HomefrontHomefronte m p l o y e e n e w s l e t t e r

MAY 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

• Teaming and your QCR outcomes

• Licensing for client health and safety

• Ideas for Mental Health Awareness Month

• New JJS transition program

• And more...

2017 DHS Employee Pillar and Model Awards

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Brad McGarry, Director Office of Services Review

When we look at ways to effectively serve Utah families, it is essential to think of the practice of teaming not only as a partnership function, but as a practice in operational excellence. When it comes down to it, teaming helps us get things done more efficiently and improve processes.

Teaming is a central core value, taken from Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) practice skills, that permeates not only my office, the Office of Services Review (OSR), but the entire Department.

Data from 2016 Qualitative Case Reviews conducted in behalf of DCFS found that there was no chance of achieving exemplary service functioning (or the maximum score of six) in system performance if teaming is unacceptable. The lack of teaming is nearly six times more likely to have unacceptable engagement of the child, family and caregivers, and three times more likely to have unacceptable interventions, which means progress is not being made.

Kazenbach and Smith in The Wisdom of Teams report that teams are the best way to integrate across structural and hierarchical boundaries, foster design and energization

Leadership Message:

Operational ExcellenceTeaming Gets Things Done

of core processes and are the primary unit of performance. Teaming also results in:

• Speed and customization in overcoming challenges beyond the reach of a single individual

• Higher performance from increased personal commitment to team members

• Translation of longer-term purposes into definable performance goals leading to skill development and learning that endures to meet those goals

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Years of Service Awards

30 Years

Martin Meyer

25 Years

Dawn Hollingsworth

Betty Meyer

Richard Hallam

Richard Hansen

20 Years

Brenda Fotheringham

Nan Holdaway

Katie Jensen

Rachel Jones

Gunnar Jorgensen

Hui-Ming Ko

Mario Ramos

Angela Van Drimmelen

Lori Zumbrunnen

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Your Safety Results

Get to Know the Office of LicensingThe few and mighty 41 employees in the DHS Office of Licensing (OL) monitor licensed service providers who offer critical supports for placement and treatment to ensure health and safety standards for the well-being of both DHS and private clients . At DHS, we issue and oversee licenses for mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs , residential, outdoor and day treatment facilities, foster and proctor homes, residential and day settings for people with disabilities, and adoption agencies.

A common misconception is that DHS licenses child daycares and nursing homes, which are actually done by the Department of Health. OL is also responsible to maintain federal background checks of all direct care workers in the DHS service continuum, including DHS employees.

In OL, there are currently:

1,354active treatment

licenses for

1,070unique sites/locations

1,346active foster care licenses

45,300screening applications processed in calendar

year 2016

driving, awareness of surroundings and not walking while looking at a mobile device. Between July 1, 2016 and March 21, 2017, reports show the following results:

decrease in overall safety claims claims

decrease in overall costs

($329,522 to $169,140)

10%10% 15%15% 49%49%

decrease in slip and fall claims

41%41%decrease in slip and

fall costs($79,334 to $54,447)

31%31%! !

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As part of Juvenile Justice Reform, the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) opened a new program that will enhance the experience of youth in secure care by preparing them for success upon release. The Adult Living for Transitional Achievement (ALTA) program does not extend a youth's stay with DJJS, but equips them with tools like education support, work opportunities and evidence-based treatment during their time in care to prepare for release and a successful transition. The implementation of evidence-based practices of resolving conflicts, effective communication and reducing risk of substance use build better coping skills and a greater likelihood of achieving longterm successful outcomes.

Transitional Living Center Readies Youth for Independent Living

Community partners and JJS workers gathered to learn more about the new ALTA service open house for youth transitioning from secure care in the Salt

Lake region. Other programs like this will open across the state as part of Juvenile Justice Reform.

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Without each and every role at DHS, we could not strengthen individuals and families to thrive safely in their homes, schools and communities. As part of Public Service Recognition Week, a few of the amazing individuals among us were nominated by you and chosen for recognition. These individulas went above and beyond in their role to advance one of our five Model of Care Strategic Pillars that guide our collective vision and decisions as a Department. More than 300 of you took time to nominate 253 of your peers, making a difficult decision for judges across every Division and Office. Did you miss the video announcement? Watch it here.

The DHS selection committee chose one top employee in each strategic pillar category for a 2017 Department-wide Model Award. These individuals stood out for their exemplary efforts to improve the lives of Utahns.

