Category Shout Out Show all
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Shout Out for Moose Lake's Hedman and Leppanen
Sarah Knopf, Director of Sentencing, Records and Virtual Courts, submitted this thoughtful Shout Out:
Emily and Kaireen were key collaborators in a recent scheduling need for the courts. Although the hearing scheduling included a few bumps along the way, including more urgent needs from the courts, Emily and Kaireen were able to come together to support the need. Both Emily and Kaireen have developed keen insights into the challenges and opportunities with virtual court scheduling, and graciously shared their feedback through this recent scheduling need. Input from Emily and Kaireen will play a pivotal role in supporting the onboarding of the Virtual Court Navigation team. Thank you, Emily and Kaireen. There were unusual circumstances including a holiday, and you were both kind and able to come together around the challenge.
Thanks for sending this in Sarah!
If you'd like to submit a Shout Out, contact Rosie Widell at rose.widell@state.mn.us
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Shout Out: Amanda Cisar
By Psychological Services Director Janel Lindgren
The Moose Lake mental health team would like to give a Shout Out to the Discipline Department's OAS, Sr., Amanda Cisar, for her role in recently assisting the coordination of an important legal meeting. With limited notice, Amanda stepped in and provided needed information to secure resources. Her quick response and willingness to take the reins on this matter is a prime example of going above and beyond, but most of all, the high-level of teamwork we strive for within the DOC.
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Shout Out: Coverage For a Vacancy
By Janelle Cheney
Thank you Heidi J. Erickson, Brandy McNally and Laurie Solvie!!!! These three are an amazing TRIAD that can move mountains, and do.
We were short staffed in their region for a period of time and they kept things flowing SEAMLESSLY for the six Counties they cover - at least they never let anyone see them sweat! While being short staffed they were also tasked with the follow-up needed pertaining to the new probation caps, in all six Counties.
These three keep things moving and have worked very hard to ensure the incoming Agent had a "clean" caseload and that everything was up to date!!! It is a great feeling knowing this support is out there and that new staff can rely on them.
They are now HARD AT IT mentoring...as is the entire Moorhead District with several new staff. Thank you to all!!!
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Shout Out: Valerie Dorff
By Janelle Cheney
I want to give a Shout-out to Valerie Dorff in the Moorhead District as she is often called upon to assist with UA's, Transfer Paperwork for those in the Fargo/Moorhead area, as well as review PSI's and Guideline Worksheets of others. She has a very busy caseload herself yet is always willing to lend a hand and assist where there is a need.
Valerie also looks to support ongoing knowledge of local resources, and shares this with her peers. She is a Board Member of Heart Of Clay and is passionate about finding solutions towards homelessness for those in the Community. She has also engaged in new conversations about other needed programming and resources within Clay County. She doesn't let any grass grow under her feet!
Val, your efforts, energy and activity is noticed and we are thankful for you!!!
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Shout Out: Closing the Gap Committee
By Amanda Tuthill
Thank you to our Closing the Gap (CTG) Committee for presenting another great conference at Camp Ripley! This committee is comprised of devoted staff across the state from multiple departments who work together to ensure cohesive services in release planning for incarcerated individuals.
I am grateful for their commitment in providing consistent and qualitative training and networking opportunities for their fellow agents, case managers, release planners and administration. This in turn helps to bridge the gap in services for those incarcerated transitioning from the facility into the community. Keynote speakers and breakout sessions were both relevant to staff's wellbeing and addressed pertinent topics in supporting DOC's mission and goals.
Special thanks to FS Program Director Willie Swanson, MCF-FRB CSCC Jessica Drahota, CCA Dakota County Agent Amanda Schneider, and CCA Blue Earth County Agent Brady Schloesser for chairing this committee. The contributions of CTG as a whole are invaluable and I am grateful for their dedication and hard work.
