MN Transition Coalition News - January 10, 2022

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Important Information to All Stakeholders

As we are making our way into 2022, all of us are still swimming through the pandemic and navigating issues. While times are very difficult for many, I remain focused on the “Happy” New Year ahead. One thing is certain, if all remain dedicated in our shared purpose of helping each other, we will be stronger together. This “Happy” New Year brings changes to the MN DOC Reentry Unit which may impact some of your work with us or your regular contacts.

MN DOC Reentry Unit Changes:

  • Reentry Manager Bridget Letnes is currently on a temporary reassignment coordinating the person-centered intake, assessment, and program planning process for the Department’s person-centered approaches. While we will miss her presence directly within the Reentry team, her dedicated focus to successfully implement this work will help to shift DOC’s practices.
  • Rebecca Fratzke, currently a Program Director at MCF-Rush City, will be taking over our Reentry Manager role during this time. Rebecca has worked in Reentry as a transition coordinator and previously leading pre-release services. Rebecca’s priorities during the next several months will be continuity of services in Opportunity for Change and statewide Evidence-Based Practices, overseeing the design and delivery of virtual pre-release services, and supporting transition coordinators in this endeavor. These changes will officially occur on January 19.
  • Facilities Reentry Coordinator Theresa Luther is retiring from state service on January 14. Theresa’s position supports transition coordination across the facilities. While in our unit a short time, I appreciate her commitment in coordinating the newest DVS developments this year and enabling access for transition coordinators. We are working to post this vacancy for internal staff with pre-release programming experience. We will make an announcement at upcoming Transition Coalition meetings when a successor is named.
  • We have had a vacancy in our grants and contracts support since October, with the departure of Jana Carr Weerts. Malinda Steffan has accepted this Reentry Finance Coordinator position, filling this role on January 19. Malinda is a current DOC staff with previous work experiences in all DOC divisions including Facilities, Field Services, Central Office and in MINNCOR. We’re excited to bring her on board in this role. If you have grants or contracts with the Reentry Unit, we will certainly set up time in the upcoming weeks for Malinda to meet with you all.
  • Two more noteworthy changes are additions to the team. We are currently filling two new positions to fill noticeable needs identified through the Reentry Supports Law. We are currently in the hiring process for a transition coordinator covering Oak Park Heights and Stillwater Minimum Security Unit. Specifically, we need dedicated transition services at Oak Park Heights to provide resources and to ensure identification processes. The Community Stability Team is also in process of hiring a temporary unclassified position for a Housing Coordinator, overseeing processes and funds to mitigate homelessness. This position is critical right now in rapid fire rehousing due to COVID-impacts and intentional work and focus on mitigating homelessness and supporting housing stabilization for individuals who are involved in the corrections system. We are grateful to DPS Office of Justice Programs through grant funding to support this position over the next year.

The Opportunity for Change Program

  • Case Manager Emmy Seidling has resigned from state employment to pursue personal goals. Her position will be filled through temporary assignment by MCF-STW Sergeant Andrew Hathaway in the next few weeks.
  • Community Transition Coordinator Julie Jefferson is taking a new position with as a supervision agent with DOC Field Services. Her experiences in O4C, supporting work release supervision, and EBP made her a shoe in! We will certainly feel her vacancy in our unit AND are grateful to keep her in DOC. Rebecca will work with Bridget in the upcoming weeks in covering the O4C work ahead.

EMPLOY

  • In July 2020, the EMPLOY Program was put on hiatus due to financial challenges and funding. We are excited to announce that we’re working toward relaunching EMPLOY services in the upcoming months. MINNCOR is committed to bringing back this risk reduction program. Employment Supervisor, JoAnn Brown, is currently working on posting an employer development position, and then we’ll dig into reinvigorating client-based employment services. The return of the EMPLOY Program will establish coordinated employment services pre and post release for individuals returning to communities statewide and streamline employer connections to skilled and qualified job applicants.

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Upcoming Classes

My Road to Success

Starts January 24th
Deadline to apply January 19th
This is a great program for participants who are not sure what they want to do, are changing careers, have job gaps, have limited work history, have a background, do not have their HS Diploma/GED, and/or have other hurdles to employment.

Customer Service/ Call Center

Starts February 14th
Deadline to apply February 9th
This is an excellent program for participants who want to gain the skills needed to excel in various customer-service professions.

Facilities & Maintenance

Starts March 28th
Deadline to apply March 23rd
Training Program Includes:
• General Facility/Warehouse Operations
• OSHA 30 Certification
• 30 hours of Continuing Education Units
• Boilers Exam Preparation
• Blueprint reading, math, and problem solving
• Continuing Quality Improvement
• Mechanical systems and equipment operations
• Basic plumbing, electrical, construction, and operation of machine and hand tools
• Personal Coach and Employment Specialist
• Personal Empowerment and Emotional Intelligence training
• Resources based on your needs
• Interviews with employers and networking opportunities

Click Here for More Information


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https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/RedWingShoeCompany/manufacturing-jobs

Entry Level Factory, Part-Time - Red Wing Shoe Company

Work up to 20 hours in a week, you pick the hours!

Choose at least 4 consecutive hour blocks, between:

  • Weekends: 12PM – 12:30AM Friday & 10:00am – 10:30pm Saturday and Sunday. o Starting wage is $17.65/hour with advancement potential up to $21.40/hour after 18 months.
  • Weekday Days: 6:00am and 3:00pm Monday – Thursday and 6:00am – noon on Friday. o Starting wage is $17.65/hour with advancement potential up to $21.40/hour after 18 months.
  • Weekday evenings: 4:00pm and 2:30am Monday – Thursday. o Starting wage in $18.53/hour with advancement potential up to $22.47/hour after 18 months

We will train for all positions, NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Basic qualifications include ability to lift/carry up to 40 pounds, frequently stand, twist, bend, grasp, work in a fast paced environment and work effectively as a team. Previous experience in woodworking, auto repair, industrial sewing, carpentry or other manufacturing may be helpful but is not required.

