Jump to Front Page Homepage Homeruns The Good Life EOY/SOY Courtesy Years of Service Way to Go Budget October 2012 volume 12, issue 10 Bringing Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services employees closer together DHHS Employees Celebrate Special Anniversaries with State Employees from the Norfolk This issue of Connections is dedicated to the employees of DHHS, the Regional Center got together for a people who have devoted their careers to serving Nebraskans and group photo to celebrate the many, making such a difference in the lives of so many people. many years of devoted service to the Department. That’s Division CEO Kerry Winterer and Division Directors attended ceremonies Director Scot Adams to the right. across the state recognizing employees for years of service. These are just Photo: Bonnie Engel a few examples. read more> read more > Here’s Kerry Winterer with On page 10 we’re introducing a new column Marian DeBuhr, Social called “Making Courtesy Common in the Services Supervisor, Beatrice, Workplace.” Check it out for some good with her 45th anniversary ideas. clock. Photo: Bonnie Engel Making Making Courtesy read more> Common read more > in the Workplace Courtesy Common Recognition for Years of Service 2012 Employees /Supervisors of the Year 2012at the Workplace Many employees have been with DHHS for a number of years and are Pages 4-8 list the 2012 Employee and Supervisors of the Year, complete with celebrating special years of service awards this year. See pages 11-14 for a photos and a short write-up from their nominators about why they received complete listing of employees and their years of service (starting with 10 their honor. years.) read more > read more > October 2012 Connections 1 of 16 Jump to Front Page Homepage Homeruns The Good Life EOY/SOY Courtesy Years of Service Way to Go Budget Stay Connected on Homepage Homeruns DHHS’ Awesome Employee Website…. A Super Good Time was Had by All, WOWS! Picnic Fun for Everyone Sept. 27, 2012 at the Fremont Customer Service Center, Looking for exclusive information about Sept. 18, 2012 DHHS? Try the DHHS employee website! Here are some recent posts on the DHHS The WOWS committee at the Fremont employee website and the dates they Customer Service Center organized its appeared. Got an idea or a photo you’d like first annual picnic for Fremont CSC staff! to share for the employee homepage or WOWS stands for Watch Our Work Soar. Connections? Send it to Committee [email protected]. members soared make the connection . LRC’s Walk for Mental Health Awareness, indeed DHHS Public Website: www.dhhs.ne.gov Oct. 4, 2012 with a fun DHHS Employee Website: http://dhhsemployees/ These walkers took advantage of a beautiful picnic for DHHS Helpline: 1-800-254-4202, (402) 471-6035 in fall day and walked for mental health employees, Lincoln, or via e-mail at [email protected] awareness, Friday, Sept. 28, at the Lincoln From Left: Alison Dillon (Captain America their Regional Center. Their bright yellow Shirt), Nancy Klimek (World’s Best families, Comics), Edith Soper (The Avengers), Chief Executive Officer: Medicaid and Long-Term Care t-shirts, sponsored by the Network of Care, and even Joanne Badura (Super Hero’s The Green Kerry Winterer Division Director: say, “Lincoln Regional Center, Helping their Vivianne Chaumont Lantern, Batman, The Flash & Superman) , Behavioral Health Division Director: Public Health Division People Rebuild Their Lives.” In addition and Joe Ballou (Superman). families’ Scot Adams, Ph.D. Director/Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Joann Schaefer to the arboretum walk, activities of the dogs. Children and Family Services Veterans’ Homes Division day included tours of the LRC museum, Division Director: The Grand Island Veterans Home celebrated Director: the labyrinth walk, and various exhibits. Angie Thomas Pristow John Hilgert National Comic Book Day on Sept 25, 2012. This was LRC’s third annual walk, and Bubak, Developmental Disabilities Chief Operating Officer: GIVH Recreation Staff wore Super Hero/ Division Director: Matt Clough it celebrates the unity of mental health Social Jodi Fenner Comic T-shirts to promote the event, and professionals, consumers and community Services Connections is published monthly for employees of the the American Legion Auxiliary sponsored Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services supporters in their shared vision of hope Supervisor, Bingo prizes for the Members which were Fremont, by Communications & Legislative Services (CLS). for recovery and ongoing mental health Elora Smith, 5-year-old coupons to the GIVH Fox Hole Canteen. says, “The treatment reform. daughter of Kindra CLS Administrator: Graphics and Layout: picnic Smith, Fremont. Elora Kathie Osterman Judy Barker Additional donated items were used for turned Editor: prizes