 June 30, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
What a month June has been! It has been a joy to see State Team Member Appreciation Month activities and celebrations across the Department. From spirit week theme days to picnics and sweet treats in many offices, the mood has been upbeat and the smiles have been evident on the faces of so many DSS team members.
June has been a month of recognition for outstanding DSS teams and team members, and the great work taking place throughout this Department. DSS earned and was recognized earlier this month with the awarding of BOTH Governor’s Awards for Quality and Productivity for the past year. The first was awarded to the Central Consult Unit at Children’s Division, and the other was awarded to the Project Hep Cure team led by MO HealthNet Division team members that collaborated with the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Corrections. We are proud of our colleagues who earned these prestigious awards, and so thankful for the hard work that is taking place to ensure DSS is a leader among state agencies and a champion for change for our citizens.
We also celebrated two DSS colleagues who were recognized in a special ceremony for winning State Team Member of the Month Awards across all state agencies during 2022: Patricia Gibbens and Samantha Brown. On behalf of all agencies, I was proud to present 2022 Awards of Distinction to two DSS colleagues: Elizabeth Page for Human Relations, and Leslie St. Clair for Leadership. In keeping with the theme, DSS was the only state agency with two 2022 Award of Distinction winners!
We were extremely proud to learn that our own John Ginwright, the FSD Deputy Director over Child Support, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Partnership for Community Leadership for his outstanding contributions to the fatherhood community. John is a thought leader in the field of child support and a mentor to so many, and is well-deserving of this honor!
To cap off this great month, today Governor Parson signed our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Included are record-setting, unprecedented investments in DSS programs, technology, and our team members. We are especially excited about full funding for the first phase of the Children’s Division’s Reform and Reconstruction Plan, a tremendous investment in CD Director Darrell Missey’s vision for transformation. Beyond DSS, the budget includes record investments in education, child care, broadband access, our state’s interstate highways, and many other long-sought priorities.
As Independence Day celebrations begin across our state this weekend and through the coming days, I encourage you to take time with friends and family to safely celebrate the freedoms and liberties these great United States offer each of us. This country may not be perfect, but it is offers boundless opportunities to all, and the hope for brighter tomorrows.
I count it a blessing to serve alongside you each day and I thank you for your service to your fellow Missourians!
In your service,
Robert J. Knodell
The MO Appreciation DSS Ambassador Team hosted a poster contest earlier this month as an effort to celebrate Team Member Appreciation Month.
Team members were tasked with creating a poster that focuses on this years theme, "Shining the Light on DSS Team Members". The winning poster will be displayed on the MO Appreciation website.
The winner of this years poster contest is Aleah Fulks with the Family Support Division.
Congratulations Aleah! Thank you for participating and for all that you do for Missouri citizens!
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