Diane Ilenstine, Director Pool Administration/Emily Rice, Fund Workers’ Compensation Team Leader
Workers Compensation 101
Provides a comprehensive overview of the workers’ compensation system, including its purpose, structure, and key requirements. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of both employers and employees, along with practical insights into claims handling and compliance.
Through real-life examples and scenario-based discussions, attendees will explore common challenges, pitfalls, and best practices within the workers’ compensation process.
Phill Hambrick, Executive Director of the Alliance
Political Subdivision Workers’ Compensation Alliance (PSWCA)
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Alliance medical network, including how it collaborates with pools to manage claims and fund operations. Learn how the Alliance contracts with healthcare providers and oversees the network to ensure effective treatment for injured workers.
Emily Rice, Workers’ Compensation Team Lead/Rod Keefe, Manager Claims Administration/Greg Womack, Executive Director/Diane Ilenstine, Director Pool Administration
Q&A Panel
Join our interactive Q&A panel featuring experienced claims professionals who will provide practical insights and answer your questions on real-world claims handling. This open forum offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with subject matter experts, discuss common challenges, and gain clarity on best practices across workers’ compensation, liability, and property claims. Bring your questions and take advantage of this valuable knowledge-sharing session.
* Continuing Education Credits Available for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Certified Public Accountants. We have applied for MCLE and Texas Department of Insurance credits.
Pam Beach, Texas Council Risk Management Fund General Counsel
Preventing Employment Law Claims
This workshop session focuses on proactive strategies to reduce and prevent employment-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Participants will gain practical guidance on identifying risk exposures, strengthening workplace policies, and promoting consistent, compliant practices across their organization.
Jeremy Wade, Risk Control Manager/Mary Vasquez, Underwriting Manager/Rod Keefe, Manager Claims Administration
Using Monthly Loss Run Data/Trends to Improve Work Safety
This session focuses on leveraging monthly loss run data and claim trends to proactively enhance workplace safety and reduce risk. Participants will learn how to interpret key loss data points to identify patterns and uncover underlying causes of workers’ compensation claims and incidents.
Mike Donovan, Partner Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, L.L.P. / Emily Rice, Workers’ Compensation Team Lead
Claims Operations: Reporting, Investigation, & Recovery
This session provides an overview of key claims operations, focusing on effective reporting, thorough investigation, and recovery strategies. Participants will gain practical insights into timely claim reporting, proper documentation, and the essential steps for a complete and defensible investigation, including appropriate form usage and the importance of timeliness.
Attendees will also explore methods for identifying subrogation and recovery opportunities to help reduce claim costs and improve outcomes.
Pam Beach, Texas Council Risk Management Fund General Counsel
Employee Drug Testing for Preemployment and Post Accident
This session provides practical guidance on building and administering an effective employee drug-testing program with a focus on pre-employment, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing. Participants will learn when drug testing is appropriate, how to apply criteria consistently, and how to document observations and incidents to support defensible decisions.
Pam Beach, Texas Council Risk Management Fund General Counsel
Ethics and Compliance for Texas Government Employees
This course provides a comprehensive overview of ethical responsibilities and legal requirements for employees of Texas governmental entities, including community centers and water districts. Topics include standards of conduct, conflict of interest, acceptance of gifts, vendor engagement, billing compliance, and the use of public resources. Participants will explore relevant sections of the Texas Government and Penal Codes and learn how to apply these principles in daily operations to maintain public trust and legal compliance.
Jeremy Wade, Risk Control Manager/Mary Vasquez, Underwriting Manager/Rod Keefe, Manager Claims Administration
Scheduling Property and Appraisals, Early Claims Reporting
This session focuses on the critical role of property inspections, appraisals, and early claims reporting in achieving efficient and accurate claim outcomes, ensuring key information is captured early in the process.
The session also highlights the impact of prompt claim reporting on investigation quality, reserving accuracy, and overall claim resolution. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how early action and effective coordination can reduce delays, control costs, and improve recovery opportunities.
Jeremy Wade, Risk Control Manager/Emily Rice, Workers’ Compensation Team Lead
Preparing for Disasters/Catastrophic Losses
This session addresses proactive planning and response strategies to effectively manage disasters and catastrophic loss events. Participants will gain an understanding of the critical role of early claims reporting, thorough documentation, and coordination with adjusters and vendors during large-scale incidents.
Through real-world scenarios, attendees will learn how to minimize disruption, control claim costs, and support efficient recovery efforts.
Jeremy Wade, Risk Control Manager/Emily Rice, Workers’ Compensation Team Lead/Rod Keefe, Manager Claims Administration/Diane Ilenstine, Director of Pool Administration
Q & A Panel
Join our interactive Q&A panel featuring experienced claims professionals, risk control managers, and insurance specialists. This session offers practical insights and answers to real-world risk management and claims handling scenarios.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with subject matter experts, discuss common challenges, and gain clarity on best practices across risk management. Bring your questions and take advantage of this valuable knowledge-sharing session.
* Continuing Education Credits Available for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Certified Public Accountants. We have applied for MCLE and Texas Department of Insurance credits.
Courtyard Austin Pflugerville, 16100 Impact Way, Pflugerville, Texas 78660
Hotel Room Reservations: Use this link to book your group rate for the TCRMF and TWARMF Claims Workshop .
You may also call 512-220-2525 to make your reservation. Be sure to ask for the TCRMF and TWARMF Claims Workshop room block to receive the discounted room rate. Deadline for room reservations at the discounted rate ($134/King) is Monday, September 7, 2026.
Fund member employees who handle claims, those who are accountable for claims handling employees, general counsels and risk management employees with a focus on claims and accident investigation are encouraged to attend.
The workshop will take place over two days.
Day One of the workshop will begin at 1:00 PM and conclude by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Day Two of the workshop will begin at 8:30 AM and conclude by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. A full breakfast and lunch are included on Day Two. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 AM.
Workshop held with the Texas Council Risk Management Fund.
Please contact Jacey Garza-Raines, Administrative Specialist, if you have questions or need additional information.
Phone: 512-427-2432
Email: [email protected]
