DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 16-00
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Administrator Office of Workforce Security
SUBJECT	:	Training Seminars for State Employment Security Agency Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Staff on BAM Case Investigations

1.Purpose. To announce Fiscal Year 2000 (FY 00) training seminars for SESA/BAM Investigators.

2.References. ET Handbook No. 395, Revised July, 1997

3.Background. ET Handbook No. 395, Revised July 14, 1997, requires SESAs to draw a sample of intrastate paid claims on a weekly basis and to conduct in-depth investigations of the cases selected in the sample. Each of these cases represents a large number of payments in the population. Therefore, it is very important that SESA staff adhere to accepted methodology prescribed in the Handbook to ensure the data are collected properly and coded accurately for entry into the BAM automated data base. During the past several years staff turnover and attrition have caused an influx of new or inexperienced investigators nationwide. Additionally, changes occurring in State Unemployment Insurance (UI) operations due to telephone and other electronic filing methods have caused some modifications to the BAM methodology. To address the needs of these more recent State hires, as well as existing BAM staff, the Department of Labor is offering training for investigators to ensure continued validity of the data collected.

4.FY 2000 BAM State Investigators Training Seminars.The Department of Labor has scheduled two training seminars in FY 2000 for BAM staff who are responsible for conducting the investigations. Seminar size will be limited to approximately 25 participants each to permit more comprehensive discussion, and selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The two training seminars are scheduled as follows:

Date	Location	Deadline
May 15 - 19, 2000	San Diego, California	April 14, 2000
August 14 - 18, 2000	Washington, D.C.	July 14, 2000

5.Costs. The SESAs 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 notify appropriate State staff of the upcoming BAM training seminars and to provide Regional Office (RO) staff by the deadlines indicated above, with the name, title, and session preference of each SESA nominee.

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

9. Attachments.

BAM/BQC INVESTIGATOR TRAINING SEMINAR (California)
May 15 - 19, 2000

BAM/BQC INVESTIGATOR TRAINING SEMINAR (Washington, DC)
August 14 - 18, 2000

BAM/BQC INVESTIGATOR TRAINING SEMINAR
May 15 - 19, 2000

HOTEL/SEMINAR LOCATION

The Westgate Hotel
1055 Second Avenue
San Diego, California 92101

SEMINAR HOURS:

Begins:8:30 AM - May 16, 2000
Concludes:12:00 Noon - May 19, 2000

A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel under the group name "U.S. Department of Labor, BAM Training." The room rate is $89.00 single/double, plus 10.5 % tax per night. Each individual is responsible for contacting the hotel at (619) 238-1818 to make his/her own reservation. Please reference the group name when making reservations to ensure the correct rate is quoted. Reservations must be made no later that April 14, 2000.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: The hotel provides complimentary airport transportation. The San Diego Trolley stops at the hotel. Automobile parking is available for an additional $12 per day for those who may wish to drive.

BAM/BQC INVESTIGATOR TRAINING SEMINAR
August 14 - 18, 2000

HOTEL/SEMINAR LOCATION

One Washington Circle Hotel
One Washington Circle, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

SEMINAR HOURS:

Begins:8:30 AM - August 15, 2000

Concludes:12:00 Noon - August 18, 2000

A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel under the group name "U.S. Department of Labor, BAM Training." The rate is $118 plus 14.5 % tax per night for a single, or $133 plus 14.5 % per night for a double. Each participant is responsible for contacting the hotel at (800) 424-9671 or (202) 872-1680 to make his/her own reservation. Please reference the group name when making a reservation to ensure the correct rate is quoted. Reservations must be made no later than July14, 2000.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: The hotel is located directly across the "circle" from the Foggy Bottom-George Washington University Metro station on the blue line. The blue line is available from National Airport without a change of trains. Super Shuttle and taxi cabs are also available from all three area airports (National, Dulles, Baltimore-Washington).