Loss Prevention Grant update

by Charles Hueter

For more than 10 years, the TASB Risk Management Fund's Loss Prevention Grant program has assisted Fund members with loss prevention efforts. The online application has remained relatively stable during this time. The small but noticeable improvements in the application's usability last year were received warmly, so we thought we would see what else can be improved.

This year we have many more fundamental changes in store. The application will be streamlined so navigation is easier. We are simplifying the Category and Item editing process so your time will be focused on thinking about both the equipment, services, or training needed to address loss prevention concerns. We are removing the six-item per category limit, and we have improved the main application screen to display more relevant information about your application's details.

All this is geared toward greater participation in the Loss Prevention Grant program. If you want to reduce your losses, the Fund wants to help you. More than 1,100 grants have been awarded and more than $2.9 million distributed back to the membership since the program's inception.

Grant applicants who seek to reduce workers' compensation (WC) losses must be a current member of the WC Pool. If you apply for a grant that seeks to manage property/casualty (P/C) losses, you must be a current member of the P/C Pool. You must also remain a member in the applicable program for the duration of the fiscal year. Of course, if you're enrolled in both, you can apply under both at the same time.

This is a competitive grant and not everyone who applies is approved. We evaluate applications on a variety of factors, but the most important is how well you justify your need for the money you are requesting. The more thought and time spent preparing the loss prevention concern and expected outcome portions of the application, the more likely you will be awarded a grant. Sending supporting documentation, such as information from vendors or diagrams of your proposed upgrade, is recommended, because it rounds out your submission and gives us a clearer idea of your grant's purpose.

Members may be eligible for up to $4,000 depending on program participation, so be sure to mark your calendars for January 11 when the grant application goes live on tasbrmf.org. March 7 is the deadline, giving applicants about eight weeks to work on their grants.

We suggest you speak with your Loss Prevention consultant for ideas and recommendations. If you have questions about the grant program, e-mail or call Edwin Thompson, director of Loss Prevention Services, at 800.482.7276, extension 6227.