Department of Corrections Central Office staff kicked off the week with Dicus BBQ Food Truck on Monday, held a Wellness Walk on Tuesday, were served ice cream treats on Wednesday, and offered Taco Thursday with Rebel Tacos Food Truck. 

The Citizen's Advisory Board (CAB) provided District 2 staff with a bowling/pizza party for Corrections Employees Week. PPO Matt Jessmer received the award for high series with a two game total of 277. DA John Nickell received 2nd place with a score of 275.

District 20 District AdministratorTena Riley submitted the following:

On September 21, 2020, District 20 staff presented a plaque and coins to Central Region Training Officers Shawn Thompson, Mark Stoehr and Seth Elliott during our firearms recertification, in recognition of their hard work and dedication. These three men, along with a long history of  being good Probation And Parole Safety Trainers, have taught us how to be safe in every aspect of our jobs. They are diligent and serious about helping us to be able to go home safely every night. They promote a learning atmosphere that encourages open discussion and new ideas and have been consistent in bringing forward new issues and topics which assist in creating a survival mindset.  We wholeheartedly believe that without their training efforts, we as a district would be less safe. They are open to receiving phone calls or emails, even outside training hours if there is a problem or question. Our safety trainers play a critical role in our success and wellbeing. We have been blessed to have the best.

The quote on the plaque says it all, "Next to creating a life, the finest thing a man can do is save one", Abraham Lincoln.

On October 6, 2020, PPO Kaila Haymes District 10N, PPO Haley Pursley District 10N, Maria Vo Counselor OCC, PPO Samantha Whitten District 10 and Unit Supervisor Elizabeth Fitzgerald District 10R, attended the Recovery Coalition of the Ozarks monthly meeting. This meeting provides an opportunity to share information with over 15 organizations. The Recovery Coalition is a collaboration of recovery oriented organizations and individuals in the Southwest Region of Missouri.

The Recovery Coalition of the Ozarks is committed to assisting people achieve abstinence from substance use, stable housing, employment, improved social connectedness, and elimination of criminal activity.

Sharon Myler, Unit Supervisor at District 10N, was selected as P&P Employee of the 2nd Quarter-2020. Sharon was nominated by her District Administrator James Long. James wrote, "As an Ambassador to The Corrections Way (TCW), Sharon has embraced as well as put into action all of its tenants. She has shared her knowledge not only with her District, but at the Regional level. In April, Sharon was a big contributor to the Zoom meeting with the supervisors in the Region where she spelled out in a 3X3 what was important for leaders to be doing during this pandemic, which Is to ensure staff are placing an emphasis on self-care, and encouraging supervisors to be routinely checking in with staff to check on their well-being. Sharon also presents information to staff in the region by way of skill up sessions and previously completed one of these at the CAO meeting in the Southwest Region.

As the Lead Unit Supervisor for District 10NL Satellite in Lebanon, Sharon has been weathering the challenge of having two staff out on parental leave and having two brand new staff. She has recognized that the pandemic impacts officer workload differently, and has jumped into action by shifting caseloads, so that officers with a higher number of clients requiring face to face contacts, receive assistance from other team members. Sharon's dedication to staff and ultimately service to the community can be seen by her regular breakfast and brainstorming sessions al least bi-monthly with her staff. Her recognition efforts for staff success include placing thumbs up stickers on staff members doors appreciating accomplishments, a recognition board In the clerical area, emails, and just regular positive verbal reinforcement She has also encouraged other staff to recognize staff at a higher level. This resulted in another supervisor submitting 11 GEM Nominations for the District within one week of her request.

Sharon's work as a Change Champion for Engage, work as an Adjunct Trainer, involvement as an Ambassador in The Corrections Way and dedication to the Mission of the Department made her an excellent candidate for Employee of the Month for the Region."

Congratulations Sharon!

District 2 PPO Rodney Keller received a Distinguished Service Award. Rodney was nominated by PPO Carol Blakely for events that occurred in January 2020 when Carol’s client called the Chillicothe Probation and Parole Office and she had already left work for the day. Rodney took that call and was informed by the client that he has significant respiratory and pulmonary problems, including COPD. The client reported during the conversation that he couldn’t do his alcohol test on the SL2 because he was having trouble breathing and needed to go to the hospital. Rodney asked the client if he needed an ambulance and the client advised that he did. Rodney called 911 and let the client know that an ambulance was on the way to his residence and followed up with contacting dispatch and making sure they arrived while contacting Carol so the Command Center could be notified he would not be taking his alcohol test.

The client was diagnosed with diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized for four days. He was released with oxygen and when a home visit was conducted two weeks later he had lost 28 pounds and believed he had waited too long to get medical attention and felt if he had not been taken to the hospital by ambulance on that day he may not have survived.   

Thank you Rodney for assisting this client and congratulations on this well-deserved award!  Rodney is pictured with District 2 DA John Nickell.                        

Where and/or Who do I go to with questions about all things Case Management (ORAS, Case Planning, Carey Guides, BITs, etc.)?  

Continue to utilize the CASE MANAGEMENT folder on the K-Drive that contains cheat sheets, manuals and tools to assist staff. 

Still need help?

There is a page in the K-Drive CASE MANAGEMENT folder called SME and Trainers Group. You can utilize this to find a SME/Trainer at your facility or in your region who can assist with questions. The SME/Trainer will clarify and provide a response with the assistance of the Subject Matter Specialists. If there is still questions the QA/QC team will assist with resolution. PLEASE contact your local resources for assistance as we are all here to help each other!