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DBHDD's Culture Core Team
DHBDD is working to build a performance-driven culture that all employees can be proud of and invested in. The Core Team, consisting of ten representatives from DBHDD staff with a variety of expertise and years of service, is leading that charge.
The Core Team is led by Charlie Walters and Kenya Bello with Amy Gardner, Chris Hamilton, Mary Holliday, Cassandra Price, Beverly Rollins, Charles Ringling, Melissa Sperbeck, Audrey Sumner, Kristie Swink and Susan Trueblood serving as team members.
Having met three times, the Core Team has accomplished the first of three milestone requested by DBHDD leadership: providing a comprehensive, well-thought-out definition of culture.
The Core Team will continue working to develop a performance–driven culture that represents all DBHDD employees and is characterized by accountability, commitment to excellence, positive relationships in the workplace and truly believing in the work of the department.
To view a video and learn more about DBHDD’s mission, vision and values, visit www.dbhdd.georgia.gov and view Commissioner Shelp’s page.
Stay tuned for more DBHDD Culture Core Team updates! Coordinating Council
The Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Coordinating Council had its first meeting and December 3, 2009. This new body was created by the same legislation that brought about DBHDD. Its purpose is to bring state agencies and citizens together to make recommendations on policy and practices that can help improve shared services.
In attendance were the Commissioners of the Departments of Human Services, Community Health, Juvenile Justice, Corrections, and, of course, DBHDD. Among the citizens appointed to the council were various activists and consumers. The council is sure to benefit from the participation of State Senator Renee Unterman, a leading force behind the creation of DBHDD and the council.
The council intends to ask the legislature to add the Departments of Community Affairs, Labor, and Pardons and Parole, in addition to the State Superintendent of Schools.
The next meeting will be held January 6, 2010, in the 29th floor boardroom at 2 Peachtree St in Atlanta. Q&A with Bill Janes
Governor Sonny Perdue recently announced that Georgia is getting a new Olmstead Coordinator. We reached out to Bill Janes, Olmstead Coordinator, to welcome him to Atlanta and get the inside scoop on his new responsibilities.
Q: How long will you serve as Olmstead Coordinator?
A: As an appointee in the Governor's Office, I serve at the privilege of the Governor. The importance and sensitivity of our work suggests that I also serve at the privilege of stakeholders and most importantly, the individuals we serve.
Q: What does the position require?
A: I believe the Olmstead Coordinator position is a very important, accountable position. The duties are described in the Voluntary Compliance Agreement and the Olmstead Plan which is being developed. Much of my work is as a communicator, facilitator, and leader charged with improving the system of care. Critical tasks for the Olmstead Coordinator include:
- Represent the Governor's Office,
- Providing statewide leadership and management of all Olmstead related tasks, Chair the Olmstead Planning Committee, Coordinate with state agencies, stakeholders, and advocates to strengthen the system of care for individuals with disabilities,
- Identify and work to resolve barriers to services,
- Coordinate budget development for Olmstead related services,
- Work with hospitals and community service providers to strengthen coordination, improve the amount and quality of services, and respond to all inquiries, concerns and recommendations impacting the system of care.
- Accomplish specified and implied Olmstead tasks in plans, agreements, and Georgia code.
Q: What does being named the new Olmstead Coordinator mean to you?
A: I am honored to have this opportunity to continue to serve individuals with disabilities. Nationally, and in Georgia, we have much work to do to improve our systems of care. I enjoy working with dedicated advocates and stakeholders to provide systems change. I am excited to meet my partners and begin our work together.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish as the Olmstead Coordinator?
A: First, I must do my job and accomplish those tasks that I have been assigned. I will work to establish partnerships that are accountable, lasting, and effective for those we serve.
Q: How long have you worked in this field of expertise?
A: I have been involved with efforts to improve services for individuals with disabilities for 17 years. I have been in this position for one week.
Q: What will be your primary focus?
A: Initially, I am focused on requirements in the Voluntary Compliance Agreement and in finalizing our Olmstead Plan.
Q: What areas are you charged with improving?
A: My assignment is complex and related to strengthening the system of care for individuals with disabilities. We have great emphasis on hospital and community services that transition individuals into the least restrictive environment. This requires a shift from deep end hospital services to services in the community.
Q: Will you be traveling or stationary?
A: During my work experience, I have learned that to be effective you must be where decision makers are and where service is provided. I anticipate considerable work in Atlanta and across the state in our hospitals and communities.
Q: Will there be any changes with Olmstead in the New Year?
A: I do not believe this is my decision alone. I will work with the Olmstead Planning Committee, state agencies, and stakeholders to establish priorities of work.
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Our Values: Collaboration
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach
them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Meade
"One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." ~Kareem Abdul Jabbar
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
~Henry Ford
"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something
wonderful." ~Mother Teresa
MHA Newsletter
Mental Health America of Georgia has invited DBHDD employees to sign up for their email newsletter and legislative alerts. If you’d like to receive this publication, you can sign up on their web site. Dress Code
There's been some confusion about when casual dress is appropriate under our dress code policy. DBHDD has designated Fridays as "casual day." If it's not a Friday, it's not a day for casual dress, regardless of upcoming holidays, furlough days or telecommuting days.
The only exceptions will be made for employees who purchased tickets for charity to wear casual attire on Thursdays in December.
Even though Friday's allow for more relaxed dress, it should be noted that attire should still reflect a professional office image and work environment.
December Events
December 16, 2009
DBHDD Annual Holiday Luncheon,
noon - 3:00 p.m., 22-270
December 24, 2009
Holiday - Observance of Washington's Birthday
December 25, 2009
Holiday - Christmas Day
December 31, 2009
Last Furlough day for the year Showoff Holiday Pets
If you torture your pets by dressing them up in funny costumes, submit your photos to knswink@dhr.state.ga.us to be posted in our next employee newsletter as we commemorate DBHDD employees' strange holiday practices.
DBHDD In the News
Janes To Head Ga. Plan To Better Care For Disabled
December 7, 2009 Perdue names Janes as Olmstead coordinator
December 7, 2009 Outdoor Therapeutic Program to close Dec. 31
December 3, 2009 Disabled adults find a way to give back
November 30, 2009 Central State Diverting Patients
November 20, 2009 No new patients being admitted to Central State Hospital
November 20, 2009 Georgia Regional Going Smoke & Tobacco Free
November 19, 2009 State psychiatric hospitals go tobacco free
November 19, 2009 Progress slow in choking off smoking rates
November 19, 2009 Mental health woes fueled by purposeful neglect
November 18, 2009
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