including Archie Comic Books, is pictured here with Dianna Seiffert out to be new friend, Amp, Jill bright lap robes and bed pillows. A packet a huge Aksamit’s dog Readers are invited to submit news, photos & story ideas which included comic book facts, comic success. We to the editor via: book word searches, match the “Super had face Phone: (402) 471-1695 Fax: (402) 471-3996 Hero” to the name, and instructions on how painting, E-mail: [email protected] to draw a comic character were given to volleyball, a cake walk and there was a dog Interagency mail: Nebraska State Office Bldg. 3rd Floor each Member. U.S. mail: P.O. Box 95026 park so people were encouraged to bring 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026 the dogs.” October 2012 Connections 2 of 16 Jump to Front Page Homepage Homeruns The Good Life EOY/SOY Courtesy Years of Service Way to Go Budget The Good Life: A reminder of what we all share and hope to provide to our fellow Nebraskans making a difference for You have pride in what you do and so many people. personalize our mission of helping I also had the privilege to recognize the people live better lives. 14 DHHS Employees of the Year and It’s what you do every 13 Supervisors/Managers of the Year day, whether you’re Special recognition on October 24. These employees were educating and protecting nominated by a peer, someone who people through public During October, state government pays noticed their knowledge, enthusiasm, health efforts; assisting special tribute to its Employees of the positive attitude, and focus on doing the elderly, the poor or Year and Supervisors or Managers of their best. These people are all leaders those with disabilities; the Year and state employees who reach within DHHS and it was truly special to providing safety to their milestone years of service to the spend the day with them. They are an abused or neglected state. This issue of Connections focuses inspiration. children or vulnerable on these DHHS honorees. adults; serving those in The bottom line is that you, need of 24-hour care; or According to Gov. Heineman, this DHHS employees, are the face of otherwise supporting this year more than 1,800 state employees our organization, whether your work. received special recognition for over interactions are with each other, Governor Dave Heineman, Bonnie Engel 37,000 years of service to the state. He partner organizations, our clients or our (Administrative Assistant to the CEO) and Kerry When I came to the said that as he travels the state, citizens neighbors. We, too, hear from satisfied Winterer celebrate Bonnie’s 35th year of working in Department over three routinely thank him for help they customers and some of those comments state government. years ago, I didn’t know have received from state agencies and appear each month in Connections as what to expect from all of their positive encounters with state well as in the “Kudos” section of the By Kerry T. Winterer, CEO you, and media reports employees. DHHS Facebook page, and they are aren’t always flattering. gratifying to read. October is state employee recognition In DHHS alone, 524 employees received month as proclaimed by Governor I can say that from day one, I’ve a milestone recognition totaling 11,350 Congratulations, again, to the honorees, Heineman, so I want to take this been impressed with the level of years of service and experience. and thank you all for the work you do opportunity to thank all DHHS commitment and dedication I see every day. employees for the work you do every in our employees. You do things I was able to attend all of these day. day in and day out that require a ceremonies across the state and great deal of knowledge, diplomacy, celebrated these achievements with The Department provides important patience, and empathy. I don’t know employees. It was an honor and each and, oftentimes, life-sustaining services. that I could do what so many of our time, I came away with an even greater Our mission, “Helping people live employees do, routinely. appreciation for you, your knowledge better lives,” provides the motivation for and commitment. October 2012 Connections 3 of 16 Jump to Front Page Homepage Homeruns The Good Life EOY/SOY Courtesy Years of Service Way to Go Budget Employees of the Year 2012 DHHS is proud to introduce the 2012 Employees and Supervisors/Managers of the Year. It’s such an incredible honor! These employees were recognized for their achievement at a ceremony at the Lincoln Country Club on Oct. 24, 2012. Mary Barrett Community Support State agencies are allowed to select one employee and one Supervisor/Manager of the Year for every 500 people Specialist, Children employed by the agency. The following write-ups were taken from the nomination forms. Pictures were provided by and Family Services, the Department of Administrative Services.