Governor's Team Excellence Award
The Governor's Team Excellence Awards are presented annually to teams of up to 20 state employees and encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results. Governor Carney encourages employees to work across state agencies for a more effective and responsible state government.
2023 Governor's Team Excellence Award Recipients
For their dedicated work and success in making Delaware state government more innovative and efficient, Governor John Carney announced the recipients for this year’s Governor’s Team Excellence Award Program.
GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award Recipients
This award recognizes teams that serve as role models in their application of continuous improvement techniques and achievement of outstanding results.
DHR Agile Workspace Project Team
Department of Human Resources and Department of Technology and Information
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) Agile Workspace Project, in collaboration with the Department of Technology and Information, introduced two innovative, agile workspaces in June 2023, catering to the needs of a dynamic, hybrid workforce. DHR was faced with the challenge of centralizing services across 26 State agency locations along with technological limitations and hybrid work schedules.
The DHR Agile Workspace Project Team took a holistic approach that emphasized open layouts and shared spaces with the aim of enhancing collaboration while reducing office footprints. Technological upgrades like SharePoint access, Wi-Fi coverage, Jabber softphones, eFax, and off-network printing were implemented to empower staff to work seamlessly from any location. As part of their change management plan, the team held meetings, training sessions, and open houses to facilitate staff transition and acceptance of the new workspaces, ensuring a smooth implementation.
Through collaboration, creativity, and resilience, the DHR Agile Workspace Project Team has not only transformed DHR's operational landscape but also positioned the organization as a forward-thinking pioneer in workspace innovation. The project's success sets a precedent for future endeavors within DHR and other State agencies, demonstrating the potential for cost-effective, flexible work environments to drive improved service delivery and employee satisfaction.
DSS Unwinding Team
Department of Health and Social Services
As a result of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, additional Medicaid funding that was made available during the COVID-19 pandemic expired on March 31, 2023. Under this legislation, states were authorized on April 1, 2023, to begin redetermining Medicaid enrollment for individuals who qualified for Medicaid during the pandemic, to ensure that clients who still qualify continue to receive services.
The Division of Social Services faced the challenge of completing over a quarter of a million Medicaid Renewal redeterminations by July 2024. To accomplish this task, the Division of Social Services (DSS) created the Unwinding Team to develop and implement many new initiatives in a very short time. These initiatives included carrying out process design changes, establishing new sub-units, issuing press releases, and developing new policies, procedures, and training materials. Despite the daunting workload, the team demonstrated flexibility, creativity, and resolve to minimize lapses in coverage for eligible Delawareans. As a result of the process changes in the eligibility system, and through the collaborative efforts within the Unwinding Team and the division, approximately 85,000 renewals have been mailed out, and over 47,000 individuals have been renewed with no intervention needed to continue their medical coverage. Of the client renewals received that required worker intervention, 70% have been approved, with 96% of confirmations occurring within 45 days.
Ongoing monitoring and collaboration sustain the Unwinding Team’s efforts and facilitate continued innovation within DSS operations. The project's success underscores the agency's commitment to adaptability and service excellence in challenging circumstances.
Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative Team
Department of Health and Social Services
The Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative Team within the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities recognizes the critical importance of robust data collection and usage across the Division’s various initiatives and responsibilities. Comprised of members of the Data Team and Information Systems Unit, this team has implemented numerous internal and external process improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Examples of their efforts include introducing a new state-of-the-art Electronic Medical Records system in its long-term care facility, conducting collaborative data analyses and quality improvement projects, and overhauling the federal Older Americans Act Reporting System process to ensure accuracy and to secure the necessary funding for participant services. The Continuous Quality Improvement Team uses advanced data analytics to optimize the impact of the division’s limited resources and ensure the Division priorities are congruent with its values and its customers’ needs. Through initiatives like Gantt charts for strategic initiative tracking and performance review dashboards, the Continuous Quality Improvement Section facilitates data-driven decision-making and enhances service quality for over 20,000 Delawareans relying on their services.
These initiatives collectively demonstrate the team’s commitment to sustained improvement and efficiency across the Division's operations.
Champions Award Recipients
This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior use of continuous quality improvement tools to achieve exceptional results in process efficiency, customer service, and cost savings.
FOCUS Team
Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
Since its inception, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) Focus Team has led the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of the For Our Children’s Ultimate Success (FOCUS) system. This system serves as a centralized platform for collecting and managing data related to child welfare, prevention services, and youth rehabilitative services.
Through collaboration, team decision-making, and efficient project management, the FOCUS team continues to enhance the system's usability and effectiveness, ultimately serving the Department's mission of safeguarding children and families. This team works tirelessly behind the scenes to provide technical support, deliver data and system analysis, and improve system functionality.
