Morneau Shepell partners with University of Fredericton for DisabilityManagement training

Unique approach to training is a Canadian first

TORONTO, June 27, 2011 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell is pleased to announce a new educational initiative for its professionals who counsel clients in Disability Management. The new Health Management Centre of Learning, which is a partnership with the University of Fredericton, offers advanced online training in the fundamentals of Disability Management, effective June 15, 2011.

Morneau Shepell - the largest Canadian-based firm offering benefits and pension consulting, outsourcing, and health and productivity solutions - is the only provider offering such professional training, and the only one to partner with a university for this unique training.

"Disability Management is constantly changing," said Zahid Salman, Executive Vice-President, Morneau Shepell. "As a leader in Health Management, we want our Case Managers and Account Executives to provide our clients with the best possible service. DM is not a cookbook approach. It's important for our people to be at the highest possible level when it comes to the principles and practices of this area."

The Morneau Shepell Health Management Centre of Learning offers advanced disability management education to occupational health and case managers. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion in Disability Management issued jointly by Morneau Shepell and the University of Fredericton. The program involves a facilitated online delivery, and is interactive and skills-based -- paced according to the individual. The training consists of three levels (core, advanced, and continuous education) comprising 23 modules.

Says Salman: "Case managers need extensive skills and knowledge in such areas as health promotion, fit-to-work evaluation, human factor analysis, worksite evaluation, risk assessment, quality assurance, and claim management. They also need excellent people skills. This program will help our clients manage the costs and impact of disability through an approach that benefits both the employee and employer."

The benefits to clients include:

• Reduction in duration of claims
• Reduction in the overall costs of short-term disability (STD)
• Enhanced support for employees, human resources, and managers
• Integration of disability management with an overall health-wellness strategy.

"This is a true partnership that we share with a company which is a leader in workplace health, and we are thrilled to be part of this initiative," said Don Roy, President of the University of Fredericton.

"The University of Fredericton offers the most up-to-date virtual technologies to support professional educational programs such as the Morneau Shepell Health Management Centre of Learning. Through innovative and accessible learning, we help take organizations to the forefront of their capabilities."

Morneau Shepell

Morneau Shepell is the largest Canadian-based firm offering industry leading benefits and pension consulting, outsourcing, as well as health and productivity solutions. The company works with clients to develop innovative solutions that integrate with their business strategies to achieve results. Through Benefits and Health Solutions Consulting, Pension Consulting, Health Management, Administration Solutions and Shepell-fgi's Employee Assistance Program, Morneau Shepell helps clients reduce costs, increase employee productivity, and improve their competitive positions by supporting their employees' financial security, health and well-being.

Established in 1962, Morneau Shepell has grown to serve over 8,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations in North America. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, it has offices in the United States and over 70 locations across Canada. Morneau Shepell Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). For more information, visit www.morneaushepell.com.

University of Fredericton
The University of Fredericton is an accredited degree-granting online university serving the world's professionals. As Canada's most innovative online university, their vision is to be a leader in the global evolution of professional education. Consistent with this vision is their mission to provide a fully compatible lifelong learning path for the world's professionals. The learning path allows mature working students, who may not have access to traditional university studies, the opportunity to realize their professional and educational goals through e-Learning, without disrupting work and family commitments. Lifelong learning has become a professional necessity, and the University of Fredericton is committed is to providing high quality, accessible online education. Please visit www.UniversityFredericton.ca for more information.