Human Touch Newsletter
DHS News has replaced the Human Touch newsletter.
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2009
March 2009
Well the gloom of the Legislative Session continues to hover, however daylight has "sprung" forward giving us longer time to enjoy the light of the sun to help wash away the gray!
There are many changes occurring with DHS and each of the Director's has written a piece on how each division has been impacted by the budget. If you haven't been following closely this will give you the short and sweet version.
On another note, there is also a story written by Angelique Colemere. Unfortunately, she was one of many who was laid off as a result of budget cuts. This newsletter is her last hoorah!
In hopes of throwing in some good news, find out who was the recipient of the Pete Suazo 2009 award, health tips and training opportunities!
- Director's Message
Lisa-Michele addresses the budget cuts for both FY09 and the proposed FY10. - Time Bank Established
Creativity is essential when budgets are tight and Utah Coalition for Caregiver Support has established a clever and reciprocal way of doing business with a "Time Banks". - More Than Meets the Title
Looking for a serene location to host a wedding or family gathering? Interested in learning about the history of mental health treatment? Utah State Hospital offers this and much more! - FREE Employee Recognition
10 no-cost ways to recognize employees, compiled by Marjorie Treu of Team Fusion - Employee's Rise to the Occasion
Give a little, help a lot. Information about the Utah State Employees' Charitable Fund. - Support Workers: A Solution for Success
Words of support from a 74 yea-old recipient of services for people with disabilities. - State I.T. Give to Foster Children
A chance conversation results in a $750 donation to purchase gifts for children in Foster Care...give a little, help a lot. - Volunteer Appreciation
Each year JJS receives thousands of hours of volunteer time and, each year, volunteers are recognized for their efforts. Staff and youth participate in this annual event. - Integrated Crisis Response
De-escalating hostile, anxious and/or dangerous behavior is important when working with youth - learn about the training of trainers several JJS staff recently received. - Sam I Am
Yes, this article is about Sam, Sam Sherrow, and his incredible journey from Cabrera, Columbia, South America to Santaquin, Utah. - Blankets Galore!
Ever wonder what the youth at Weber Valley Detention Center do with their time? Make and donate blankets? Perhaps, but to whom...click on the link above to read this and much more!
January 2009
This month's newsletter has more stories written by those employees involved in the Leadership Academy. If you recall, their assignment was to write a news article so check out who made this month's edition...... Also what is the big news from Duane Betournay? Look to "C"! Horton might hear a "WHO" but "Who" is the Attorney of the Year? Who is the AdoptUsKids DCFS Caseworker of the Month? Who from USDC was highlighted for her dedication to clients from food to therapy? During these legislative meetings, Lisa-Michele has tried to provide insight to the legislators about the personal side of our services.....Read some of those personal stories and the wonderful staff behind the scenes.....And finally what has got employees shedding calories?
All this and words from our new President Barack Obama, plus a note from Lisa-Michele Church about the budget!
2008
December 2008
This month's newsletter has a number of stories written by those employees involved in the Leadership Academy. Their assignment was to write a news article and did such a good job we put some of them in for you to enjoy. Find out who has a new home for the holidays, who went to Egypt for the holidays (no it wasn't me) and how Wasatch Youth Center celebrated American Indian Heritage Month. There are stories highlighting new legislation for children who are abused and neglected and ways to take care of yourself during the budget brouhaha as well.
There is also a surprise for everyone, see when it will be revealed...
All this and words from Ghandi and Alan Hayward, plus a note from Lisa Michele on being the Director of Human Services during this difficult budget time.
November 2008
Take a break and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- Firecracker
- Grant Hatch
- Alone!
- Got Shoes?