Their efforts ensure the system can efficiently serve more than 1,400 DSCYF workers and community provider staff as they strive to provide seamless case management services to over 8,000 children each day. The team demonstrates effective use of Agile methodologies to guide the system’s development, manage the project scope, and ensure stakeholders remain engaged.
Overall, the FOCUS project exemplifies DSCYF's commitment to innovation and efficiency in safeguarding children and families while adapting to evolving needs and regulations.
Delaware State Police Aviation Section Team
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
The collaborative effort of the Delaware State Police Aviation Section Team to develop and implement the Women in Aviation and Law Enforcement Seminar serves as an outstanding example of innovation and teamwork. The purpose of the team was to spotlight the positive impact of women in the field of aviation and inspire others to pursue careers in law enforcement.
Spanning over two months, the team partnered with other Delaware State Police special units, Summit Aviation, the Bellanca Airfield Museum, and the 99’s (an international women pilots’ organization) to provide valuable information, insights, mentorships, and networking opportunities and to create an environment that encourages women to explore opportunities in these areas. The program attracted participants from all three counties in Delaware as well as New Jersey.
The program exceeded expectations, with over 20 participants accepted and 18 graduating, three of whom have applied to become State Troopers and several others working towards their pilot's license. The seminar’s success has garnered widespread interest and plans are being made for additional offerings in 2024.
Recognized for its commitment to diversity and collaboration, the team’s seminar not only addresses gender disparities in aviation but also fosters innovation and excellence, with far-reaching implications for the future of women in aviation and law enforcement.
Unifier Migration Team
Department of Transportation
The Unifier Migration Team’s efforts aimed to streamline project management processes within the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) by migrating data from the Primavera P6 software system to the Unifier project management system. The project involved integrating pre-construction and construction phases into a single platform for consistency.
The team’s collaborative efforts with the Divisions of Technology & Innovation and Transportation Solutions, the Department of Technology and Information (DTI), and contracted consultants, ensured a smooth transition and seamless data transfer between applications. By centralizing data and automating workflows, the project enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and improved documentation practices.
Ultimately, the successful implementation of Unifier as the primary project management tool facilitated better tracking, reporting, and decision-making across DelDOT divisions.
SNAP Stolen Benefit Replacement Workgroup
Department of Health and Social Services
The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) SNAP Stolen Benefit Replacement Workgroup was formed in response to a national surge in electronic benefit fraud targeting participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Through collaboration across various agencies within the Department of Health and Social Services, this team developed and implemented a comprehensive plan to combat benefit theft and replace stolen SNAP benefits. By submitting its plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the spring of 2023, Delaware became a pioneer in combating electronic benefit fraud, securing approval as the fifth state to implement such measures.
Through their meticulous planning, development, and training initiatives, the team has equipped DHSS staff with the necessary tools and procedures to effectively carry out this plan. Since its implementation in December 2023, this initiative has safeguarded approximately 120,000 individuals' access to SNAP benefits and has the potential to replace over $447,000 in benefits stolen from nearly 800 Delaware households in need of food assistance.
The project's success underscores its role in enhancing food security, improving customer service, and advancing benefit security for SNAP households, serving as a model for future initiatives combating electronic benefit theft.
Commitment Award Recipient
This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying continuous improvement tools and techniques to achieving quality results in their organization.
Claymont Transportation Center Team
Department of Transportation
The Claymont Transportation Center Project addressed the outmoded features and safety issues of the Myrtle Ave train station by constructing a modern facility at the former Evraz steel plant site. Led by a multi-divisional team of state employees and with the assistance of consultants and contractors, the project aimed to enhance accessibility, safety, and amenities for commuters at this new location.
Through innovative design and collaborative efforts, the new transportation center features elevated platforms, ADA accessibility, parking facilities, and passenger amenities, providing a seamless travel experience. Using a design-build approach, the project streamlined construction and expedited approvals, resulting in the opening of the Harris B. McDowell – Claymont Transportation Center in December 2023.
Since its inauguration, the center has seen a 14% increase in ridership, marking a significant improvement in transit services for SEPTA and DART rail and bus riders while contributing to the revitalization of the Claymont community.
Peer Support in Long-Term Care
Department of Health and Social Services
The Peer Support in Long-Term Care Team, a cooperative effort between the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, was formed as a pilot project to integrate peer support services to enhance behavioral health services for residents at Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI). Leveraging the expertise of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, the team worked diligently to bring invaluable support to DHCI residents, resulting in increased engagement in group interventions and reduced crisis interventions.
The delivery of peer support services in long-term care settings is in its infancy, but the success of the project underscores the effectiveness of this type of collaborative model in meeting the evolving needs of older adults with mental health challenges in this setting. Recognizing its potential impact, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors awarded the project with a $250,000 Transformation Transfer Initiative grant for the expansion of its work and the development of national best practices.
Overall, the initiative marks a significant step in enhancing behavioral healthcare capacity and improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations within the continuum of care.
