Highlights of Accomplishments
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The establishment of the John Allen Blakney Scholarship Fund to aid in furthering interpeters' education. |
| Spring, 2009 | |
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Successful publication of a booklet with summary of WCAB and WCALJ decisions applicable to the interpreting community. |
| Fall, 2008 | |
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Held seminars throughout the state concerning a variety of topics germane to the interpreting profession. |
| Fall, 2007 | |
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Conducted educational workshops for agencies and independent contractors regarding establishment of market rate, sound billing practices and collection from insurance companies and interpreting agencies. |
| Summer, 2006 and ongoing | |
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Follow-up contacts are continuing for the purpose of exchanging information data, and agendae between CWCIA staff and staff members of key legislators, legislative committees, and representatives other state agencies with Interests in the Workers Compensation System. |
| April 2004 and On-going | |
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A meeting was held bringing together CPS staff and State Personnel Board (SPB) representatives with members of the CWCIA IP&O committee. Its purposewas to establish parameters and set methodology for a (proposed) Certified Interpreter Availability Study. As now envisioned, it will include a CWCIA task team, CPS and SPB management. Issue remains unresolved as CPS is no longer contracting with SPB. |
| April 2004 and On-going | |
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CWCIA submitted oral and written arguments supporting the Alarcon Amendment on March 11, at public hearings held in San Francisco as part of the rule making process that would confirm the changes wrought by the Alarcon Amendment. The CWCIA position (in favor) was among the overwhelming majority (ten oral submittals in favor, one opposed. All but one of the written submittals were in favor, State Fund opposed). But after his review of public hearing submittals, this AD overrode this consensus and reinstated filing fees for interpreters. This occurred the day before the Governor fired him. There is no news yet on what Andrea Hoch, the new Administrative Director, will have to say about this, but other issues are holding up implementation. Issue has been resolved. |
| March 2004 and On-going | |
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Held initial meetings with CPS to propose a joint CPS/CWCIA study and analysis of a single issue with two faces: Are there enough Certified Interpreters actually available and able to cover all med-legal assignments generated by the needs of injured workers now in the system? If so, are there also enough to cover treating assignments as well? |
| March 2004 | |
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First formal meeting of the Central California (Fresno) CWCIA Chapter. Attendees from the local area, Sacramento, Bay Area, Central Coast, and Southern California were present for this organizing meeting. |
| March 2004 | |
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Successfully lobbied to change L. C. Section 4903.05 (the Alarcon Amendment to SB899) to exclude interpreters and copyists from the list of medical providers subject to lien filing fees. |
| January 2004 | |
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Organized "GET OUT THE LIENS", a lien filing effort prior to the effective date of new Labor Code Section 4903.05, (re: lien filing fees). Over 9000 liens were filed against SCIF for Title 8 CCR, Section 9795.3(b)(2) violations. |
| December 2003 | |
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Initiated formal contact with State Fund seeking areas of common motivation that might help reduce interpreter lien volume going to the boards. (Brief face-to-face talks were held in San Francisco on March 11, with more formal talks suggested by State Fund for a later date). |
| November 2003 and Ongoing | |
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Hosted first CWCIA Autumn Seminar, "SB228: ITEMS OF POTENTIAL INTEREST TO THE INTERPRETER COMMUNITY", by David L. Keyes of Keyes and Kerkorian. Attended by more than one hundred fifty. |
| November 2003 | |
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Demands for extraneous information not required by other payers or statute made By State Fund were quietly withdrawn and policy restoring the statutory minimum for interpreter payments implemented. |
| September 2003 | |
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CWCIA
submitted an appeal to the Administrative Director for relief
from extra-legal payment reductions being taken by State Fund
in four categories. Results to date: Issues have been successfully resolved. |
| July 2003 and Ongoing |