Winners Announced: 2017 DHS Employee Model and Pillar Awards

Model Award Winners

Develops evidenced-based practices, which led to a 45% drop in recidivism over two years for a unit managed in addition to regular duties

Unit also averaged over 30% greater discharge rate with her focus on quality patient care

Champions understanding of families living in poverty and extended the Bridges Out of Poverty training to stakeholders beyond DHS

Volunteer work with the Paiute Tribe led to multiple tribes participating in DCFS trainings.

Given to individuals in each Office, Division and Institution for championing one of the five Strategic Pillars above and beyond their day-to-day role

Richard Cobia, DSPDJill Colvin, DJJSJed Cook, USDCMeredith Dow, USHLili Gilbert, ORS

Kenyatta Green, DJJSShauna Iverson, ORSBrent Kelsey, DSAMHRebecca King, DSAMHSarah Lundell, USDC

Debbie Miller, OPGDaniel Musto, DAASKristen Nguyen, DCFS

Pam Bennett, DSAMHDebbie Ferry, USDCKyle Goudie, DJJS

Erin Maes, DCFSNatalee Mecham, DCFSTom Sitake, USH

John Turek, DJJSCharlotte Vincent, DAASJessica Whipple, EDO

Malinda Allred, USHHeather Barnum, EDOJennifer Gee, DSPDTami Fullerton, DJJSMartha Hall, OFO

LeAnne Huff, DSAMHStephanie Lupeamanu, DJJSNan Mendenhall, DAASCosette Mills, DCFSRebecca Mullan, ORS

Wendy Naylor, OPGShanin Rapp, DSAMHRebecca Stay, OFOPatti VanWagoner, DCFS

Brenda Ahlemann, DSAMHChris Bramwell, EDOBill Boyle, DJJSRoxie Carleton, ORSKeri Carter, USDCStephanie Castro, OFO

Polly Colbert, OFODonna Evans, USDCXia Erickson, OPGTeresa Flores, ORSJolene Hanna, DSPDDavid King, USH

Jennifer Larson, DCFSTonya Lundahl, OLAngela McCourt, DJJSAmanda Slater, EDOMichael Styles, DAASSterling Webb, USH

Shannon Alvey, OPGAaron Bettinson, OSRBronson Black, DCFSJessica Cameron, ORSJanina Chilton, USHJeremy Christensen, DSAMHJennifer Evans, OFO

Lillian Ellsworth, USDCNolene Hood, USHChad Jones, DJJSCarmen Lloyd, DSAMHNancy Madsen, DAASShandy McLaughlin, ORSPatricia Moore, DJJS

Ronda Ragan, OAHMichelle Sorenson, USDCEric Stoker, EDOSara Torres, DCFSRay Winger, DSPDYan Yan, OFO

Pillar Award Winners

PreventionWork to reduce risk, trauma and intergenerational suffering

Self-RelianceSupport families safely in their homes, schools and communities

for sustainable success

PartnershipDemonstrate outcomes through family accountability, interagency

collaboration, public/private alliances and community supports

Operational ExcellenceSeek, share and build upon best practices and demonstrate effectiveness

through data and measureable results

People & CultureChampion employee development, confidence, training, professional

judgement and cultural recognition

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Health Counts:

DHS offices and locations throughout the state participated in the Great Utah Shakeout, an earthquake drill to encourage preparedness and safety in case of an earthquake emergency.

Governor Herbert signed into law H.B. 239, Juvenile Justice Amendments, which will modify the delivery of services across state agencies, the courts, educational institutions, and private service providers and significantly reduces costs. These reforms bolster early intervention, family involvement and in-home and community-based services without altering accountability and safety.

Governor Herbert signed HCR 003 that was passed this past legislative session and will honor the lives of 474 former Utah State Hospital (USH) residents who were buried without family or recognition. The resolution will allow USH to raise funds to construct a monument and name plaques celebrating their lives.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and DHS is celebrating with partners, advocates, families and individuals. You can too. Make your mental health a priority by participating in one of the activities below:

• Check in on your mental health by taking a free assessment at healthymindsutah.org

• Don’t be afraid to look for help. Mental health issues are more common than you may think and recovery is possible. Your insurance may cover some mental health treatment or look for resources both online and near you.

• Let others know why you support getting help with the hashtags #IntoMentalHealth and #MentalHealthMonth or follow us on Twitter to join the conversation.

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month, click here.

Around DHS

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June CalendarNational Reunification Month

National Safety Month

June 12 - DSPD Provider Conference and Disability Council Awards

June 15 - Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 19 - Father’s Day

MONTH

Back to cover

• Admission Safe House opens for those with disabilities

• Pew applauds Utah for Comprehensive Juvenile Justice

Reform

• Greenhouse helps patients at Utah State Hospital grow

In the News