onal dividends issued directly to Members by the MEL. 6

9 FINANCIALS: HIGHLIGHTS 2015 Financial Highlights Flat Budget All Member Programs remain Increased funding for the Safety Incen ve Program (SIP) Con nuing with a $300,000 SIR for Workers Compensa on & Liability claims Con nued use of the Retrospec ve Program incen vizing 1 Member to perform be er Con nued use of the Renewal Revalua on Program benefi ng 8 Members 2016 Financial Vision Flat Budget All Member Programs remain intact Implementa on of Wellness Incen ve Program Con nuing with a $300,000 SIR for Workers Compensa on & Liability claims Increase Property SIR to $100,000 Con nued use of the Renewal Revalua on Program benefi ng 10 Members No Members qualified for the Retrospec ve Program AUDIT ANALYSIS Historical Opera ng Results Summary For All Years (as of 9/30/15) Total Earned Contribu ons & MEL / RCF Dividends $181,322,929 Claims Paid (Net of Subroga on) (59,914,810) Excess Recoveries 67,993 Excess Insurance Premiums Paid (45,811,833) Opera ng Expenses Paid (32,801,214) Residual Claims Fund Transfer Premiums (10,910,628) Total Payments (149,370,492) Posi on A er Expenses 31,952,437 Investment Income (per Treasurer) 8,307,703 Transfers Return of Surplus (11,214,742) CASH POSITION $29,045,398 Case Reserves (6,894,714) Posi on A er Case Reserves 22,150,684 IBNR Reserves (4,099,940) Net Current Surplus/(Deficit) 18,050,744 7

10 FINANCIALS: FINANCIAL AUDIT RESULTS The TRICO JIF increased total assets 2.1% and its net posi on by 11.3% in It was also able to adopt a 2015 flat budget! The JIF outperforms compe ng JIFs in every category but especially where it counts FINANCIAL STRENGTH! Because of the Members commitment to loss control and claims management, the TRICO JIF has the assets and surplus to pay Member claims both today, and in the years to come! Remember: It doesn t ma er who insures you un l it does! Net Posi on Summary 12/31/ /31/2013 Change Percentage Assets Cash & Cash Equivalents $18,406,616 $18,654, % Investments 9,522,605 8,559, % Other Assets 904,809 1,014, % Total Assets 28,834,030 28,229, % Liabili es & Net Posi on Liabili es Loss Reserves 10,444,415 10,928, % Other Liabili es & Reserves 717,805 1,417, % Total Liabili es 11,162,220 12,346, % Net Posi on Unrestricted $17,671,810 $15,883, % 2015 B H The pie chart displayed below demonstrates the efficiency of the JIF program. A percentage of the JIF s budget pays for member claims within the JIF Self Insured Reten on of $300,000 for workers compensa on and liability and $50,000 for property. Once a claim exceeds the local JIF level, the financial responsibility falls to the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL). The chart below illustrates the alloca on of member dollars to JIF expenses. The JIF never relinquishes control over the claim; however, claims experts at the MEL level monitor the more difficult large claims that occur and provide guidance on their disposi on. 8

11 FINANCIALS: 2016 BUDGET, ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY 2016 B H The JIF budget is made up of five components: Loss Funds The amount needed to pay claims Opera ons Expenses in which are related to the opera on of the JIF Member Programs Consists of member program benefit costs Excess Insurance Costs Premiums paid for reinsurance or direct insurance purchases RMC Fees Consists of risk management consultant fees The Loss Funds are calculated by the Fund Actuary based upon historical claims and exposure trends and make up almost one half (46.39%) of the JIF s budget. Excess Insurance Costs (34.48%) provide coverage through the membership of the Fund in the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL) which uses the joint purchasing power of 19 NJ JIFs to nego ate the lowest responsible rates. These costs also include coverage for Environmental Impairment Liability Coverage through the Fund s membership in the EJIF. Opera ng Expenses comprise 11.23% of the JIF s budget and are kept at a reasonable level under the watchful eye of the Finance Commi ee. For 2016, the overall budget remained Flat! Once the Finance Commi ee agrees to a dra budget the task of alloca ng member shares begins. Using the previous year s premium as a base, member alloca ons are adjusted based upon their claims history. Members with fewer claims costs as compared to their premiums (loss ra o) over a six year period are rewarded with lower premium modifica ons than members with higher loss ra os. In order to maintain rela vity among the members, the Fund Actuary re prices each member once every three years, and if necessary, an addi onal modifica on factor is applied to bring members premiums in line with their rela ve exposure and claims experience. Beginning in 2013, several members with unusually poor claims history were placed in a loss sensi ve program in which they are charged a set premium and their final premium is determined by the claims they actually incur. This has the effect of maintaining a stable base premium for the member and only paying more if their claims con nue to escalate. The resul ng benefit to the remaining members is lower premiums and member equity. 9

