6 – 8:30 pm

RMSA Annual Meeting
Separate registration required.

8 am – 5 pm

AWC Registration Kiosk open

10 am – 12:15 pm

Concurrent sessions

Wellness Planning Workshop (open to all)
Join us for this engaging workshop that will allow you to practice your planning skills, connect with others, and learn about Trust health promotion offerings for 2024. You’ll have an opportunity to share your own workplace wellness experiences and tap into the collective wisdom of your peers. You’ll leave this session energized and equipped to take on your 2024 wellness program planning.

How accidents happen, and how to identify problem areas (Public Entity Safety Essentials)
Accidents don’t just happen. They occur within the environment and circumstances of your facilities and organization. Understanding what influences the likelihood of injury incidents allows you to set up programs and establish a culture that decreases the likelihood of injuries. It isn’t all luck, and it isn’t random! Knowing what indicators to watch, and how to respond, will help your organization keep their people safe.

10 am – Noon

DER training
The Designated Employer Representative (DER) has many tasks to juggle, each of them important and mandated by DOT. We’ll review the key aspects of the Designated Employer Representative's responsibilities, including oversight of U.S. DOT drug test collections, laboratory testing, result reporting, alcohol testing, random selections, and the return-to-duty process after a violation.

Lunch

1 – 1:15 pm

Welcome, safety message and introduction of keynote

1:15 – 2:15 pm

General session

Lessons learned from a near miss: How organizations grow from an averted emergency
Organizations impacted by a crisis spend countless hours after the event studying what could have been done differently. After-action reviews occur in almost every case; changes occur within the organization as a reaction to the findings. But what about those "near miss" situations-the crises that are averted? What if we could learn from what didn't happen?

Jason Russell, President and Founder of SEC, shares examples of organizations from across the country who have used their "near miss" experiences, in collaboration with SEC, to delve deeply into the circumstances and conditions around the incident through an after- action review. Delve into the problem-solving model used to identify gaps in safety and security and how those findings informed widespread change.

2:15 – 2:45 pm

Exhibit break

2:45 – 3:45 pm

Concurrent sessions

Requirements of the USDOT return to duty process and impacts on workforce retention
A major trend of USDOT covered employers around the nation is that many have changed, or are seriously considering, a change from "zero tolerance" to "second chance" as it relates to their policy on employees who have a positive drug or alcohol test. Oftentimes, these changes are due to employers continuing to face the realities of not being able to find applicants, wanting to do everything they can to hold on to the employees they already have. When switching from "zero tolerance" to "second chance" there are many requirements from USDOT that now apply that can be cumbersome for agencies to understand and implement correctly. It isn't as easy as flipping a switch. A lot of policy and procedural work must be completed. For employers with unions, moving to second chance agreements can open many areas for union negotiations -especially on how the return to duty process will be handled.

Prepare for the unexpected: Identify your greatest threat
Leaders are tasked with preparing their facilities and staff for a variety of emergency situations, trying to anticipate any crisis that could happen. But often, our greatest threat is unknown and highly unexpected. In this session, Jason Russell shares strategies and recommendations to identify your organization's greatest threat and the steps you might take to prepare for the unexpected.

Behavioral health and health equity in a post-COVID landscape
During the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance abuse and other mental health-related conditions skyrocketed. As we emerge from a global pandemic, access to care and available resources have shifted greatly in both positive and negative directions. The pandemic inspired innovation, including virtual behavioral health services and other digital solutions, but we are still facing challenges in access to care. As employers become more aware of the multitude of ways that belonging to different groups, with diverse backgrounds, can impact a person’s medical treatment options and health outcomes, learn more about how Regence is approaching equitable care for all.

2023 rules updates briefing
The 2023 year has introduced many statutory and rule updates in the safety and workers’ compensation realm. Join Retro staff as we discuss the legislation and rules updates that will impact public entities this year. We will also share what updates we anticipate are upcoming that you should have your eyes on.

