Maine Receives National Quality Award for Training
October 22, 2004
Augusta – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that it has received the 2004 Quality Award for Training from the National Staff Development and Training Association. Maine received the award for its Standardized Eligibility Training program, which provides new staff with an introduction to the many benefits programs administered by HHS.
"The success of any organization depends upon the success of its employee training programs," said HHS Commissioner John R. Nicholas. "We are dedicated to creating a new department that will be responsive, compassionate and client focused. Making the right investment in our staff is where that effort starts."
The training program gives specialists at HHS's Bureau of Family Independence standardized training about the Food Stamps, TANF, and MaineCare programs, among others. Specifically, it teaches new staff how to verify an applicant's income and assets, determine an average monthly income and write case notes. The training also covers issues related to interviewing clients and respecting their confidentiality. Trainers observe the demonstrations and provide written feedback on each trainee's strengths and areas needing additional attention.
HHS staff teamed up with the USM Muskie School of Public Service to implement the Standardized Eligibility Training program. Barbara Van Burgel, Acting Director of HHS's Bureau of Family Independence, noted that the Muskie School's experience in instructional design, curriculum development, and adult education was particularly important. "We were fortunate to have the expertise and enthusiasm of Muskie School staff to assist us in the project," said Van Burgel. "This award speaks to the quality of our training programs and also the importance of the partnership between Muskie and HHS."
The training program was created four years ago in anticipation of Maine's adoption of an online eligibility system, also known as ACES. ACES greatly improves the way citizens apply for public assistance programs by consolidating the determination of benefits for the programs administered by HHS in one operating system.
"This training program has improved HHS's responsiveness and efficiency by ensuring that, for the first time ever, new Family Independence Specialists receive consistent, first-rate training," said Freda Bernotavicz, Director of the Institute for Public Sector Innovation at the Muskie School. "The leadership of Director Van Burgel and the collaboration and support of HHS staff have been key to the program's success."
The NSDTA provides support to state agencies that are responsible for human services training and staff development by sharing ideas and resources on organizational development, staff development, and training.
Each year, the group gives its Quality Award for Training to the state that has shown the most innovative, practical and successful approach to staff training. The presentation will be presented at the NSDTA Conference in Chicago on November 2, 2004.
# # #