12 FINANCIALS: DIVIDENDS & RECOVERIES D Because the JIF is a public en ty owned and controlled by the member municipali es all profits are returned to the members with interest! As shown below, $1,125,000 was returned in 2015 and over $12.76 million* has been returned to TRICO JIF members since incep on. Listed below is the historical dividend distribu on grand total for all years by Member. *includes addi onal dividends issued directly to Members by the MEL. GRAND TOTAL MEMBER ALL YEARS ALLOWAY TOWNSHIP $ 65,854 CARNEYS POINT TOWNSHIP $ 495,369 CLAYTON BOROUGH $ 164,721 DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP $ 267,035 EAST GREENWICH TOWNSHIP $ 368,298 ELK TOWNSHIP $ 212,922 ELSINBORO TOWNSHIP $ 31 FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP $ 222,249 FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP $ 89,827 GLASSBORO BOROUGH $ 1,637,177 GREENWICH TOWNSHIP $ 663,919 HARRISON TOWNSHIP $ 214,685 LOGAN TOWNSHIP $ 371,687 LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP $ 844 MANNINGTON TOWNSHIP $ 911 MANTUA TOWNSHIP $ 766,805 MONROE TOWNSHIP $ 2,605,062 OLDMANS TOWNSHIP $ 19,382 MEMBER GRAND TOTAL ALL YEARS PAULSBORO BOROUGH $ 117,223 PENNS GROVE BOROUGH $ 396,159 PENNSVILLE TOWNSHIP $ 443,431 PILESGROVE TOWNSHIP $ 101,578 PITMAN BOROUGH $ 844,449 QUINTON TOWNSHIP $ 14,747 SHILOH BOROUGH $ 8,083 SOUTH HARRISON TOWNSHIP $ 80,418 SWEDESBORO BOROUGH $ 236,972 UPPER PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP $ 99,414 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP $ 429,570 WENONAH BOROUGH $ 170,984 WESTVILLE BOROUGH $ 488,622 WOODBURY CITY $ 145,901 WOODBURY HEIGHTS BOROUGH $ 142,935 WOODSTOWN BOROUGH $ 180,858 WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP $ 42,078 S Subroga on refers to an insurance company seeking reimbursement from the person or en ty legally responsible for a claim a er the insurer has paid out money on behalf of its insured. This could include any money paid out for property damage, deduc ble amounts, diminished value, pain and suffering, loss of consor um, etc. In an effort to effec vely pursue subroga on, it is important to properly iden fy possible contractors, manufacturers, installers, suppliers, designers, subcontractors, etc. The JIF recommends that each municipality retain purchasing records, invoices, manufacturer s recommenda ons, specifica ons, instruc ons, damaged equipment, change orders, etc. so that this iden fica on can be made promptly and responsible par es placed on no ce. It is also very important to retain all contracts, Cer ficates of Insurance & Hold Harmless Agreements, so that the insuring party can also be placed directly on no ce of the lien rights. All documents should have consistent language throughout any addi ons, dele ons or changes. Recoveries For the Year of 2015 (valued as of 10/31/2015): $ 228,269 All Years: $ 3,800,

13 CLAIMS: CLAIMS DATA As the charts below illustrate, 38% of the JIF s claims are workers compensa on but they account for 66% of the JIF s claims dollars. Upon joining the JIF, every member is required to appoint a Claims Coordinator who serves as a point of contact between the member and the JIF Claims Administrator. Special training and a Claims Coordinator Handbook is provided to your Claims Coordinator so that they are prepared to handle any claims situa on that arises within your town. The JIF Workers Compensa on Claims Adjusters are assigned a maximum of 150 files at any given me so that they can focus on working their files to achieve the best possible results. The JIF also employ the services of the very best defense a orneys in South Jersey to defend the JIF s claims. Their knowledge of workers compensa on and tort claims against public en es has resulted in excellent results for the JIF and its members. Comprehensive Li ga on Management Guidelines assure the JIF members that their claims are being defended in the most aggressive and cost effec ve means possible. S Y L R S valued as of C L C Fund Years valued as of

