Impact Georgia, Sept. 2010

September 2010 Newsletter
STATE CHOOSES DEPARTMENT WEBSITE FOR CASE STUDY
New Features
`Contact Us' Form will enable the user to send questions to the Department's designated subject matter experts in each division. This will ensure the user receives the "right answer the first time."
Google Search Engine will allow users to find what they're looking for more easily.
Language Translation Tool will accommodate the different nationalities that visit the site.
Viewer Tool, a magnifying glass located at the top of the page, allows the visitor to isolate specific content for easy reading and printing.

Through participation with the Governor's Office of Customer Service, the GDC website will be featured in a case study beginning October 2010. The study will be about how to improve state websites by making them easier to use and more accessible, while also providing measurable information about the site's performance. This case study will be provided to agencies state-wide in January 2011.

cal features of the website. It will also focus on how the Department measures improved customer service following improvements.
The Department's Office of Information Technology (OIT) has added new tools to ensure users have a positive experience and they're able to find the information they need.

The case study will focus on the way the Department has used performance measures to improve the quality, content, and technologi-

"We strive to be a leader in electronic communications for the State of Georgia."
- Gene Quinn GDC Webmaster/Internet Services Manager
"In my opinion, Corrections has one of the best redesigned websites in the State."
- Gregory Brown Program Director of Information Management,
Governor's Office of Customer Service

DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATES IN 12 FOR LIFE PROGRAM; PROVIDES YOUTH WITH WORK SKILLS

On August 5, 2010, the first five students selected as participants in the 12 FOR LIFE Program in Monroe County arrived at State Offices South at Tift Campus for a Family Orientation Meeting. This was the first of many steps in their new endeavor to becoming not only a student, but an employee of the Georgia Department of Corrections.
In collaboration with the Monroe County Board of Education, the Department of Corrections is honored to offer this unique and innovative pilot program which will provide students with a structured method of combined classroom-based education and practical work experience in an office environment.

This program will place students in a real job, earning real wages, and most importantly they will earn credit towards their high school diploma. Pictured to the right is India Aycock, one of four mentors for the program, as she gives 12 For Life participants a tour of State Offices South at Tift College
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this Issue:
Public Website Case Study 12 For Life Partnership Air Pistol Competition Commissioner Presents Coin Long State Prison Quarterly Awards Advanced Management Training Georgia Programs Assessment Inventory
Upcoming Events:
September 6 - Labor Day - Observed Monday, September 6
September 14 - Macon Day Reporting Center Commencement Ceremony
September 16 - Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT) Graduation

Did You Know?..... Monroe County has a graduation rate of approximately 76 percent seven percent higher than the U.S. average.

CORRECTIONS PARTICIPATES IN AIR PISTOL COMPETITION

The National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference was held at Georgia Tech July 19-24. Thousands of Law Enforcement Explorers and their leaders came from around the country for seminars, competitions, and demonstrations.
During the conference, several GDC training instructors oversaw the largest air gun competition in the world with 1,500 participants. There

were no professional shooters in this competition. All of the competitors were participating in the Explorer program, operated by Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America.
The program's mission is to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

HAYS STATE PRISON EMPLOYEE PRESENTED WITH COMMISSIONER'S LEADERSHIP COIN

Commissioner Owens presented Canine Handler Heath Whited with the Commissioner's Leadership Coin on Tuesday, August 10.

Whited of Hays State Prison was called to Gordon County with a canine for tracking purposes.

Officer Whited was rewarded for his work with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The GBI contacted Department of Corrections staff to assist in a search of a murder suspect. Officer

The Department partners with multiple agencies to ensure the saftey of the public. Officer Whited is pictured to the right with the Commissioner's Leadership Coin

LONG STATE PRISON PRESENTS EMPLOYEES WITH QUARTERLY AWARDS

Officer Shan McRae was presented with the Customer Service Champion Employee of the Quarter Award and Sergeant Jeffrey Horton was presented with the Correctional Officer of the Quarter Award. They are both outstanding examples of dedication, leadership, and professionalism.
Sergeant Horton has been a state employee for more than 27 years. He lives in Odum, Georgia

with his wife. His current position is Detail Sergeant and he is also the supervisor for the Station 8 Inmate Fire Department.
Officer McRae has been with Department for 20 years as a Correctional Officer. She lives in Jesup, Georgia with her husband and son.
Sergeant Horton and Officer McRae are pictured to the left

TWENTY-EIGHT GRADUATE FROM ADVANCED MANAGEMENT TRAINING

The Department graduated 28 front-line managers from the first Advanced Management Training (AMT) class held in the Georgia Corrections Academy at State Offices South at Tift College on June 18, 2010.
It is the Department of Correction's goal to continue to be a learning organization. AMT is a new program that was developed by the GDC

Training Section, in conjunction with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG). The program teaches front-line managers how to be effective, efficient, credible, respectful, and fair. It is a 40-hour course designed for front-line managers of supervisors or the equivalent.
Graduates are pictured to the right

DEPARTMENT HOLDS GEORGIA PROGRAMS ASSESSMENT INVENTORY TRAINING

On August 19, the Georgia Programs Assessment Inventory (GPAI) annual training was held at State Offices South at Tift College. GPAI is an assessment tool developed by the University of Cincinnati to measure the effectiveness of offender programs. It is based on best practices for implementing the principles of effective intervention, otherwise known as "What Works." The GPAI project began about five years ago and has expanded to include approximately 60 sites in both Probation and Facilities. Awards were presented to

the follwing facilities and individuals:
Pre-Release Centers - Wilkes Pre-Release Center In-House Transitional Centers - Washington State Prison Transitional Centers - Macon Transitional Center Community Based Sites - Griffin Day Reporting Center Faith & Character Based Dorm Sites - Lee Arrendale State Prison Most Improved Site - Smith Transitional Center Host Facility Site - Metro State Prison Highest Overall Score - Tifton Day Reporting Center Chief Counselor of Wilcox SP - Lisa Thompson Asst. Superintendent of Macon Transitional Center - Kenneth Barnes Asst. Director of Training - Richard Cobb

Commissioner Brian Owens Public Affairs: Joan Heath, Director; Sharmelle Brooks, Managing Editor; Kristen Stancil, Contributor; Peggy Chapman, Contributor Contact: 404-656-9772; www.dcor.state.ga.us