Ability KC’s Return-to-Work Navigation program bridges the gap between medical rehabilitation and successful return to work following a neurological injury or illness. The goal is to promote successful, sustainable employment outcomes and prevent job loss through early intervention in their rehabilitation journey. Services provided may include:
- Ensuring FMLA/approved medical leave is in place if available
- Assistance navigating short-term disability benefit
- Targeted return-to-work coordination with the employer and medical team
- Jobsite assessment
- Development and implementation of accommodations
- Short term stabilization supports during reintegration
- Ongoing collaboration with the individual and their employer
By coordinating communication between employees, healthcare providers, and the employer, it streamlines the process, minimizes uncertainty, and promotes timely, productive reintegration. Return to Work navigation supports HR by strengthening employee retention and reducing the high costs associated with turnover and training new staff. By providing a clear, supportive path back to meaningful work, employees feel valued and connected to the organization—fostering loyalty, boosting morale, and reinforcing a culture of care. This proactive approach not only keeps experienced employees in place but also preserves institutional knowledge and minimizes disruptions to team productivity.
Speaker:
Kristi Payne, OTR is an occupational therapist with extensive experience in neurological rehabilitation, specializing in brain injury and stroke. As Return-to-Work Navigator at Ability KC, she helps individuals transition from medical rehabilitation back to work or school through early intervention, workplace accommodations, job-site assessments, benefits guidance, employer education and community resources.
Agenda:
- 11:15 - 11:30 am - Registration & Networking
- 11:30 am - Noon - Buffet Lunch
- Noon - 1:00 pm - Program
This session has been submitted for 1.0 hour of SHRM recertification credit. This program has also been submitted for 1.0 hours of general credit toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received within five business days of the event will be refunded. Late cancellations will not be refunded after food/beverage guarantees have been placed.
A special THANK YOU to our sponsor:
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