Happy New Year!

As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving message, that was a time for looking back and reflecting. For me, I experience the exact opposite as I head into the “New Year” – This is a time of hope and action and looking forward not backwards. I don’t know about you, but I can’t hibernate, I need to invigorate myself during the shorter days. I experience an inner giddiness when the sun shines ever so briefly here in Southeast. I feel a renewed sense that spring is actually on the way and I can’t hide my excitement when we begin gaining even 2 minutes of light a day- change is in the air!

As your Division Operations Manager, I look forward to 2019- and as sure as the sunlight continues to increase- we will continue to see changes. We have a new Governor, new Legislators, and we will continue to see personnel changes happening not only within Health and Social Services, but all over the state. We don’t know yet, but we may also see changes in the direction for some of our programs. What I do know is that every section within DPA is experiencing changes in personnel, systems, regulations, etc. Call me crazy, but I look at this time as an opportunity to take a fresh view of our future, see what we have control over and where we can make positive changes. I will soon be sending a broadcast identifying the changes DPA made in 2018 in partnership with the Ombudsman’s report and note that we will continue to pursue positive modifications within DPA during 2019!

Here are some examples of changes that we are pursuing and will continue with during 2019:

  • Secure encrypted email
  • Continue overhauling our recruitment processes and working with HR on classification advances
  • Improving leadership skills
  • Virtual Contact Center (VCC)
  • Centralized File unit for the Field
  • Disaster/Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) preparedness
  • Updates to ARIES
  • Continue our revamp of training for new and experienced staff (field, CCPO, WIC, etc.)
  • Regulation changes
  • WIC EBT
  • Implementation of a new Fraud System
  • Elimination of the MAGI Medicaid backlog
  • Complete implementation of a new Heating Assistance system
  • As you can see, all of these are large projects with broad impacts. I ask for your patience as we work through these improvements. I will do my best to keep you better informed of updates along the way. As someone once said “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change”. Will you be a champion of change with me?

    Cheers to a fabulous 2019!
    Sincerely,
    Aimee