Washington proves a model for Connecticut in return-to-work programs
Director of Business Development Terry Hopsecger recently spotted an interesting item in compwire.com including praise for Washington State’s return-to-work program for injured workers.
It turns out that based on Washington’s Centers of Occupational Health and Education (COHE) model program, Connecticut has decided to pilot a federally-funded program to also offer financial incentives for injured workers to make early returns to jobs requiring fewer physical demands. Connecticut’s program is focusing on workers with musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
COHEs offer training and resources to doctors but may also be able to help workers plan a return to their employers. COHEs have Health Services Coordinators (HSCs) that work with doctors and employers to understand a worker’s restrictions and find work that is within those restrictions.