- The Gift of Family
- Nels Holmgren
October 2008
Take a break and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- Cultural Competency
- Pumpkin Patch
- Tricia Jones-Parkin
- Patricia Rothermich
- Hearts of Gold
September 2008
Take a break and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- Sarah Houser
- Jenny Lutu
- Hearts of Gold
- Brittney Crockett
- TAL Conference
August 2008
Take a break from the heat and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- Working4Utah
- Karen Hill
- Night Out Against Crime
- “DeSPeraDos”
- Postcards
July 2008
Take a break from the heat and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- 2008 Centenarian Celebration
- University of Utah's New Course and Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
- Tips of UV Safety
- People with Disabilities Network Job Postings (PWDNET)
- Free Educational Opportunity for Clients
- 1st Annual DHS Leadership Academy
- Working 4 Utah
- Executive Director's Awards Nomination 2008
- Postcards from 2007 Executive Director's Awards Winners (thanks Ella Loveland, Steve Wrigley, Diane Maciel and Ginny Geary)
- Senior Western Activity Day
- Public Employee Salute
June 2008
Welcome to summer! Take a break from the heat and read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- APS Annual Conference and Awards
- Southwest Region's Foster/Adopted Dad of the Year (one of our very own)
- Bosslift (One supervisor's opportunity to spend a day in military training with her employees)
- Recognition opportunities (UDDC Advocacy Awards and Executive Director Awards)
- Governor's Awards for Excellence
- Adolescent Female Advocacy Network Conference and Awards
- Headaches (What can we do to prevent them)
- Conflict of Interest
- New IRS Procedures for Income Verification
- Postcards from Cedar City (thanks Jill McKinlay and Susan Swapp)
May 2008
Please take a few minutes to read this month's Human Touch, which focuses on:
- Media and Polygamy
- Children's mental health
- Alliance House (Clubhouse models for adults with mental illness)
- Farmington Youth Bay's connection to Nike and Michael Jordan
- Collaboration between agencies
- Utah State Hospital (first "true" DHS employer)
- Japan - yes, Japan (thanks to Sheila Wooten for sharing)
- Open Enrollment and major changes in medical benefits
- Sleep, an important activity
April 2008
April is a month dedicated to increasing awareness about autism, alcohol abuse, sexual assault and child abuse prevention - all topics that are featured in this month's newsletter.
Also featured this month are several "people of interest":
- George Kelner, DSPD Director, retires after almost 29 years in government
- Cindy Clayburn, JJS Counselor, and Daniel Musto, DAAS State Ombudsman, share their vacation stories
- Artwork and wisdom is shared by Kamie, 1st place winner in the mental health art contest
- DCFS employees, Monique Mackay, Ruben Carter and several staff in Roosevelt enhance community awareness
- Want your kids to stay drug free? Craig PoVey and Ben Reaves, DSAMH, discuss ideas/town hall meetings
March 2008
This month's Human Touch focuses on a division that fared very well during the session, Division of Services for People with Disabilities. March is Disabilities Awareness Month and Utah Developmental Disability Council graciously assisted in the articles and postcards featured in the newsletter. Also featured this month is information on overtime changes, eating well (March is also National Nutrition Month) and income tax preparation assistance. Newsletter standards include the Director's Message (addressing employee pay, communicating our work positively and recognition of community partners), crossword puzzle and training tidbits.
February 2008
This month features:
- Office of Fiscal Operations (Director's Message)
- Keep Your Money! You've Earned It! (information about tax credit and assistance programs)
- Governor's Award for Excellence 2008 (categories and deadlines)
- Being Heart Smart (tips to help your heart)
- Indian Child Welfare Act (training opportunity)
- Presidential Trivia and Crossword Puzzle
- Years of Service Recognition
- Training Tidbits
January 2008
This month features:
- Learning the Legislative Process
- Meals On Wheels Volunteers
- Learning More About Juvenile Justice Services
- Training Tidbits
2007
December 2007
This month features:
- Purge on Paper
- Mental Health Art Contest
- Christmas Crochet
- Postcards from EDO
- Training Tidbits
November 2007
This issue features the breadth of our services across the state provided by each employee working hard.
