By Honorable Jennifer Hopens
Texas Department of Insurance, Division
of Workers’ Compensation
Austin, TX
Scholarship opportunities are available for some adjudicators attending the 2022 NAWCJ Judicial College, which is taking place from August 21-24, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.
First-time scholarships may be awarded to any currently presiding workers’ compensation adjudicator and may include a maximum of $300 for hotel accommodations, waiver of the conference registration fee, and a maximum of $500 for travel expenses. Second-time awards will be for a 50% reduction in the conference registration fee. No scholarship funds are available for meals. The award of a scholarship depends, in part, on whether the adjudicator’s employing agency funds any portion of the applicant’s costs. Preference will be given to first-time attendees who are interested in becoming actively involved in NAWCJ.
The scholarship program is funded by a grant from the Workers’ Compensation Institute, along with annual dues from associate members of NAWCJ (attorneys and other individuals/companies interested in supporting the education of members of the workers’ compensation judiciary).
Each interested adjudicator must email a completed scholarship application to me (jennifer.hopens@tdi.texas.gov) by July 8, 2022 (the deadline has been extended from May 25, 2022). Scholarship awards will be announced by July 15, 2022, and successful applicants will be asked to make travel arrangements soon after to help minimize airfares.
College attendees will have the chance to meet members of the workers’ compensation judiciary from throughout the U.S., as well as practitioners and industry leaders. The Judicial College is an excellent opportunity to receive continuing education credit in a variety of areas, including order writing, evidence, medical issues, and other matters that routinely come before workers’ compensation adjudicators.
I encourage you to apply for a scholarship for the 2022 NAWCJ Judicial College. The scholarship application is found on the next page of the Lex & Verum.
I hope to see you this summer in Orlando.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hopens, Chair of NAWCJ Scholarship Committee
***
Application for Scholarship, NAWCJ Judicial College, August 21-24, 2022
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone #: ____________________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________
Agency Name and Address:______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you a member of NAWCJ? _______
If so, when did you join NAWCJ? ____________ (year)
Have you ever attended a NAWCJ Judicial College or WCI Annual Meeting and Conference? ___YES ___NO
If so, what year(s)? ________________ Did you receive a scholarship? __________
Have you participated on a NAWCJ panel or committee in the past or would you be willing to do so in the future? ___YES ___NO
Explain how you would like to participate in the NAWCJ: _________________________________________________________
Will you receive any support from your employer to attend the college? (leave time, payment of expenses beyond registration waiver and partial reimbursement of travel expenses): ___YES___NO If yes, explain support offered by employer: _______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please estimate your travel expenses for attending the college:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current adjudicatory position, dates held and description of duties:___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Past experience in workers’ compensation law (may attach resume): _________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
How will attending the 2022 NAWCJ Judicial College and Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) Education Conference benefit you in the performance of your job?:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Would you be willing to write a brief article for the NAWCJ newsletter about the 2022 NAWCJ Judicial College and WCI Conference and its benefits? __YES ___NO
Email application to Jennifer Hopens at jennifer.hopens@tdi.texas.gov. Deadline is 7/8/22