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In this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez welcome Tammy Boyd, newly appointed President of Kids' Chance of Florida, for a meaningful conversation centered on service, leadership, and the life-changing impact of educational scholarships for children affected by workplace injury or fatality. Tammy shares how her career in workers’ compensation shaped her understanding of the human ripple effects of injury, and why Kids’ Chance became a mission she felt called to lead.

The discussion highlights the heart of Kids’ Chance of Florida’s work: providing hope, stability, and educational opportunity for children whose families have experienced devastating loss because of a work-related injury, or in some cases, a death. Tammy reflects on the organization’s impact, the stories behind the scholarships, and the collective effort required to sustain and grow the program. She also explains how the Florida chapter fits into the broader Kids' Chance of America network, which supports students nationwide through locally driven chapters united by a shared mission.

Throughout the episode, Tammy emphasizes that Kids’ Chance is more than a charity; it is a long-term investment in people and communities. She offers a call to action for the workers’ compensation community to get involved, reminding listeners that behind every claim is a family whose future can be profoundly changed through education. This episode is a powerful reminder that when an industry comes together in service, its impact reaches far beyond the system itself.

Tammy shared that the Florida chapter started in 2015, and to date, has awarded over 100 scholarships totaling over $450K in support of students impacted by workplace injury. At the national level, Kids Chance of America has helped more than 11,000 students with over $42 million in scholarships through its network of 50 chapters, one in every state in the US.

Upcoming Kids' Chance of FL events:

Flagship event: WCI Golf Tournament (August 23, 2026)
Breaking news! New for 2026: 2 golf sessions will be available

5K Fun Run in South Florida (coming soon!)

For more information and to find a chapter in your state, please visit https://www.kidschance.org/

¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

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Our key issues for 2026:

1. Mental Health Goes Operational
Mental health is no longer fringe in workers’ comp. Our real challenge now is operationalizing access to timely, evidence-based mental health care so it supports recovery instead of becoming a barrier.

2. End of Healthcare Subsidies = Cost Shifting Risk
With federal funding changes, i.e., the loss of funding tied to healthcare subsidies and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), watch closely for cost shifting into workers’ compensation, a pattern the industry has seen before.

3. CMS Civil Monetary Penalties.
This is a brand-new layer in the Medicare Secondary Payer landscape. CMS is expected to release CMP documentation in March.

4. Complex Claims = The Biggest Opportunity.
Early identification of red flags, faster access to evidence-based care, and better education for claims professionals prevent complexity → chronicity → runaway costs.

5. Presumptions Are Expanding.
Presumptions continue to shift the burden of proof to employers, especially for PTSD, firefighter cancer, and potential infectious disease claims, with high cost and policy implications.

6. Employee Well-being & “Quiet Cracking.”
Quiet cracking, marked by disengagement, burnout, and feeling stuck, is emerging as employees remain overloaded and unsupported. Organizations that treat wellbeing as a core risk management strategy see stronger engagement, faster recovery, and lower overall costs.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Watchlist

• DEI & Diversity – Organizations that lean into diversity perform better and attract stronger talent.
• Education & Mentorship – The next generation of WC professionals needs mentorship from experienced leaders. Explore mentor/mentee programs.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – It's time to embrace adaptation. Education is key to using AI wisely. Challenge yourself to adapt as AI is changing rapidly and becoming more integrated in our daily lives.
• Self-Leadership as a Core Competency – Especially for claims professionals. Self-leadership improves empathy, self-regulation, and decision-making.
• California Premium Increases – California is an outlier worth watching as other states stabilize or decline.

🤝 In-Person Events: Where Professional Growth Accelerates

Connection, learning, and candid conversations happen best face-to-face. Wherever you sit in the workers’ comp ecosystem, attending even two industry events a year sharpens perspective and strengthens relationships.

Yvonne’s Top Picks

• Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) – March | Boston, MA
• National Council of Self Insured (NCSI) – June | Rancho Mirage, CA
• Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) – August | Orlando, FL
• ELEVATE Conference – September | San Diego, CA
• National Comp Conference – September | Las Vegas, NV
• Bonus: Your state or regional workers’ comp conference!

Rafael’s Picks

• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) – Annual Conference (March), WC Event (May), Claims College (Fall)
• Workers’ Compensation Claims Professionals (WCCP) + Florida Bar – April | Orlando, FL
• National Medicare Secondary Payer Network – October | Bethesda, MD

Also mentioned: PARMA, PRIMA, NCCI, NRR

¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Send us a text

Yvonne and Rafael take time to reflect on Season 5, their accomplishments, and the time they spent with guests.

They also discuss new features of Deconstructing Comp, including the launch of the Work Comp Changemaker Awards, a new website, a monthly newsletter, a YouTube channel, and so much more!

Grab your headphones, your favorite beverage, and let's go have a chat!

¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp