 |
|
|
Director's Message March 5, 2004To: All DHS Staff From: Gary Weeks, Director In this week's message: 1. A reminder of your good work 2. DHS employee recognized 3. Food for thought 4. Staff news 1. A reminder of your good work I have spent this week reconnecting with the work of DHS, meeting with Cabinet members, service delivery area managers and others. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken a moment to introduce themselves, or to offer information or support.In the midst of the week's updates about policy issues, planned budget cuts and other challenges, a letter from the field brought a reminder of the powerful ways in which DHS improves people's lives. Forwarded from our North Lombard Street child welfare office in Portland, it was written by the parents of a boy who has faced many emotional problems. A child in crisis. The boy had run away from home, and was living on the streets. "He refused to see anyone from his group of family and friends," the parents wrote. "He was not eating. He was very much on the edge. We, too, were on the edge." The boy received crisis care from several organizations that serve at-risk kids. Eventually, the parents came to DHS, seeking help with the longer-term mental health treatment that he needed. Support from our staff. "The caseworkers that met with us the first day calmed our worst fears," they wrote. "Here were two professionals that understood the problem, recognized a path to investigate solutions and went right to work." Successful treatment, through the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis and other providers, followed. The boy then was able to enroll in an alternative high school. "Although there are times when we lose sight of the gains and slip back into old ways," they wrote, "we are reassured by thoughts of what's possible." The members of our staff, the parents wrote, were knowledgeable, compassionate, and skilled in linking the family with useful treatment resources. An excellent job. It's satisfying when those whose lives we touch take a few minutes to acknowledge our contributions. As I return to DHS after three years, stories such as this — and I know there are many — remind me how much I missed the good work this department does for people in need. I appreciate your dedication to that work. Governor Kulongoski delivered his State of the State speech this afternoon in Portland. I had the opportunity to attend, along with two state employees, Carolyn Thiebes from DHS and Randy White from Lottery. In his speech, the Governor recognized them for suggestions that have saved the state substantial amounts of money. Carolyn suggested a checklist that helps Oregon Health Plan applicants complete their applications more accurately and efficiently. The results include savings of more than $500,000. Randy's suggestion, involving a lower-cost way to upgrade Lottery terminals, saved more than $1 million. As the Governor noted, public employees deliver high-quality services with great professionalism, and often with little recognition. I was happy and proud to see the Governor, and everyone who attended his speech, recognize Randy and Carolyn and their contributions. Tip. Watch for a story about Carolyn's idea next week in Staff news. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Aristotle View the current issue of DHS Staff news on the Web. Back to top |
|
