D S S   P R E S S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release:
March 05, 2008

Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407

DSS Names Jayne Tucker February Employee of the Month

Jefferson City — The Department of Social Services (DSS) has named Jayne Tucker employee of the month for February 2008.

Jayne is a Residential Care Screening Team Coordinator (RCSTC) for the Children’s Division (CD) in Phelps County. She began her career with DSS in 1986 in Pulaski County. Since that time she has served as an Independent Living Specialist, Pulaski County Supervisor, and Program Development Specialist in Central Office. Jayne has been a RCSTC since the fall of 2006. In her position she specializes in working with older youth in foster care. She not only performs her assigned duties as a caseworker but goes the extra mile to become a friend and confident for the youth she serves.

Jayne was identified by a young man who spoke twice at the Faith Based Conference in Jefferson City in October. In both of his speeches the young man, who was formerly a foster child in Missouri, mentioned Jayne and the positive and lasting impact she had on his life as an older youth in foster care. A poem he wrote expressed the profound influence Jayne had on him. He credits Jayne with his success including the fact that he is attending college.

“Jayne is the epitome of going above and beyond what a Children’s Division employee is called to do,” said Bonnie Washeck, Children's Division Deputy Director. “Working with older youth exiting the foster care system can be a challenge. Jayne is an example of the kind of commitment and dedication we like to see in employees. We are proud to have her working for our division and for Missouri’s children.”

The commitment and dedication Jayne demonstrates each day for foster children as a children’s support worker is the reason she is being honored as the February Employee of the Month.