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Director's Message September 30, 2005
To: DHS employees From: Bryan Johnston, Interim DHS Director
"I am part of all that I have met;
For those of you who decided to open this message just to see if it is my last one…thanks, but my last Director's Message won't likely be until the end of October. Dr. Bruce Goldberg, a truly nice man whom you will all come to like and admire greatly, is planning, pending senate confirmation, on starting November 1.
I have been greatly enriched by the outpouring of kind words and sentiment from a number of you. I have truly enjoyed my time here and I think we have made real progress on the goals that I outlined for you when I took the position. But I also need to protest a bit. This is what was supposed to happen. I was asked to lead DHS while a new leader was being sought.
You and I took it on together to ensure that a good one was found, and the governor has delivered on that. Dr. Goldberg is an inspired choice. His medical preparation, combined with his career-long dedication to people in need, illustrate that he has both the brain and the heart for the position. I had the pleasure of working with him during the past legislative session and I think he will be very successful.
I believe the survey that many of you took was quite helpful in arriving at this point. It outlined the characteristics that the greater DHS community thought was required to perform the tasks of director. I think those characteristics came to serve as a guide for the selection committee and the governor. When the candidates in the pool didn't meet the criteria to the satisfaction of the governor the search turned elsewhere, and now has been successful.
When the time comes to relinquish my duties here at DHS, I will do it with mixed emotions. I truly enjoy working with quality folks, who are trying almost always to do the right thing. It has reassured me and demonstrated to me once again that the real job of management is to design workplaces and work assignments that let people do their work -- then get out of the way.
I intend to do my part. That means I am an active player here until Dr. Goldberg arrives for his office. Until then, I'll see you at work!
There is some business to conduct…one of you was kind enough to point out that there are biblical references to stewardship that suggest I was a little mistaken in my claim that it came from the middle ages. Oops.
Someone else let me know that she liked my earlier emails better…I sounded more nervous. I'll try harder. Meanwhile, I'm going to turn to some of the business and postpone, once again, the discussion of respect and the conference… stay tuned…
State Hospital Benefit: Mark your calendars for 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10. The non-profit Oregon State Hospital Foundation is sponsoring a benefit for the state hospital facility and its patients at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem, in concert with the 30th anniversary of the making of the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital. The Governor, state Sen. Peter Courtney and others will participate in the benefit, which will include the showing of the documentary that describes the making of the film in Salem. The newest building at the state hospital in Salem was constructed in 1955. Up to 25 percent of the hospital's 1.2 million square feet of space is unusable owing to age and deterioration. Plans are in process to provide a general framework for the Governor and Legislature to consider for the hospital's future role, including its place in the larger state mental health system, and how to proceed with detailed planning to replace the aging facility. For more information on the Foundation benefit, contact Jessica Loewen, (503) 945-2892.
Child Welfare Audit: The Title IV-E federal grant is the single largest funding source for child welfare services. It is critical for Oregon to remain in full compliance with these regulations so as to not jeopardize any federal funding for children. During the week of September 19-22, the Federal Office of Region X Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducted a review of the State of Oregon's title IV-E program.
I am happy to report that Oregon has not only successfully passed this audit but did it with all of the randomly selected 80 cases. Program improvements and dedicated staff have helped this increase in compliance rise over the past 3 years -- from 90 percent to 100 percent compliance from the last review. For this work, CAF staff and the judicial system must be commended for their diligence in meeting federal compliance while serving the best interests of children.
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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