Employee of the Month

The Board of Supervisors has named Whitney Starksen as Shasta County's Employee of the Month for February. Whitney is a Social Worker for our Housing & Community Action Programs Department.

Ms. Starksen is assigned to the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. This program promotes the development of local strategies enabling families  to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. She stepped right into her role and found ways to improve the communication between clients and herself. 

For example, Whitney met with a client who had been on the program for many years. The client was living in an apartment full of garbage, was frail, sick and scared to interact with anyone. She quickly gained his trust and worked with outside agencies to coordinate medical services and cleaning to help stabilize. She is proactive when it comes to helping clients, conversing with doctors and nurses concerning healthcare, and providing transportation as needed.

In addition to being a stellar social worker, Whitney is a creative thinker. She designed and collaborated to build a fantastic website for her department and also creates their marketing materials.

Ms. Starksen is a natural leader, exemplary county employee, and well deserving of this month's Employee of the Month award.