Eugene Collins

HHSU Director's
Corner


 

 


Eugene Collins  

We need a HHS Learning Council you can help to make it happen!


Dear Reader,

As the Chief Learning Officer for the HHS University (HHSU), I have begun collaborating with Operating Divisions' (OPDIVs) learning and training chiefs/directors and key points of contact to discuss forming a HHS Learning Council. This council would serve as an executive entity within our governance structure reporting to the Human Capital Advisory Council on a variety of matters. It will include representation from each of the OPDIVs, especially those who have universities, learning centers, and/or certified classroom instructors. We also want this council and its subordinate subcommittees to include representatives from the various OPDIV training and development and instructional technology communities.

This collective group of professionals will enable us to leverage our collective strengths across the full spectrum of training and development activities and minimize duplication of efforts as well as possibly reduce customers' costs of doing business with HHSU and using the HHS Learning Management System.

Specific functions and roles the Council/Subcommittees could perform are as follows:

  1. Create mechanisms for translating enterprise-wide training directives and priorities into action.
  2. Provide guidance and strategic direction, as necessary, on enterprise cross-cutting training and development initiatives (e.g., e-learning, leadership development, classroom-based and content) to mitigate overlap in delivery.
  3. Foster strategic alliances and partnerships while providing a forum for collaboration and decision-making throughout the training community.
  4. Prioritize and allocate resources to enterprise learning needs while addressing cross-organization trade-offs.
  5. Ensure resources are effectively allocated against training initiatives and programs.
  6. Eliminate training redundancy and overlap.
  7. Serve as a gateway for vetting new and changing training requirements and their impact on the Department.
  8. Establish training standards, processes, policies and procedures.
  9. Assure accountability for optimizing investments in learning.
The Learning Council is the beginning of a great collaborative journey and opportunity for all OPDIVs. There is a 0% chance that we have the specific roles and responsibilities of the Learning Council 100% correct. We have confirmed participation from many of the OPDIVs and our next step is to hold an initial meeting to discuss the details required to formally establish the Learning Council, including defining its roles and responsibilities. Your OPDIV can anticipate an email invitation in the next few weeks to attend the initial meeting to flesh out the details and gather other ideas in reference to the Learning Council. We can accommodate both VTC and conference call capabilities from HHSU.

I appreciate your time and look forward to working with you on this very important initiative. Many of you received a personal email from me because you were identified as the OPDIV key point of contact to possibly serve on the Learning Council. For additional information in reference to the Learning Council, please contact Trina Greer, Deputy Director, HHS University, Center for Instructional Technology, by email at trina.greer@hhs.gov or telephone on 301-443-6949.

Remember...“Success Tomorrow Begins With What We Learn Today”

Sincerely,
Eugene Collins


HHS logo

Assistant Secretary for Administration

HHS University logo

HHS University
6010 Executive Blvd., Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301.451.6810
Fax: 301.480.3287
TTY: 301.480.3051
Email: hhs_university@psc.gov

In This Issue

bulletPre-Retirement Planning (Refresher) and other courses to be offered

bulletIT project: Saba Passport

bulletLeadership Program Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)

bulletOur Future: What Does "Go Green" Mean?

Program Highlights

Center for Curriculum Management

Vickie Baldwin, Acting Director

Pre-Retirement Planning (Refresher)

Planning a smooth transition into retirement prompts many financial and personal questions. This seminar is filled with information to help retirees simplify the process and get the most out of retirement.

This course is designed for prospective retirees within 1 year of retirement. It provides a review of the topics covered in the Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar FERS/CSRS, focusing on "last minute" changes that may have occurred in retirement laws and identifying final retirement decisions to be made. Topics Include:

Contracting Officers' Technical Representative (COTR)

The Contracting Officers' Technical Representative training is a comprehensive course that prepares acquisition professionals for complex federal contracting requirements and equips them with an in-depth understanding of the COTR's role in the acquisition cycle. COTR's have many responsibilities including participating in acquisition planning and market research; developing specifications and statements of work; evaluating offers and assisting in source selections; understanding and utilizing tools and methods of contracting; monitoring and evaluating contractor performance; assessing vouchers; and preparing final reports and contract closeouts. Other topics include discussion on procurement policy and adherence to government's socioeconomic goals.

