Grant Program Targets Loss Prevention

For Release: April 16, 2012
Contact: Clem Zabalza, 800.482.7276, ext. 4325
clem.zabalza@tasb.org

(Austin) – Grants totaling $550,000 have been awarded to 242 public school districts and education entities by the Texas Association of School Boards’ (TASB) Risk Management Fund. Grant monies help implement loss prevention and safety initiatives to raise awareness of safety issues and reduce the potential for property losses and on-the-job injuries. Since 1998, the Fund’s Loss Prevention Grant Program has distributed 2,230 total grants of more than $5.62 million to Fund members in the workers’ compensation and property and auto programs.

"More than ever, the need to prevent losses and protect employees is critical because the Fund’s members are facing many challenges and making difficult choices," said Clem Zabalza, director of TASB Loss Prevention Services."Vigilant of changing member needs, we have been successful in protecting valuable resources through education and providing monies for identified exposures. The Fund remains steadfast in its commitment to continue giving back to its members, especially in these uncertain financial times," he said.

The 2012 grants were awarded to 227 school districts, 5 regional education service centers, 2 county appraisal districts, 7 community colleges, and 1 shared service arrangement. Workers’ compensation grants focused on fall prevention, personal lifting devices, and personal protective equipment. Facilities security initiatives, driver improvement, and vehicle safety were the primary areas receiving grants under the property and auto programs.

"This year's program was highly competitive, and the selection is always a hard task because applicants closely examine their exposures and how to best address their needs," Zabalza said.

"For the past 15 years, the Fund Board has made this program possible by its commitment to provide resources that put priority on preventing losses and elevating safety in the workplace. The Loss Prevention Grant Program has been vital in raising awareness and reducing injuries and losses. We will continue to champion the needs of our members so they can educate their staffs about workplace safety and resource protection. The Fund is dedicated to a strong partnership with our members to support their loss prevention and safety initiatives," he said.

The TASB Risk Management Fund is the premier provider of risk management services for school districts and education entities in Texas. With more than 1,100 members, the Fund is one of the oldest, largest, and financially strongest risk pools in the nation. The Fund provides coverage through its unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, and property, liability, and auto programs. In addition, it offers a wide range of services and member benefits, such as loss prevention, free member training, online claim forms and resources, and grant programs.

TASB is a voluntary nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local Texas school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 4.9 million public school students.