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Shout Out: Connor Moore
By Kristen O'Connell
In July of this year, the education department started looking at what accessibility options we could offer to those incarcerated on the client network computers. We had a small group of instructors at Shakopee, Rush City and Stillwater have their tutors test out what features worked best on the computers. Once we had that feedback, we started working with Conner Moore at MNIT.
In the beginning of August, Conner placed three computer-based accessibility options on a client network computer in a classroom in Rush City. Once Conner could verify that the shortcuts and functioning were a success, we released them to all computers in the classroom. After we verified that it was successful in the entire classroom, we released them to all client network computers at Rush City. Confirming that was also successful, Conner did another push to all client network computers at Shakopee to ensure the shortcuts and functioning were working accurately.
On Thursday, November 2, the following shortcuts were pushed to all DOC client network computers:
- Magnifier, C:\WINDOWS\system32\Magnify.exe - allows for a zoomed in look at your screen, making items easier to see.
- Narrator, C:\WINDOWS\system32\Narrator.exe - allows for specific applications to read text over a speaker.
- On-Screen Keyboard. C:\WINDOWS\system32\osk.exe - allows for the use of your keyboard using your mouse instead of a physical keyboard.
The best part: There are no requirements from anyone to enable these shortcuts. They can be used immediately once you restart the desktop.
Shout out to Conner Moore. He was phenomenal to work with and was instrumental in the success of this rollout being well thought out.
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Shout Out: Allison Renken
By Willie Swanson
Our office was notified by a public defender that one of Allison's clients (Evan Walker) went out of his way to inform the court of how positively he felt about having her as an agent. This was during a violation hearing no less!!!
Public Defender Jennifer Chaplinski stated that "In an exchange with Judge Tenney, Mr. Walker said that he is glad for the support of “Allison” and she has “been there for him and believed he could get sober even when he was using.” Judge Tenney was impressed and commented about how we were all referring to her as ”Allison” which told him that Mr. Walker trusted and relied on his agent as someone who supported him and his recovery.
It is impressive that even during a violation hearing Allison's client feels supported by her. Clearly she has a positive professional alliance, Allison exhibits these qualitiies in all of her intactions with clients.
Nice Work!!!!!
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Shout Out: CSTS Web training
By Danelle Gorra
Gen Wilkens, Melissa Greiner and Becca Clemens Wells with assistance from John Eichenlaub in moderation facilitated 3 virtual trainings on CSTS Web to share the why, show the new look and functionality, provide tips and tricks and assist staff in the transition to the new platform.
Only one other agency provided such a training for their staff and with 428 attendees over the three days and the level of engagement through questions on the calls, it was clear is was appreciated.
Beyond that the group collaborated to coordinate CSTS power user in testing, created memos, videos, iShare content, a push week and acted as spokespeople for the change to ensure that from training to soft launch to hard launch, Field Services staff will be supported. I can't celebrate the work on the implementation of CSTS Web 4.3 enough.
Slow but steady and planful wins the race for change initiatives and this team is making it happen!
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Shout Out: Becca Clemens-Wells
By Rachel L. Miller
Thank you so much to Becca for the Smartsheet support for the EBP Trainer Appreciation Event nominations. What you did in a matter of minutes would have taken me hours. What you created allowed us to collect nominations in a simple and effective way that encouraged people to submit. Your willingness to help out and make me laugh at the same time is always appreciated.
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Shout Out: Jennifer Johnsgard
By Tracy Hudrlik
Field Services and Interstate Compact would like to give a big Shout Out to Jennifer Johnsgard and Brian Rubenstein for their quick work on an interstate compact case.
With only two days until the deadline for submitting, Brian was asked if his area could investigate an incoming transfer case. Brian knew just who to assign this to and Jennifer dropped everything to get the investigation done and submitted prior to the deadline. This allowed the client to be able to come to MN and be with his family. Thank you Jennifer for your selfless, person centered approach to the work on this case.
You are a shining example of teamwork and you are much appreciated!
