The Insurance Education Association (IEA) has announced the launch of its updated CPDM 1 Essentials in Disability Management course. CPDM 1 is the first of three courses that insurance professionals can take to receive the Certified Professional in Disability Management designation.

The courses address the challenges faced by employers in a leave and disability landscape that is rapidly changing due to COVID-19, explores integrated disability and absence management components, and identifies the roles and responsibilities of those involved.

Read more: Six reasons continuing education makes you better

The course was created by experts in employment law, workers’ compensation, disability management and human resources, and includes contributions from:

• Tanya Thompson, CPDM, a disability and absence management professional with more than 15 years of experience in administering employee benefits and absence management
• Barbara Marshal, CPDM, an integrated disability and absence management consultant and instructor
• Comenthia Owens, CPDM, consultant with Prodigy HR Consulting
• Diana Henderson, ARM, CPDM, WCCP, WCCA, CPFI, WCIP, president and founder of The Henderson Group, an independent risk management consulting firm specializing in workers’ compensation
• Eric De Wames, employment law attorney and managing partner at Michael Sullivan & Associates

CPDM 1 starts Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. PST and is offered in a format that pairs on-demand self-learning modules with instructor-led live training sessions.