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Director's Message
May 21, 2004
To: DHS Employees
From: Gary Weeks, Director
1. Preparing for the 2005-07 budget
We have begun to prepare our budget for the 2005-07 biennium. This process can be viewed in three parts:
- Agency request to Governor. The department submits its "agency request" proposed budget to the Governor by September 1, 2004.
- Governor's budget to Legislature. The Governor submits his recommended statewide budget to the Legislature in early December 2004.
- Legislature adopts budget. The Legislature adopts the budget before it adjourns in the summer of 2005.
Using our current budget as a foundation, we are now gathering and analyzing the data we need to start making adjustments based on various factors. They include inflation, changes in our caseloads, and of course, changes in available revenues.
Forecasting and priorities. Many factors, including economic conditions and changes in state and federal policy, affect demand for our services. It is critical that our projections be based on the best available data and on sound forecasting principles.
We must also begin to identify programs and services that need particular attention. This will prepare us to factor in the set of priorities being developed by the Governor's office to guide all state agencies in their budget preparation.
Advisory group participation. We welcome participation from individuals and organizations that represent the diversity of interests of Oregonians. We are fortunate to work with more than 100 advisory and stakeholder groups that give us continuous input throughout the year.
One way for interested parties to provide input is by attending one of our public meetings. We've scheduled three such meetings, the first of which we had this past Tuesday in Eugene.
We will also be holding meetings in Portland on May 25 and in Bend on May 27. See our press release for exact times and locations. You may also view the handout (pdf) we will use at these meetings
Given the funding challenges we will presumably always face, I believe we must continue to:
- search for increasingly creative solutions to help offset funding reductions;
- concentrate on our core responsibility: producing positive outcomes for the people we serve; and
- keep our perspective – because even in the face of reduced budgets, DHS employees and our partners will continue to provide critical help and essential public health services to more than one million Oregonians every year.
Thank you all for your efforts, your attitude and your dedication. I will, of course, keep you informed as the budget process continues.
2. Oregon State Hospital
Many of you may have seen the two articles on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH), which appeared on the front page of the Statesman Journal on Monday, May 17.
The articles were a fair and accurate representation of the circumstances we have faced at OSH for many years: old, dreary-looking buildings, overcrowding and staffing shortages. These are results of increasing caseloads and reduced funding levels. No doubt, the situation is far from optimal; and both patients and staff face significant challenges every day.
I think it's important that we acknowledge these facts, troubling as they may be. If we don't, we will not be able to take the steps needed to mitigate the situation.
And we are taking those steps. The first is appointing Dr. Marvin Fickle the new superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital. He is a proven administrator, an excellent doctor and a compassionate human being.
He also knows the system very well, having worked as its chief medical officer for five years in the 1990's. I have great confidence in his ability to make a significant difference at OHS.
Next is acknowledging our staff. They have done an extraordinary job under very trying circumstances, and clearly are dedicated to helping people. I'd like to pay special tribute to their efforts in the past, and what I know will be a continuation of those efforts as Dr. Fickle takes the reins of the system.
And there are other changes in the works. They include plans for a new forensics ward to open in early September, and working to make more homes available for patients to move to after their hospital stay.
We consistently evaluate and use the newest medications. We've strengthened our ties to the Oregon Health and Science University medical school, and we continue to develop and utilize extensive vocational programs to help our patients to gain a smoother entry to the workforce.
So I don't think this should be viewed only as a story about overcrowding and challenging conditions. It should also be viewed as a story about dedicated individuals working every day in a system to make it better for the patients than it was the day before.
Here are the links to the Statesman Journal articles:
Mental-health system has lingering troubles
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=80314
Monday conversation with Marvin Fickle: Doctor leads state psychiatric hospital
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=80312
3. Books from the Heart
I'd like to remind you about an excellent program, now in its eighth year, that provides thousands of donated books to Portland-area foster children. The program, which I'm proud to say is coordinated for DHS by Multnomah child-welfare caseworker Linda Manning, is called "Books from the Heart."
Each May, McCormick and Schmick's restaurants, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, and KOIN-TV give back to the community by partnering with DHS to sponsor the project. For each new book donated, the donor will receive a $10 gift certificate for food at any McCormick and Schmick's restaurant.
Donors may also purchase a new book at any Barnes and Noble bookstore in the Portland area and donate it at the store. Please refer to our press release for additional information on the program and the location of the restaurants.
Books from the Heart runs through May 31, so I hope those of you in the Portland area will consider making a donation. Not only will you be able to enjoy some very good food, you will also be providing something for a child that might light up his or her life just a bit.
The project has been so successful, I hope it will serve as a model to be emulated by other communities throughout the state. I congratulate Linda and all the other DHS staff members who have worked so hard on this – and also our corporate sponsors, who have demonstrated they understand the value of giving back to their community.
4. Food for thought
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
— Confucius
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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 a document on this Web site to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us or call (503) 945-7021, fax (503) 373-7690 or TTY (503) 947-5080. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.
Oregon Department of Human Services
Director's Office
500 Summer St. NE E15, Salem, OR 97301-1097
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214
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