Askew Awards Recognize Management Practices Excellence
By Charlene Farmer, CPM
Management Practices Committee Chair
cfarmer@dhhs.state.nh.us
Eighteen public sector projects from across the country were recognized in June with the presentation of the 2004 George C. Askew Awards
Awarded by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers® (AACPM), the Askew Award recognizes the completion of an exceptional curriculum project in nationally sanctioned Certified Public Manager® programs across the country.
The Askew Awards were jointly presented by AACPM President Ronald Buchholz, CPM, of Wisconsin and AACPM Management Practices Committee Chair Charlene Farmer, CPM, of New Hampshire during the 16th Annual Professional Development Conference held in Topeka, Kansas.
The following is a description of the Askew Award recipients by jurisdiction, and a description of their award-winning project. Click on a jurisdiction below to go directly to that description.
Arkansas
Robert Mantione
Dynamic Labor Market Information: The Next Step to State Partnership:
The Longitudinal Employment-Household Dynamics Program (LEHD)
LEHD adds demographic and other data items by linking state wage record files with other databases, and provides standard reports to the states, providing an edited wage record file to the states. The eventual outcome is a high quality Labor Market Information (LMI) product detailing the state's economy, industrial profile, commuting patterns, and skills resulting in hires for different types of workers, to name a few of the uses of this program.
District of Columbia
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CPM Society President Danny Weiss (left) accepts the Askew Award for Jennifer Hannah Black for her project for the District of Columbia government entitled "Training Matters". Presenting the Award at the Annual Presidents' Luncheon in Topeka, Kansas is AACPM President Ron Buchholz of Wisconsin.
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Jennifer Hannah Black
"Training Matters: A Presentation of Program Alternatives and Recommendations to Increase Awareness of, and Support for Employee Training Initiatives in the Government of the District of Columbia."
In order to ensure the highest performance, the government needs to invest in its workforce by providing a variety of opportunities for employees to learn new skills and enhance existing competencies. However, as in many other governments, the District's centralized training agency (CWD) must compete for scarce resources in order to support the increasing demand for employee training. Research for this project focused on methods to increase awareness of and support for employee training and development. Data gathered from benchmarking, surveys, focus groups and a literature review yielded several possibilities to increase support for training including: strengthening the Certified Public Manager (CPM) and Capital City Fellows programs, initiatives to develop management talent for the government; implementing new initiatives modeled on those in other jurisdictions to increase training opportunities without increasing the budget; and developing a comprehensive evaluation system.
Florida
Stacey Dallis Reese
Application #1 Reading Assignment-"Encouraging the Heart: A Leader's Guide to Rewarding and Encouraging Others."
The "Encouraging the Heart" reading assignment was used to produce a very frank evaluation of efforts, shortcomings, and successes as a manager and leader. By effectively using Certified Public Manager training, Stacey was able to publish an honest assessment with personal corrections, which provides the reader with a valuable learning tool.
Idaho
Tim Gerlitz
Interviewing and Hiring Strategies for Idaho Department of Heath & Welfare
The need for consistent, legal, and effective interview and hiring practices to protect against employment-law-related lawsuits and to ensure the "right" person is hired was the basis for this project. The result of comprehensive research with the State Division of Human Resources, the Attorney General's Office, various State agencies, the US Office of Personnel Management, and over 500 Internet sites related to employment law. From this information a manual was developed , Interview and Hiring Strategies for Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, Division of Medicaid. This 56-page tool kit is available on the Department's intranet to all managers and supervisors of an agency employing over 3,300 people.
Iowa
Jodi Gjersvik, Team Leader
Sally Jagnandan; Kandi Reindl; Larry Warrick
Lock Box Feasibility Study
Team Lockbox's project was a feasibility study and cost/benefit analysis for the utilization of automated remittance-processing services by a third party service provider for semi-annual property tax payments in Polk County. The objective of the study was to determine if implementing and utilizing remittance processing services from a third party service provider was technically possible, and if possible, would it provide an overall financial and operational benefit to the Polk County Treasurer's Office in the following areas: Quality, Flexibility, Efficiency, Revenue interest earnings, Cost of implementation and utilization, and Customer service. Team members analyzed implementation requirements to assess feasibility and cost. The team also compared the steps in the current payment processing operation performed by Polk County Treasurer's staff to the steps required for the automated remittance processing operation and its input/output potential, and performed a cost/benefit analysis for the Treasurer's Office.
