Continuing a Tradition of Innovation: 2010 Innovation Awards

By Allison Kaminsky

For seven years now, the TASB Risk Management Fund has recognized the individual successes of our members’ risk management efforts with the annual Innovation Award. Presented yearly at the Fund’s Members’ Conference, these awards are meant to spotlight members for their initiatives, products, and programs that successfully demonstrate cost-effectiveness, originality, transferability, and the ability to address needs at the overall member level. This year, ten deserving members were selected and awarded a commemorative plaque and $1,000 to apply toward their continuing risk management efforts. Continue reading to see how your fellow members earned such an esteemed honor:

1. Abbott ISD implemented a Red Cross Trainer Program with a goal to have 100 percent of its staff trained in basic CPR and First Aid.  Currently, 26 employees out of a total of 49 staff have been trained.
2. Aldine ISD produced a training video entitled “Back Intact” that addressed how to properly care for the human back. The video was placed on DVDs and distributed to safety council members and staff.
3. Center Point ISD partnered with Peterson Regional Medical Center to implement “Wellness is the Weigh,” a program promoting a healthy lifestyle for employees and the community.
4. Corpus Christi ISD conducted a comprehensive review of voluntary benefits with a new Online Enrollment System to ensure programs, products, and services were cost-effective, competitive, and user-friendly.
5. Eanes ISD implemented a safety campaign entitled “Be Seen, Be Safe” focusing on the safety of elementary-level bus riders. Under the program, all elementary students were provided with blinking light reflectors to fasten to their backpacks or clothing to ensure student visibility.
6. Elgin ISD developed Emergency Student/Parent Reunification Kits for use in the instance of a campus evacuation.
7. Garland ISD initiated a “Reach for the Stars, but Watch your Step" safety campaign, which included a Star Trek themed presentation that focused on the most common hazards that contribute to the majority of injuries to professional personnel: slips, trips, and falls.
8. Klein ISD embarked on an Emergency Operations Plan Enhancements project where all entry and exit doors were numbered at all 40 campuses and district support buildings. This provided immediate location for Klein ISD Police or emergency/fire response.
9. Northwest ISD implemented a Human Resource Ambassador Program dedicated to giving paraprofessional staff members the resources they need to respond promptly and courteously to parents and the community.
10. San Marcos CISD developed Safety Checklists based on duties with the highest rate of workers’ compensation claims to prevent injuries, maintain high employee productivity, and provide safety training.

Congratulations to all of our winners! Recipients of the Innovation Award set an excellent example of timely, creative, and effective approaches to risk management that we hope other Fund members will emulate.

If you are interested in applying for next year’s Innovation Award, continue to check our Web Site for details. The 2011 application will be available on line late this summer. You may also contact Stacy Hobbs at 800.482.7276, ext. 7233 for more information.