David Larson outlines new risk management strategies for county operations

The Kane County Human Services Committee convened on March 12, 2025, to discuss various topics related to employee safety, risk management, and data reporting. The meeting began with a focus on the importance of analyzing employee claims, particularly when multiple employees from the same department report similar issues. Committee members emphasized the need for clearer data presentation, suggesting that reports should include the number of respondents and a defined date range to provide context for the statistics.

Anita, a committee member, agreed with the proposal to enhance data clarity, noting that understanding the scale of claims is crucial for effective decision-making. The discussion highlighted the challenges posed by election years, which can skew data due to the absence of exit interviews for election judges. The committee acknowledged the necessity of aggregating data over a two-year period to ensure anonymity and reliability.

David Larson, a new member with extensive experience in public safety communications and risk management, presented an overview of the county's risk management program. He reported that there have been 21 preventable claims in the fiscal year 2024, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to reduce loss exposure. Larson outlined a two-pronged approach to risk management: first, conducting safety inspections to identify hazards, and second, educating employees on operational risk management principles.

Larson also discussed the importance of regular reporting and collaboration with county departments to enhance safety practices. He proposed the creation of a risk safety newsletter to disseminate safety tips and promote awareness among employees. Additionally, he mentioned the need for updated incident reporting templates to ensure accurate data collection for insurance assessments.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to improve data reporting and risk management practices, with a focus on enhancing employee safety and reducing incidents within the county. The committee plans to follow up on these initiatives in future meetings to ensure progress and accountability.