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Director's Message
Always hungry Oregon is proud of its heritage as an agriculturally rich state with abundant natural resources supporting some of the most diverse crops of products grown in the entire country.
In spite of this bounty, Oregon is also known as one of the states with some of the highest numbers of hungry people in the U.S. Consider the following:
Raising awareness; reaching out This week, Governor Kulongoski and others across the state are bringing more attention to this serious problem through annual Hunger Awareness Week activities being held statewide.
In terms of our efforts at DHS, we have been carrying out significant work to make a difference in Oregon's hunger problem. Oregon received recognition and a $1.9 million bonus last fall from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its success in identifying and enrolling eligible Oregonians in the Food Stamp Program.
Oregon was also recognized as a "best" designation state for holding one of the nation's top-five participant access rates. The Food Stamp Program provides support to low-income households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.
For most Oregonians, hunger is an income issue. Our work in helping our clients become more self-sufficient is key in addressing this. Our work in providing and recommending nutritious foods through federal programs for women, infants and children also helps thousands every year. And our partnerships with those in communities throughout Oregon support those in need daily.
State employees have long recognized hunger is an important issue here -- and have given generously of their time, talents and resources in supporting annual state employee food drives across Oregon. Thousands of Oregonians have benefitted from this generosity.
By all of us continuing to stay committed to helping with one of the most basic needs of our society -- nutritious, safe food -- we can reverse these disturbing trends and statistics and ensure that the bounty that Oregon produces is one we all can share.
From school to work Thursday, April 28, the department will be participating in the annual "Take Our Kids to Work Day" with activities planned at DHS offices all over the state. Governor Kulongoski strongly supports school-to-work activities and this is an opportunity for young people to explore the reality of the today's workplace.
Here at HSB, students will learn more about the work being done in human services and have the opportunity to try their hand at being security sleuths, go behind the scenes of the news stories they see on television, and take a look inside the computers they use every day, among other activities.
Information about what is planned in your office or part of the state should be coming to you directly. Besides being a special time for state employees to show their children where they work, this event may help young people with their future career planning as they learn about the variety of services state government provides to its citizens.
Diversity conference This is a reminder to hold the date of Sept. 22 for the department's 12th annual diversity conference, "Tools of Success - Building with Diversity" to be held at the Salem Convention Center. The conference is an opportunity to learn more about the latest information regarding promoting and valuing diversity. Rev. Matt Hennessee is the keynote speaker and 14 breakout sessions will be available. The conference can accommodate about 800 employees. More information on registration will be coming soon.
A lifetime of service After 29 years of public service, Health Services Assistant Director Barry S. Kast announced this week that he will be retiring later this year. I have worked with Barry for many years and can honestly say it would be hard to find another individual who has been more dedicated and passionate about the clients we serve.
Barry began his health services career in 1976 as a mental health therapist for Benton County Mental Health, and worked as Benton County's mental health director from 1981-86. He joined DHS in 1986, becoming administrator of the former Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services Division in 1994. He became DHS assistant director for Health Services in 2002.
Barry brought a unique perspective to DHS having worked both in the community and for the state, and a great understanding of the dynamics needed to work with county programs, private agencies, advocacy groups, and consumer organizations. During his tenure here, Barry has helped lead policy and program changes that have, among other things, brought increased access to care, strengthened community capacity, and expanded prevention, crisis response, and treatment of vulnerable populations. Those contributions made to the people we serve will be lasting. We will miss him.
Food for thought "Have you ever watched a stone cutter at work? He will hammer away at a rock for perhaps 100 times without a crack showing in it. Then at the 101st blow, it will split in two. It is not that blow alone which accomplished the result, but the 100 others that went before as well." -- Author unknown This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need this message to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us, or call (503) 947-5107. You can also fax your request to (503) 373-7690, or call (503) 947-5080 for TTY service. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available. |
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