Glossary of Terms

Risk Management

Managing risk within the world of Human Services presents a significant challenge to providers. Only by accepting risk and recognizing its inherent role will your organization truly be able to provide quality services and supports. How well you manage risk is the key to your organization’s success.

The ISA philosophy is to go beyond what is expected. To achieve this end, we have devoted ourselves to supporting our customers in their efforts to exceed the standard of quality care as we continue to play a dynamic role in the many arenas of the Human Service field.

Our Risk Management Division takes a proactive approach when it comes to supporting our customers’ loss control and quality improvement initiatives. Our involvement begins with the quote proposal and continues throughout the life of the policy.

Managed Risk

Managed risk is a concerted effort by all shareholding parties, including but not limited to, insureds, brokers, insurance carriers, and Irwin Siegel Agency. It is imperative to take a team approach when developing a loss control plan. Risk that is not managed results in personal injury to staff and consumers, as well as loss of property.

Human service provider organizations are unique in and of themselves. The environment in which they exist focuses on this distinctiveness as it presents dynamic challenges to doing business. The key to successfully managing safety lies in the understanding of organizational culture and its surrounding environment. A targeted approach to controlling losses includes:

1. Identifying historical and potential risks (auto, fund-raising events, and self-determination)
2. Evaluation of options
3. Realization that “risk avoidance” is often not a viable alternative
4. Implementation of a multi-faceted program that addresses everything from training resources to organizational culture
5. Monitoring organizational losses.
6. Analysis of incidents and organizational behavior to ascertain necessary enhancements.
7. Dedication to a comprehensive loss control program, focused on key areas that have demonstrated high loss potential.

Our Risk Management staff, in conjunction with our “consultant support network,” can provide our insureds with risk evaluations, workshops, consultations, and practical advice in key areas such as:

• Accreditation Services
• Management Issues
• Employee & Supervisory Training
• Consumer Safety
• Vehicle Fleet Safety & Management
• Quality Assessment Programs
• Online Training Programs
• Training Resources
• Property Conservation
• Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA)
• Risk Audits
• Workshops/Seminars
• Consultation Services
• Safety Bulletins
• Workforce Issues

Our Risk Management Department directly services our customers. Its members are responsible for the implementation of support plans, including the creation and completion of individualized loss control programs for our accounts.

Our Risk Management Department and Claims Division work closely together in order to review exposures and loss histories in an effort to identify claim trends and frequencies. They then respond to identified risk areas with resources and services in that can offer our customers the opportunity to mitigate the potential for loss. This interaction yields a cohesive solution-based approach for each of our customers as well as for the entire field.

NOTE: If you do not have your username and password, please call ISA Risk Management Department at
(800) 622-8272. Our Resources are password protected and available only to current ISA clients.
If you are not insured with ISA and are interested in any of our resources, please call us for purchasing information.