We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the staff highlighted in this section. Great job and great accomplishment!
DDP—Highlighted Staff— Fernando Lodevico
Fernando Lodevico’s work record exceeds our expectations. His record includes punctual attendance, positive attitude, energy, and commitment to the clients we serve.
Fernando joined BSS DDP as a DUI Counselor in September 2016. He has always been honest and authentic, which is easily seen by the clients. Since he began working at DDP, Fernando’s perseverance and overall conduct is incredible. He is a source of inspiration and encouragement to other employees and clients and is a highly approachable person. On countless occasions, he has been of great help to many of our clients on the dangers of DUI, guiding them to make better decisions.
When he’s not working or attending school, he loves spending quality time with his wife and one year old son. They drive him to excel personally and professionally. He’s currently enrolled in college working on his BA. Fernando deserves this award.
By: Ryan Diaz, Program Director
Vinewood RRC—Highlighted Staff— Estefani Soto
Although a few are also deserving to be nominated and given the accolade to be chosen as BSS Vinewood 2018 Employee of the Year, I truly believe Estefani Soto has stepped up this year to help VRRC’s operations. During a very difficult time at Vinewood, which lasted over 6 months, she made it a priority to put the needs of the Director and the facility operations first. During the absence of the Assistant Program Director, she helped ensure facility operations and expectations were met. She did not hesitate to take on a great deal of additional work and responsibility, understanding the needs of the facility. She demonstrated exemplary reliability, responsibility and commitment and was able to make personal accommodations to ensure an orderly running facility.
Estefani Soto took the helm on being in charge of the facility operations with the help of other key personnel, coordinating facility functions whenever the Program Director was unavailable. She not only coordinated operations but she also participated in covering different shifts in the security department to minimize overtime and most especially to maintain SOW requirements.
By: Rommel Dumanil, Program Director
Hollywood THP—Highlighted Staff— Dwight Cheffen
Dwight came to BSS Hollywood in 2008. During his tenure he has worked with three different SOWs, embracing each without issue. Dwight demonstrates qualities every Caseworker should embody. He is mature, patient, attentive, compassionate and caring. His extensive experience and expertise in relation to corrections and reentry is invaluable. Because of his extensive experience and his focus on helping those he works with deal with the dependency issues, he is a master group facilitator, as well. Dwight is able to effectively engage the residents in group, getting them to think in a manner that they are not used to and to provide the impetus for sustained change.
Dwight willingly steps in to assist in any capacity, often times serving as security when the facility is short staffed. He can be counted on to work his schedule with little to no call outs. He is a treat to work with and to supervise. Dwight’s work ethic is exemplary and he is a great role model to all residents and staff.
By: Stephanie Barahona, Assistant Program Director
Florence RRC—Highlighted Staff— Javier Campos
Javier Campos has been with BSS since June, 2010 and is known for his high standard of performance. He really cares for his patients and their family members and how they will interact when discharged. He is a very unusual man, as I have never seen him have a bad day. He treats everyone with respect and dignity and is a great asset to the facility, as well as the local community. Mr. Campos has a passion for mental healthcare. He is always looking for ways to see that patients continue to receive care upon release and explores ways to improve their access to services. Mr. Campos’ goal is that every patient adapt and overcome their negative behaviors, making a smooth transition into a normal and productive life. He never stops seeking ways to improve their treatment program.
He is well known by all of the supervising government agencies and throughout the local mental health community for his compassion and energy and is highly respected by his peers and appreciated by his patients. He is an exemplary role model to all of the staff at the facility. Javier is known for bringing in Coffees of the World which he shares with staff and as they drink it, they imagine they are in that place enjoying it.
By: Steve Doran, Program Director
Rubidoux RRC—Highlighted Staff— Francine Estrada
Ms. Estrada has been a member of the Rubidoux RRC team since December of 2015, starting as an Assistant Cook in the kitchen. She is now one of our most experienced Security Monitors who also assists in our verification department. She does a great job regardless of what hat she is wearing. Ms. Estrada comes to work everyday with a positive attitude and great energy. She rarely misses a shift and is always willing to cover when we are short staffed. Ms. Estrada treats all residents and visitors with respect, and she is always a professional.
Ms. Estrada is a valued member of the Rubidoux RRC team, and is very deserving of the 2018 Employee of the Year Award.
