News from DAS

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NEWS FROM DAS  |  AUGUST 2020

Director Coba's message

Katy Coba, 2020

Introducing our ‘Chief Cultural Change Officer’

I am pleased to introduce Serena Stoudamire Wesley (pictured below), who has accepted the challenge of serving as the Department of Administrative Services’ first Chief Cultural Change Officer. This is an initial step toward addressing Oregon’s structural and institutional racism against Persons of Color.

Serena has served in leadership positions with state government since 2014, beginning with the Oregon Education Investment Board. She also worked several years leading Governor Brown’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team and most recently, she led the Youth Development Division (Oregon Department of Education) — all of which have prepared her to attach actions to ideals and help us advance cultural change in state government. 

Serena Stoudamire Wesley

“I welcome the challenge to push us to do better to dismantle institutional racism,” said Serena. “I also welcome the opportunity to engage in authentic discussion. We absolutely need to remove the pressure of being perfect and not be afraid to get messy and uncomfortable to make real cultural change. Martin Luther King said, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’”

I am excited Serena has joined DAS and look forward to working with her in support of this critical effort. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to her!

-Katy Coba, DAS Director and State COO

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New project to replace iLearnOregon

Learning Management Replacement Project logo

DAS recently launched a project to replace the state’s current Learning Management System (LMS) – iLearnOregon – with “Workday Learning,” a modern Software as a Service that will fully integrate with the state’s personnel system.

The LMS Replacement Project will directly enhance the learning and development of state employees while allowing agencies to deliver training to more than 150,000 partners, volunteers and contractors. By integrating with Workday, the new LMS will allow Oregon state government to tie enterprise learning to onboarding, job changes and promotions.

Stay informed on the latest developments by visiting the project webpage

New website supports remote work

wORk reimagined logo

The Chief Human Resources Office and Enterprise Information Services have collaborated to create an online hub of resources for state government managers and employees. The “Work Reimagined” website launched with a variety of best practices and tools to help agencies support state employees who are working remotely.

The content of the Work Reimagined website will continue to evolve through future phases of development. The first phase focused on “managing remotely,” providing managers with the tools and training to lead from afar. The next phase will focus on all employees working remotely and will include ideas on how to plan a remote work day, how to avoid work/life blurring, and more.

Tools for employees to track environmental savings – like carbon emissions saved by not driving to work – are also planned. Check out the resources today!

Work Reimagined website

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Warehouse is open and saving agencies money

Throughout the pandemic, the Oregon Surplus Property program has remained open for business, albeit with a smaller crew. Agencies have been realizing huge savings on items for their programs, and in some cases, items have even been free!

Though much of Surplus Property’s administrative staff works from home, they are busy arranging for more and more property to arrive at the Salem warehouse. The Surplus Property warehouse is open to eligible agencies Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and asks visitors to please wear masks and observe social distancing.

Learn more at the Surplus Property website.

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Procurement standards advance

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Governor Brown’s Executive Order 17-20 directs that all state-purchased equipment meet high-efficiency energy and water specifications. The requirements apply to equipment purchased by state agencies and equipment used inside of state-owned buildings. The types of equipment include appliances, electronics and IT equipment, food service, HVAC, lighting, water and plumbing.

DAS collaborated with DEQ and the Department of Energy to create a guidance document for state agency use, which is now part of DAS Procurement Services’ online procurement manual. More work remains, as statewide price agreements are not tailored to meet the mandates. DAS is working to incorporate the information into its procurement buyer’s guides and ensure that each applicable price agreement contains products to help agencies meet the requirements.

The new efficiency standards will help agencies conserve energy and lower utility costs, while also contributing to the Governor’s climate change goals.

Questions? Email Adam Helvey, DAS Sustainable Procurement Program Manager.

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Workday Oregon logo

Maximizing Workday

During these challenging times, Oregon state government has been able to quickly leverage the Workday HR system to assist our workforce in ways previously impossible.

In partnership with the Chief Human Resources Office policy unit, the Workday Oregon team implemented functionality for employees to both donate and borrow leave, expediting additional leave to individuals in need.  

Multiple new “time off” types were created under new federal and state laws and rules allowing employees access to emergency paid sick leave, and job protection for those who need to care for their children while schools and day cares are closed. With a large portion of the state workforce continuing to work from home, a process was also implemented for employees to formally request to work remotely. This new offering includes policy acknowledgement, supervisor approval and asset tracking. 

Workday’s reporting staff also consulted with multiple leadership groups to create and deliver additional reports and analytic dashboards for quick access to employee and position data, supporting informed decision-making. As state government adjusts to an evolving work world, DAS is grateful for the agility of new technology to help us continue to excel. 

For more information visit Workday.Oregon.gov.  

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Charitable Fund Drive seeks helpers with heart

CFD Superhero, "Give Dollars, Make Change"

Each year, as many as 300 state employees generously volunteer their time to make the Charitable Fund Drive successful and fun. As many know, the campaign provides an avenue for state employees to contribute to their choice of more than 800 local charities. Last year’s campaign facilitated contributions by state employees of more than $700,000 to charitable organizations.

The success of the Charitable Fund Drive is dependent on those many volunteers. Each year, state agencies encourage staff to step up as Campaign Coordinators, whose role includes developing awareness events, facilitating employee donations and participation in the campaign, as well as providing a conduit to the agency for campaign information. This role is great for people who are organized, comfortable speaking to groups, and who have a heart that understands the impact of the campaign.

If you fit the bill, we need your help! With the unprecedented events of 2020, this year’s campaign will look and feel different, but is possibly even more critical than past campaigns. With many state employees working from home, events that were successful in the past will either not be possible or will have to be modified.

If you are interested, or need more information, please contact Darvin Pierce, Campaign Committee Chairperson, at 971-718-6212 or darvin.pierce@oregon.gov. Your supervisor will need to approve your gift of time. Thank you for your consideration and continued generosity!

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Statewide Wellness Survey results

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In the summer of 2019 the Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB) sponsored the State Employee Wellness Survey. PEBB has conducted similar surveys since 2005, yet this was the first time the survey was offered online with all state employees invited to participate. More than 39,000 state employees responded.

The report on statewide results is on PEBB’s website. It focuses solely on the preventable chronic disease risk factors that are part of the Governor's Executive Order on State Agency Employee Wellness: nutrition, physical activity, tobacco use, and stress and depression.

The survey also highlighted other findings that are not necessarily part of the report, but still important to overall health. For instance, most surveyed employees said they are trying to lose or maintain their weight. Many though, experience health conditions that can make it difficult to engage in recommended amounts of regular physical activity to achieve this goal. For instance: 

  • Obesity can make it difficult to be active. Oregon state government employees experience a higher rate of obesity (29%) when compared to the Oregon population as a whole. 
  • Arthritis and joint pain can also be a factor. Half of state employees have arthritis or experience joint pain; one third have chronic pain.

We know that decreasing excessive alcohol use can result in decreasing the risk of certain cancers and other causes of death. The survey found that while about 15% of employees are trying to limit their alcohol consumption, 15% engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

While agencies are enacting workplace policies to support employee health, PEBB’s Employee Assistance Program, Cascade Centers, and other resources through Kaiser, Providence and Moda are available to support employees with all their health and wellness goals.

Contact for more information: Theresa Cross, Oregon Health Authority. 

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