Services designed to prevent losses and contain costs are cornerstones of the Fund.

Liability Prevention

Seminars. The Fund offers a series of liability seminars (approximately four per year) conducted by attorneys and professional staff.  The seminars focus on timely issues that affect all community MHMR centers and allow attendees to receive the most up-to-date information on various subjects, and to share and pool their knowledge.

Legal consultation. A legal loss prevention consultation service is available to all members through a toll-free number. The program is administered by Brian Crews, general counsel and liability prevention consultant to the Fund. He is assisted in this effort by Pamela L. Beach. Both have over 20 years of experience in the Texas MHMR field, each as attorneys, administrators, and direct care providers. The objectives of this program are to provide specialized legal advice to assist the Fund and member centers in limiting liability; to provide consultation for officers, employees, and local attorneys of member centers that assists them with operational matters; to answer questions pertaining to employment, personnel, and confidentiality; and to provide other assistance that may be needed to prevent potential losses.

Supervisor training. Effective supervision is a key to reducing both employment-related liability and workers' compensation claims. The Fund provides a two-day supervisor training program for center staff at locations in their areas. The sessions focus on the knowledge and skills that supervisors need for hiring qualified staff, coaching employees for effective performance, and carrying out disciplinary measures.  A one-day renewal course has also been developed to periodically reinforce these concepts with supervisors, managers, and executive staff.  In addition the Fund offers similar training sessions designed for mid-level managers and executive teams.  Each year the Fund conducts about 25 training sessions for centers around the state.

Surveys, Training, and Resources

Surveys. Each center participating in the Fund receives a loss prevention survey which focuses on both the safety aspects of the center's operations as well as its safety policies and procedures.  Recommendations are provided based on the survey results, and the loss prevention staff are available to assist in implementing any needed changes.

Training. Training courses designed to help center staff to work more safely are available upon request. Courses include:

• Back injury prevention seminar
• Defensive driving seminar
• "Hands on" van driver training
• Supervisors' safety management training
• Four day safety officer training

Resources. In addition, the Fund has developed and makes available resources to assist centers in their operations and to help them avoid pitfalls that can develop into costly claims. The Fund's resources include:

• A model Safety Program developed in cooperation with a safety advisory committee
• Videotapes on selected risk management and safety topics
• Your Risk Advisor, a quarterly newsletter that focuses on risk management issues and developments

Claims and Litigation Management

Texas Council Risk Management Fund members have found that the key to claims cost control is timely and aggressive intervention, investigation, and advocation. A team of skilled defense attorneys is on call to quickly defend the interests of members. Claims are professionally monitored from the time of occurrence through any adjudicative proceedings and court action. At all times the member is in the communication loop and consulted on various conclusion strategies. The Fund has always employed a philosophy of aggressive claims management and a high level of member involvement.