Mary Ellen Sheppard's Approach to People

Last week I had the pleasure to sit down with Assistant County Manager, Mary Ellen Sheppard. The purpose of my interview with her was to find out her approaches to leadership to later juxtapose her leadership style to that of another county leader. The time spent with her was phenomenal and I left our meeting feeling inspired and empowered. One of the parts of the interview that I wanted to showcase was her approach on people and how valuing people can change an organization tremendously.

This was a part of my write up following the interview:

Mary Ellen strives to be a part of a department that everyone can be proud of. Mary Ellen identifies that leadership and talent are spread throughout every level of an organization, and that we must capitalize on seeing individuals as valuable contributors to the organization. She approaches people and values them for what they offer her (what makes them unique) and for what they offer to the county. Mary Ellen understands that people are valuable, and she truly believes that if we see each individual based on their skills and abilities, we can then build upon those skills and abilities for personal growth and improvement. She is passionate about seeing others reach their full potential, dreams, and goals.  She adds the most beneficial and memorable parts of her career were when the people that worked with her, cared about her enough to tell her of the value that she brings to the organization while also focusing on her short comings or areas of deficiency.

Mary Ellen embodies a “let’s get real” attitude that benefits every individual and the organization as a whole. She recognizes that to be real with other people, you have to be ‘real’ with yourself when doing self-reflection.  Mary Ellen shared that she engages in a period of reflection to review her actions and decisions that she has made. She examines how she did, or how she could have performed better.  She questions how she could have improved someone’s experience.  She expressed that you must have confidence in your actions; reflection is an area that you can always benefit and improve from. She explains that she does not do well with excuses, status quo, or complacency. She sets expectations for people with an intention for them to grow and benefit from. With these expectations, it somewhat prevents these traits and behaviors that she is not too fond of.

Revenue Forecasting Presentation

One of my learning objectives: Student will research revenue forecasting methods and present findings to OMB Analysts.

The clock continues to count down to the day I give my presentation on Revenue Forecasting. My presentation will include GFOA approved quantitative methods and decision tools used when forecasting revenue. Something really special about this presentation is that I get to present these methods, but I also get to see how these practices are carried out during a simultaneous hand on training conducted by Senior Budget and Management Analyst, Zachary Wolfe. My presentation will entail the topics of Time Series with Fluctuation, Time Series with Differentiation, Regression, Econometrics, and Decision Budgeting Tools. I have made sure to work closely with Zach for him to offer content guidance and feedback. I also want to ensure that this is a learning experience as a present to analysts that have a various years of forecasting experience.

Definitely adopting this information into my personal life!

This presentation consists of how to choose a technique, the common characteristics of time series revenue forecasting, and revenue forecasting without fluctuation. I highlight the correct formulas to use when finding the best fit line, while displaying the statistical assumptions and advantages and disadvantages of certain methods of forecasting. During the formulation of this project I have noticed that I am working on my time management skills. Who knew that time management skills could be improved and perfected during such a hectic school and intern schedule? I have utilized and adapted skills some of the skills used by my coworkers, and have found that I can accomplish more by staying organized and by prioritizing tasks

Tranforming Juveniles Through Successful Transition

    On Monday October 20th, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting where the Maricopa County Education Service Agency presented on the progress of their 5 year pilot program that aims to make a major impact on juvenile recidivism rates. The meeting was introduced by Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Don Covey. Dr. Covey expressed that the agency has utilized a collective impact model to ensure that there was not a redundancy in services offered throughout the county.  He explained that agencies do not lose their identity; instead there is an enhancement to the system when various agencies collaborate.

     Chief Deputy Superintendent Christine Morris showed how MCESA is shifting from justice as punishment, to an involved system of reform and transformation. Maricopa County realized that the cyclical punishment of youth without foundations to return home to following incarceration aided to the constant reentry of past juvenile offenders into the juvenile and adult jail system.  McESA believes that education can be used as a tool to reduce crime. Statistics show that of 10,634 past juvenile offenders with unknown schooling status, 25% of those youth are of the recidivism population. McESA works as a coordinate of probation responses. They assist with Case Management of kids who were not going to school, who were pushed out of school, or not welcome to attend their former school. The fact that students must find a new school acts as an initial barrier to education, and McESA’s goal is to make this transition easier.

