Greatness served daily: Oakland Family Services staff recognized for building brighter futures at annual event
Oakland Family Services employees were honored Oct. 4 for their commitment to the agency’s mission of providing individuals and families the opportunity to build brighter futures.
During a general staff meeting at the Marriot Auburn Hills in Pontiac, employees were recognized for their years of service. Two employees — Fran Johnson, senior program aide in Family Preservation, and Teri Klunzinger, billing manager — were honored for working 20 years at the agency.
Fran and her husband, Chuck, became connected to Oakland Family Services as foster parents. They have opened their home to many foster children over the years and adopted one boy, Brian, who is now 30, through Oakland Family Services. Fran then began working at the agency and since, has worked to make sure foster parents have everything they need to take care of some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
President & CEO Jaimie Clayton said the agency has received many compliments and words of praise about Fran from the families she assists.
At the meeting, Clayton recounted one supervisor’s comments about Fran: “I am in awe of her. I respect her, and I am grateful for her heartfelt giving of herself in the service of others. Not only does she complete excellent quality work, but I have seen her help her coworkers as well. She stays late and even comes in on the weekend to deliver furniture to our clients’ homes. Furthermore, she does this with a fantastic attitude and willing disposition.”
When Klunzinger began working in the Oakland Family Services billing department, everything was done on paper compared to now where 90% of her work is done electronically. Teri handles billing for insurance, clients, contracts, and billing and payments for tuition at the Children’s Learning Centers.
Kerri Gentry, vice president of Program Operations at Oakland Family Services, described Teri as a team player who helps with training and preschool enrollment fairs, supporting the front desk, and assisting and providing coverage in the Children’s Learning Center when needed.
“Teri is responsible for ensuring that everyone in programs has the money to continue helping as many individuals and families as we can, and she takes this role very seriously,” Gentry said. “And for anyone who has seen Teri coming to reconcile billing, you know this is done with the agency’s best interest at heart. She is passionate about fulfilling the mission of creating brighter futures for the people in our community.”
The agency also recognized for 15 years of service Kenesia Cheatham, interim supervisor of Family Preservation, and Consuelo Seger, program specialist in Early Childhood Services. Celebrating 10 years of service were April Delaney, lead case manager in Family Preservation; Teri Dorta, Early Childhood Services manager; and Marcela Rodriguez, assistant teacher at the Children’s Learning Center in Pontiac. Employees with 5 years of service included Melanie Altman, Jacqueline Chaney, Shannon Gordon, Emily Kaminskas, Kris Kasperski, Ashton Kattoo, Heather Leins, Stephanie Noga, Molly Reed, Kathryn Ribant Payne, Vyctoria Rogala, Melanie Watson, and Erin Wearing. Employees with one year of service were acknowledged as well.
During the general staff meeting, individuals also were recognized by their peers for making a difference and for exemplifying the agency’s cultural value statements. These statements detail what the staff at Oakland Family Services sets out to achieve in their work with the families we serve and with each other. Some examples of these statements include: Act with Integrity and Respect, Commit to Greatness, Connect to our Mission and Embrace and Drive Change.
Finally, Heather Eason, a home-based therapist, received the 2019 Difference Maker Award. This award, which is also voted on by staff, recognizes a staff member who stood out as truly exemplifying the agency’s mission of building brighter futures during the past year. As a as hospital liaison with the Specialized Services for Youth program, Eason works tirelessly to ensure that our most at-risk youth receive timely and appropriate crisis care. She coordinates with Oakland Family Services, Oakland Community Health Network and hospital staff to ensure that every child and family's needs are met.
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