Sometimes a Great Podcast

Season 2, Episode 25: Sep. 30, 2026Length: 26:30This week we’re back in Washington County where we’re talking Transformation and diapers, We again join Sean Sturr, District 16 business expert, and Nancy Byce, District 16 supervisor. And in the middle, we’ll hear once again from Maya Cipriano, Child Welfare resource developer, and Ana Hernandez-Garcia, engagement manager. It’s the day before one of their biggest events of the year, the annual celebration ODHS playing host at their monthly Free Food Markets in Tigard and Hillsboro. With both locations featuring special anniversary events, and - as always - diapers. Because what begins with a balloon arch quickly becomes a larger story about how District 16 staff, volunteers, community partners, faith-based organizations, farms, diaper banks and ODHS teams work together so families can receive food, diapers, water, hot dogs, connection and help without having to navigate every system alone.You’ll also hear why diapers become a kind of universal example of when a district embraces the principles of the ODHS Transformation, getting 20,000 diapers from a donation or grant into the hands of families becomes another kind of celebration: one of  logistics, planning and most of all relationships… all in The Big Picture.CreditsHost: Dr. Bethany Grace Howe, CommunicationsProduced by: Dr. Bethany Grace HoweContact: [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 23 — Sept. 28, 2026Length: 9:21This week’s episode welcomes fall with updates on eligibility leadership, Orange Shirt Day, Mi Gente’s Latin heritage celebration, the Gallup survey, responsible AI, community inclusion, online benefit options, Workday changes and the Heart of Oregon Charitable Fund Drive.The episode begins with Director Wendt’s message about Nate Singer’s move to Service Delivery Technology, Jessica Amaya Hoffman’s appointment as interim OEP Director and future reporting structure changes for local program managers. From there, Deadline: ODHS covers Orange Shirt Day, El Ritmo de Nuestra Historia, a Canopy session on quiet quitting, the Gallup survey and the PMA Fall Conference.4Minutes4U:Eligibility leadership, technology and reporting structure updatesDeadline: ODHS:Sept. 30: Orange Shirt DayOct. 1: Mi Gente ERG’s El Ritmo de Nuestra Historia celebrationOct. 6: Canopy session on quiet quittingOct. 9: Gallup survey closesOct. 22: PMA Fall Conference on responsible AIFact of the Week:89% of people served by APD receive services in home and community-based settingsDateline: ODHS:ONE Customer Service Center fall call volume and online optionsWorkday layout changesHeart of Oregon Employees Charitable Fund DriveWriter’s Round-Up: “The Most ODHS Person in the World”

Season 2, Episode 23: Sept. 23, 2026Length: 28:47This week, The Big Picture returns to Washington County, where we sit down with Sean Sturr, District 16 business expert, and Nancy Byce, District 16 supervisor, to talk about the operational work that shapes the experience of staff and the people ODHS serves.The conversation looks at facilities, volunteers, donations, personnel support, contracts, motor pool, buildings and all the systems that may not be visible when someone walks through the door, but still affect whether that person feels welcomed, supported and able to get help.Sean and Nancy talk about trauma-informed lobbies, lobby greeters, system navigation, cross-program meetings and the work of making sure staff know who to call when something needs to happen. They also explain how District 16 has built more intentional collaboration across programs, offices and community engagement efforts.You’ll hear how that work is now expanding through stronger relationships with District 2, shared contracts, volunteer and donation planning, and regional conversations that make it easier to solve problems across county lines. The goal is simple, even when the systems are complicated: people should be able to walk into an ODHS office and get help without knowing everything that had to happen behind the scenes.In the end, this episode is about the work behind the work — the forms, facilities, relationships and structures that help direct service happen smoothly. From trauma-informed spaces to cross-county collaboration, Washington County shows how good operations can make care feel simpler, warmer and more connected in… The Big Picture.CreditsHost: Dr. Bethany Grace Howe, CommunicationsProduced by: Dr. Bethany Grace HoweContact: [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 22 — Sept. 21, 2026Length: 9:47This week’s episode pulls the Mystery Machine up to ODHS for updates on immigration-related staff guidance, ReportConnect office hours, 2027 health plan options, Oregon Health Plan notices, Latin American independence celebrations and OEP records retention.The episode begins with Director Liesl Wendt’s follow-up to front desk employees and others who participated in listening sessions about immigration-related concerns. From there, Deadline: ODHS covers ReportConnect office hours and upcoming health plan information sessions, while Fact of the Week focuses on helping Oregon Health Plan members understand notices about new federal requirements.4Minutes4U:* Director Wendt’s message on immigration-related staff listening sessions and new FAQDeadline: ODHS:* Sept. 22 and Sept. 24: ReportConnect office hours* Sept. 29: Kaiser Permanente 2027 health plan information session* Sept. 30: Moda Health 2027 health plan information sessionFact of the Week:* Oregon Health Authority is sending notices to Oregon Health Plan members about new federal work or activity requirements.Dateline: ODHS:* Mi Gente ERG message on Latin American independence celebrations* OEP special records retention scheduleWriter’s Round-Up: “Ruby Ruby Woo”

Season 2, Episode 21: Sept. 16, 2026Length: 18:47This week, The Big Picture comes from Hillsboro, where we sit down outside with Maya Cipriano, Child Welfare resource developer for Washington County, and Ana Hernandez-Garcia, engagement manager in District 16, to talk about collaboration, community partners and the practical supports that help families move forward.The conversation begins with a simple question: what obstacles do families face that should not be so difficult to overcome? For Maya and Ana, one answer is diapers. They are basic, expensive, urgently needed and connected to other parts of a family’s stability, including child care, employment, transportation and the ability to get through the day.From there, the conversation looks at how District 16 staff have built stronger relationships across Self-Sufficiency, Child Welfare and community partners. Instead of treating support as a handoff from one program to another, they describe a more connected approach: staff meeting intentionally, sharing what they can, learning one another’s roles and working together so families do not have to navigate every barrier alone.Ana also explains how community partnership work helped grow free food markets, diaper access, formula support and other resources after the pandemic disrupted so many familiar systems. Maya describes how Child Welfare can use those connections to focus more on prevention, engagement and support, helping families meet needs before they become deeper involvement with the system.In the end, this episode is about how collaboration becomes practical. It is not only about a new structure or a better email chain. It is about people meeting regularly, bringing partners to the table, understanding what families actually need and building a circle of support that can keep going after one program’s involvement ends. From diapers to food markets to the deeper work of helping people feel at home, Hillsboro shows how connection becomes part of… The Big Picture.CreditsHost: Dr. Bethany Grace Howe, CommunicationsProduced by: Dr. Bethany Grace HoweContact: [email protected]@odhs.oregon.gov