Kansas
Kelly McGuire
Improve the State of Kansas Seatbelt Usage Rate
This project looked at reducing the number of fatal traffic collisions that resulted from citizens not wearing seatbelts. A partnership was developed with the Kansas Department of Transportation in making a concentrated effort to better educate the public through school programs, presentations at fairs, and public service announcements on radio and television. In addition, a main component of the project was lobbying the Legislature with the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies in the state to change the current seatbelt law from a secondary law to a primary seatbelt law.
Kentucky
Connie Burton
Learning-By-Earning Program
Morehead Youth Development Center for youths age 13-18, allows individuals to earn income through weekly allowances, the work experience program and outside work projects. Although each program was worthwhile, they were handled independently of each other and were time consuming, required various different forms and involved many different employees. This project redesigned these three programs and created a simplified and unified accounting system that allowed for residents to earn money, learn through work experiences and learn responsible spending and budgeting habits while reducing the number of staff and time required to administer, as well as reducing costs on materials and supplies.
Mississippi
Clint Ashley & Gwen Kelly
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient Safety
Patient safety, a key issue in every hospital, is paramount in a hospital specializing in the treatment of the acutely mentally ill. In January of 2002, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) implemented new patient safety standards that further highlighted the need to focus on patient safety. To address this need we proposed and developed a patient safety video to use in training staff. Use of a patient safety questionnaire distributed to every discipline in the hospital, whether clinical or support, ensured that the video incorporated information from every discipline. Following this format also allowed for production of a script and video that covers patient safety from admission to discharge. Knowledge of patient safety was evaluated using pre and post-tests. Post-test scores showed a definite improvement, with a 44% increase in the average score. After all staff has viewed the film we expect improvement in patient care indicators such as falls, injuries, med errors, complaints and patient advocate contacts.
New Hampshire
Glen Davison; Steve Dubois; John "Chip" Johnson; Alan Dobrowolski; Michael Nawoj; Preston King
Response To A Homeland Security Incident
The criteria for this project are to identify vital components, resources, and key personnel necessary to implement a response to a homeland security crisis. The project's focus is the stakeholders, planning tools, resources and assets, and personnel within state government.
GRANITE STATE Askew Award recipients gather at the NH Department of Transportation for the presentation of the 2004 award. AACPM Management Practices Committee Chair Charlene Farmer of NH presented the awards to the CPM Project Team members. From left are Alan Dobrowolski of NHDOT; Michael Nawoj of NH Department of Safety; Farmer, Glen Davison of NHDOT; and Steve Dubois of NHDOT. Absent from the photo are Project Team members John "Chip" Johnson of NHDOT and Preston King of NH Sweepstakes Commission. (NHDOT Photo by Bill Boynton)
New Jersey
Robert Morley; Alan Porter; Nancy Tierney
Employee Evaluation System for XYZ Police Department
Team members developed a performance appraisal system for a small police department that had no process for documenting performance in place. Through research into other appraisal systems in operation in the law enforcement and related communities, the students were able to develop a process that was proposed to the mayor of the municipality and unionized police force. The project was successfully implemented and continuing evaluation is being done. This comprehensive project encompassed the wide range of subjects included in the CPM Program, benchmarking and best practices, problem solving, dealing with change, and leadership, among other concepts.
North Carolina
Rodger Rochelle, PE
Research, Technology Transfer, and Implementation - A Story of Momentum
The NCDOT Research and Development Unit solicit, promote, and manage value-driven research to address strategic needs of the Department. Customer service is a necessity and a privilege. A critical path model, a new database initiative, technology transfer checklists, implementation of focus meetings, a new website design, and interactive CD's were all developed to create a multi-prong solution. The research management and technology transfer processes have been greatly streamlined while providing DOT customers with the tools required to effectively implement research findings. In fact, the interactive CD tools won two recent statewide Continuous Process Improvement Awards in the areas on internal and external customer service.
