Clay County Collaborative Coordinator Carolyn Strnad retires after more than thirty years of service to the County as a licensed foster parent and staff member at the Social Services Department. (Photo/ Stephen Larson)

county commission

Karen Newman 

Commissioners and Social Services Director Rhonda Porter united in their hearty expressions of appreciation for the work of retiring Clay County Collaborative Coordinator Carolyn Strnad who is retiring after more than thirty years of service to the county as a licensed foster parent and as a staff member at the Social Services Department. Former co-workers and Strnad’s family attended the meeting. Porter thanked Strnad’s family for sharing Carolyn with county families who required her services over the years. Porter said, “When I first started with the county, I did child protection assessment work.  At that time, Carolyn and her family were licensed child foster care providers. Some of my first experiences with Carolyn were late at night, on weekends and on holidays when we would call upon her and her family to take kids that were in need and in unsafe situations.” 

 “Without people like Carolyn and her family there wouldn’t be opportunities for kids who need them,” said Porter. In April, 2021, Strnad was honored as the YWCA Cass-Clay Woman of the Year in Youth Advocacy.

During Carolyn’s employment with Clay County Social Services, she led efforts to support low-income families, serve children who have been through adverse experiences and to help individuals enhance their parenting skills through research-based education. Strnad made information about enhancing parenting skills and childhood experiences available to the public.

Noting Strnad’s love and passion for her work, Porter reminded the commission that Strand coordinates the Clay County Early Childhood Initiative and the Clay County Collaborative.  She serves as Children’s Mental Health Advisory Council Chair. Porter added that Strnad has served on similar committees and boards within the community. She leads from her vast experience to enhance community partnerships for all through addressing access barriers and advocating for those who need a voice. She led the Clay County efforts to implement wrap-around services for families, provide crisis respite care and address transportation insufficiencies. Strnad initiated efforts to bring Moorhead and Dilworth together through the Long Table Initiative and leads the Kid Fest program.

As Commission Chair Kevin Campbell awarded Strnad a recognition plaque, Commissioner Jenny Mongeau said, “It is my hope that those people who you have touched will also make a difference in the communities where they choose to put down roots.”

Hailing Strnad’s work and continued involvement with generations of Clay County families, Commissioner Jenna Kahly praised her saying, “You have shaped my career in beautiful ways.”  Kahly described Strnad’s love for children, for families and for her co-workers as so evident that it is infectious.  She added, “It has pushed us to seek additional training. It’s pushed us to identify the gaps. The best infection we have in our area right now is Carolyn’s love and it is spreading…I know that I see your work continuing in so many professionals and so many parents that have gotten training to be better parents and that’s going to carry through generations. So, a lasting impact of love in our community.”

Family Service Center Changes

When county buildings closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a security guard was hired on a temporary basis to admit individuals with appointments to the lobby.  As the board voted approval to reopen public access to the Family Service lobby area via the front door, continuation of the security guard’s employment came to the attention of the commission. 

Commissioner Campbell said that the Personnel Issues Committee’s (PIC) recommendation is to allow the security guard contract run until the end of the year using reserve funds, and in the meantime, look for ways to change the area to structurally improve it to make sure the facility stays secure.

The cost to extend the security guard’s contract through the end of 2021 will be $23,102.28 to be paid out of reserves according to Commissioner David Ebinger. Commissioners Frank Grosz and Jenny Mongeau expressed concern about continuing the guard’s contract.  Both cited other county buildings which serve frustrated customers without enhanced security. Mongeau advocated for further training for employees in de-escalation techniques.

“I think in fairness to the number of employees that we have who have security concerns, I will support it (the PIC recommendation). We need to look at a more permanent solution including an appropriate structure system,” stated Board Chair Campbell. He added, “Let’s get it right.”

Commissioner Ebinger added that Moorhead Police Department has an employee trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and this person could be useful as a resource in decision making about how the lobby area of the Family Service Center could be accessed by the public while enhancing the safety of department employees.

Facilities Director Joe Olson noted that a master plan for configuring the Family Service Center is underway.  He reported that organizations which lease space in the building have indicated to him that they would support an increase in fees to assist in funding more security.