Melgaard receives state supervisor of year award

Wanda Melgaard of Bemidji, team leader with Rural Minnesota CEP, has been named the Minnesota Family Investment Program Supervisor of the Year.

Melgaard has been instrumental in the development and continuation of three MFIP services in partnership with Beltrami County: Families Achieving Success Together, Youth Career Advisor and postsecondary education services.

In the summer of 2010, she coordinated the effort of the Department of Human Services/Department of Economic Development Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Summer Youth Program with the Red Lake Reservation MFIP program provider to assure that paid work experience was available for 94 eligible MFIP recipients who are served through tribal MFIP employment and training services.

Melgaard supervises these services in addition to regular MFIP, Family Stabilization Services and Diversionary Work Program services and representing RMCEP and Beltrami County at Big Seven meetings, and serving on the RMCEP MFIP performance team, said Terry Janes, RMCEP director of operations, in a letter of recommendation for the award.

"Creating the additional services with Beltrami County effectively built and enhanced the relationship between the county and Employment Services," Janes said.

"I was very impressed with what you have been able to accomplish," said Jane Delage, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program manager, in a letter of congratulations to Melgaard. "Clearly, you and your staff have gone beyond the call of duty to provide not just employment services but hope to the families you serve."