Federal Acquisition Certification
for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)

Are you currently involved or interested in becoming a "certified" project or program manager?

If so, read on...
On June 30th, 2009, the Office of Acquisition Management and Policy (OAMP) worked collaboratively with the ASRT/OCIO and ASA/OFMP Capital Planning programs, and HHS University, to deliver the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) program guidelines across the Department. FAC-P/PM certification credentials are recognized across the federal government!

HHS' policy guidance and Handbook articulate 3 certification levels: Level I – Entry/Apprentice; Level II – Mid-Level/Journeyman; and Level III – Senior/Expert. The Handbook also addresses applicability; required competencies and related training; alternative means of satisfying FAC-P/PM certification requirements; time frames for certification; waiver authorities; and continuous learning activity requirements. The Handbook's "Executive Summary" provides a solid outline of the program's parameters.

» See FAC-P/PM

Center for Instructional Technology (CIT)

Clarence Baker, Director

Saba Passport!

Learning Management System (LMS) Training Now Available to LMS Administrators...Take the Saba Passport!

We are excited to announce that Saba Passport will be released to LMS Administrators in November 2009! Other groups in which the Saba Passport training will benefit include Help Desk/Technical staff, Training Administrators and upgrade teams.

HHS University has purchased a one-year subscription to Saba Passport. The Saba University's Passport training is a subscription-based program in which users will have unlimited access to the Saba University's Learning Portal to receive:

The Saba Passport training includes multiple curriculum tracks that are easy, self-paced, and in online delivery options. Additionally, users will have access to quick step-by-step customizable job aids.

We will be disseminating additional information to our LMS community on when and how to take advantage of the Saba Passport training. For more information about Saba Passport and the available curriculum, please visit www.saba.com.

Project Management Corner "Tips and Best Practices"

Project Success or Failure: The Importance of Risk Management

Have you ever wondered how come certain project uncertainties are not understood before the project begins? Most projects have a degree of risk whether high or low. Projects can fail due to a lack of risk management or mitigation of factors that can have a detrimental impact on the project. Risk refers to those dangerous activities or factors that can increase the probability that the project's goals of performance, time, and cost will not be met. Another way to view risk is as a combination of constraints and uncertainties that will negatively affect the forward movement of a project.

The great news is there is a way to deal with project uncertainties early! Since there are no shortcuts to effective risk identification, the entire project should be evaluated to identify potential areas of risks. Risk identification, planning and mitigation should be treated as an integral, continuous part of the project management process. Following the identification of risks, a formal Risk Management Plan should detail the plan of action or contingency for eliminating project risks. The Risk Management Plan is scalable based on the level of project and risk complexities. Areas that can contribute to project risks are:

With proper risk management, you can not only identify risks and there triggers but, estimate risk probabilities and impacts, and take appropriate actions. Ultimately, risks must be identified, assessed and subsequently controlled. The three important steps to Risk Assessment are: (1) identify uncertainties (2) analyze risks and (3) prioritize risks. In the risk control process, risks are mitigated, avoided or accepted.


» Project Management Corner "Tips and Best Practices"

Center for Leadership and Development (CLD)

Dia Gonsalves, Director

Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)

You may have noticed some new faces at the Department this summer! Those faces belong to the fifty three Presidential Management Fellows that have joined HHS in a highly selective 2-year leadership program.

The Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) has a rich history of attracting outstanding individuals from a variety of academic disciplines who are interested in, and committed to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. By drawing recent graduates from top masters and doctoral level programs worldwide, the PMF program develops talent to meet the future challenges of public service and contributes to succession planning

PMF applicants go through a rigorous assessment during the recruitment process. Once they arrive at HHS, they participate in rotational assignments, leadership training, and fellowship forums. To kick off their internship, HHS University is providing the PMFs with an orientation to the Department in December of 2009.

We are excited to have this exceptional group of Fellows join the ranks of the Department of Health and Human Services' leadership cadre and welcome them to the team!

If you're interested in hiring a PMF, please visit http://learning.hhs.gov/development/pmf.asp.



» See Emerging Leaders Program - Recruitment for the Next Generation of Leaders in HHS