D S S   P R E S S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release:
June 13, 2008

Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407

DSS Names Torran Sayles June Employee of the Month

JEFFERSON CITY —The Department of Social Services (DSS) has named Torran Sayles employee of the month for June 2008. Torran is a Children's Service Worker for the Children's Division (CD) in Jackson County.

As a Children's Service Worker, Torran supervises foster care placements. In her position, she strives to match children with the foster home that is best suited for them. The first step involves reviewing details about the family and the foster youth and identifying a potential match. Once this match is made, a pre-placement visit is arranged. During these visits Torran is able to see how the foster youth interacts with the family and vice versa. Torran diligently reviews this interaction and also observes how the child or youth reacts to the surroundings and members of the foster family. Ensuring children are initially placed in a home that is a good fit reduces the chance for future movement to another home. Torran was nominated for DSS Employee of the Month because of her continuing dedication to children and youth in foster care and her willingness and dedication to finding the best placement for each child.

"Torran is an excellent example to the other staff in our office. Her devotion to the foster children and youth she serves is seen in their faces when they are placed with a loving, happy foster home," said Mindy Schneider, CD Children's Service Supervisor in Jackson County. "As her supervisor, I have received compliments from a judge, attorneys, foster parents and other professionals on her proficiency, responsiveness, timeliness, appropriate sensitivity and attention to detail. Torran has only been with the Division 18 months, but her positive effect and hard work is already creating positive, lasting effects in these childrens' lives."

Torran's commitment and dedication to the foster youth she serves is the impetus for her nomination and honor as the June Employee of the Month.