14 CLAIMS: MANAGED CARE Workers compensa on claims account for 66% of claims dollars expended over the past six years. Medical and wage infla on have had a significant impact on the JIF s workers compensa on costs and the JIF must seek every possible way to control costs in this area. The JIF contracts with a managed care provider to assist in this endeavor. Every workers compensa on case reported within 3 days allows the JIF to control the course of the claim from the very start. The average days to report a workers compensa on claim for the TRICO JIF from January to November of 2015 is 2.0 days. A nurse case manager is assigned to every case and constantly monitors the course of medical treatment to make sure that essen al services are delivered on a mely and cost efficient basis. All medical care is delivered through a PPO network of doctors who specialize in occupa onal injuries and agree to the fund s rate schedule. Over 93% of the medical services are delivered through network facili es resul ng in significant savings as illustrated below. On a final note, the JIF s members have wholeheartedly embraced transi onal duty thus allowing injured employees to return to work in a produc ve role while comple ng their final course of treatment. Dollars saved in disability payments, indemnity costs, and over me costs can be measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. M C R (January November) January November 2015 January November 2014 # Transi onal Duty Days: 3,206 (available) 3,225(available) 1,983 (worked), 61.9% 2,399 (worked), 74.4% PPO Provider Charges Penetra on Rate: 95% 95.1% PPO Provider Billing Penetra on Rate: 93.4% 93.8% PPO Provider Savings: 52.6% 55.6% EPO Provider Charges Penetra on Rate: 85.1% 78.8% EPO Provider Billing Penetra on Rate: 86.3% 85.1% Total Provider Charges: $2,750,000 $2,236,651 Total Repriced (Allowance): $1,300,786 $992,304 Total Savings: $1,446,863 or 52.6% $1,243,337 or 55.6% 26 Lost Time 20 Lost Time Lost Time/ Medical Only: 179 Medical Only 195 Medical Only 87:13 Medical Only/Lost Time Ra o 91:09 Medical Only/Lost Time Ra o 12

15 WELLNESS INITIATIVES Since the implementa on of the JIF Wellness Program in 2012, the JIF has made great strides in bringing awareness to the municipal employees. This effort has u lized various forms of wellness ini a ves which are educa onal, entertaining and in many instances, life changing. F O W W A D R Over the past year, many municipali es set forth a plan to bring the message of wellness to all employees on a regular basis. Through the development of a Wellness Plan, we were able to promote the message of wellness as part of the work environment. Changing old habits to create a healthier lifestyle takes me, commitment and dedica on. Con nually promo ng wellness provides the s mulus for change and reinforces employee mo va on. Members have been successful in implemen ng wellness as a constant element in the work environment. For instance: Many municipali es hosted Lunch & Learns throughout the year. Various health topics were addressed and healthier lunch choices were provided to support that message. Walking and Weight Loss Challenges were offered to ignite a sense of compe veness as well as camaraderie. Emphasis was not placed on the monetary reward, but instead, on the rewards of overall well being. Par cipa on in Health Fairs was encouraged so employees could gather informa on from various resources which could guide them in their quest for be er health. T C E E It is one thing to offer a wellness ac vity and have employees par cipate solely because of the reward incen ve. But it s another to have employees par cipate because they want to reap the benefits of be er health. Successfully engaging employees con nues to be a challenge. In order to achieve engagement and success in a wellness program, everyone must con nue to bring forth efforts to promote the benefits of making las ng lifestyle changes such as encouraging rou ne exercise, be er food choices and freedom from tobacco dependence. There has to be an emphasis on a long term mindset change rather than a short term behavioral change. This may require digging a li le deeper below the surface because wellness is mul dimensional and o en goes beyond the obvious tenets of diet and exercise. Barriers to wellness can be personal challenges, work related stress, financial situa on, environment, personal growth and feeling of worth to the organiza on. If we can strive to target overall well being and support this through clear and well communicated workplace wellness ac vi es, we can begin to nurture the work culture and perhaps employees will start making lifestyle changes that could have a major impact on their future health risks and ul mately the success of the company G Resourcing Con nue to introduce resources that will provide useful health informa on and perhaps a more holis c approach to self care, giving employees guided op ons for making some difficult lifestyle changes to improve overall well being. Cul va on Focus on making wellness part of the work culture to help ins ll confidence in the program, provide an environment that supports health and enable employees to stay empowered to make be er choices about their own well being. Engagement Con nue to bring awareness on the benefits of having a healthier lifestyle in the hopes of ge ng more employees engaged not just par cipa ng in wellness ini a ves. Consistency Help municipali es establish a plan of consistency that will bring a clear message to employees of why this is important, help ins ll trust and increase mindfulness so making healthy choices can become the norm. I S The path to a long las ng healthy lifestyle is a process of conscious change. However, employees may not always be mindful of the ac ons and decisions they are making on a daily basis that could have a detrimental effect on their future well being. My mission is to con nue to bring awareness, educa on and resources to engage municipal employees so that when that moment of mindfulness comes, they will have the necessary tools and a work environment that supports them. Debby Schiffer, TRICO JIF Wellness Director 13

