TO:                     All Carl D. Perkins Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center Staff

DATE:               May 15, 2001

SUBJECT:        Forum Input

Center staff met in small groups and were asked eight questions related to the hiring of a new Center director. Patricia Mundt and Jim Stephens of the Program for Rehabilitation Leadership at Georgia State University conducted the sessions over the three-day period. Recommendations and suggestions were recorded verbatim, and no attempt was made to evaluate or interpret the responses. Staff on all shifts participated with over 100 staff members taking part in the sessions. A debriefing session was held on Thursday morning with key Center managers and members of the steering committee. Several themes emerge from the data.

Staff clearly want a Director who can help develop a vision for the Center, an interpersonally skilled visionary who can work closely with all staff and manage Center operations in a fair and "non-political" way. Further, they seem to prefer a "hands-on" style and a person who can manage the external and internal image of the Center.

While there were various descriptions for mission and vision, the majority of staff could envision a Center regarded as "the" statewide resource providing state-of-the-art services dedicated to achieving quality employment outcomes for clients.

Many staff expressed a need for "seamless" operations between Center and field with a need for "real," meaningful interaction between Center and field staff, including multiple opportunities for cross training and field-based Center staff.

There is no doubt that the current "employment" focus of the Department is being heard at the Center. Everyone has heard and most agree that employment is the ultimate outcome.

In summary, staff at the Center want a caring, hands-on leader who can help move the Center into a position of leadership in the provision of services and employment outcomes for persons with disabilities in Kentucky. Staff expressed a firm belief in the worthwhileness of their mission and a willingness to join with the new Director in pursuing an as yet undefined but obviously worthwhile future.

As promised, this information is being distributed to all Center staff first and will later be placed on the Intranet. Also, this data will be utilized by the Center Director Selection Committee; the Steering Committee; and, of course, by the new Director once appointed. Additionally, this information will be incorporated into the Department’s Strategic Plan.

Thank you to Pat and Jim, and, most of all, thanks to each of you for your participation. I do value your input, have listened to you and heard your ideas; and we will utilize your thoughts as we continue along this process.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Again, my appreciation.

Attachments

cc Commissioner

     Deputy Commissioner

     Division Directors

     Steering Committee