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- Stakeholder feedback report.
- VRCs' Activity Prescription Form (APF) requests to attending providers must include the paper form.
- Performance indicators proposed for Phase 2.
- Labor market surveys in a challenging economy.
- L&I Fall Vocational Conference.
- L&I has 2 positions open for Vocational Services Specialists.
- WorkSource Vocational Service Specialist contact information.
- Vocational counselors can now request an Activity Prescription Form.
- Public hearings about rulemaking for Training Provider Qualifications and Option 2 Benefits.
- The Activity Prescription Form has been revised.
- Worker surveys.
- Employers are encouraged to offer return-to-work.
- Resolving difficult referrals.
- Join the OJT e-mail list.
- Retraining plan documentation guidelines.
Stakeholder feedback report
November 5, 2009.
The Stakeholder Feedback Report (714 KB PDF / 2 min) summarizes stakeholder feedback regarding 18 potential indicators.
Get Help Downloading Files (files open in a new window).VRCs' Activity Prescription Form (APF) requests to attending providers must include the paper form
October 28, 2009.
An electronic version of the APF isn't available for this purpose.
When sending an APF to the attending provider, VRCs must send a paper form rather than an electronic copy attached to an e‑mail. The APF isn't a fillable form and cannot be completed electronically.
Only the paper APFs may be used because:
- The electronic version of the APF is available only to the attending provider for addition to their electronic medical record systems.
And - Electronic communications aren't always secure.
Get more information about the Insurer Activity Prescription Form (APF) including information on ordering the forms.
Performance indicators proposed for Phase 2
October 27, 2009.
The department is moving forward with six proposed indicators for Phase 2 of the new vocational performance assessment system. These indicators include: training plans approved first time, eligible recommendations approved first time, progress reports received by due date, dispute results, complaint findings and Percent Useful Outcomes. The intent is to provide a small set of valid indicators of the quality and effectiveness of vocational providers in the State Fund. This new vocational assessment system is designed to recognize, attract and retain vocational counselors who consistently deliver high quality and effective services for injured workers and employers. Learn more about our plans for Phase 2 of a New Performance Assessment System.
Labor market surveys in a challenging economy
October 22, 2009.
Read Labor Market Survey in a Challenging Economy to learn what constitutes a "positive" labor market survey in an economy where job openings are limited.
L&I Fall Vocational Conference
October 14, 2009.
On Friday, November 6, 2009, L&I will host the 2009 Fall Vocational Conference at the L&I Tumwater Local Office.
L&I has an exciting agenda focused on professional development, basic information to help you do your jobs more effectively, and ideas to expand your professional practice skills.
Registration is free and lunch will be on your own. Free parking and 6 CEUS including ethics pending through CRCC and CDMSC will be provided.
Register for the Conference (33 KB PDF).
The Expanding Skills and Opportunities (52 KB PDF) vocational conference will focus on successful transitions to the workplace and professional resources for providers.
Get Help Downloading Files (files open in a new window).L&I has 2 positions open for Vocational Services Specialists
September 29, 2009.
L&I has 2 positions open for Vocational Services Specialists:
- Reviews of vocational determination disputes on behalf of the Director of Labor and Industries. Responsibilities include fact finding, analysis, and writing recommendations for the Director regarding injured worker's eligibility for vocational services.
Call Rheo Aieta 360‑902‑5447 for more information. - Vocational services to workers in Spokane including: Early Intervention, Assessment, Plan Development, and Plan Implementation. In addition, serves as a team member to the Early Return to Work Program and as a full partner to WorkSource Spokane.
Call Donna Spencer 360‑902‑6576 for more information.
Get an application at the L&I Employment Center if you are interested in either of these positions.
WorkSource Vocational Service Specialist contact information
September 24, 2009.
WorkSource Vocational Service Specialist contact information is now available.
Vocational counselors can now request an Activity Prescription Form
September 15, 2009.
Effective immediately, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) may request an Activity Prescription Form (APF) directly from the health‑care provider. VRCs don't need to use the Claim and Account Center (CAC) electronic "request" for L&I to generate an APF.
This change is being made to reduce delays in obtaining medical information necessary for timely vocational referral resolution.
Requests for APFs should only be made after reviewing the claim file and determining that new information is needed. For example, clarification of work readiness is needed or the VRC has information that the worker's condition has changed.
Please remember when requesting an APF:
- The claim manager (CM) must be informed if the medical or vocational picture has changed.
- L&I encourages you to call the CM if a joint action plan needs to be developed.
- The CM should be notified when you have requested an APF, to avoid unnecessary duplication. VRCs can determine via CAC whether L&I has recently sent an APF request (look under Correspondence and Legal Orders).
