First Annual CalHR Conference
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who attended or watched the conference. You made our first conference as a new department a huge success!
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact the CalHR web manager.
Agenda | Breakout sessions | Handouts | Directions | Flyer
Transitions. Teamwork. Trust.
When: July 19, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Department of Health Care Services auditorium, 1500 Capitol Ave., Sacramento - get a map
Join your colleagues from the State of California's human resources community for a day of networking, training, and information sharing hosted by the new California Dept. of Human Resources, called CalHR.
If you work for the State in a personnel or labor relations position, you're invited. However, due to limited seating we can only confirm attendance for the first 500 people who register, so register early!
Our event kicks off with a general session, followed by concurrent breakout sessions on a variety of HR topics. By the end, we want you to feel well acquainted with CalHR: what we're about, what's changing, and where we need your input.
Registration
Although registration for this event is now full, you may still obtain the same great information by watching a live webcast of the following courses:
Live Webcast:
Watch webcast | View captions | Viewing requirements
9:30 a.m. Welcoming remarks
9:45 a.m. General session
10:30 a.m. Building Your Leadership Skills
1:30 p.m. New Classification & Pay Procedures
2:45 p.m. SPB Audit Program
No registration is required to view this CalHR live webcast.
Agenda
9:00 am Check-in (Lobby of Dept. of Health Care Services)
9:30 am Welcoming remarks (Auditorium) - Suzanne Ambrose, Executive Officer, State Personnel Board & Julie Chapman, Director (Acting), CalHR
9:45 am General Session (Auditorium) - Becoming CalHR (Marty Morgenstern, Secretary, Labor & Workforce Development Agency)
10:30 am Concurrent Breakout Session #1 (Room locations posted in lobby)
11:30 am Break for lunch
1:30 pm Concurrent Breakout Session #2 (Room locations posted in lobby)
2:45 pm Concurrent Breakout Session #3 (Room locations posted in lobby)
Breakout sessions will be held in meeting rooms located at 1500 Capitol Ave. and across the street at 1501 Capitol Ave.
Breakout sessions
Breakout Session 1
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
SPB Audit Program
The State Personnel Board will administer the merit system using a new audit program. Presenters describe the new program and what departments can expect during an audit of exams, appointments, equal employment opportunity, personal services contracts, and other areas involving merit issues.
Presenters: Jim Murray, Chief of Merit Operations, SPB; Christina Lopez, Manager of Test Validation and Construction, CalHR
CEA Changes
Find out what's changing with CEAs, including salary caps, levels, and reporting and exam requirements.
Facilitator: Belinda Collins, Chief, Personnel Management Division, CalHR
Presenters: Debbie Baldwin, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Elaine Smith, Staff Personnel Program Analyst, CalHR
New Statewide Training Program
CalHR offers training via its website and instructor-led classes at its new location. Presenters demonstrate how the online training works, describe career development resources available to State employees, and describe plans for CalHR's new training facility.
Presenters: Jodi Traversaro, Manager, Statewide Training; Joan Strohauer, Education Programs Consultant, CalHR; Monica Rea, Deputy Director of Administration, Dept. of Fair Employment and Housing
Making Your Case Before the SPB
When the employee you fired appeals to the SPB, your credibility is on the line: Was the firing justified? Did you give adequate notice? Does the evidence support you? Hear from the experts on the top 10 ways to make a solid case the Board will uphold.
Presenter: Paul Ramsey, Chief Administrative Law Judge, SPB
Building Positive Labor Relations
A good working relationship with your department's union reps is crucial to positive employer-employee relations. Learn from experienced practitioners how to build and strengthen these relationships, resolve labor conflicts without acrimony, and maintain a positive work environment.
Facilitator: Cindie Fonseca, Labor Relations Officer, CalHR
Presenters: Pam Manwiller, Asst. Deputy Director of Labor Relations, CalHR; Randy Fisher, Senior Labor Relations Officer, CalHR; Stephen Booth, Labor Relations Officer, CalHR
Benefits Update
Get the latest news on the employee assistance program and a proposed new vision benefit.
Facilitator: Jackie Hensley, Manager of Employee Assistance Program, CalHR
Presenters: Greg Beatty, Chief of Benefits Division, CalHR; Gary Lawson, Psy.D., Sr. Management Consultant, Client Services Dept., Managed Health Network (MHN); Lucinda Ward, Regional Manager, Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Workforce Planning
Are you the person responsible for ensuring your department is appropriately staffed, now and in the future? Do you have a strategy for that? Presenters from departments large and small share their successes and challenges in preparing workforce plans, offering guidance you can use to start workforce planning at your own department.
