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"Not only was the Risk Management process an opportunity for us to make sure we had all the documentation we needed, but it was also an opportunity for us to once again establish a close relationship with our friends at the Regional Office. We are happy that there appears to be a more collaborative effort to reach excellence and welcome more face-to-face interactions. We're proud of what we do and welcome on-site visits."

"We were delighted with both our Risk Management meeting and the prior visit from our Program Specialist."

"We thought the meeting was helpful in that we had many of the decision makers on the phone at the same time. As an Executive Director it was helpful for the Board, Policy Council members and management staff to hear directly what was being told to me by the regional office. This made my job easier in that others could see what was being asked of us as a grantee. As a result of the communications we felt more confident of our direction. We would like to see more time spent on what we felt were our risks and see if that would help the regional office understand our view. It would be a good opportunity to get program input into what the OHS could do to improve the Head Start program and the local situation from the grantee standpoint. It did clear up a couple of minor procedures that were not being done as they should have been. This will cause less frustration. It did result in us writing more plans and goals." 

"We had a very good experience with the RMM for our Head Start program."

"The process went well for us and we feel that it was extremely positive and helpful in increasing communication and collaboration between program staff, Board and Policy Council members and Regional Office staff. We are looking forward to participation in process next year."

"I found the Risk Management process to be a great experience. This experience allowed us to discuss our program strengths and areas of pride and challenges. The Region __ staff facilitated this meeting with the utmost respect for our program. As a result I believe Region __ staff has__ a better understanding of our strengths and challenges; this will help to guide them when making decisions about our program."

"We were part of the original process and before the first one I was a little apprehensive but since then I feel they are a very valuable experience."

"My agency was one of the grantees who benefited from this process last year." 

"What I feel was the greatest strength and asset to this process was having all the key people, including a Board member, involved. Everyone heard what was being discussed at the same time. There were ample opportunities for dialogue. We were able to bring up concerns that specifically related to our grant on a local basis. We got very clear direction from the Branch Manager as to what we needed to do. I look forward to our call this year (in a couple of months) because at this point, there are no pressing issues. I know I will have the opportunity to highlight strengths of our program. I also know that if I have some major concerns, I have a venue in which to bring these to the attention of the Region's decision-makers AND I know my Board has an opportunity to interact with Region personnel."

"Our program participated in one of the first risk management meetings in the Region. There was great support in attending the meeting, Executive Director, Board Member, Fiscal Officer, Policy Council and Managers. An important piece was the letter that comes prior to the meeting, it affords you time to really look into the situations that the Region feels needs discussion. Participation on the Region side was warm and welcoming, two recorders so that information is not lost and just a sense of we are working together. It really makes sense to look at your program early with the folks that matter. I think this is a system that can assist programs and keep OHS aware of each and every program. There is something to be said that everyone hears the same thing at the same time."

"As a new director, this program and its nuances can be intimidating. It was so nice to have a formal process for high lighting our strengths and our plans to build upon them."

"It was the only time in my ten years as a director that we had an in-depth conversation with all individuals involved in our program. I believe that the Regional Office learned new information about our program. I continue to be so impressed with the Region __ Head Start Office and the leadership of __. They are very knowledgeable about my program and are excellent to work with. I was very hesitant about the risk management meeting but I enjoyed the process and believe this is the best thing that has been mandated by the Bureau in bring programs together with the Regional Office. The regional office is one of the most important elements in ensuring successful programs."

"Our experience with the RMM process has been very positive. We believe that it is a very positive and proactive approach to recognizing what is working and where assistance might be needed." 

"I felt the process went smoothly for our program. We had staff and representation from the required participants available for the Regional Office to speak to via conference call. It seemed to come across that we were all on the same team for a change. I felt the backing and support of the Regional Office and [TA] staff in discussion and understanding of this new process. Hope it goes well in the future and now that we understand the process I feel we will not be quite so nervous." 

"Overall, the experience was satisfactory for the key employees and volunteers (board and policy council chairs) at [Head Start]. The meeting was productive and successfully highlighted compliance issues, concerns and areas of strength. I very much appreciated the thorough communications prior to the meeting with our Program Specialist to answer questions and to plan the areas to be discussed."

"I found our Risk Management meeting to be very productive. The interchange of issues and related discussions were beneficial to our process of program evaluation and the revision of local policies and practices. I appreciated the fact that the Regional Office representatives and the TA network were interacting and assisting with the development of ideas, identification of additional available resources, and listened to our concerns with the local funding and the rise of transportation costs. I also appreciated the opportunity to have this meeting in a varied setting. For our meeting some of the staff traveled to [Regional Office] and others were available by conference calling. This allowed our Policy Council Chair to participate as she could not leave her family at that time and was able to participate in the conference call. I was very pleased with the overall meeting and it allowed the Regional Office and local staff a better reflection and evaluation upon our program."

"Our Risk Management Meeting held in August 2008 was a great experience. The Regional Office staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. Together, we were able to review and plan ahead for the operation of the program."  

"The Risk Management Process was very informative. We are a school board grantee and the Risk Management Meeting was another way for all stakeholders to come together at one time and hear the same information. It was nice to have the program specialist, fiscal expert, T/TA expert all on one call with the grantee. Items where they may be some questions were identified and a plan was developed to address those concerns. I highly recommend the process to any grantee. This was also a rare occasion for the board chair to be on a call with the Regional Office.  He was very impressed and took lots of notes."

"[Our] Head Start management team was able to work with Regional Office staff to identify our program risks from both internal and external sources. The RISK Assessment helped us to estimate the significance of these risks around enrollment, health and dental follow-up. With the assistance of the [TA] representative, we immediately began to identify strategies to address our action plan from the RISK meeting."

"The process went smoothly for us primarily because of the communication and preparation before the meeting. My assigned program specialist and fiscal specialist scheduled at least two phone conferences prior to the risk management meeting. They reviewed documents and asked for more information prior to the meeting. The risk management meeting seemed like a culmination to a process which encouraged open communication about anything necessary. It gives me confidence to know that the Region __ staff have had an opportunity for broad review and understanding of us as a grantee." 

* Some comments may not appear in their entirety as individually identifiable information has been removed. Full comments were shared with the relevant Regional Offices.

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