RESIG has often been recognized as one of the leading Risk Management Joint Powers Authorities in California and many of its programs, policies, and procedures have been used as models for public entity JPAs throughout the state.
Following the passage of Proposition 13 in California in 1977 a Countywide committee of School District Superintendents and Business Officials came together to begin studying ways to control the increasing costs of insurance rates which up until then could be passed onto the taxpayers for recovery of premiums. The idea of forming a county-wide insurance joint powers agency to self-fund or group purchase coverage evolved and the concept of the Redwood Empire Schools’ Insurance Group was born.
RESIG began on July 1, 1979, as a Joint Powers Authority for Self-Insurance of Workers’ Compensation Coverage for the public school districts of Sonoma County. The organization evolved to provide self-funded programs for Workers’ Compensation, Property, Liability and Dental benefits, and the group purchase of both HMO and Indemnity Health Benefit Programs.
In addition to providing these coverage programs, RESIG provides internal claims management of its Workers’ Compensation and Property & Liability programs and provides loss control services to all 47 Public School Districts and several Charter Schools.
The first staff to begin the internal management of RESIG programs began in 1984. With the evolution of RESIG for districts in Sonoma County, staff became involved with statewide pooling organizations and was involved in the development of the Schools Excess Liability Fund, providing excess coverage for California schools and the Bay Area Schools Insurance Cooperative, providing joint pooling for schools in multiple Counties. RESIG staff continues to provide strong leadership throughout California working on statewide boards, and committees promoting excellence in risk management for schools and other public entities.
