> Woodland Hills wins Excellence award

June 21, 2007

Woodland Hills staff members accepting the award (L-R) Glenn Dallmann, Travis Powell, J. Steven Mattson, Lesa Radtke and Todd Erickson. Woodland Hills of Duluth was recognized with the Excellence in Corrections award by the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) at its annual conference in May. The Excellence award is given to programs that have shown leadership and development in corrections. Woodland Hills has been helping heal young people's lives since 1909. What began as an orphanage in 1909 has evolved into a private, non-profit agency that offers successful delinquency prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and transitional programs as a continuum of care for youth and their families. The agency's mission is to reduce risk factors, cultivate assets and build on the strengths in all youth and their families so they may lead successful lives. Each year nearly 1,100 youth from throughout Minnesota benefit through participation in Woodland Hills programs. The agency is overseen by Richard Quigley, CEO. Accepting the award for Woodland Hills was J. Steven Mattson, Chief Program Officer.

Les Schultz, Director of Brown County Probation, nominated Woodland Hills for the award. Woodland Hills has been a member of MACPO now for 25 years and has supported our mission and values, and been a friend to many. Everyone knows of Woodland Hills and their involvement in their community, schools, and youth associations. It is obvious that from the first call to this facility, to placements, staffings, and discharges, you know you are getting the best service available for our youth. MACPO is celebrating 50 years of dedication to promoting quality correctional practices through professional growth, leadership, education, communication and support. In 1956, the Southern Minnesota Probation Officers Association was established as the first professional organization for probation officers in Minnesota. In 1958, the organization changed its name to Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers and opened its membership to probation and parole officers.