- VRCs may not make any changes to the APF prior to sending it.
VRCs should also continue to consult with health‑care providers on return-to-work issues via telephone, correspondence, or in-person meetings. Remember that in some cases direct consultation can be more effective than a form and also reduces the paperwork burden on health‑care providers.
Health‑care providers will:
- Continue to bill L&I for completing all APFs, whether generated by L&I or by a VRC.
- Return all completed APFs to L&I, where they can be accessed via CAC. The health‑care provider may give a copy to the VRC also.
Get more information about the Insurer Activity Prescription Form (APF) including information on ordering the forms.
Send an e-mail to VocRehabProgram@Lni.wa.gov if you have questions or comments about this new process.
Public hearings about rulemaking for Training Provider Qualifications and Option 2 Benefits
September 14, 2009.
Schedule
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
Location: L&I Tukwila Office.
Agenda:
- 10 a.m. to noon
Non-Accredited and Unlicensed Training Providers. - 1 to 3 p.m.
Option 2 Benefits.
Overview
The proposed rules will help implement Chapter 72, Laws of 2007 (ESSB 5920) by establishing criteria for:
- Approving non-accredited and unlicensed training providers.
- Option 2 benefits.
Read the proposed language at Rules Under Development: Vocational Rehabilitation.
Adoption date: December 1, 2009.
Effective date: January 1, 2010.
Written comments
Deadline: 5 p.m. (PST) October 20, 2009.
Send to Keith Klinger at.
- E-mail: klin235@Lni.wa.gov.
- Fax: 360-902-6706.
- Postal mail:
Department of Labor and Industries
PO Box 44329
Olympia, WA 98504-4329.
Questions
Call Keith Klinger at 360‑902‑6362.
The Activity Prescription Form has been revised
August 11, 2009.
The revised Insurer's Activity Prescription form (APF) is in use beginning August 10, 2009. Attending providers have been notified of the new form and asked to recycle old APF forms.
The APF has been revised to:
- Obtain clearer information on duration of physical restrictions.
- Improve communication of new diagnoses and purpose of opioid prescriptions.
- Clarify instructions about impairment ratings.
Hundreds of doctors, nurses, vocational providers, and claim managers submitted feedback that led to the changes. Their recommendations improved the clarity of the form and made it easier to complete. These improvements should reduce delays in return to work and positively impact workers' futures.
Visit Insurer Activity Prescription Form to Treat Injured Workers for more information.
Worker surveys
July 29, 2009.
As part of the independent research for the Vocational Improvement Project (VIP), the University of Washington (UW) will begin surveying workers within the next few weeks. L&I is currently sending letters to workers to inform them of the survey.
UW will survey 2 groups:
- Workers who have recently been found eligible for plan development.
- Workers who have had a plan approved under the VIP and whose claim was subsequently closed.
The survey will address a number of issues, including:
- Worker understanding of the process.
- Satisfaction with services.
- Whether the worker entered employment that he or she was trained for.
Employers are encouraged to offer return-to-work
July 10, 2009.
Starting July 8, 2009, L&I is will send a new letter directly to the employer when an injured worker is referred for AWA the first time.
The letter advises employers of the vocational referral, VRC contact information, high-level vocational process, and covers the benefits of offering work. The letter also addresses the 15 day job offer deadline if the worker is referred for plan development subsequent to assessment.
Resolving difficult referrals
July 9, 2009.
Overcoming Medical Barriers is a new tool developed by L&I and the Vocational Technical Stakeholder Group (VTSG) to clarify roles and provides suggested actions for a variety of circumstances. L&I has adopted this tool as a training aid for claims staff.
Join the OJT e-mail list
June 26, 2009.
Sign up for e-mails about On‑the‑Job Training opportunities.
See all current On‑the‑Job Training opportunities.
Retraining plan documentation guidelines
June 11, 2009.
When a proposed retraining plan requires a driving abstract, criminal background check, or drug screening, please use these guidelines to determine what attachments should be included with the proposed plan:
| Special documentation needed for rehabilitation plans | |
|---|---|
| Documentation that must be obtained by VRC | Type of documentation to be submitted with plan |
| Driving abstract if required by training program or labor market | Driving abstract. |
| Criminal background check if required by training program or labor market | Statement from VRC that the results of criminal background check don't preclude occupational goal or acceptance in to training program Don't submit the results of a criminal background check. |
| Evidence that worker has passed program entry requirements (if any) and been admitted into the program (entry requirements may include any requirements that the program uses to determine if a student will be accepted into a program, i.e., skills testing; drug test; etc.) | Statement from school that worker has been accepted into the program Don't submit the results of a drug screening evaluation. |
| Training program can mean formal training or on-the-job training | |
