Director's Message

October 7, 2005

To: DHS employees

From: Bryan Johnston, Interim DHS Director

MaryAnn Evans of the department's Finance and Policy Analysis section keeps a white board outside of her cubicle. Occasionally she writes on it, but most days others scribble philosophy, literature or pithy observations on it. For most of this past week, it has simply read "Change is Constant." If DHS is ever in need of a motto, that phrase will be in contention.

I'm not just talking about change at the top. People in each of the clusters have their regular work, implementation of changes wrought by the recent legislative session, and, of course, the ever-changing problem or challenge of the day, week or month. This is not a static environment.

There is so much going on that it is hard to decide what to include in these messages. I apologize for the length of this one, but I couldn't cut any of these items. In today's message, I cover:

• Respect,
• Disability awareness month,
• Problem gambling and
• Honoring foster children.

I get to contribute three more weekly messages to the DHS conversation. That works out well in at least one regard. I have covered two of our core values -- Integrity and Stewardship -- and I have three to go, Respect, Responsibility and Professionalism. I hope you'll be as pleased as I was when I tell you that in one of my conversations with our incoming Director, who prefers to go by Bruce, that he is as enthused about the Values Project as I am.

Respect may well be the easiest of our Core Values to get one's arms around. The full value reads, "We respect the dignity and diversity of our colleagues, communities and people we serve." Like each of our values, the guiding document then tries to offer guidance, aspiration and warning. The guidance comes down to we try to treat other people as we would want to be treated. The aspiration is to strive to perform our duties in such a way that we demonstrate our respect for human dignity and the value of each person. The warning should be clear. DHS will not tolerate people who engage in harassment or discrimination against others.

Disability Awareness Month

At DHS, employees with disabilities are a valued part of the team: in managerial, administrative, support and service delivery capacities. DHS recognizes the demonstrated benefits of a diverse workforce and experiences every day the valuable contributions of its employees with disabilities. We take some extra time in October to recognize these efforts through National Disability Employment Awareness month activities, including a recent proclamation issued by Governor Kulongoski.

This year's theme -- "Workers with Disabilities: Ready for Tomorrow's Jobs -- Today!" -- is especially timely given the continuing high rate of unemployment facing Oregonians with disabilities. Two-thirds of all individuals with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 64 are unemployed. Hiring, retaining and promoting qualified individuals with disabilities is cost effective and helps us, our economy and our communities thrive and prosper.

Here at the Human Services Building in Salem, several events are planned:

• October 10, HSB 137, 12-1 p.m. Lynnae Ruttledge will provide an international perspective on the disability experience in other countries drawn from her work with Mobility International.
• October 17, HSB 137, 12-1 p.m. Join us for a film festival and discussion of recent issues within the disability community.
• October 24, HSB 137, 12-1 p.m. Meet Oregonians with disabilities who will share their experience in creating their own livelihood through self-employment and in obtaining employment in the public and private sectors.

Each of us can contribute by recognizing that our attitude is the key to raising the level of employment for people with disabilities. I encourage DHS offices throughout the state to actively celebrate this month in your local community.

Problem Gambling

It isn't well known that the Oregon Lottery devotes 10 percent of its advertising budget to promoting responsible gambling and encouraging problem gamblers to enroll in treatment, which DHS manages.

Now we're seeing that one of those ads -- targeted at women who have problems with gambling -- is getting surprisingly good results: a 40 percent increase in women enrolling in free treatment when the ad first ran in March, and more calls to the problem-gambling helpline (1 877-2-STOP-NOW) every time the ad runs.

Jeff Marotta, our problem gambling services manager, says they're now working on an ad urging youthful problem gamblers to get into treatment. DHS contracts with 36 Lottery-financed treatment sites statewide, two crisis-respite sites in Grants Pass and St. Helens, and we're preparing to contract for a residential treatment center to open in February.

Honoring Foster Children

Last Saturday, October 1, DHS hosted the 12th Annual "Afternoon At Oaks Park" in honor of foster children and their foster and kinship families. We had a grand total of 1,271 guests of whom 863 were children. We also had more than 50 volunteers from DHS/Child Welfare from Multnomah, Columbia, Washington, Clackamas and Polk counties and volunteers from the East Portland Rotary Club, the major sponsor of this event.

This event would not and could not happen without the support of agency volunteers. Thank you to Linda Manning, who year after year leads the organization efforts of this event. And thank you, Jerry Burns, Carolyn Graf, Judy Griswold, Pat Bowman, Lee Coleman and Alicia Hahn for greeting our families at the main gate and to Jerry and Carolyn who ended up serving food until after 2:30 p.m. Thanks to many others who helped including: Kristi Hampton, Vera James, Tina Hanson, Dan Minne, Gladys Hedgmon, Gloria Cunningham, Mary Kay Landis, Carrie VanDijk, Vangie Sanchez, Deborah Martin, Sheila Mitchell, Janet Payne, Gail Mitchell, Sandy McMillan, Ron McMillan, Linda Senger, Stan Irish, Ormond Fredericks, Jim Perillo, Kirby Crawford, Caryn Nelson, Peggy Buytaert, Trisha Collins, Doug Miller, Amanda McVay, Karol Rhoades, Janice Hollyburton, Judy Copper, Ali Martin, Roger Ashley, Eileen Gill, Vicky Clark, Maureen Lovejoy, Karla Lorentson and Michelle McAllister. You were all successful in making our foster children and their families feel very, very special.

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.