Parole Staff Statewide Meet

On October 19, 2017, Parole staff from across the state came together for its Fall All Staff Meeting.  It was just over a year since staff had their first meeting on September 23, 2016, under their new agency.  The first meeting was an important event as it was the first time the agency had come together since being separated from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and placed under the Nebraska Board of Parole.   Staff had the opportunity to interact with the members of the Board, hear their vision for the agency, and ask questions.  The staff also participated in team building activities.  One of the highlights of the day had the supervisors presenting individual recognition to each member of their respective teams.

The meeting wrapped up with Toni Jensen, MSW, MPA, leading us through a powerful exercise in reflection and visioning.  Many staff shared their personal reasons for working in this field and why the work done each and every day by Parole is so important.  The October 2017 All Staff Meeting again featured Toni Jensen, MSW, MPA, as the guest speaker.  She led the group in a session that focused on Evidence Based Principles, the accomplishments that had been realized since transitioning to the new agency for which the agency should be proud, a group exercise giving staff the opportunity to review how well the agency did, to include what needs work and what was done well.

The speaker then presented on the topic of “So….Now What?”  The session culminated with each group providing its #1 idea they would like to see as a goal for 2018.  The information from the session will be utilized to help provide direction for the agency in the months ahead.

Members of the Nebraska Board of Parole attended a portion of the meeting and Director Julie Micek gave a presentation on the state of the state which included an update on the expansion of programs within Parole and what’s on the horizon, including implementation of custodial sanctions.  Parole’s Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC) recognized staff that had joined the agency since the September 2016 meeting, plans for upcoming events, and the work being done by ARC to recognize staff for years of service and other awards.  ARC announced a new award, the Shining Star Award to be presented bi-annually and was pleased to announce the first recipient of the award as Director Micek for her leadership in Parole’s transition to the new agency.  The day concluded with a team building activity.

Although the transition has been full of uncertainty and change, each and every employee has a tremendous dedication to helping our clients and protecting the public. That commitment to improving our communities is the foundation that this new agency will continue to build upon.