Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award Nomination Form
DMEC is excited to launch the Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award. This new accolade celebrates the visionary ethos and spirit of DMEC cofounders, Sharon Kaleta and Marcia Carruthers, and will pay tribute to their unwavering commitment to Integrated Disability and Absence Management (IDAM), a field that demands courage, fearlessness, and deep passion. The Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award recognizes industry trailblazers, who have developed best-in-class IDAM programs and can share objective data that illustrates better efficiencies and sustained improvement as a ROI. DMEC will bestow the new Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award every other year.
Defining Best-in-Class for IDAM Programs:
IDAM refers to a holistic, comprehensive approach to managing employee absences including short- and long-term absences as well as disabilities. This strategy integrates various aspects of absence management including regulatory compliance, employee support, stay-at-work and return-to-work programs, and accommodations for disabilities, into a cohesive framework. Key components and goals include:
- Coordinated management: Combining the management of absences, such as paid time off, sick leave, disability leave (short- and long-term), family leave, and workers' compensation under a unified strategy. This approach ensures that absences are managed effectively and consistently across the board.
- Compliance with laws and regulations: An increasing number of laws impact IDAM including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as state-specific laws. IDAM programs ensure compliance with these laws as well as the fair and equal treatment of employees across the U.S.
- Early intervention and support: By identifying and addressing issues early, IDAM supports employees through absences and disabilities, facilitates earlier return to work, and reduces absence duration of absences.
- Return-to-work: These programs focus on helping employees return to work after absences due to illness or injury and include workplace accommodations, modifying job duties as needed, and providing support to reintegrate employees in their roles.
- Data analysis and strategy adjustment: IDAM involves collecting and analyzing data about employee absences to identify trends, issues, and areas for improvement. A data-driven approach helps organizations adjust strategies to better support employees and manage costs.
- Employee wellness: The best IDAM programs include preventive measures such as wellness initiatives that reduce absence occurrence and/or duration by promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing injuries or illnesses.
- Stakeholder coordination: Effective IDAM requires coordination among various stakeholders including human resources, healthcare providers, insurance carriers/third party administrators, and employees to ensure effective management and to meet employee needs.
Who Should Apply for the Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award?
- DMEC members who have pioneered IDAM programs that have demonstrated a ROI.
- DMEC members who have implemented innovative, cost-effective IDAM programs that demonstrate passion, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.
Award Recipient Recognition & Benefits
The winner of the 2024 DMEC Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award will be recognized during the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference, Aug 05-08, 2024, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.
In addition, the winner will receive:
- 🌟 Complimentary full conference registration for the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference.
- 🏨 Complimentary hotel stay during the conference.
- ✈️ A $300 travel voucher for conference travel.
- 🌟 Complimentary DMEC membership for one year.
- 🌟 Complimentary registration for a DMEC microcredential course.
- 🍽️ Exclusive luncheon with the DMEC Executive Advisory Board, Employer Advisory Council, and Board of Directors.
- 🎙️ Featured in an @Work magazine article and/or a podcast.
- 🎤Opportunity to lead a webinar or conference session about the IDAM program.
- 🔊 Recognition on DMEC's website, the DMEC Bulletin newsletter, and social media.
Nomination & Selection Process
The DMEC Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award nomination period is open between March 28, 2024 and May 30, 2024. Individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by their supervisors, colleagues, vendor partners, or anyone who has specific knowledge of the individual’s contribution to driving change and innovation in the world of disability management. Nominees cannot currently be serving on DMEC’s Employer Advisory Council, Executive Advisory Board, or the National Board of Directors. Submissions should showcase the effectiveness of your program through cost and savings documentation.
All nominations will be reviewed, and a winner will be selected by a DMEC committee. All nominees will be informed of their nomination, and the winner will be notified by June 07, 2024.