You can learn more about Juvenile Justice Services in Roosevelt, Cedar City and Price; the Division of Child and Family Services, Indian Child Welfare Administrator or Division of Services for People with Disabilities partners recognized across the state.
And - first person stories of employees enjoying and pursuing greater health and well-being! It's fun and amazing what people have done - check out the PostCards section on page 6 & 7.
October 2007
This month's issue features:
- JJS Road Trip
- Stories from Odyssey House Youth Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Graduates
- DCFS Be Our Guest
- Restaurant tips from Shirley Owen, Pam Boydston, Katy Larsen and Ben Moore
- OFO Support Services Conference Photos....oh yeah, there are some good shots!
- The infamous Training Tidbits with a new segment: Other Community Events
- Overtime Year Changes
- Volunteer opportunities with local Area Agencies on Aging
- Message from Lisa-Michele
September 2007
The Annual Executive Director's Awards issue of the Human Touch is here!
- Our long term employees were recognized at the luncheon on September 17th.
- The winners of the Executive Director's Awards are revealed.
August 2007
What's better than a road trip in August? Not much in my book!
The August Human Touch offers you a "Road Trip" around the Department of Human Services.
Our first stop is the Director's Message, then we head down the road to the Office of Recovery Services and Juvenile Justice Services. The Office of Licensing is sending postcards along the way from Price, St. George and Salt Lake City. Followed by a stop at the Annual Drug Endangered Children Conference and of course Training Tidbits.
"Rollin' On" is Sharon Ross's story of many, many of life's road trips via her wheel chair. She sums up her story with this quote, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson.
July 2007
It's here! Your July Human Touch is hot off the press and ready for your cool reading.
Ever heard of "Cowboy Action Shooting?" Well, check out the "Wish you were here - Postcards" from Lynn Whitman, Duchesne County Receiving Center, to learn more about it.
Also, discover which JJS staff person is a "karaoke disc jockey."
Please continue to write and call with your ideas, thoughts and feedback!
Remember Tuesday, July 31st is the deadline to submit your nominations for the Executive Director's Awards. All the information you need is on Page 8.
June 2007
This month's Human Touch features stories from across the broad range of Human Services we provide.
You can learn about the Meth and Families workshops, A Quest for Success in Blanding and the heart-warming story of Amy Relf in Foster Care: Inside and "Out"
Lastly, the 2007 Executive Director's Awards nominations will open July 2, 2007. Page 8 of the Human Touch has all the information you need to begin preparing nominations of your co-workers for this special recognition award.
Of course the regular features - Training Tidbits, The Limelight and the ever-popular "Wish you were here!" postcards.
Special thanks to Liz Sollis as guest editor this month.
Thank you for all your feedback and keep it coming!
May 2007
"We are ready to move forward with our discretionary salary increases . . . " begins Lisa-Michele Church in the Director's Message of the May Human Touch. A special person, A Quiet Hero - Americo Leiva of Slate Canyon Youth Center is featured. On a recent visit to Slate Canyon it became clear real quick that Americo was well liked and so important to everyone there - the staff and the youth. You'll enjoy reading more about him on page 2. All around us are Quiet Heros like Americo. In addition, The Department of Human Services Manager of the Year and two Finalists are announced in this edition. May's "Wish You Were Here" Postcards are from the Southwest Region of the Division of Child and Family Services.
April 2007
April's Human Touch will take you from Monument Valley, Utah to The Marshall Islands, with a stop into the Price Department of Human Services office.
Next, enjoy the talent of youth spotlighted in "Governing Youth Council Summit Learn Prevention Strategies" and art on display in the new juvenile Justice Services Gallery.
Of particular note is "Aftermath of Meth" KUED's documentary, a "hard-hitting probe of the drug that is devastating many small, rural communities in the West."
And of course, the regular features are ready for your reading:
PostCards from Office of Recovery Services - Training Tidbits - Word of Mouse
March 2007
IT'S ALL ABOUT ADVENTURE! The March Human Touch will inspire you to go out try something new!
