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Director's Message September 23, 2005
To: DHS employees From: Bryan Johnston, Interim DHS Director
The Governor opened the Department's largest Diversity Conference ever yesterday -- co-sponsored by DHS and the Oregon Department of Transportation -- held at the Salem Conference Center. It was truly an inspiring gathering, with people of many different backgrounds, philosophies, and talents coming together for a common, important purpose. Attendance was over 750.
For right now, I want to simply express my gratitude to Marita Baragli and her core planning group -- including Ruth Scofield, Kelley Bennett, Gloria Anderson, Linda Clure, Sharron Kipling, Joyce Wernecke, Tracey Strohmeyer, DavidRay Walker, Jolly Hill and Pamela Crites -- and to all of the presenters and folks who introduced them. (The list of people who contributed is a lot longer, but I can't name them all here; the conference packet included a full list.) I want to save a discussion of the conference until next week (hint -- it coincides with the next of our five core values). The delay will also give me a chance to learn about the sessions I was unable to attend.
This week, I will continue our series on the DHS 5 Core Values -- Integrity, Stewardship, Respect, Responsibility, Professionalism -- focusing on "stewardship." But first, some ongoing topics.
Hiring Freeze/Layoff Update
I have found that difficult news is best confronted directly. The legislatively approved budget was based on the elimination of approximately 500 positions. The department has carried a large number of these positions without filling them, so the actual harm to individuals will be much less than 500 layoffs. About 100 of these positions are currently occupied.
Our labor contract outlines how this should be handled. A statewide hiring freeze for SEIU non-institutional positions -- for salary range 27 and below -- will be in place as of 5 p.m., Sept. 30. This hiring freeze does not apply to management or executive service positions, positions in salary range 28 and above, or positions in DHS institutions. The department will be providing information and support pertaining to the hiring freeze. The weeks of October 10 and 17, DHS Office of Human Resources will provide statewide training on the layoff process to employees in locations across the state. Statewide layoff process will begin also this fall. Key dates include:
If you have questions on the hiring freeze or the lay-off process, you should see your human resource analysts for your area or office.
Addiction Recovery
September 2005 is the 16th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, focusing on the positive impact of treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders in communities nationwide. The month recognizes the strides made in treatment and is used to help educate the public that addiction is a treatable public health problem that affects us all. This vital observance lets people know that alcohol and drug use disorders can be managed effectively when the entire community supports those who suffer from these treatable diseases.
DHS supports recovery in many parts of our system. The Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in particular, works closely with community-based advocacy and support groups like the Recovery Association Project in Portland and the Eugene Relief Nursery. DHS employees, like Karen Wheeler, manager of the Addictions Program and Policy Unit and chair of the DHS Methamphetamine Response Team ,joined the Governor on September 5 in kicking off the annual celebration of recovery at the Hands Across the Bridge Event. This annual event draws 700-1,200 people every year. Events are ongoing throughout the month. For more information about Recovery Month, or to find an event near you, check out http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2005/.
Hurricane Relief efforts
Work continues every day to help those in need due to Hurricane Katrina. DHS staff have been directly helping people impacted and issuing benefits. Staff working on this issue daily include: Michelle Soto, Jorge Melendez, Danielle Donohue, Pierre Chen, Mona Kelly, Gina Santacroce, Mark Tillman, Kathy Brooks, Rob Olsen, Belit Stockfleth and Linda Weinman. The Red Cross has requested that DHS continue to staff the local Red Cross Washington-Monroe site through this week. Thus far, DHS has 253 open cases relating directly to those impacted by the hurricane. We are grateful for the dedication and extra efforts all of our staff has put in on this emergency. In my last message, I focused on the activity in SDA 2, but the impact is being felt throughout the state. Coos Bay, for example, has served six evacuee families.
Television Personality
Dr. Susan Allan, the DHS public health direictor, appeared on a Public Broadcasting Fred Friendly Seminar that aired this past Monday in Oregon. The program, titled "Bio-Watch," explored the hard choices that leaders would have to make in confronting a biological attack. For example, who's in charge, who gets medical treatment, what about quarantine? Dr. Allan was among a panel of nationally renowned experts who deliberated, discussed and raised awareness with viewers about the difficult decisions such a situation would demand.
DHS Core Value: Stewardship
Stewardship is an easier value to discuss than integrity. Its definition is more direct: "taking good care of resources entrusted to one." Working for DHS, we are entrusted with many resources by the state of Oregon. Our time, when we are on the job, is a resource of the state. So is the equipment we use, the power we exercise and the reputation of the state.
The concept of stewardship emerged in the middle ages. The steward was in charge of the castle. He -- sorry, don't mean to be sexist but they were all "he" -- was responsible for how it was all kept. Probably the last direct remnant of that concept can be found at some restaurants, where the wine steward will help you through the choices.
As public servants, we are held to a higher standard than those working at the mall or the local manufacturing plant. Many private sector employers have liberal policies of using the employer's equipment or facilities. The public expects us to uphold the highest level of stewardship, and that has resulted in narrow interpretation of private use of public property. We're just more careful.
The very mission of the work that we do -- helping people to become independent, healthy, and safe -- has stewardship at its core. We cannot accomplish this mission without using to the fullest the resources that have been bestowed on us, while being mindful and prudent in the use of those every day.
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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