By: Michael Valenzuela, Program Director and Shanice Edwards, APD
Tucson Transitional Housing—Highlighted Staff— Frank Tapia
Security Monitor Frank “Hector” Tapia has earned Employee of the Year. I have worked with Hector for approximately three years and have always found him dependable, unfailingly punctual and willing to help out in any area lacking coverage. Hector has stepped up and acted as our maintenance man, when needed, for minor fixes around the facility, as well as changed his schedule at a moment’s notice when staff shortages were prevalent. Hector shows up to work on time and has not utilized his sick time, at all, during 2018. His work ethic is second to none.
Hector presents a firm, fair and consistent attitude towards all residents and a warm, cheerful attitude with staff. Hector loves people, works hard, and always tries to lift the spirits of those around him. I believe these characteristics represent all that is good in our company. We are proud to have him on the Tucson TTH team.
By: Gabriele Bland, Program Director
Orion RRC—Highlighted Staff— Xenia Ortiz
Xenia was hired as the Administrative Assistant for Orion RRC in April 2018. Immediately, she was well liked by staff. Xenia is always in a pleasant mood and gets along well with staff and the residents. Xenia is constantly productive and will not complain even if taking on extra tasks at a moments notice. Xenia is very reliable and shows up to work early and ready to work as soon as she clocks into shift.
Xenia consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of her and is very accurate when submitting documentation to Corporate. Xenia is a pleasure to have on our RRC team. She is an exemplary role model to our staff and residents. It is due to all of these outstanding qualities that Xenia was chosen as Orion RRC Employee of the Year.
By: Octavio Garza, Program Director
Orion THP – Highlighted Staff – Nia Martinez
Nia started her employment with BSS as a BOP Security Monitor in March of 2015 and was promoted to Administrative Assistant for the THP in 2018. Since her hire date, Nia demonstrated the ability to learn quickly and work efficiently to juggle all aspects of the position. Her enthusiasm for her work and her superb communication and writing skills made her an instant asset to the company. Nia embodies what it means to be a leader, a team player, and a role model. Nia goes above and beyond to help her coworkers and Management staff. As the Administrative Assistant, Nia continues to assist the Security Department and plays a big part in the day to day operations, where safety is her top priority; to which Nia has been clutch. The most prominent skill is how great she has been at training many new hires over the years. Nia has the passion, enthusiasm, and ability to motivate her co-workers in doing their best and contributes to Orion’s success in her own unique way. Nia’s diplomatic way of dealing with our clients is truly appreciated. Nia often works overtime when short staffed in the Security Department. Management staff appreciates the effort Nia has put into her job while employed at BSS. Management staff thanks Nia for bringing a positive attitude to work day after day.
By: Miriam Bustamante, Center Manager
Phoenix RRC—Highlighted Staff— Brice Smith
Highlighting one employee out of a group of hard working and dedicated staff is very difficult. After a long decision process, Security Monitor Brice Smith has been chosen as BSS Phoenix Employee of the Year.
Brice has been employed with BSS since 2012 as a Security Monitor. In 2015, Brice was placed as a Lead Security Monitor over the United States Probation Urinalysis Program. Brice has many characteristics that exemplifies him as an exceptional staff. He manages the USPO department of nearly 500 clients, assists with facility repairs, coordinates scavenger hunts for ACA documents, assists with security coverage, all the while attempting to be a comedian (he was informed to keep his day job at BSS).
Brice deserves this recognition for the effort he puts forth daily. Brice is always positive and optimistic. He is not a person who seeks out praise. Brice is a great asset to BSS Phoenix and is deserving of being selected as Phoenix Employee of the Year.
By: Danielle Koger, Program Director
Sunset DRC—Highlighted Staff— Eric Jordan
It is with great pleasure that Sunset DRC award the 2018 Employee of the Year to Caseworker Eric Jordan.
Eric began his tenure with BSS, SDRC on 9/16/13 as a Caseworker. Since that date, Eric has been a great employee through and through. In 2015 Eric was awarded the opportunity by BSS SDRC to become a Certified Domestic Violence Facilitator as the population grew exponentially. Eric has taken ownership of the DV/Batterer’s Program and has successfully graduated approximately 50 participants out of the program using the certified curriculum, “A Ray of Hope.”
Eric has always been a team player. What you see with Eric is exactly what you get. He has shown a great deal of integrity while working with the parolee population, is reliable, dependable and committed to providing outstanding service to the clients he serves. For these reasons, he is very deserving to be receiving the 2018 Employee of the Year Recognition.
On behalf of SDRC Staff, congratulations Eric Jordan. Great job this year!!
By: Chris Mays, Program Director