DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 21-02
TO	:	STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Administrator Office of Workforce Security
SUBJECT	:	Training Seminars for State Workforce Agency (SWA) Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Staff on BAM Case Investigations

1. Purpose. To announce fiscal year 2002 training seminars for SWA/BAM Investigators.

2. References. ET Handbook No. 395, and UIPL NO. 29-01, dated May 1, 2001.

3. Background. ET Handbook No. 395 requires SWAs to draw weekly samples of paid and denied intrastate and interstate claims and to conduct in-depth investigations of the sampled cases. Each case represents a large number of payments in the population, so it is very important that SWA staff adhere to methodology prescribed in the Handbook to ensure that the data are collected properly and coded accurately for entry into the BAM automated database. The inclusion of denied claims accuracy (DCA) investigations and interstate paid claims investigations in the BAM program require additional training in the conduct of BAM investigations. In response the Department of Labor is offering training for new and experienced investigators to ensure continued validity of the data collected.

4. FY 2002 BAM State Investigator Training Seminars. The Department of Labor has scheduled three training seminars in FY 2002 for BAM staff responsible for conducting the investigations. Seminar size will be limited to no more than 25 participants each to permit comprehensive discussion. Selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The three seminars are scheduled as follows:

     Date                       Location                   Hotel Deadline
   
   July 30 - August 2, 2002    Chicago, Illinois           June 29, 2002
   August 20 - 23, 2002        Washington, D.C.            July 19, 2002
   September 10 - 13, 2002     San Diego, California       August 9, 2002 
   
   

5. Costs. The SWAs will be responsible for travel and per diem costs for state staff to attend the training sessions.

6. Logistics. The attached sheets provide information on location, hours, hotel arrangements, and ground transportation for the upcoming training seminars. A separate sheet is provided for each seminar.

7. Action Required. State Administrators are requested to (1) notify appropriate state staff of the upcoming BAM training seminars and (2) provide regional office (RO) staff with the name, title, and session preference of each SWA nominee by June 1, 2002. Reservations should be made with the applicable hotel by the deadlines indicated above.

8. Inquiries. Direct any questions to the appropriate RO.

9. Attachments. BAM INVESTIGATOR TRAINING SEMINAR