April 2-4, 2019 / Milwaukee, WI Presentations & Course Descriptions Advanced DAPM Training Lori DeCoste, Michael Redington & Felicity Shanahan Explore advanced program topics with the Volpe Center’s FTA Drug and Alcohol Project Office staff. In addition to hearing about key technical issues and interpretations, attendees will be able to discuss their own questions with the auditors and their peers in an open-forum format. Note: This class is for DAPMs with over 5 years of experience in their position. Download Presentation Beating the Cheaters Craig McNulty Though the increased use of directly-observed urine collections has helped reduce cheating in DOT drug testing, the adulteration and substitution of urine samples remains a problem. In this session, learn from an FTA auditor numerous best practices to employ in pursuit of the elimination of common vulnerabilities within the DOT testing process. Download Presentation Beginner Drug and Alcohol Program Manager (DAPM) George Gilpatrick & Joseph Lofgren This all-day class is designed for the true beginner where he or she can learn about the history of drug and alcohol testing in the transit industry, the basic requirements of the federal rules, and DAPM/DER responsibilities under 49 CFR Part 655 and Part 40. Step by step, the speakers will guide the participants through the building blocks that make up a compliant FTA program. Through discussion of "best practices," the participant will learn efficient and effective methods used by covered employers to comply with the regulations. Other topics include: policy and training requirements, categories of testing, testing procedures, responsibilities of service agents, recordkeeping and DAMIS reporting. Download Presentation Collection Site Review and Mock Collection Toni Clay & Trent Fontanella The collection site is an integral part of a compliant drug and alcohol testing program. In this session, participants will learn key strategies for assessing the compliance of their collection sites. Topics include physical site security and integrity, the review of federal forms, and the mock collection process. Download Presentation DOT Test Refusals Craig McNulty Learn from an FTA auditor about the different circumstances that lead to a determination that an employee has refused a DOT drug or alcohol test. In this session, the speaker will discuss the DOT refusals as defined in Part 40, as well as some common pitfalls and best practices to avoid them. Download Presentation DOT Testing: Mobile and In-House Collections Lori Jones, Julie Tennant, & Andre Welsh In this session, attendees will hear from DAPMs about the use of mobile collection services, and about the implementation of an in-house testing program. The speakers will discuss the benefits and challenges of each. Download Presentation Drug and Alcohol Testing Trends: MIS Reporting Michael Redington This session will provide guidance and answer commonly asked questions about how to quickly and accurately complete the annual FTA/DOT reporting requirement. In addition, attendees will look at interesting trends and testing results compiled from nationwide results submitted over the last several years. Download Presentation Drug and Alcohol Program Check-up George Gilpatrick In this session, an FTA auditor will discuss some ongoing metrics that DAPMs can use to gauge their own drug and alcohol programs. Attendees will learn how to make an initial assessment and set up an internal monitoring system for the total health of the program. Download Presentation Employers Who are Covered by FTA and FMCSA: How to Manage the Dual Modes Iyon Rosario, John Spelman, & Juan Moya Learn from key oversight personnel about the important commonalities and differences in FTA and FMCSA and testing regulations. Topics will include safety-sensitive personnel designations, testing category overlaps and separations, and best practices for dual-program management. Download Presentation FMCSA Clearinghouse Barbara Baker & Gian Marshall The new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse established by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) will contain information pertaining to controlled substances and alcohol testing violations for holders of CDLs subject to FMCSA regulations. In this session, attendees will learn about the Clearinghouse, including implementation milestones and required actions that users must take once the Clearinghouse is operational. Download Presentation Jeopardy Michael Redington, Lori DeCoste & Felicity Shanahan Jeopardy, one of the most popular game shows in history with its unique answer-and-question format, will be revamped to showcase contestant knowledge of DOT and FTA drug and alcohol regulations. Watch your peers participate or request to be one of the contestants. Post-Accident Testing Thresholds and Scenarios Diana Byrnes This session will present the FTA’s definition of an accident and the thresholds for testing in clear, layman’s terms. It will cover the necessary steps that must be taken once a post-accident testing decision has been made, including the testing windows and documentation of the event. It will conclude with a collaborative review of several real-life accident scenarios. Download Presentation Q&A with the Experts Iyon Rosario, Mark Snider, Juan Moya, & Joseph Lofgren Moderator: Michael Redington This session will provide an open forum for asking questions of several DOT drug and alcohol industry experts. The Roles of the MRO and MRO Assistant Dr. Gina Pervall & Toni Clay Learn about the important work MROs and MROAs do to review and verify DOT drug tests. This session will feature an MROCC-certified MRO and MRO Assistant discussing their respective functions with regard to processing DOT tests, as well as the role the DAPM plays in using their services. Download Presentation Small Transit Employers: Challenges and Best Practices Robbie Sarles Although small transit employers generally have limited resources, personnel and service vendor options they are responsible for the same level of compliance as their urban counterparts when it comes to the FTA drug and alcohol testing regulations. In this session, discuss best practices and get practical solutions to challenges directly related to creating and maintaining a compliant drug and alcohol program for small transit employers. Download Presentation A Second Chance after a DOT Testing Violation John Spelman & Sandra Sullivan If your organization has a second-chance program, one of the most important ways to support employees who have substance abuse problems is by maintaining a robust deterrent against recidivism. This session will focus on how to return employees to safety-sensitive duties following a DOT drug or alcohol violation. Participants will learn about the SAP process and best practices for maintaining an effective and compliant follow-up testing program. Download Presentation Subrecipient and Contractor Oversight: A Panel Discussion Deborah Ellis, Lori Jones, & Jeffrey Waxman Moderator: Diana Byrnes This session will explore the role of the FTA grantee in maintaining responsibility for their covered subrecipients’ and contractors’ compliance with the requirements of Part 655. Learn about the minimum requirements for oversight, and about numerous best practices used. Download Presentation Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Discussion Forum Trent Fontanella & George Gilpatrick This session will provide an open forum for participants to interact with other agencies, to solve problems common to the industry, and to increase their professional resources for better performance. Two FTA auditors will be on-hand to promote and support conversation. Download Presentation Trends in Cannabis Use Sean Oswald This session will provide information about trends in marijuana use, including public opinions, popular products, and the workplace impact. The speaker will also provide answers to frequently asked questions and bust a few myths. Download Presentation Unique Applicability Case Studies Joseph Lofgren Public transportation can come in many shapes and sizes. In this session, an FTA auditor will discuss some unusual coverage and modal scenarios. Participants will learn how to examine their own workforce to ensure appropriate employees are subject to FTA drug and alcohol rules. Download Presentation US Department of Transportation-Regulated Testing: Hot Topics Patrice Kelly & Mark Snider The DOT’s drug and alcohol testing regulation, 49 CFR Part 40, has been around for more than 25 years. As the guardian of Part 40, DOT’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, sees it all! Learn about the most commonly asked questions and most misunderstood provisions. Find out about data trends and other topics that are pertinent to your work as regulated employers. Working with a Labor Union Phyllis Walker In this session, learn best practices for working with your labor union to ensure your program’s compliance with DOT and FTA drug and alcohol regulations. The speaker will discuss creating a strong policy, maintaining transparency, and developing relationships. Download Presentation Updated: Friday, October 9, 2020