Kids' Chance of America (KCOA) has a bold goal of a Kids’ Chance in every state — and we’re one step closer to reaching it. With the addition of our new Associate Member from North Dakota, we're active in 49 states, with only Wyoming left to go. This means More Money for More Kids, across the country.

Introducing WSI of North Dakota

Kids’ Chance of America is proud to introduce Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) of North Dakota, our new Associate member. Cheryl Doucette, Membership Director of Kids’ Chance of America, has worked closely with Tim Wahlin, Chief of Injury Services, and Robin Halverson, Return to Work Director, to finalize the partnership. “We're thrilled to welcome WSI to the larger Kids' Chance community,” said Cheryl. “They have been supporting families for many years.” Robin will be retiring after 36 years of service with WSI and will be handing her role over to Ashley Dockter, Customer Service and Claims Technician Director.  Ashley is excited to work on this new partnership with Kids’ Chance of America.

Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) of North Dakota is a monopolistic workers’ compensation fund that was enacted in 1919. WSI is an executive branch agency and the sole provider and administrator of the workers' compensation system in North Dakota.

As part of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation benefits, a funded scholarship program exists and is administrated by WSI. Scholarships are awarded to the children and surviving spouse of a worker who dies because of a work injury or who has been deemed catastrophically injured. The maximum amount payable on behalf of an applicant is $10,000 per year for no more than 5 years. WSI awarded $187,286 in scholarships in fiscal year 2021.

Working Together

Affiliate and associate memberships provide a way for already established organizations to participate in the Kids' Chance community. Instead of founding a new Kids' Chance state organization and creating competition for dollars, Kids’ Chance of America has chosen to work with these already-existing organizations. Colorado and New Mexico are other examples of Affiliate organizations, and they follow the same standards as Kids' Chance state organizations.

“Affiliate and associate memberships are a way to build relationships with other organizations who are invested in helping the children of killed or injured workers,” said Kids' Chance of America Executive Director, Vicki Burkhart. “They're already working to create brighter futures for our kids, and it makes sense to work together. We're so pleased to welcome WSI to Kids' Chance and to spread the Kids' Chance message with families in North Dakota.”

Already, WSI is participating in the national community. “We were thrilled to introduce Robin at our 2021 Kids’ Chance National Conference during the Annual Meeting,” said Cheryl. “She was able to introduce WSI and interact with other state organizations. We are looking forward to working with Tim, Robin, and Ashley.”

The associate membership with Kids' Chance provides WSI with additional resources to enhance their programs. They can benefit from being part of a national community, all committed to the same goals of supporting the children of workers who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job. It will also give them an opportunity to share information with other members, enriching the Kids' Chance community.

“We're looking forward to our Associate membership and working together with the Kids' Chance community to raise More Money for More Kids,” says Tim.  “Our programs align very nicely, and I am certain we can realize synergies working together.”

To learn more about WSI, please visit their website at www.workforcesafety.com.