Ohio
Ralph Jurecki; Frank Phillips; Eileen M. Regan; James Stanek; John Thorpe
City of Solon, Public Education in Achieving Mercury Abatement
The team was charged with identifying a strategy to lower the mercury levels at the City of Solon Water Treatment Plant to meet the EPA regulations on mercury in-take levels. To achieve the team's goal, the mercury needed to be removed during the reclamation process or cause/effects identified and strategies created to reduce or eliminate the sources of mercury that find their way into Solon's waste water treatment facility. Due to this project, the citizens of Solon are now educated on mercury and the effects on the environment and a model strategy was developed (with the assistance from the Delta Institute) to be used by government entities throughout the Great Lakes states in reducing mercury levels in our communities.
Oklahoma
Pamela L. Clark
Developmental Disabilities Service Division Medication Administration
Utilizing problem solving methods learned through Total Quality Management, a policy was written, plan implemented and training was provided for staff regarding administering medication to clients. As a result of this project there have been fewer reports of concerns regarding medicine errors, which ensures the client's health and safety as well as protecting staff.
South Carolina
David B. Cook
Maintenance Assessment Program (MAP) Development and Implementation
The MAP project addresses the need of the Department of Transportation to properly maintain to maximize useful life of the current highway system throughout the state by developing an assessment system with objective measurement criteria, identifying substandard areas and instigating the reallocation of resources to the areas where they are most needed. MAP provides the necessary information to calculate the amount of additional resources necessary to accomplish this goal, which will benefit the citizens of the state as they travel by improving safety and extending the useful life of the existing highway infrastructure.
Texas
T. Flemming
Implementation of a Personal Financial Management & Debt Reduction Program for Employees in the City of Lamesa, Texas
This project identified and implemented a financial management & personal debt reduction program for employees in the City of Lamesa, Texas. Resulting in accumulated personal savings of $1200 per employee and a personal debt reduction of $5000 for employees that participated in the program. In addition to providing financial peace for employees, the Program resulted in higher morale, which translated into the improved performance. The Program proved to be beneficial, inexpensive and effective for both the employees and the City of Lamesa.
USDA
Margaret Garcia, Team Leader
Royce Gchachu; Georgia Harjo; Jerome Haskie; Jeanette Quintero
Sheltering and Nuturing our Future (Housing for Special Needs Children) Pueblo of Zuni
This present day Zuni Indian Reservation lies on the western slope of the Continental Divide in the southeastern part of the Colorado Plateau. The main village, Zuni, is that center for all government, business, ceremonial and religious activities. An increasing shift from the extended family unit to a nuclear family has changed the Zuni Tribe. This change has negatively affected traditional methods and values of childcare and nurturing. Family violence, child abuse and neglect are on the rise, and often handled by the police rather than Zuni elders. Police make referrals to child protective service. Because there is no facility on the reservation to house these children, they are sent off the reservation and lose touch with their culture and the community. This project team secured a house on the reservation, funds from HUD to renovate, and has met all the standards required by the Tribal Social Service Foster Care Standards which is expected to open for children in June of 2005.
Utah
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UTAH CPM SOCIETY President Mel Castilo (left) accepts the Askew Award on behalf of an eight-member Utah CPM Project Team for their project entitled "The New HOPE (Housing Opportunities through Preparation and Evaluation)". Presenting the Award at the Annual President's Luncheon in Topeka, Kansas is AACPM President Ron Buchholz of Wisconsin.
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Dan Adams; Tina Johnson; L. Scott Nussbaum; Rod Boogaard; Rayma Towne; Holly Ward; Faye Martell; Chris Gordon
The New HOPE (Housing Opportunities through Preparation and Evaluation) Project
Chartered by the Housing Authority of the County of Salt Lake (HACSL) to find the root cause and solutions to reduce unit turnaround time, enhancing housing services to families in need. HACSL has witnessed increased stakeholder support, improved customer relations, and greater efficiency by implementing innovative solutions and tools brought forward by this team. Glowing reports from clients/customers on the helpfulness and responsiveness of these new tools indicate that the team recommendations are right on the mark.
Wisconsin
Johnny Winston, Jr.
Manual of Operations, Sable Flames, Inc.
A Manual of Operations was developed for Sable Flames, a not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships to under-privileged youth, as well as support for the hiring, recruitment, retention and promotion of African-American and other people of color as firefighters for the City of Madison. This manual codified information on the organization, providing a systematic succinct document that can serve as a reference for current and future leadership of the organization. The document includes a history of Sable Flames, information on scholarships, financial and budgetary information, media guidelines and information, and a wealth of other information critical to the effective management of this organization.
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