Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 2001

KC Regional Commissioner Grochowski Gives Kudos to Missouri
by Donna Hilton, Missouri DDS

THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF DISABILITY Examiners was pleased to have Michael Grochowski, KC Regional Commissioner, as the keynote speaker at the state conference held August 23-24, 2001. Grochowski opened his remarks by expressing his great respect and appreciation to the Missouri DDS. He also thanked Neil Scully, Missouri DDS Director, for his leadership during these early years working through the Prototype process. He quoted Scully as saying that the Prototype process was “right for the customer” and reported Scully has stressed that we should all “stay the course,” during these early adjustments. Grochowski also reminded the audience of a quote from John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “Only those who dare to fail greatly, can achieve greatly.”

He noted that changes are going on throughout Social Security. The Social Security Administration now gets 70 million phone calls a year on the 800 number that went into effect only a few years ago. He described those working in the Prototype states as new “pioneers” in the field of disability. The Regional Commissioner stressed that the big challenge is to make the new process work effectively while maintaining fiscal neutrality. He applauded Missouri on the tremendous job they are doing and noted that the Missouri DDS statistics are not only at the top of the Prototype states, but Missouri statistics also beat many non-prototype states. The Flexible Disability Unit in Kansas City Regional Office has been an integral part of the success and that group is fired up. Grochowski noted that Missouri had made a good decision in accepting assistance from the Flexible Unit to help process Reconsideration cases during the early months of transition. The former Kansas State agency director now heads that unit. He reported that Nebraska and Iowa are ready to move into Prototype due to recent changes brought about by recent lawsuits. Grochowski acknowledged that the Field Offices are driven by processing time statistics; however, he recently issued a challenge to the F/O staff to do a better job completing the 3368 application form completed with the claimant. He stated that customer service demands it. Although our PPWY may have dropped to 214 last year, the improvement in overall service has to be considered significant.

Grochowski then shared some reading he has done lately that he found to have valuable lessons. One of Grochowski’s favorite authors, David Cottrell, has written Listen Up Leaders and Obvious Choice. Cottrell also has a website: www.walkthetalk.com, which was recommended. In Obvious Choice, the author indicates that choices are made throughout your career, which influence your direction and progression. Three admonishments were offered: 1) develop listening skills; 2) show initiative; and 3) be a team player. The author reminds the reader that you should listen to others 75 percent of the time. It is important to know when to talk and when not to talk. We were told to consider the questions: “How do you handle yourself day in and day out? How do you respond to people?” As a team player, you should be willing to work together and congratulate the person who gets the promotion when you don’t. How one handles adversity may be a test of your character. Grochowski noted that he was passed over for a position one time only to be given the job a short time later. His supervisor told him that he had deliberately given the job to someone else to see if the other person would excel, and also to see how Grochowski handled being passed over. Grochowski also stressed that ethics and integrity counts; it sets a tone. There should be no tolerance for any behavior, which is unprofessional or dishonest. He endorsed office/agency structure, which provides a mentoring program for new staff members. He noted that it helps new staff avoid landmines and reinforces good work attitudes.

The Regional Commissioner presented Neil Scully with a plaque of appreciation. He spoke highly of President Bush’s nominee for Commissioner of Social Security, JoAnne Barnhardt. She has prior experience with the Social Security Administration, which should make for a smoother transition. The nominee for Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration is more focussed on solvency and private accounts. In closing, Grochowski urged the audience to speak up to Congress and contact congressional representatives on issues of concern, especially those affecting the disability program.