About DLI
Renew a license onlineMarch 24, 2008
Sviggum appoints 12 to workers' compensation advisory work group about vocational rehabilitation
Commissioner Steve Sviggum has appointed 12 members to the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) Work Group on Vocational Rehabilitation.
This work group, created by Sviggum, will make policy and operations recommendations about the current practices of qualified rehabilitation consultants. It will also evaluate statutorily defined vocational rehabilitation comparison to actual practice and services provided, cost containment reforms, pay for performance standards, and the efficiency and effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation.
"I am pleased by the talent assembled for this work group and their dedication to improving the vocational rehabilitation services offered to injured employees," Sviggum said. "This work group will bring forth reforms to improve cost containments while ensuring injured employees receive vocational rehabilitation services to help them return to suitable work as quickly as possible."
The 12 members are:
- Glenda Cartney, White Bear Lake, registered nurse, Minnesota Nurses Association;
- Tim Collin, Bloomington, president and chief operating officer, CompRehab State Fund Mutual;
- Carl Crimmins, St. Paul, president, Minnesota Pipe Trades Association;
- Mike Donnelly, Minneapolis, qualified rehabilitation consultant, CorVel;
- Judy Gaub, Crosby, qualified rehabilitation consultant;
- Natalie Haefner, St. Paul, nurse consultant, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association;
- Steve Hollander, Minneapolis, president, Vocational Rehabilitation Associates;
- Brad Lehto, St. Paul, chief of staff, Minnesota AFL-CIO;
- Alissa O'Hara, North Oaks, qualified rehabilitation consultant;
- Pete Parris, Maplewood, political director, Sheet Metal Workers' International Association;
- Michelle Spencer, Shoreview, director of insurance and risk management, ECUMEN; and
- Grant Welle, Minneapolis, manager of claims administration, General Mills.
The work group will be led by WCAC members Gary Thaden, Susan Olson, Wayne Ellefson and Don Gerdesmeier. Its legislative liaison will be Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina.
The work group's first meeting will be Mon., April 21, at 10 a.m., at the Department of Labor and Industry, 443 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul. Subsequent meetings will be on the third Monday of each month at 10 a.m. The work group will make its recommendations to the WCAC by Aug. 1, 2008.
-###-
News media contact:
James Honerman
(651) 284-5313