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Director's message November 18, 2005
To: DHS employees From: Dr. Bruce Goldberg, DHS Director
"Diversity is one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day." Anonymous
Department's Commitment to Diversity
Diversity is important. It makes DHS a better place to work, it benefits all of us personally, and by better understanding our diverse customer needs, it helps us to provide customers and communities with outstanding human services. DHS has made a number of strides in recent years in its continuing commitment to diversity. We have adopted Standards and Guidelines for Cultural Competency and Gender Specific Services that help drive and define our commitment. DHS defines "cultural competency" as a process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors. The department is committed to accomplishing this in a manner that recognizes and affirms our values and the worth of individuals, families, and communities -- and protects and preserves the dignity of each.
The department has also been working on a strategic planning process aimed at achieving a more diverse workforce, culturally competent, effective and accessible services, and infrastructure supporting performance accountability. The expectations of our customers and clients have risen in the complex environments where we operate and the demographics of our communities are changing. We need to continue our commitment to diversity. It will enrich us personally and enhance our efforts to fulfill our mission. For more information on the department's diversity efforts, contact Marita Baragli, DHS Diversity Manager, at (503) 947-5287.
Native American Celebration
As part of our continuing efforts to celebrate our diversity, we will be treated to a special ceremony on November 29 with a Native American dance and drum celebration in the Human Services Building lobby during the noon hour. The Chemawa Indian School will be sending the Apache Dancers -- about 14 youth performers -- which is quite unusual to have as part of this event. The department's tribal liaison Rick Acevado has been working with the Chemawa Indian School, Warm Springs, and others in putting together the celebration. The event is being held to help promote cultural awareness and better understanding and is part of the department's ongoing commitment to diverse events. Please let me know of other events so we can highlight them.
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
This past year has seen a major change in health benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. For the first time in U.S. history, a prescription drug benefit is being offered to all 42 million seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare. The benefit, despite its complexity and monthly premiums and deductibles, holds the potential to help reduce what some people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs, regardless of income.
Medicare beneficiaries began enrolling in the new prescription drug benefit this week. News reports across the country suggested many were bewildered by the program's complexity. Then the Medicare website crashed, preventing millions of seniors and people with disabilities from enrolling in the new program.
Despite these problems, when the program begins January 1, it will be of great benefit to many Oregonians. Keep in mind that of the estimated 540,000 Oregonians on Medicare, 129,000 have no drug coverage. For these people, this prescription drug benefit or something like it is long overdue and offers some relief from out-of-pocket drug costs.
For our part, we continue to take care of our clients who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, most of whom are on the Oregon Health Plan. In order to guarantee they have drug coverage, the federal government has automatically enrolled them in a prescription drug program. We are currently following up on those enrollments to ensure that everyone got into the plan that best serves their needs. This follow-up is a daunting task for local offices and I appreciate the work staff is doing to protect our clients' well-being.
In addition, most of us have parents, neighbors, and friends who are not our clients, but who will be eligible for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The AARP has published several documents to help individuals through the process (www.aarp.org). And the Medicare website -- www.medicare.gov -- includes a tool to help people figure out which plan would work for them. In order to use the tool, you'll need to know the person's list of drugs and dosages, current medication expenses, primary pharmacy, and current insurance plan.
The important thing to remember is that no one should be pressured into making a decision, regardless of all the mail and telephone calls they will be receiving from prescription drug plans. For those individuals who want to enroll in a plan, the deadline is May 15, 2006.
Medicare Monday
There will be a Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage display in the HSB lobby -- and in 14 other state buildings -- on December 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will be handing out information to help you assist others in these important decisions.
Final Note: Medicare-eligible employees who are receiving PEBB benefits should NOT enroll in ANY other plan; if they do, they will lose their PEBB benefit. The same holds true for PERS retirees who pay for PERS health care benefits. More on this in future messages.
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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