The latest news
March 23, 2012 L&I Vocational Conference.- Submitting timely Progess Reports.
- Report on Vocational Improvement is now available.
- Update on efforts to reduce AWA duration.
- L&I’s Stay at Work Program is now fully staffed and ready to assist you.
- The Washington State Community and Technical College Field Guide 2011-2012.
- Changes to progress report format.
- Mailbox for Ability to Work Assessment Duration Initiative.
- Reducing Ability to Work Assessment duration has been identified as a top agency priority.
- Vocational training benefits increase July 1, 2011.
- Stay-at-Work Program.
- VSS job opportunities statewide.
- Meet a VSS.
March 23, 2012 L&I Vocational Conference
February 6, 2012.
On Friday, March 23, 2012 L&I will host the Reform and Improvement: Building a Better System for Workers and Employers Vocational Conference at the L&I Tumwater headquarters building.
Registration and parking is free.
Lunch is on your own.
Plus you'll get 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUS) pending through Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification (CRCC) and Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission (CDMSC).
The deadline for registration (24 KB PDF) is Friday, March 16, 2012.
Learn more about the conference (55 KB PDF).
Submitting timely Progress Reports
February 6, 2012.
If a vocational provider enters a recommendation during the grace period, it is no longer necessary for the vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) to submit the progress report for that referral. The grace period is 5 days between a "Due" date and the "Timely by" date. The link for that progress report will now be removed after a recommendation is entered and/or the department closes the referral. Since the link is removed, no progress report is required so the progress report it will not be counted in the Vocational Profile measure, in other words, it's not "due" so it is neither "timely" nor "not timely."
The Claim & Account Center (CAC) 
experienced interruptions in the last several weeks. This made it difficult for VRCs to submit electronic progress reports and occasionally resulted in multiple copies of the same report in the claim file. Technicians are working to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, here are some things providers can do:
- Focus on submitting progress reports by the "Due" date, not the "Timely by" date. This will give a 5 day cushion if there are CAC problems.
- If an error message is received immediately after attempting to submit a progress report, and other reports seem to be working, there may be a problem with the information in the particular progress report. Check the report for special characters or hidden characters and try typing directly into the report instead of cut and pasting.
- If an error message is received after the system has tried to process the report, and this seems to be happening with other reports, please contact Web Support at (360) 902-5999. Wait a few hours or overnight and see if the report has processed before trying again.
- Use the electronic link for the progress report even if a progress report is also mailed or faxed. The performance indicator for Timeliness depends on electronic data and cannot recognize mailed or faxed documents. Required sections in the electronic report can simply refer the reader to the mailed/faxed report.
Report on Vocational Improvement is now available
January 26, 2012.
Update on efforts to reduce AWA duration
January 26, 2012.
L&I has identified the reduction of AWA duration as a top agency priority. The goal is to reduce the median duration to 90 days.
New practices
Beginning last August some of the claim units began using a new approach to AWA. LEAN methods were used to identify standards that, when practiced regularly, should bring results.
Claim staff follow the referral and regularly identify whether the referral is "in standard" (expected to close within 90 days) or "not in standard" (barriers are then identified). Progress is monitored on visual display boards outside their work area.
When a claim is identified to be out of standard, resources are provided to assist in barrier resolution. The unit VSS staff are working closely with the claims staff on these referrals.
"Gemba walks" are another LEAN practice. It's literally a walk around to see first-hand how our efforts are going. It's an opportunity for our supervisors, leads, executives and others to observe the visual displays, learn about the efforts, and provide assistance.
Results so far
The measure we are using is the proportion of AWA referrals that are resolved within 90 days. Our target is to resolve at least 50% within 90 days. The baseline is about 19%.
Early results are promising. More than 24% of LEAN unit AWA referrals have resolved within 90 days.
We are also encouraged by the response from VRCs and firms. For example, some VRCs are using EVOC to immediately inform us of case status, action plans and potential barriers. Some firms report that they are now tracking their new AWA referrals and are working with their VRCs to manage to our target.
Next steps
The AWA LEAN core team meets weekly to identify barriers, discuss results, and adjust our approach if necessary. So far, claim units Y, E, O, H, 8, L, X1 and X2, and M have been using the new approach. We hope that by March 2012 we'll have sufficient data and other information to move forward with training the remaining units.
Questions or feedback about this effort can be submitted to AWAReferral@Lni.wa.gov. We plan to publish answers to frequently asked questions based on this feedback, in the near future.
Complementary effort to reduce AWA duration
Rich Wilson and Janice Orcutt from our Return-to-Work Services program are conducting individual meetings with the managers of the 20 largest vocational firms. Their efforts are intended to support the firms in meeting our expectations for AWAs. Firms are being encouraged to use data to manage to our target and to develop systems to recognize and quickly act on barriers to success. The firms are being asked to apply these methods to all new AWA referrals. Rich and Janice report that the visits so far have been very positive.
L&I’s Stay at Work Program is now fully staffed and ready to assist you
December 23, 2011.
Stay at Work is a new financial incentive that encourages employers to bring their injured workers quickly and safely back to light-duty or transitional work by reimbursing them for a portion of their costs.
Eligible employers can be reimbursed for 50% of the basic wages the employer paid to the injured worker and for some of the cost of training, tools or clothing the worker will need to do the light-duty or transitional work.
