Welcome
The OSS Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was created
in 1986 by a group of Central Valley educators to provide quality liability
and property damage insurance at reduced rates. OSS is the ideal size because
it is large enough to obtain the benefits of a large organization but small
enough to deal with the unique needs of each member district.
Philosophy
The JPA was designed by its board to provide broad insurance coverage at the
lowest cost. There are no buildings owned by the JPA and no staff employed.
Broker, risk management, and claims administrator services are contracted
out. If necessary, other experts may be retained on a short-term basis to
provide assistance. This, along with great experience factors, has kept the
rates extremely low. By providing basic services, the JPA has not inundated
the districts with a great number of requirements, which are a part of many
larger organizations. The preference has been to have fewer guidelines and
requirements and encourage district compliance with these policies. Unique
circumstances are going to exist in each district and it is the philosophy
of the JPA board to do everything possible to accommodate those needs. The
board has wrestled with some difficult issues but ways have been found to
accommodate each district’s concerns.
Accreditation
As with educational institutions, accreditation by a recognized accrediting
organization has been one way of ensuring standards are established and met.
Accreditation is a factor taken into consideration when excess insurance rates
are quoted. The JPA has received Accreditation with Excellence status by the
California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) and the accreditation
is renewed on a regular basis. Only thirty-five out of the hundreds of JPAs
in California have received this level of accreditation.
Download the OSS JPA brochure here.
Download the OSS/FCSIG Handbook here.