Governor Gregoire is Holding Government Accountable
Governor Chris Gregoire believes every state agency and program must be visibly accountable to Washington citizens. The Governor’s approach to accountability requires agencies to regularly measure and report the effectiveness of the services they provide, so that problems can be identified and fixed. To accomplish this, she:
- Personally presides over regular performance reviews of key agency services. The face-to-face dialogue is frank, direct and open to the public.
- Insists that agencies base their decisions on data that accurately reflects what’s working and what’s not.
- Publicly acknowledges agency directors and staff when they achieve results – and challenges them to solve the problems when they do not.
Vulnerable Children & Adults
july 23, 2008
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Robin Arnold-Williams |
There is increasing evidence that the state’s faster response to complaints of child abuse and neglect has reduced the rate at which children are re-victimized, according to a performance report today by the Department of Social & Health Services.
At a GMAP accountability meeting today on programs that serve vulnerable children and adults today, DSHS officials told Governor Gregoire’s leadership team that the rates of repeat-abuse and -neglect have fallen by 30% to 40% since the state instituted a policy in 2005 of responding to abuse complaints within 24 hours and to neglect allegations within 72 hours. As of April, DSHS social workers met those goals in 97% of abuse cases and 94% of neglect cases.
DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams also said the agency is reviewing its child safety performance targets in light of a recent court ruling in what is known as the Braam case, with the goal of aligning its GMAP performance measures with those called for in the latest ruling.
Also today, the Department of Early Learning reported it is achieving its timeliness target for resolving complaints against child care providers that do not involve allegations of child abuse or neglect, and is working to improve its performance in making unannounced monitoring visits to child care family homes and centers. DEL Director Jone Bosworth said parents can check the agency website to learn whether complaints have been filed against specific providers.
To view the session online, click here.
Transportation
july 9, 2008
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Paula Hammond |
The traffic death rate on Washington roadways has dropped to the lowest level in state history, and state agency leaders said today their ongoing law enforcement, public education and highway engineering practices should reduce fatalities even further. A total of 567 fatalities were recorded in 2007, representing 1 death per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. National statistics won’t be out until this fall, but the directors said they are confident Washington’s rate is among the lowest in the country.
The traffic safety report came during a GMAP accountability meeting in Olympia that focused on several transportation topics, including a report that high gas prices are contributing to double-digit inflation in highway construction costs, while declining fuel consumption is constricting the state’s gasoline tax revenue.
Leaders of the Washington Sate Patrol, the Traffic Safety Commission, and the departments of Transportation and Licensing also told Governor Gregoire’s leadership team that collaboration between state and local law enforcement and traffic agencies has reduced the time required to clear major highway blocking incidents such as fatal accidents, car-truck crashes, and fuel spills. More...
To view the session online, click here.
Accountability Session:
Government Efficiency Written Report
August 13, 2008
Will be available online. Click here for more information.