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Director's Message March 2, 2004To: All DHS Staff From: Gary Weeks, Director As you know, the Governor has asked Jean Thorne to assume leadership of the Public Employees Benefit Board, and has asked me to take the position of director of the Department of Human Services. For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to return to an agency where I spent six years working on programs that are very important to me personally. I'd like to take a moment to share with you some of my thoughts and my plans for the department. But first, let me say that Jean did an extraordinary job in bringing DHS through a very challenging period. She made adjustments to the DHS structure that improved the agency's ability to serve Oregonians in an integrated way. And she began to build a plan to guide the department through the coming budget cuts. In her note to you last week, Jean mentioned our 15-year working relationship. I've come to know and respect her as a highly competent and dedicated leader. The work she did here and her passion for the people of this state will not be forgotten. She now will apply her experience and talents to the challenge of maintaining high-quality health benefits for public employees. Looking ahead. Change can be difficult, and I know you have worked through a great deal of it in the past several years. Change will continue to be part of our lives. But we will stay focused on providing the best possible service with the resources we have, and on enhancing our efficiency and accountability. The DHS structure. The organizational changes at DHS over the past few years have increased the agency's ability to share resources and to work collaboratively, two goals that I strongly held during my earlier time at DHS. I don't plan further reorganization. I appreciate your flexibility and continued hard work as these changes have occurred, and feel that it's important now to continue with the current structure. A new deputy. I have asked Cindy Becker, who has been assistant director at the Department of Administrative Services, to come to DHS as my deputy. This is also Cindy's former home. She brought many improvements to administrative services at DHS as the department's first chief administrative officer, a position she held in 2001 and 2002. She knows many of you and understands the issues we face. She'll provide valuable leadership in the deputy director role. Jim Neely, who has been deputy director, has long, varied experience in DHS, and I value his continuing contributions. He will become deputy to Ramona Foley, the department's assistant director for Children, Adults and Families (CAF). Jim will oversee CAF field services, succeeding Jerry Burns, who has asked to return to his former role as our field manager in Multnomah County. Free and open communication. During times of uncertainty and change, a free flow of information is more important than ever. I promise that we will do all we can to listen to you, to be responsive to your needs, to keep you informed, and to support you in your work. I will continue the DHS tradition of sending a director's message by email each Friday. In coming messages, I will share more information about the direction our department will take. In closing. I'm happy to be back with you. I look forward to rekindling old friendships and to leading this important work. Thanks once again for your dedication, your professionalism, and your commitment to the well-being of Oregonians. See the governor's press release. Back to top |
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