Director's Message

Oct. 20, 2006

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, Director

"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom."

~Bob Dylan

As I pondered writing this week's message about abuse and violence, I was shocked to learn the news from Kentucky that one of their state social services agency employees was killed while bringing an infant in the state's custody to a visit with the mother. This tragic situation underscores not only the risk and dangers that face many of our employees in their work, but also the prevalence of violence in our communities.

Abuse and violence are never acceptable. It is particularly awful when the victims of the mistreatment -- whether it is physical, emotional or economic -- are among society's most vulnerable citizens or those working to assist them. It is similarly distressing that helping victims of violence can itself be dangerous.

Every day there are elderly adults with cognitive impairments being victimized by financial scams or physical abuse; or infants and children being harmed and neglected; or women being battered by a spouse or partner; or developmentally disabled persons being abused. Many of these individuals already need society's care and attention, even without the added stress and danger of experiencing violence in their lives.

Everyone deserves to live a life that is safe and free of fear. Many of us can achieve that on our own, but not all of us. Our most vulnerable citizens need help -- the help of everyone in the greater community -- to live in a manner most of us are privileged to take for granted.

Our employees show amazing commitment and willingness each day to confront and cope with the horrible results of abuse and violence. It takes a very special person to stand on the front lines day after day to help those in need. One group of employees I would like to acknowledge and thank for their efforts to reduce domestic violence is the District 9 Self-Sufficiency Program team, which recently received the Domestic Violence Council's first "Saving Lives Award" for their work in training staff to identify and address domestic violence.

Fortunately, DHS staff are not alone in this effort. It also takes caring and committed individuals and organizations throughout the greater community to step up to address and stop violence, and several Oregonians stand as examples to us all for doing just that. On behalf of DHS, I am pleased to congratulate and thank the individuals who recently were recognized as "Everyday Heroes" by the Governor's Commission on Senior Services for their unselfishness in coming to the aid of victims of elder financial and physical abuse and neglect.

These award recipients came from many walks of life -- two are the adult children of elderly parents who were ripped off by a contractor, one is a neighbor who came to the aid of a sexually abused woman living next door, one is a group home employee who reported a supervisor for stealing money from a resident of the home, and one is a utility company employee who found help for a woman who no longer could tend to her own affairs. Other award recipients included an assistant district attorney who aggressively prosecutes elder abuse cases, a bank employee who noticed something wrong with an elderly customer's account, and a bank that routinely trains its employees to spot elder financial abuse.

The DHS employees and community members who received these awards serve as role models for all of us. They went the extra mile to take care of those who can't take care of themselves, and in so doing made a huge difference for the victims.

Whether we are employed at DHS, in another organization focused on the health and safety of individuals, or in a business in an entirely different industry -- such as the utility company or bank mentioned above -- each and every one of us can make a difference.

I challenge you to take these role models to heart, and to find ways you too can create safety in the lives of those around you. Only through this kind of shared willingness to step up to address and prevent violence can we in Oregon create a safe society for all of our residents.

To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us