The Human Services Self-Insurance Trust
"Following our Mission of Caring"
When the Human Services Self-Insurance Trust was initially formed in 1996, the object was simply to assist human service agencies, in upstate New York, with acquiring affordable workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation insurance for the human services industry was a line of business that the traditional market was not interested in writing and, when they did, usually resulted in enormous increases in renewal premiums; and, just as important, did not include any risk or claims management services. In 1996, after much research, a few innovative agencies in western New York joined forces to create a self-insured Trust that would allow them the opportunity to purchase workers’ compensation coverage at a savings. This group of homogeneous agencies would become a partnership of members that understood the challenges of their industry; and, so began the Upstate Human Services Self-Insurance Trust Fund.
The founding member’s mission was simply to save the members money on their premiums. However, once the Trust began and the services and benefits were implemented it became so much more. Through these additional benefits it was then possible to educate each member on ways to improve workplace policies and procedures as well as create a safer work environment. The savings, realized through membership in the Trust, were then available to be reinvested into programs for their agencies and those they serve. As time went on and our Trust grew, we were able to offer our program and services to all eligible nonprofit human service agencies throughout New York State, thus eliminating the word “Upstate” from the name of our Trust. Presently, we are proud to have 62 members who participate in this partnership and experience the many benefits of membership in the Human Services Self-Insurance Trust.
I had the opportunity to begin working with this Trust soon after the inception and continue to be amazed at the level of commitment from the membership. Boasting our 97% retention is something we are all very proud of. Considering the unsettled nature of the economy as well as the reductions in State budget reimbursements to the human service industry, I would like to applaud our members, Trustees and administrator for working together through this most challenging time. The commitment to excellence that is exemplified by all who participate in this Trust is why we have been so successful for the last 14 years. This Trust continues to be acknowledged for their financial stability by the NYS Self-Insurance Office of the Workers’ Compensation Board. The three Trustees that represent our members work tirelessly to make decisions that are best for each individual member, the membership as a whole and the industry which they proudly represent.
We are grateful to our membership for allowing us the opportunity to continue our mission that we promised 14 years ago. We work diligently to provide each of our members with the best price, exceptional services, quality benefits and the opportunity to reinvest those savings in programs that benefit their agencies. We are proud to work in an industry of caring and will continue to work each and every day to provide our membership with the tools they need to keep their agencies strong, safe and fiscally healthy for years to come.
Joanne M. Pearl-Barbati
Human Services Self-Insurance Trust
Marketing & Public Relations Director
716-445-4004 cell
jmwpearl@aol.com
www.humanservicestrustfund.com
Human Services Self-Insurance Trust Fund:
P.O. Box 1248 • Williamsville, NY 14231-1248
Phone: 716.631.5001 • Fax: 716.631.0321
Administrator:
FCS Administrators, Inc. • P.O. Box 1248 • Williamsville, NY 14231-1248
Phone: 716.631.5001 • Toll Free: 800.869.6990 • www.fcsadministrators.com