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December 29, 2021

Operation Homecoming

Dear DMAS Family,

Members of the Executive Leadership Team have been closely monitoring the rapid spread of the omicron variant over the past few weeks. There is reason to expect that the current surge in infections will continue in the coming days following holiday gatherings. This new variant is extremely contagious, and current limitations on access to test kits are adding to the severity of the situation.

As you know, we have been here before. With each wave of COVID-19, ELT members have carefully deliberated and evaluated all of our options. Given the extensive spread of omicron and the serious health impact in communities across the Commonwealth and the nation, we have decided to postpone Operation Homecoming until the current surge clears. COOP essential functions will remain at 600 E. Broad St.

Throughout this pandemic, each decision we have made has placed a top priority on the health of our workforce. On a pragmatic note, we also cannot risk exposing our staff to illness in the crucial days leading up to the legislative session. We will continue to monitor the health emergency and will provide regular updates as we work together to protect each other and serve our members.

-Karen Kimsey

What to do if you have a Positive COVID Test or Known COVID Exposure

To comply with Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) standards, DMAS must track employee reports of positive COVID tests and COVID exposure. 

If you test positive for COVID or have a known COVID exposure, please notify your direct supervisor immediately with the following details using Virtru email encryption:

• Date you tested positive or had a known COVID exposure. If you were tested one day and received the results on a different day, please provide both dates
• Date(s) you were in the DMAS workplace 14 days prior to your positive test or known exposure, or indicate you have not been to DMAS in the past 14 days

Supervisors, if one of your team members reports a positive COVID test or COVID exposure to you, please take the following steps:

• Notify your chain of command (up through your Deputy) using Virtru email encryption
• Please copy the Chief of Staff, Ivory Banks, and Human Capital and Development's askhcdbenefits@dmas.virginia.gov inbox. HCD will properly document the report and reach out directly to the employee to discuss leave options. The Chief of Staff Office will lead contact tracing efforts when indicated

Human Capital & Development

Mandatory Training Requirement

All classified and wage employees must complete the Department of Human Resource Management online learning module, DHRM - The Road Cultural Competence, by December 31, 2021. Employees must complete the training by December 31 in accordance with legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020, and consistent with the Code of Virginia 2.2-1201.

DMAS is tracking participation in this training module to ensure that our agency complies with this requirement. You can find the training in the Virginia Learning Center (VLC). If you need assistance with your VLC account, please contact Talent Development at AskHCDTalentDev@dmas.virginia.gov.

Diversity & Inclusion

Wounded Knee

The American Indian Wars took place throughout North America from 1622 until the late 1800s. One conflict took place on December 29, 1890, when the United States Cavalry surrounded and killed an estimated 146 Lakota people at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. Leading up to the massacre, US government officials had outlawed the Ghost Dance movement. The Ghost Dance originated with the Paiute, started by visions of an elder who saw renewal of the Earth, help for the native peoples, and Europeans leaving the native land. Followers believed that practicing the circle dance ceremony would bring the visions to life, and this belief spread to many Western American Indian tribes. On December 15, 1890, police killed Chief Sitting Bull at Standing Rock reservation in South Dakota. Over 300 Lakota men and women who left Standing Rock for Pine Ridge were detained by the US Cavalry at a creek called Wounded Knee. The soldiers separated men from women and children and held everyone at gunpoint, including some with an early machine gun. At some point, shooting began. Some historians place the number of dead at nearly 300, but records are unclear. The US Cavalry lost 25 members. Once called the Battle of Wounded Knee, it is now known as a massacre.

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