2013-14 Risk Management Grant to begin July 1

The VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) 2013-2014 Risk Management Grants will be available once again July 1. Again this year, $250,000 will be available for distribution and no changes to the process or application have been made.

Last year VMLIP distributed $250,000 to more than 70 governmental entities to use for a variety of purchases. Some of the more interesting items requested included quick shade shelters for employees working outdoors, crowd control barricades for use with special events, a manhole lifter and carrying device, and protective surface material for playgrounds.

The City of Petersburg utilized funding to add additional mulch to one of their play areas.

“Now our children have a safer play area,” said Elise Jarmon, J.D., risk manager with the city. “Thank you so much for reserving funding for the city’s mulch purchase.”

Additional clarification on the submission and reimbursement timeline and process is available in the Risk Management Grants FAQs document available online.

The grant process and timeline generally runs as follows:

1. Applicants should submit a completed application along with requested support documentation anytime after July 1, 2013.
2. Notification will be sent from VMLIP noting acceptance/rejection of application.
3. Funds are reserved for approved requests for a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of the application.  This will allow the applicant to make the purchase, obtain council approval (if necessary) and submit receipts or other necessary documentation to VMLIP for reimbursement.
4. If proof of purchase is not received within the 60-dayreserve period, the reserved amount is returned to the general grant fund for use by other applicants.
5. Funds may still be available after the 60-day hold has expired, but only if not claimed by or reserved for another applicant.  First come, first served terms still apply.
6. If all available funds are disbursed after your hold has expired, you may choose to apply for that item again in future grant years.  Only items where funds have been received (payment received) are restricted by the no repeat clause (see questions 11 and 12 of this document for clarification of repeat requests.)
7. Payment of granted funds is sent to the member to the attention of the applicant (name at the top of the grant application) generally within 60 days of receipt of eligible proof of purchases.

Over the past 10 years,VMLIP has awarded more than $1 million in grant funding. The grants were established to aid members in the purchase of vital equipment and training to strengthen risk management programs.

“As local government budgets continue to see cuts the purchase of much-needed safety equipment is often delayed,” says VMLIP Director of Safety Services Beth Rosenthal. “This program is designed to help them keep current with these vital purchases even in tough economic times so that they can continue to focus on the safety of their employees and citizens.”

In the past, grant funding has been used to purchase items such as external lighting, fencing to protect heat pumps from damage and copper theft, bleacher modifications to bring them to code, non-glare work lights for use by flaggers at night, and low-head dam signage and warning buoys.

For more information on the Risk Management Grants program, visit the VMLIP website.

VMLIP offers more than just coverage.  We are partners in risk management. How does your insurer stack up?  Having all lines of coverage with VMLIP ensures that your organization is receiving comprehensive coverage and a wide variety of value-added services tailored to Virginia’s local governmental entities.  Call for a quote today: (800) 963-6800.  For more information on VMLIP visit: www.vrsa.us or follow us on Facebook.

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