16 SEMINARS, TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS MEL SAFETY INSTITUTE The MEL Safety Ins tute (MSI) was established in 1999 as a way to coordinate the training efforts of 19 local Joint Insurance Funds. The MSI has allowed the JIF to provide significantly more training opportuni es to its members at a much lower cost per employee. For approximately $26 per employee per year, your staff has unlimited access to over 1,200 classes held each year at convenient loca ons, even your own municipal complex. A total of 1,234 TRICO JIF Employees have been trained through 9/30/2015. MSI ONLINE TRAINING The MEL MSI has started to develop online training program library of courses. There are 19 online training courses now available for the members to access. Below are some of the training topics available. For a full lis ng, please visit the MSI website. New Employee Orienta on Li ing Safety Department of Public Works Office Safety Fire Safety Crossing Guards Defensive Driving Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Right to Know Refresher Leaf Collec on Safety POLICE COMMAND STAFF TRAINING As part of the con nuing commitment to Police Command Staff Training, the ACM, BURLCO and TRICO JIFs sponsored the bi annual Police Risk Management Training Seminar for all Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs, Lieutenants, Captains, Sergeants and Corporals. This training opportunity focused on common employee/employer issues including discipline and discharge, promo on procedures, and discrimina on and harassment including the Conscien ous Employee Protec on Act (CEPA) as well as Post Trauma c Stress Syndrome (PTSD). CYBER AWARENESS TRIANING In early 2016, the MEL will make Cyber Awareness Training available to all member employees via the New Jersey MEL website ( This short online training course will provide par cipants with a basic understanding of the risks associated with the use of , the internet, websites, and social media. All employees are encourage to par cipate in this important training. An announcement will be sent to all members once the training is available. MANAGERIAL & SUPERVISORY TRAINING This bi annual seminar is intended for all employees who manage or supervise others within a municipality. This training will include informa on on how managers and supervisors can help reduce accidents in the workplace over me and the importance of safety. It addresses common employee/employer issues including discipline and discharge, and discrimina on and harassment. SPECIAL OFFICER PATROL PRACTICES SEMINAR This annual training is intended for any addi onal police officers that may be hired by a municipality to assist with the seasonal influx of residents and visitors. These Special Officers are trained on sources of legal authority, municipal ordinance enforcement, first amendment issues, risk management and civil liability as well as other related topics. ELECTED OFFICIALS SEMINAR Annual seminar extended to the JIF Elected Officials focusing on per nent issues that challenge municipali es. This year the program will focus on controlling the cost of Public Officials and Employment Prac ces Liability Claims. Upcoming seminars are listed on the JIF s website. 14

17 RISK MANAGEMENT CYBER LIABILITY Data breaches seem to be on the rise and some could say a daily occurrence. As these events take place, it makes us examine in depth the coverage and protec on offered to the fund s members. As the threats, number of risk and types of risks have increased, so has the JIF s liability protec on. Some of the enhanced measures that the TRICO JIF has implemented are: Increased Limits Request for Proposals for Technology Risk Management Exposure Audit Services This audit would provide complete risk assessment of each JIF member in determining their current level cyber security, and iden fy any weaknesses. MEL JIF is preparing model policy and procedures guidelines to protect municipali es against technological liabili es. Cyber Awareness Training TULIP: TENANT AND USER LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM TULIP provides special event insurance for use of member en ty facili es by guests, groups, organiza ons and community members. TULIP allows for a general liability policy to be wri en in the name of the tenants and users naming the member en ty as addi onal insured. EXIGIS Exigis is a private, customized exposure database management system for the TRICO JIF members to manage their exposure data to be er control risks. WEBSITE Members can download monthly agenda packets and mee ng minutes, access contact informa on, JIF policies and procedures for various programs, request cer ficates of insurance, and obtain vouchers or other important documenta on. Announcements and upcoming events are directly on the homepage for quick access. JIF MEMBER FORUM The JIF Member Forum is a private, secured message board for the JIF Members to come together to share common concerns, ask ques ons and to connect with other member municipali es. OTHER RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS Model Indemnifica on & Hold Harmless Language Agreement Cer ficate of Insurance Guidelines EPL Helpline Model EPL/POL Policies & Procedures Model Municipal Facility Use Agreement Police Accredita on Credit 15

18 Mission Statement We are an organization of municipalities united to achieve savings and stability through comprehensive insurance, safety, and claims management programs dedicated to reducing public sector risk.

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20 Prepared by your JIF Administrators: Paul J. Miola, CPCU, ARM & Paul Forlenza of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. December 2015 Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Coun es Municipal Joint Insurance Fund P.O. Box 490, Marlton, New Jersey P: F: