Category Field Services Show all
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Shout Out: Corrections Agent Sr. Justin Ball
By Roman George
The evening of Tuesday, March 21, during a Weather Alert in the Fargo/Moorhead area, Hennepin County ISR learned that an incarcerated person with multiple high risk factors had pled guilty, was sentenced, and given credit for time served and may have been released in the immediate area.
Through multiple communications, Corrections Agent Sr. Justin Ball - under late night blizzard conditions - responded immediately and located the individual being processed and released from the Cass County Jail in Fargo, ND.
Justin connected with the individual that was hungry, homeless, and with no financial means to care for himself. Justin transported him back into Moorhead, Minnesota where he purchased food and provided him with bedding and shelter at the local DOC leased residence for the night. The following day, Justin provided the individual with additional food and resources to help assist in his transition, including providing him with an additional overnight stay because of the deteriorating weather and road conditions.
In addition to his work with the individual, Justin continued working with his current caseload and communication with Hennepin County and Central Transport to assist in transporting him back to his approved placement in Hennepin County.
On the morning of Thursday, March 23, Justin transported the individual to Detroit Lakes where he connected with Central Transport who transported the individual home.
Justin Ball has been providing Special Supervision throughout the Moorhead area for more than a decade and has always been responsive to individuals, the department, and stakeholders in need!
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Shout Out: STS Crew Leader Matt Ziebell
By Holly VanPelt
Matt Ziebell, Sentence to Service Crew Leader in Mower County, has presented to the Mower County Board of Commissioners and two non-profit organizations recently. He is spreading the word about how valuable our STS program is and how it benefits the communities we serve. He is also making partnerships for future projects.
Thank you Matt for all you do!
Matt Ziebell -
Retention Hero: Taylor Erickson
By Janelle Cheney:
Taylor Erickson began her journey as an Intern in the Moorhead District. She showed an enthusiastic and genuine interest in Field Services. She now has worked her way from Agent to Senior Agent. What stands out most about Agent Erickson is her empathy for others and compassion toward families.
Upon hire she inquired about being able to bring in items she would otherwise donate or hold a garage sale with. Items were gently used and many were toys. She indicated her one child at that time was blessed with many and would love to share, if possible. That has now evolved into having some people referencing our Training Room as the “Thrift Store," although everything is free to take. Many have had the opportunity to take what they need or provide to others in their family due to Agent Erickson's initial idea. Staff have brought in winter jackets, casual and work clothing, hats/mittens, toys, books, countertop kitchen appliances, (small) furniture, shoes, rollerblades and ice skates.
Another example of Agent Erickson's ability to think outside the box has been seen in our women's restroom. It reads, “Life is tough but so are you ~ If you find yourself in need please help yourself to one bag." The bag contains hygiene and toiletry items she has purchased on her own, for several years. Sometimes, we all need a reminder of our inner strength, and that someone cares.
Thank you to all the amazing staff in the Moorhead District, to include ISR, for contributing and enabling others with the ability to focus on life's other stressors while feeling supported by each of you and the “system" in general.
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Field Services Participates in Giving Hearts Day
By Roman George and Janelle Cheney:
Field Services is often in the shadows while doing amazing work within the Community. On Giving Hearts Day, the Cass County Jail Chaplains had Justin Ball, along with the ISR Team and Probation Staff, on their radar. The MN DOC is thankful to staff who are out there connecting and collaborating with our many stakeholders and service providers!! The Moorhead District Office was pleasantly surprised and willingly accepted recognition (through a box of donuts 😊) on Giving Hearts Day by members of the Jail Chaplain programs as well as a client of Justin's, who is actively involved in such and doing well in the Community.
*Justin was not available for a picture as he was out doing Field Visits – but a donut was saved for him!
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Shout Out: Genevieve Wilkens
By Rebecca Clemens Wells:
I want to give a staff Shout Out to my co-worker, Genevieve Wilkens in Field Services. She goes above and beyond for each member of the Field Services family (a pretty big unit) and is a fierce advocate for the team. She is quick to identify potential issues and always a quick thinker at coming up with solutions. Genevieve also has a wealth of knowledge and is constantly working to learn more for the betterment of Field Services. I think I speak for anyone who has ever submitted a Field Services Business Issue Ticket - Genevieve gets things done fast!
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Field Services Staff Support McLeod Alliance to Strike Out Domestic Violence
By Bryan Roiger:
A Group of DOC staff from Field Services, Agents, Officers came together with McLeod County Jail staff and friends to support McLeod Alliance Strike out Domestic Violence. This is the 10th year that the DOC has partnered with McLeod County Jail to support such an amazing event. Together the team has raised close to $10,000 in that 10 years of partnership. With dancing, prizes, pizza, pop and much much more it's alway a good time.
Participants not named -
Shout Out: Buffalo Field Services Office
By Katie Rawerts:
The Buffalo Field Service office has been tasked with completing over 200 sentencing worksheets for an upcoming mass calendar day due to court backlog. Our agents completed many worksheets, but several people from our district have stepped up to help take some of the load off of our shoulders and help out by completing worksheets for us, including, Chad Christianson, David Lewis, Patrick Holman, Brian Loch and Christine Sangren. Thank you is not enough! OAS Carrie Fasching also deserves a special shout out for the many hours she put into assigning these worksheets to the various agents.
