Premier Recognizes Excellence in Public Service
NOTE: The list of winners and their contributions follows the release.
Five teams and one individual were recognized today, June 10, by Premier Rodney MacDonald at the Premier's Award of Excellence ceremony in Halifax, for contributions to the province.
Among the recipients were Nova Scotia government employees who developed a strategy to fight crime, improved the health and wellness of employees and created a management system to better serve Community Service cases. Award recipients also launched an online genealogical resource, implemented an energy rebate system, and excelled as leaders and team players.
"These employees demonstrate excellence in various areas of public service," said Premier MacDonald. "The award winners are among the thousands of Nova Scotia government employees who bring their skills and commitment to their public service roles every day."
The Premier's Award of Excellence is the highest honour of the Nova Scotia civil service. Established in 2006 by former premier John Hamm, the award program recognizes Nova Scotian civil servants for outstanding contributions and achievements.
Civil servants, highway workers and correctional workers can be nominated by co-workers.
An external selection panel reviewed 17 nominations of teams or individuals that demonstrated achievements related to leadership excellence, innovation and creativity, outstanding client service, and creative relationship building. The selection panel evaluated the work according to impact, outcomes and how outcomes were achieved.
"The quality of nominations received by the selection panel reinforces that Nova Scotians are being well served by their provincial public service," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Human Resources. "It's important that our employees be recognized for their achievements."
NovaScotian Crystal, Canada's only producer of handcrafted crystal, created the award.
For more information about the Premier's Award of Excellence, this year's recipients and their work, visit www.gov.ns.ca .
The winners of the third annual Premier's Award of Excellence and their contributions are:
- Integrated Case Management Team
Department of Community Services
A team at the Community Services Department created an Integrated Case Management system to manage client files and payments. Before that, client information was not readily shared across program areas, which led to incomplete assessments, inefficient use of resources, and less than optimal outcomes for clients. With the new system, caseworkers now have a complete picture of the clients they serve. The new system ensures timely, accurate and reliable delivery of these payments. The program impacts the lives of more than 100,000 Nova Scotians.
Team Representatives: Kevin Hall and Bev Corbin
- Project Management Team
Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Online
Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
In March 2007, Nova Scotia's Historical Vital Statistics Online website was launched. This site provides free-of-charge access to two centuries of birth, marriage and death records involving one-million names, 800,000 digitized records, and an optional e-business component that enables downloading. In the first eight months, the website had 575,000 visitors, with more than 31 million pages viewed.
As one of only two such websites in Canada, the online genealogical resource supports and contributes directly to the government's priority of providing more accessible services to Nova Scotians.
Team Members: Paul Maxner, John Macleod and Lois Yorke
- Wendy Anne McVeigh
District manager, continuing care district 1
Department of Health
Wendy Anne McVeigh is recognised for her leadership and teamwork with staff and community partners.
Ms. McVeigh encouraged teamwork, listened to input from her staff, addressed their needs, and supported professional development. One of her accomplishments was her work with the District Health Authority to secure additional funding. This funding enabled the district to have more care co-ordinators available to help clients in the community. She has been successful in collaborating with government and community agencies like Lunenburg Home Support, Queens Home Support and The Ark, to look for better ways to serve clients.
- Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy Team
Time to Fight Crime Together, Our Strategy to Prevent and
Reduce Crime.
Departments of Justice and Community
Services, and Communications Nova Scotia
In 2006, the Department of Justice created a minister's task force on safer streets and communities to hear Nova Scotians' concerns and ideas about crime. The report provided the basis for the Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy.
The team took the concerns of Nova Scotians and developed a strategy and implementation plan to lower crime rates, to allow people to feel safe on the street and in their homes. The approach used components of enforcement, intervention and prevention, which resulted in a roadmap that will stand the tests of time. The strategy will make a difference in the lives of Nova Scotians.
Team Members: Valerie Pottie Bunge, Darlene Messervey, Angela Poirier, Pat Gorham, Carol Shepard Conrad, Robert F. Purcell, Judith A. McPhee, Cathy MacIsaac, Tracy Hannah, William F. Clancey, Clarence Guest, Gary W. Dupuis, Janice Gillis-MacLean and Donna MacDonald
- Yarmouth Health and Wellness Team
Little Steps, Big Rewards
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
In fall 2005, staff recognized the need for a program to improve the health and wellness of employees. A health and wellness program was soon developed that included health risk assessments, individual consultations, group support meetings and information sessions.
The program was launched in June 2006 with a participation rate of about 50 per cent, or 40 employees. As a result of the participant's achievements, a video was created to encourage participation from other employees. The video depicts the journey of some participants and how their lifestyle changes have improved their physical and mental health, and have also encouraged their families to adopt healthier lifestyles. This program has also improved communication through the sharing of group goals and participation in after work activities.
Team Members: Greg Newell, Andy Lent, Marilyn J. Robinson, Phil LeBlanc, Alvina Robicheau, Roy D. Roscoe, Janice Muise and Frank Thibodeau
- Your Energy Rebate Team
An Efficient Rebate System for Vendors and Households
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Department of
Finance, Department of Justice and Communications Nova Scotia
In 2006, the provincial government announced an eight per cent rebate on home energy products, with an implementation date of less than three months. This required significant effort and investment by employees of multiple departments to ensure a smooth implementation. The work of the team included building and designing a rebate application system, developing an eligibility screening tool, developing an on-line application and reimbursement system, and assessing more than 100 bulk vendors' capacity to provide an at-source rebate in a timely manner, a communication strategy to inform Nova Scotia households, and partnering with the private sector to manage the application adjudication and processing.
Team Members: Michael C. DeCoste, Deborah J. Bayer, Paul B. Davies, Ken Pierre, Douglas Moodie, Whitney Lidstone, Matthew Brewer, Francis Moore, Shon Myra, Claude Bordage, Perry Hamilton, Andrew Goodwin, Donna Chislett, David Trent Williams, Leanne Hanley and Kathie Day