Productivity and quality in the workplace deserve to be recognized.
That is particularly true when the workplace is state government and the beneficiaries are all Missouri taxpayers.
Three state employee work teams were honored last week with the Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity, presented by the Office of Administration (OA). Nominees are judged on "criteria related to effectiveness, responsiveness and efficiency that would serve as a model of excellence for other work teams in state government."
The three categories and winners are:
• Efficiency/Process Improvement: The Digital Forensic Investigative Unit of the Department of Public Safety, Missouri Highway Patrol, for taking significant steps to redirect its focus on an investigation of offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children.
• Innovation: The Missouri Eat Smart Child Care project, a combined effort by the Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Council on Activity and Nutrition, Child Care Aware of Missouri and the University of Missouri Extension. The project improved the health and preschool readiness of children by encouraging child care providers to meet the Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines, which provide nutrition recommendations that exceed the minimum standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state licensing requirements.
• Technology in Government: The Frequency Acquisition Team of the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network for creating a land mobile radio communications system that links state, local and federal public safety agencies. The partnership was described as a major technological advance in public safety communications across Missouri.
"By conceptualizing and implementing these exceptional projects," OA Commissioner Doug Nelson said, "these individuals have done their part to improve the lives of Missourians."
These awards recognize two achievements. One is the process - employees pooling their knowledge, skills and abilities through teamwork; the second is the product - in this case, programs designed to improve public safety and the health and welfare of children.
We commend these and other state employees who join together every day not only to deliver, but to enhance, the level of safety and services for Missouri residents.