The Stay at Work Program staff are available to answer any questions you and your employers may have about the program. Outreach Specialists Chris Ver Eecke and Michell Cartwright will assist as needed, including presentations to staff and employers.
You can reach them directly:
- Chris Ver Eecke, M.Ed, CRC, CCM, CDMS at 360-902-4419.
- Michell Cartwright at 360-902-4978.
- Toll free at 866-406-2482.
- Email to StayatWork@Lni.wa.gov.
The Washington State Community and Technical College Field Guide 2011-2012
October 25, 2011.
This new edition field guide features your community and technical colleges, highlighting just a few of the remarkable education programs, partnerships, and innovative endeavors at each campus. Take a look inside and see for yourself the good work going on every day at your 34 community and technical colleges (www.sbctc.edu).Changes to progress report format
October 4, 2011.
The due date for each progress report will soon be visible at the top of each form in the Claim and Account Center (CAC). This due date will also appear on the report in the claim file.
There will also be new fields for phone and fax numbers.
Mailbox for Ability to Work Assessment Duration Initiative
August 12, 2011.
A top agency priority is to reduce the time it takes to complete an Ability to Work Assessment. L&I has launched a Lean initiative to help accomplish this.
We welcome your feedback on how this effort is working. Your questions, comments, and suggestions will be used to make improvements and to help with future communications.
You may contact us at AWAReferral@Lni.wa.gov. Please do not send any claim-specific questions or information to the mailbox.
Reducing Ability to Work Assessment duration has been identified as a top agency priority
August 2, 2011.
The median duration to complete Ability to Work Assessments (AWA) is over 200 days, an increase of nearly 100 days over the past three years. This adds significant costs to the system and prolongs the time it takes for a worker to move on with his or her life.
Therefore, one of our top priorities is to reduce the median duration of new AWA referrals to 90 days.
Over the past few months claim managers (CM) and vocational counselors (VRCs) have identified ways we can be more proactive and timely while improving quality. L&I used a methodology called "LEAN" to help identify and understand root causes for delays, develop methods for resolving barriers, and create standards and expectations that will promote quality and efficiency.
These new standards and expectations focus on timely actions, effective communication and prompt resolution of barriers. Here's what is changing:
When making an AWA referral:
- The CM will call VRCs when an AWA referral is being considered. The CM and VRC will discuss current status of the claim, identify any known barriers, and clarify expectations for timely completion and effective collaboration. The CM will also contact the physician, worker, and employer to identify any known barriers and clarify expectations.
- VRCs are asked to either accept or decline the referral within two days.
During the referral:
- VRCs are asked to:
- Submit work products to the claim file as soon as they are completed, including work history, job analyses, and transferrable skills analysis.
- Manage cases proactively by working to identify and resolve barriers (see Overcoming Medical Barriers).
- Notify the CM as soon as any barrier arises that might prevent AWA completion within 90 days and work with the CM to resolve the barrier.
- Contact the unit supervisor if the CM is unresponsive to requests for assistance.
- The CM will:
- Check the status of the referral regularly to determine whether it is meeting the new standards.
- Staff the referral to develop an action plan if the referral is likely to exceed 90 days.
Claim units O, E and Y will begin piloting these changes August 1, 2011, followed by units H and M by August 15. The remaining claim units will be trained this fall. The goal is to apply these new standards and expectations to all AWA referrals by the end of 2011.
We'll use data collection and follow these cases closely so that we can adjust if necessary and make further improvements. We plan to seek ongoing feedback on this important effort via our new mailbox at AWAReferral@Lni.wa.gov and the Vocational Technical Stakeholder Group (VTSG).
Please watch this site for ongoing updates.
Vocational training benefits increase July 1, 2011
June 29, 2011.
The maximum vocational training benefit will increase from $14,029.29 to $15,713.49 effective July 1, 2011.
The new benefit will apply to any plan approved on or after July 1, 2011. The increased benefit applies regardless of whether a worker chooses Option 1 or Option 2 after plan approval. This increase is the result of an annual adjustment that is required under the statute governing vocational rehabilitation services.
If you have any questions please email us at VocRehabProgram@Lni.wa.gov.
Stay-at-Work Program
June 27, 2011.
L&I’s new Stay-at-Work program offers financial incentives to employers who provide transitional, light-duty jobs to their recovering workers. The program began on June 15, 2011, and is part of a larger effort to speed worker recovery, prevent long-term disability, and reduce costs for everyone. Under this program, employers are eligible to be reimbursed for one-half of the injured employee's wage while doing the transitional job. Reimbursements also are available if the worker needs any specific tools, clothing or instruction to do the transitional job.
Learn more about the Stay‑at‑Work Program.
VSS job opportunities statewide
December 15, 2010.
L&I has job opportunities for Vocational Services Specialist (VSS) positions at multiple locations statewide. These positions provide professional vocational services in addition to supporting claim operations and WorkSource.
Meet a VSS
Christopher Yates, MPA, CDMS, left private practice to work for L&I. Chris says that, "I receive excellent benefits…and I'm having a very good time!" Chris said he's also happy to not engage in billable hours.
He enjoys working with clients and colleagues and learning about the community's employment resources as a WorkSource partner in Tacoma. He also enjoys resolving issues for WorkSource customers by consulting with other units of L&I such as Risk Management, Safety & Health, and Employment Standards.
To apply for work as a VSS with L&I, call Phyllis Gallegos at 360-902-5709 or complete an application.