More than 40 government leaders participated in the first cohort of the Government Leadership Certificate program offered through the Institute of Public Service. IPS was chosen from more than 26 applicants to offer this Baldrige-based leadership development program to high-level state agency managers. Led by the Department of Administrative Services, leaders from six agencies took part in this action-learning experience.

All participants completed a capstone project that applied their learning experiences to a project within their agency. The projects, which are anticipated to save the state government millions of dollars in the short term, included: implementing a pilot OCIP (Owner Controlled Insurance Program) estimated to save $15 million on the Adriaen’s Landing project, designing and implementing an interactive employee training system for Bradley International Airport, developing an automated process to administer the state vehicle benefit process, and designing and implementing a paperless billing system across state agencies.

Other capstone projects included designing and implementing a community outreach program for the Department of Children and Families, implementing a Web-based hospital billing system through DAS, and designing and implementing a statewide exit interview process to increase workforce retention. The award for highest quality capstone project was presented to Betsey Wingfield of the Department of Environmental Protection for reengineering the Long Island Sound permitting process.