Facilitator: Anita Lee, Statewide Workforce Planning Coordinator, CalHR
Presenters: Karen Johnson, Chief Deputy Director, Dept. of Health Care Services; Lori Dimberg, Office Chief, Classification & Hiring Services, EEO & Workforce Planning, Division of Human Resources, Caltrans; Lee Beebe, Training Officer, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Jobs.Ca.Gov
Join presenters for a tour of the Jobs website, launched earlier this year to help simplify the hiring process and boost recruitment. Audience members offer feedback on the site so far and learn what additional enhancements are ahead.
Presenters: Gina Forman, Business Manager, Examination and Certification Online System Project, CalHR; Isaiah Mall, Data Processing Manager II, California Technology Agency
Building Your Leadership Skills
Whether you're a manager already or aspire to become one, you'll benefit from this presentation on how to be a more effective leader. It covers three simple rules that you can apply to any job setting.
Facilitator: Paul Starkey, Assistant Chief Counsel, CalHR
Presenter: Howard Schwartz, Chief Deputy Director, CalHR
Breakout Session 2
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
New Classification and Pay Procedures
CalHR will streamline classification and pay procedures to give departments more control over day-to-day personnel matters. Presenters explain changes under development and solicit feedback from attendees on topics ranging from preparing SPB board items to service and seniority calculations.
Facilitator: Dan Tokunaga, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR
Presenters: Barbara Hudson, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Denise D'Angel, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Roberta Nishimura, Personnel Management Specialist, CalHR
Help Build the CalHR Website
Once CalHR is officially up and running, the new website will be too. Presenters demonstrate how to find the resources you need and solicit feedback on future improvements.
Facilitator: David Gay, Web Content Manger, CalHR
Presenters: Ben Steinert, Sarah Ketchum, Christina Wise (CalHR Web Team Members)
CEA Changes
Find out what's changing with CEAs, including salary caps, levels, and reporting and exam requirements.
Facilitator: Belinda Collins, Chief, Personnel Management Division, CalHR
Presenter: Debbie Baldwin, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Elaine Smith, Staff Personnel Program Analyst, CalHR
CalHR House Counsel
Ever wish there was someone you could call to guide you through the maze of HR legal issues that arise in your department? CalHR presents House Counsel Service, a comprehensive consulting service for State HR professionals. Learn how to apply best practices and sound solutions to your personnel management through early intervention, investigation, training, problem solving, and successful corrective action.
Facilitator: Joan Markoff, Chief Counsel, CalHR
Presenters: Paul Starkey, Assistant Chief Counsel, CalHR; Lori Green, Labor Relations Counsel, CalHR; Cathy Spencer, Retired Personnel Manager, CalHR; Mary Locke, Retired Investigator, CalHR
Managing Employee Performance
If your department has fallen behind in completing employee performance appraisals and development plans, this presentation can help you make up lost ground. Presenters help you through the process of setting goals, providing feedback, and measuring performance to ensure your department maintains its productivity and morale.
Facilitator: Joan Strohauer, Education Programs Consultant, CalHR
Presenters: Marva Lee, Personnel Officer, CalSTRS; Brenna Neuharth, Workforce Planning Manager, CalSTRS.
Building Positive Labor Relations
A good working relationship with your department's union reps is crucial to positive employer-employee relations. Learn from experienced practitioners how to build and strengthen these relationships, resolve labor conflicts without acrimony, and maintain a positive work environment.
Facilitator: Cindie Fonseca, Labor Relations Officer, CalHR
Presenters: Pam Manwiller, Asst. Deputy Director of Labor Relations, CalHR; Randy Fisher, Senior Labor Relations Officer, CalHR; Stephen Booth, Labor Relations Officer, CalHR
No More PMLs or Pinkies
CalHR will change the way we keep you informed on personnel policies, benefit programs, contracts, and other weighty HR matters. Presenters describe the new system and ask for audience input as we transition from a world of PMLs and Pinkies to a unified, online personnel manual.
Presenters: Dave Rechs, Manager, CalHR Implementation Team; CalHR; KC Campbell, Chief of Human Resources, California Housing Finance Agency
Civil Service Exams
As more exams go online, will it become easier for your department to compete for qualified job applicants? Will more positions be filled using open rather than promotional exams? Presenters share insights on the recruitment challenges ahead and ask for your perspective on changes that may improve the exam process.
Presenters: Loida Flores, Manager, Exam Services, CalHR; Christina Lopez, Manager, Test Validation and Construction, CalHR: Susan Gehrmann, Manager, Exam and Recruitment, BOE; Lou Bender, Manager, Workforce Planning, BOE
Layoff Planning
Implementing a layoff challenges the entire organization, from the employees to the HR office. Join us for a presentation on the steps HR staff must follow, and get advice from departments that just went through it. Presenters also ask for audience feedback on ways to improve the layoff process and how CalHR can best support departments going through it.
