Dear Friends:
Effective lines of communication are critical to OPWDD’s reforms and our long-term success. A priority of this administration is opening the lines of communication among individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, advocates, and employees.
To strengthen how we communicate, OPWDD is undertaking several short- and long-term initiatives,including gathering your input and tracking our progress online, as well as embracing new modes of communication.
Your Thoughts, Our Progress
In June, we commissioned a survey on workforce issues, and the response was overwhelming. From hiring and disciplinary actions to advocacy and investigations, employees gave meaningful feedback. We have reviewed all of the responses and have put up a webpage that lists the concerns, as well as the progress we are making in each of these areas.
New Communication, New Media
OPWDD is now on Facebook. New media has proven to be one of the most effective means of distributing information to employees and stakeholders, and we will be using our new Facebook page to distribute press releases, share stories about individuals in our care and the employees who have dedicated themselves to this service, and more. Please “like” our page in order to receive information as its uploaded.
Sharing Our Story
This month we re-launched an agency-wide newsletter for OPWDD employees called People First, which shares information about administrative reforms and initiatives. An exciting feature will be stories about he exceptional people in our system, so if an OPWDD employee, innovative program, or event inspires you, please let us know so we can include that story in a future issue. The newsletter is available in print and online. Please visit the newsletter’s homepage and read “Letter from the Commissioner” to learn how to submit story ideas.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
Effective July