Johnson County Kansas: Human Resource Department

HR Awards

HR Wins Feed Need Awards

HR received two awards from the Board of County Commissioners in July 2005 for the 2005 Feed the Need Campaign, including a 4 ton award, for raising the equivalent of 8,250 of food and the Commissioners' Award for the fourth year for the highest amount collected per person.

HR Wins the Regional IPMA Best Practices Award

The Department of Human Resources was honored at the regional IPMA conference in St. Louis the week of June 9, 2003 with the Best Practices Award for its annual Bring Your Child to Work Day program.

The IPMA Best Practices Award recognizes and showcases successful models of human resources programs. Criteria considered in determining the recipient include:

Successful over time
Area of human resources administration addressed
Improvement of service delivery
Measurable results
Recognizable positive outcomes
Innovative
Replicable

The Department of Human Resources has organized and sponsored a formal “Bring Your Child to Work Day” program since 2001 in conjunction with the Ms. Foundation’s nationally recognized “Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day” event. This program was originally designed to provide children with an opportunity to learn more about what their parents do at work. Johnson County Government has taken this one step further by offering interactive, educational programs that teach children not only about their parents’ jobs, but about a variety of jobs in and the role of County government.

Employees may choose to participate in the event on an informal or formal basis. For those participating informally, employees direct the activities of their children throughout the day and do not participate in any planned activities. All children receive a certificate of participation signed by the County Manager and Director of Human Resources and are eligible for prize drawings. Those who choose to participate in the formal program organized by the Department of Human Resources not only have an opportunity to show their kids what they do, but they can take advantage of the learning programs offered that day. See the attached agenda and program descriptions for more details.

Successful Over Time

The success of this program over time can be demonstrated by the steady growth of participation. Since its inception in 2001, participation has more than tripled from a total of 48 participants in 2001 to 167 participants in 2003. Another measure of success is the number of County agencies and departments that have volunteered to host some type of educational event. In 2003, 19 out of 30+ departments and agencies played an active role in planning and delivering the program.

Benefits of the Program

The program encourages employees to focus on the positive aspects of their jobs and the County Government as they describe their roles and job responsibilities to their children. This process also serves as a reminder to employees of the vital role County Government plays in ensuring a high quality of life for our community.

The kids aren’t the only learners in this program; as parents participate in all of the activities alongside their kids, they too have an opportunity to learn and develop as employees. Since the County is comprised of more than 30 departments and agencies each offering a wide variety of services, County employees usually aren’t exposed first hand experience to those areas of County Government not closely associated with their own areas of work. Participating with their kids in “Bring Your Child to Work Day” activities provides an excellent vehicle for employees to expand their understanding of the services the County provides.

In terms of employment, the participants are exposed to jobs they may not have been familiar with previously and learn that government offers a wide range of careers options. Promoting careers at Johnson County Government to kids at an early age is a long-term recruiting investment that should produce a great return down the line.

The event has been recognized throughout the organization as a positive outreach and educational program. Each year during its public business session, the Board of County Commissioners issues a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday of April as “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” This highly visible show of support promotes goodwill throughout the County.

The County also benefits from the number of collaborative partnerships formed between the organization and community in planning and hosting this event. This outcome is also evident within the HR Department; all staff members actively participated in planning and hosting the event and worked extremely well as a team.

Finally, as the program contributes to employees’ sense of pride in the County as their employer, it enables them to better promote the value of County government to their family, friends, and other members of the community.

Program Activities and Innovations

Johnson County Government has incorporated a variety of innovative activities into its program to ensure the children learn through fun and interactive activities. For example, this year’s program included a “County Fair” that featured booths representing various county departments and agencies. The kids used this unstructured time to vote in a real election booth; view bacteria on their hands through a “glowgerm” exhibit sponsored by the Public Health Department; pick up safety tips from the Sheriff’s Department, Med-Act, and Emergency Management Services booths; and participate in hands-on activities sponsored by the Extension Office.

Another engaging activity included a presentation on the importance of volunteering by “Cleo the Clown.” Cleo Thomann charmed the kids (and parents) with magic tricks and a puppet show as he shared his experiences of being a volunteer for the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center. In 1999, Mr. Thomann, at the age of 87, was awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” by the Kansas Corrections Association for his many hours of volunteer work serving the Johnson County Corrections Department.

The program is also innovative in terms of its funding. Formal participants are charged a minimal fee ($5) to participate. This provides them with breakfast, lunch, and snacks; all program materials including programs, certificates of completion, and gift bags (full of things such as calculators, magnets, stickers, calendars, etc.); and a prize drawing. The funding also provides the kids with a special button to remember the day; the button is made from digital pictures of the kids with their parents which were taken in the morning. The Department of Human Resources is able to provide all of these things through generous donations given by other County departments and agencies and local businesses.

Kids and parents also had an option to buy a t-shirt with a logo that says “Future Johnson County Employee” and most of the kids wore their t-shirts throughout the day. Both the t-shirts and buttons gave the kids a sense of identity and connection with Johnson County Government and is something they can continue to experience long after the event.

The Department of Human Resources is proud of the quality of this event and believes it is an example of how Human Resources can play an active role in contributing in positive and recognizable ways to the success of government. Thank you for your consideration of this event as a Best Practice.

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This page last updated: July 20, 2006