Facilitator: Jackie Cheyne Shelton, Personnel Program Advisor, Placement Team, CalHR
Presenters: Bryan Baldwin, Personnel Officer (Acting), California Department of Justice; Gay Faivre, Personnel Officer, Dept. of Food & Agriculture; Jerri Judd, Retired Personnel Manager, CalHR
Breakout Session 3
2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
New Classification and Pay Procedures
CalHR will streamline classification and pay procedures to give departments more control over day-to-day personnel matters. Presenters explain changes under development and solicit feedback from attendees on topics ranging from preparing SPB board items to service and seniority calculations.
Facilitator: Dan Tokunaga, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR
Presenters: Barbara Hudson, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Denise D'Angel, Personnel Management Consultant, CalHR; Roberta Nishimura, Personnel Management Specialist, CalHR
SPB Audit Program
The State Personnel Board will administer the merit system using a new audit program. Presenters describe the new program and what departments can expect during an audit of exams, appointments, equal employment opportunity, personal services contracts, and other areas involving merit issues.
Presenters: Jim Murray, Chief of Merit Operations Division, SPB; Christina Lopez, Manager of Test Validation and Construction, CalHR
Employing People With Disabilities
Every personnel office strives to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and fully accessible work environment for employees with disabilities. Presenters share resources to help you achieve that goal, including procedural and legal guidelines you should follow when interviewing or employing candidates with disabilities.
Presenters: Jerry Gibbins, Manager, Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP), CalHR; Michelle Alford-Williams, Manager, Workforce Development Section, Dept. of Rehabilitation
CalHR House Counsel
Ever wish there was someone you could call to guide you through the maze of HR legal issues that arise in your department? CalHR presents House Counsel Service, a comprehensive consulting service for State HR professionals. Learn how to apply best practices and sound solutions to your personnel management through early intervention, investigation, training, problem solving, and successful corrective action.
Facilitator: Joan Markoff, Chief Counsel, CalHR
Presenters: Paul Starkey, Assistant Chief Counsel, CalHR; Lori Green, Labor Relations Counsel, CalHR; Cathy Spencer, Retired Personnel Manager, CalHR; Mary Locke, Retired Investigator, CalHR
Making Your Case Before the SPB
When the employee you fired appeals to the SPB, your credibility is on the line: Was the firing justified? Did you give adequate notice? Does the evidence support you? Hear from the experts on the top 10 ways to make a solid case the Board will uphold.
Presenter: Paul Ramsey, Chief Administrative Law Judge, SPB
Expand Your HR Credentials
A career in human resources can take you many places, but we want you to stay with the State of California! Come learn about credential programs and training options to help raise your game.
Facilitator: Jodi Traversaro, Manager, Statewide Training
Presenters: Carole Taylor, Sr. Program Coordinator for the Masters of Arts: Workforce Development Advocacy, Sacramento State University, College of Continuing Education; Sean Hammer-Hernandez, Training Manager, Secretary of State's Office
No More PMLs or Pinkies
CalHR will change the way we keep you informed on personnel policies, benefit programs, contracts, and other weighty HR matters. Presenters describe the new system and ask for audience input as we transition from a world of PMLs and Pinkies to a unified, online personnel manual.
Presenters: Dave Rechs, Manager, CalHR Implementation Team; CalHR; KC Campbell, Chief of Human Resources, California Housing Finance Agency
Workforce Planning
Are you the person responsible for ensuring your department is appropriately staffed, now and in the future? Do you have a strategy for that? Presenters from departments large and small share their successes and challenges in preparing workforce plans, offering guidance you can use to start workforce planning at your own department.
Facilitator: Anita Lee, Statewide Workforce Planning Coordinator, CalHR
Presenters: Karen Johnson, Chief Deputy Director, Dept. of Health Care Services; Lori Dimberg, Office Chief, Classification & Hiring Services, EEO & Workforce Planning, Division of Human Resources, Caltrans; Lee Beebe, Training Officer, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Savings Plus Program
What's new in Savings Plus? Presenters review the latest changes and give you a refresher on issues that confound even the most experienced HR staff.
Presenters: Michelle Berklacich, Savings Plus Administrator, CalHR; Kelly Richmond, Savings Plus Program Representative, CalHR; and Tiffanie Vick, Savings Plus Program Representative, CalHR
Directions to the event
The conference will be held at the East End Complex, located at 15th and Capitol Ave. in downtown Sacramento.
Get a map to the East End Complex
Parking is limited so we encourage carpooling for attendees who plan to drive.