Mrs. Morris defined High Risk youth as youth that cycle through the system, and constantly re-enter it. This project has established Interagency Board of Directors to help monitor the project and see to it that the focus on medium to high risk youth is not lost and the collective vision is carried out.

Here are some of the goals of the Pilot Program:

1. Increase support for youth to reduce delinquency and future incarceration rates.
2. Engage school systems to create conditions for achieving student educational success
3. To reduce recidivism and reentry of juveniles in justice system

 

Stages of Transformation

The Potential Relapse Period for a youth classified as a chronic offender occurs within two major parts of the Stages of Transformation. During 30 days from their Exit from Secure Care and during the aftercare stage that is split into 3 levels (Performing, Transformation, and Sustaining) currently 260 of the 496 cases they have received are active in the stages of transformation. The social cost of recidivism rates approximates to 17.5 Billion dollars. The economy is missing out on those students who become adults that result in citizens not contributing to the community.

Tuesday Reflections

I cannot believe that October is almost halfway over! The time is flying by at the county and I am having fun. On Monday I went to visit the Maricopa County Education Service Agency. We met with the budget director there to review his funds and find out his major concerns, and answer any questions. He was very nice and he explained each fund and its function, and where the money comes from that fills the fund. He told stories of how budgets have changed throughout the years and how he believes in finding new ways to help provide assistance to schools.

On Thursday I will be touring the Maricopa County Human Services campus with other MCLEAPS interns. I am really excited about this tour because everyone says it’s a great experience. I am gearing up and getting started on my presentations that are set in the coming weeks. Later in the week I hope to work on the evaluation of the schedule of federal expenditures. I have been assigned to analyze the federal expenditures that are passed through the state and into the county or to non-profits. This will help the county keep track of the money that comes in and goes out of the county when funds are granted. This will also show the Board of Supervisors how dependent the county is on the allocated percentage of federal funds. 

Responsibilities and Leadership

In my internship I have been given responsibilities within groups that I am to report back to. I have the opportunity to contribute my ideas and opinions in meetings and discussions. Later this month and towards the beginning of December, I will be giving presentations to the analyst in  my department about various revenue forecasting methods used in budgeting and how organizational theory plays a role in the office as part of a diversity based training. These responsibilities hold me accountable to my co-workers while learning the content of my projects and practicing my public speaking and presentation skills.

One of the biggest ways that I have seen leadership displayed in the office is through teamwork. I have found that everyone works well together. If someone doesn’t have the answer to a problem, someone else will surely have it, and everyone is open and willing to work together. After all, everyone is working toward the same goal and it is important to have a collaborative environment.

Career Showcase:Budget Analyst

In the Office of Management and Budget there are budget analyst that perform similar functions on a daily basis, but also have such diverse experiences within each department.  Each analyst’s goal is to help develop and maintain a sustainable and structurally-balanced budget for Maricopa County. In support of the County's strategic goals analyst determine how to efficiently allocate financial resources, perform countywide and departmental budget and fiscal analyses, prepare budget documents, and advise departments on strategic and business planning. 

I enjoy being able to see what each analyst is working on within their departments. I believe a career as a budget analyst would be interesting as each department and area of government requires certain needs and services to be provided. Because I enjoy knowing where taxpayer and federal dollars get appropriated, I have really have liked sitting down with senior analysts to review departmental variance commentary. Variance commentary gives a narrative to the numbers of forecasted vs actual expenditures budgeted. I would be interested in being able to dictate and understand the inner workings of the departments that I would be responsible for. I would also being able to collaborate and provide support to others throughout the organization.  

Problems and Defining Them

I am currently working on a customer engagement project that I am having so much fun working on! I am working with one of the Senior Budget Analyst to help define "the problem". In my research I have found that there is never a concrete answer to the problem. Many counties and cities have initiated some form of customer engagement and each one is unique. Each county or city must provide services to its citizens while continuing to address their needs. What makes this project so much fun for me is that each city or town is unique. I have found some great resources to help build our narrative to explain the need for citizen engagement in the county. Open governance consists of the values of transparency, accountability, inclusion, and responsibility, and I am glad that I get to be a part of a group that gets to plan that for the county. I personally think it's a great move for the county, and I believe that the voters and citizens would enjoy having an input.