  • All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory results of a background check and physical exam which includes a drug screen.

To promote employee health and safety, and consistent with legal and public health guidance, RWSC requires that all new hires report their COVID-19 vaccination status. Some positions may require full vaccination. Accommodation requests will be considered consistent with applicable law.

Entry Level Factory, Full-Time - SB Foot Tanning Company - $19.25/hr to start

Pay Rates: Starting wage is $19.25 per hour, and once qualified on a specific job, the wage rate may increase to anywhere from $20.00 to $23.90 per hour. There is also a $0.55 cent/hour shift premium for 2nd and 3rd shifts. (shift hours below)

We are currently accepting applications for our 2nd and 3rd shifts for Production Operator positions at SB Foot Tanning Company.

2nd shift hours are 2:00pm - 10:00pm Monday - Friday, 3rd shift hours are 10:00pm - 6:00am Sunday - Thursday.

S.B. Foot Tanning is part of Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc and the main leather supplier for Red Wing Shoe Company. It is also a major supplier of leather to the US Military through our partner network. From WWI to Operation Iraqi Freedom, when soldiers lace up for duty, there is a very good chance they are putting on boots made from S.B. Foot leather. S.B Foot Tanning is proud of the innovative testing lab in Red Wing, MN and the tannery has received numerous quality awards in the tanning industry.

To promote employee health and safety, and consistent with legal and public health guidance, S.B. Foot Tanning requires that all new hires report their COVID-19 vaccination status. Some positions may require full vaccination. Accommodation requests will be considered consistent with applicable law.

Entry Level Factory, Full-Time – Red Wing Shoes

We are hiring immediately for 2nd shift, full-time positions. The core hours for this shift are 4 x 10-hour shifts Monday - Thursday 4pm - 2:30 am.** Starting wage in $18.53/hour.

Turn your hobby into a career! Build on your personal interests where we’ll help grow your skills. We are hiring immediately for a number of different areas of our shoe manufacturing operation including leather cutting, sewing, and attaching soles just to name a few.

Our environment is fast paced with a strong focus on safety and quality.

REGULAR WORKING HOURS:

  • We will train for all positions!
  • Strong desire to learn different positions and be an essential part of our team.
  • Basic qualifications include ability to lift/carry up to 40 pounds, frequently stand, twist, bend, grasp, repetitive motions, work in a fast-paced environment and work effectively as a team.
  • Experience in sewing, woodworking, auto and small engine repair, carpentry, construction, machine or equipment operation, arts/crafts or other manufacturing may be helpful but is not required.
  • Experience working in a safe and efficient manner with demonstrated attention to detail.
  • Ability to remain dependable, flexible and adaptable to changing production demands and operate different machinery as production needs change.
  • Demonstrate dependability regarding attendance, positive attitude, and strong work ethic.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the manufacturing field.
  • All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory results of a background check and physical exam which includes a drug screen.

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LGBTQ+ Specific Recovery Housing Program

Beyond Brink is excited to announce the upcoming opening of our LGBTQ+ specific recovery housing program, located in Mankato, MN. 'Creative House' will serve with 6 non-gender specific beds and is scheduled to open between Jan 10-16th. Waiting List is open and we are now accepting applications (attached) Be sure to identify 'Creative House' when applying for this program.

Click Here for Application


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Take our Food and Basic Needs Assessment Survey!

If you are a community service food provider, or you have received county food benefits or visited a food shelf, please take our Foods and Basic Needs Assessment survey to tell us more about your experiences and needs.


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Scholarship Supporting Students in the Agriculture & Natural Resources degree program

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College (LCOOC) is excited to announce the creation a new scholarship supporting students in the Agriculture & Natural Resources degree program. An anonymous donation has created a fund that will allow for 25 $1,000 scholarships offered in each fall and spring semester of the course of the next 12 years. The donor shares that their family recently sold property that, as they understand it, was originally Anishinaabe/Dakota land, and which came into settler "ownership" via the railroad in the 1860's. The family is utilizing funds from this sale to support scholarships at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College. “As Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College is able to create partnerships to support increasing scholarship offerings we are able to reduce barriers to attending college for our students. This reduction in barriers supports the College’s mission to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe.” shares Jessica Wagner-Schultz, Director of Institutional Advancement at LCOOC. The scholarship application will be available on the college website, www.lco.edu/scholarships and open to all students with preference given to Native American students. For further questions, call 715-634-4790 ext. 186 or email advancement@lco.edu.


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Diabetes Prevention Program

Have you checked your A1C? Has your doctor talked to you about pre-diabetes?

Join a free diabetes prevention program hosted in partnership by theNEWmpls and Ramsey County.

Ramsey County community members are invited to learn about a free, year-long online diabetes prevention program. Chaz and her team will help you prioritize your health to heal yourself and your family. You and fellow community members will learn how to:

  • Move your body through daily fitness.
  • Eat well on a budget.
  • Control your sugar intake.

Program details

The program will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 16. During the first 16 weeks, participants will meet virtually with Chaz, her team, and fellow community members once a week for one hour. After that, program members will meet twice a month. This program is limited to 25 community members. All meetings will take place via Zoom. Family members are invited to attend the meetings.

Before the program begins, all participants will have the chance to meet Chaz and will receive the program materials, a welcome bag, and a water bottle.

Register below to attend an information session with Chaz.

Questions? 

Email Chaz and her team at: chaz@thenewmpls.com.

https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/health-medical/public-health-initiatives/diabetes-prevention-program