3:45 – 4 pm

Break

4 – 5 pm

Concurrent sessions

Essential cybersecurity checklist for municipalities
Cyber services provider VC3 will bring their real-world experience with RMSA members and other small to medium sized municipalities nationwide to highlight the most impactful steps cities can take to minimize their cyber risk.

Health equity in Washington
Understanding where the highest quality care is offered for the lowest cost in Washington could be crucial to decision-making but has been challenging to answer. Building off its work this year on a Quality Composite Score and the Total Cost of Care, the Washington Health Alliance offers a glimpse into where higher quality care is paired with lower cost. Get an expert view on healthcare equity, impact of having or not having a PCP, and other aspects that affect quality and cost of care in Washington State.

Safety programs with remote workers in mind
As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, many workplaces are settling into a new normal that includes at least partially remote workplaces. What does this shift mean for an organization’s safety program? Employers must respond to the reality that they are not able to wholly control circumstances and environments of remote work. This means employers must be intentional about settings rules and expectations for remote staff so they are safe and healthy while they work, wherever that may be.

5:15 – 5:45 pm

Wellness walk & talk
Lace up your sneakers and hit the sidewalks of Kennewick with your fellow attendees. AWC Trust staff will be there to lead the way or grab a map and walk on your own to enjoy a movement break before the evening reception.

6 – 7:30 pm

Networking reception
Connect with other attendees, AWC staff, and our vendor partners. Local wines and light appetizers will be served.
Sponsored by Regence BlueShield/Asuris Northwest Health

7:30 pm

Dinner on your own

7 am – Noon

AWC Registration Kiosk open

7 – 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:20 – 8:30 am

Introduction & announcements

8:30 – 9:30 am

General session

Beating burnout: Five steps to resetting your rhythm to breakthrough busyness
Staff shortages, demanding customers, hybrid office options, COVID-19, and the effects of loss and grief still loom over us. With this being the case, the workplace environment is more stressful and unlike we have ever seen. It is causing most of us to be in a constant state of “busyness”. The question is, how do we breakthrough and beat burnout? Get strategies and solutions to help gain more freedom and feel less stress!

9:30 – 9:45 am

Break

9:45 – 10:45 am

Concurrent sessions

Regulation update – Oral fluid drug testing & more!
In May, USDOT's Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) published a final rule in the federal register officially updating and changing the official regulation for the USDOT's drug and alcohol testing program. The changes are effective June 1, 2023. This updated final rule amends the USDOT's regulated industry drug testing program to include oral fluid drug testing as an alternative to urine specimen drug testing. This additional methodology for drug testing will give employers a choice that helps combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provides a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program.

Small but mighty: fraud prevention & best practices for small cities and towns
Are you aware of the internal controls that should be in place to keep your financial resources safe and secure? Attend this session to learn how to minimize fraud risks in key financial systems like cash receipting, payroll and credit cards.

Networking session
One of the best things about Member Expo is the connections you make with your peers across Washington. Connect with benefit staff and leaders from across the state to ask questions, share ideas, provide support, and build business relationships.

The secrets to staff retention – Attention! It’s a matter of belonging
Employers everywhere are in a panic attempting to retain their employees. When employees feel a sense of belonging, they are less likely to leave employment. Learn ways to enhance employee retention, foster an overall sense of well-being, and establish an intentional pipeline for management development. Discover practical strategies and techniques to transform your organization, nurture a culture of inclusivity, and ultimately retain talented and satisfied staff members.

10:45 – 11 am

Break

11 am – Noon

General session

Malden, Emergency prep and recovery session
As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and man-made emergencies continue to rise, it is essential for cities in Washington State to be proactive in their emergency management planning. This session provides tips and tools to assist in developing robust plans that consider risk management, worker safety, and health & wellness during crisis situations.

Noon

Adjourn, grab a snack for the road