July 16 , 2007
Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
I recently announced a list of priorities for the newly created Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), aimed at improving services and finding efficiencies in agency operations. The announcement followed the implementation of LB 296, which restructured the management of DHHS in an effort to bring greater clarity, transparency and accountability to the workings of our state’s largest agency.
Our first step was to put a management structure in place that promoted better understanding, outlined a clear chain of command and put an even greater emphasis on teamwork. We’re beginning a new phase in this restructuring and it’s time to turn our attention to making DHHS work better for the people we serve.
The overriding theme in these goals is the focus I’m putting on strengthening services. The restructuring created one agency with six divisions and in the Division of Children and Families Services, the primary goals are to accelerate the reform of our child welfare system and improve the performance on the federal Children & Family Service Review coming up in 2008.
In the area of Behavioral Health, my focus in on ensuring that the final steps in the statewide behavioral health reform begun in 2004 are completed and that the division takes the reform one step further by developing a comprehensive strategy for children’s behavioral health services in Nebraska.
For the Division of Veterans’ Homes the focus will be to ensure that each of Nebraska’s four Veterans’ Homes operates at near full capacity and that each resident receives quality care. These homes exist to provide a stable environment and care for our veterans, and we need to be sure we are living up to that promise.
Ensuring that residents at the Beatrice State Development Center (BSDC) receive quality care is our top challenge in the Division of Developmental Disabilities. I want to acknowledge all those who have worked very closely with staff, the families of BSDC residents and others to address concerns raised by federal inspectors last fall. While definite progress has been made, I expect developing a long-term plan for addressing the remaining challenges to be the top priority division in the year ahead.
This first group of challenges focuses on efforts to strengthen services. The remaining priorities are focused on operating divisions within the department as efficiently as possible and making the best use of available resources.
For the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care, that means bringing the new computer management system we’re developing for our Medicaid program in on time and on budget, while also continuing efforts to slow the growth in Medicaid expenditures.
Finally, I’ve challenged the Division of Public Health to look at ways to realign public health programs to help the division become the source for reliable data on health information in Nebraska and to help in pursuing programs that address the state’s most challenging health issues.
This division plays a vital part in coordinating with local public health departments, our educational and research institutions and hospitals across our state. We have the opportunity to make real progress by developing a statewide strategy to address the modern health challenges facing Nebraskans.
Accomplishing these goals will be important in demonstrating to Nebraskans that change is possible and I firmly believe that the staff and leadership of DHHS are up to the challenge. I look forward to providing updates on the progress being made in the months to come as the department works to fulfill its mission of helping Nebraskans lead healthier lives.