"There's always an excuse not to do things, but if you really want to - you find a way!" Check out the rest of Janell Pugh's Profile in Adventure on page 4.
Or read about adventurous new employees in Manti, Ogden and Salt Lake in "Postcards - Wish you here" on pages 6 & 7.
Perhaps you are looking for the adventure of learning more - The Training Calendar is full of opportunities.
And then, we say "Bon Voyage" to Richard Anderson, former DCFS Director as he moves onto his next life adventure, on page 2.
February 2007
"Employee compensation is one of the most pressing issues at this year's legislative session." You can read Lisa-Michele Church's Director's Message for more highlights of her speech to the legislative appropriations committee. And of course, much more and updates from across our department.
January 2007
"The response was overwhelming," begins the story on the first Guardian Angel Project Holiday Gift Drive - and you will wish you were there when Jay smiled so big when he received his wished for fishing pole.
2006
December 2006 Holiday Human Touch
We've had an incredible year helping people at Human Services this year. A young woman formerly prone to aggressive outbursts and depression is taking care of herself and ready to leave the Developmental Center for the community; 95 percent of children born to unwed moms last year learned who their dads are; older youth leaving foster care have more support than ever with medical insurance, advanced education and adult mentors and a major campaign was launched targeting underage drinking.
November 2006
"Sock It To Em", "The Price is Right", Word of Mouse, "Giving Back", Training Tidbits and more.
October 2006
Awards Lunch, Award Winners, Service Awards, Kris Urry, Miss America, Training Tidbits and more.
September 2006
Laughter and Wellness, USH Volunteers, Training Tidbits, Mother Superior, Recovery Day and more.
August 2006
Nutrition on the Run, Charitable Fund, USH Recognized, Training Synergy, Ucare, 2-1-1 and more.
July 2006
Crayons For Kids, Stories of Hope, JJS Art Contest, Utah's Centenarians, Self Advocacy and more.
June 2006
Emmett White recieves the PRIDE award, Mill Creek Chapel dedication and more.
May 2006
Pinewood Derby Cars for Kids in Iraq, Meals on Wheels Volunteers, etc.
April 2006
Manager of the year award, Commission on Aging, and more.
March 2006
Message from the wellness council, read about the Vernal Garden, etc
February 2006
Read about our wellness committee USDC awards, etc
January 2006 - Winter Edition
Meet Mark Brasher, new ORS director, read an article on Leadership and more!
2005
December 2005 - Holiday Edition!
Read about Human Services participation in the 2005 Festival of the Trees, the Transition To Adult Living (TAL) initiative, and more.
November 2005 - Great New Stories
Read the director's message, learn more about our new JJS director, Dan Maldonado and more!
October 2005 - A new look and feel to the newsletter!
Read about cross-division success at Camp Williams, senior art contest winners, the new Human Resources training website, and other great stories.
2005 #3 - Learn more about new directors in DHS.
Read about DAAS director Alan Ormsby and DSPD director George Kelner. Also learn interview techniques from Craig Monson.
2005 #2 - Speaker Barbara Blum Bring's APHSA's History to Life
WASHINGTON - Barbara Blum was born in 1930, the year that human services administrators first came together to seek assistance for the nation's most vulnerable residents: children, the poor and the elderly. Who better to open the American Public Human Services Association's 75th anniversary here in March than the director of the Research Forum at the National Center for Children in Poverty.
2005 #1 - Lisa-Michele Church Becomes DHS Director Feb. 15
Lisa-Michele Church will approach her new job as a problem-solver who enjoys dealing with complex issues that affect people's lives.
"Employees should know I'm a problem solver, I have high expectations and I'm fair," the new Human Services executive
director said in an interview. "I'm very interested in learning what
our employees do and in getting to know them."
2004
2004 #3 - Governor Walker says goodbye to Human Services
2004 #2
2004 #1