DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 19-01
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Administrator Office of Workforce Security
SUBJECT	:	Unemployment Insurance Integrity Professional Development Conference

1. Purpose. To announce a national Professional Development Conference on unemployment insurance (UI) integrity issues to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 10 - 11, 2001, and provide information for making hotel reservations.

2. Background. In 1999, the National Association of State Workforce Development Agencies (NASWA) (formerly ICESA) formed a UI Integrity Subcommittee to identify, develop, and advocate tax and benefit operational improvements to enhance the integrity of the UI system. The Subcommittee includes members from several State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). One goal of the Subcommittee is to promote professional staff development. In line with this goal, the Subcommittee sponsored policy level workshops on integrity at the October 2000, National UI Directors Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina.

   The NASWA Subcommittee and USDOL are hosting a national conference in St. Louis, Missouri on April 10-11, 2001, on integrity issues in the UI system. Unlike the Wilmington integrity workshops, which were presented to UI Directors and other staff at the policy making level, the workshops at the Professional Development Conference in St. Louis will be directed toward supervisors and key staff in the areas of Benefit Payment Control, Internal Security, and Tax.

3. Conference Plans 

   1. Workshop Topics.  Proposed topics for workshops include:

      • New Hires Program

      • Fictitious Employers

      • Fraud Definitions

      • Prosecuting Fraud

      • Deterring Fraud

      • Crossmatches - Which are Effective?

      • Effective Tax Field Audits Techniques

      • Disaster Recovery/Contingency Planning

      • Tax Collections -- Best Practices

      • Dealing with Security Threats

      • Benefits Collections - Best Practices

      • Social Security Number Verification

      • Case Studies on Internal Risk

      • Internet Resources

   2. Hotel Information.  A block of rooms is reserved at the Adam's Mark Hotel, 4th & Chestnut, downtown St. Louis at the rate of $69.00 plus tax per night. The phone number is (314) 241-7400 or 1-800-444-2326. The cut-off date for making reservations at this rate is March 10, 2001. Reference should be made to "UI Integrity Conference" when making reservations.

   3. Registration/Registration Fee.  The early registration fee is $125 if received by March 12, 2001. After March 12, 2001, the registration fee is $150. Registration fee payments may be mailed separately or paid on site. If mailed separately, reference should be made to the attendee's name in order to ensure that proper credit is recorded.

      Registration payments should be made payable to: "UI Integrity Conference." For purchase orders, use the following Federal ID Number: 43-1158662. Registration should be mailed to:

      Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
      Attention: Gloria Schmitz
      P.O. Box 59
      Jefferson City, MO 65104-0059

      Registration fees will be refunded in full provided written notice of cancellation is received on or before March 30, 2001.

      For additional information about the hotel or registration, please contact Gloria Schmitz at (573) 751-3513 or by e-mail at gschmitz@mail.state.mo.us.

      Optionally, registration may be completed by accessing the web site of NASWA at http://www.workforceatm.org.

   4. Ground Transportation.  The hotel is located adjacent to I-70 overlooking the Mississippi River at the north end of the Arch. Valet parking is available at the main entrance on Chestnut Street. The entrance to a self-parking garage is just beyond the main entrance.

   The following public transportation is available from the airport:

   (1) Van.  Transexpress operates van service to the hotel for $10. It is located by the baggage claim areas of both the Main and East terminals.

   (2) Light Rail.  Metrolink Light Rail service goes directly from the airport to downtown St. Louis to within about five blocks of the hotel. Fare is $3.

   (3) Taxi.  Fare is approximately $25.

   Attendees, who register in advance, will be mailed additional information about transportation.

4. Action Required. SESA Administrators are encouraged to select appropriate staff to participate in the conference.

5. Inquiries. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office.