Twelve "Thinking for a Change" Facilitators Graduate

By Bridget Letnes

In April, twelve DOC staff completed 32 hours of training to become Thinking for a Change facilitators.

Thinking for a Change is a cognitive behavioral program that has proven to reduce the risk of justice involved individuals continuing criminal behavior. It consists of 26 lessons that focus on how thinking drives behavior and helps to teach social skills and problem solving to reduce future criminal thinking and behaviors.

Among the graduates are Case Managers Rachel Nynas, Erica Heesaker, Brian Giese, and Troy Foucault from MCF-Moose Lake, Eric Hestness and Mike Richards from MCF-Stillwater, Central Services Administrative Specialist Valarie Martin from MCF-Rush City, Transitions Coordinator Mark Buhrandt from MCF-FRB, and Field Services agents Nicolle Mucciaccaro, Nichole Hassing, Harley Cook, and Amber Bok. Ten of the graduates completed four days of training in-person and two completed the training virtually.