Community involvement earns member special recognition


By DEBORAH A. MILES Lisa Clinton is a PEF member who takes


an active role in helping her community. It didn’t go unnoticed. During a meeting at Livingston


Correctional Facility where Clinton is a recreation program leader, a discussion occurred about employees who go above and beyond their necessary job duties, and those who shine above the rest. Clinton was selected as the shining star


and became the first recipient of the Superintendent’s Excellence Award. Superintendent Michelle Artus


presented the award in January for Clinton’s role as the Employees Assistance Program chair who not only enhanced employee morale, but raised more than $2,000 to benefit several community organizations. “After Superintendent Artus called my


name, I was speechless,” Clinton said. “And if you know me, you know I am never speechless. I had no clue about this. Everyone in the room clapped and I almost cried.” Clinton’s outlook on life inspires the


generosity in others. “As hard as it is for most of us to get by,


By DEBORAH A. MILES The state Office for People with


Developmental Disabilities annually selects “employees of the year” who work at its facilities. PEF member Arcliff Lindo was among


the group being honored in 2013. She was nominated by her current and former supervisors at Bernard Fineson Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Queens Village. Her supervisors said Lindo has been a


tremendous asset. They described her as a dedicated employee with outstanding nursing skills who has proven to be a take- charge person and able to make critical decisions. Lindo has worked for the state for 36 years as a registered nurse and never


MOST DESERVING – Lisa Clinton holds a Superintendent’s ExcellenceAward designed as a coin. It was presented to her by Superintendent MichelleArtus at Livingston Correctional Facility in January. — Photo courtesy of DOCCS


there are always others who have it so much harder,” Clinton said. That message motivated her fellow employees to dip into their wallets on a regular basis to help causes such as a cure for breast cancer, the Special Olympics, wounded warriors, animal groups and others.” “We raised a lot of the money through


expected any recognition. “They select an employee


every year and it is never a nurse. That is why this came as a total surprise to me,” Lindo said. Lindo is in charge of 44


LINDO


nurses and ensures the units have appropriate staffing coverage and performs reviews of nursing


assessment, as well as addressing specific problems that often arise. When her counterpart retired, she assumed nursing administration duties for the entire campus while maintaining a professional and positive attitude. Many of her co-workers have commented on her attention to detail, such as implementing new ways to ensure


“I was very much surprised. They have


bake sales, 50/50s and the usual fundraising techniques. At Christmas time, staff signed cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas,” she said. Clinton also enlisted staff support for a


larger effort, a motorcycle hub run sponsored by Groveland Correctional Facility which raised $3.900 to benefit the helicopter service called Mercy Flight. As the State Employees Federated


Appeal (SEFA) chair, Clinton encouraged staff to contribute more money for charities than in the previous two years. “That was a huge testament to the


employees at Livingston,” she said. “I like the concept of helping others at


the facility. Our staff is so great, it is easy to extend that caring to those who don’t have it as good. It gives you a rewarding feeling to help your own staff and others who need it.” On her own time, Clinton enjoys biking


to raise funds for various cancer organizations and other diseases, and volunteers at a local humane society. Artus said,” Ms. Clinton is willing to give


of herself on the job as well as in her personal time. She is an asset to the facility as a friend, supervisor and colleague.”


Devotion, hard work, love grants nurse ‘employee of the year’ title


correct doses of medication. “I work very long hours,” Lindo said. “To


me, preparing for the audit is one of the most important things I do. It is a big task. “This career requires committed


involvement and making reforms when needed to be successful with our clients. It’s about hard work and dedication. If you set high standards for yourself, you don’t have to worry about what happens. It’s a matter of accomplishing your own goals. “I care about the individuals who come


here and love them as if they were my own family. Rain or shine, you come to work. What you do is for them, because it is about them,” Lindo said. With that kind of insight and heart, it


truly is fitting Lindo was named “employee of the year.”


Project assistant with parole wins excellence award In January, the state


KNUTH his peers. Page 14—The Communicator March 2014


Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced the recipient of the 2014 Commissioner’s Accreditation Excellence Award. The honor went to PEF member Richard Knuth, a project assistant


with Community Supervision. Knuth was selected from a group of 11 of


been giving out this award for a long time. I used to be with DOCS, before the merger with the Division of Parole, when I first started working for the state. There are people with far more accreditation experience than I have,” Knuth said. What Knuth may lack in accreditation


experience, he surely makes up for with his outlook. The bulk of his work is supervising quality control and data entry to make sure parole officers are aware of procedures and perform them the same way, no matter if


they work in New York City or Buffalo. “It’s important to be consistent, as that


causes less confusion,” Knuth said. “You have to be aware of the standards to perform your job the best way you can. When accreditation first began, people were skeptical. You have to give things a chance. If you do the best you can, often you will start seeing results and things will start to work for you. “It’s like anything in life, give it your best


shot.” —Deborah A. Miles PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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