LARNED — The Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility has named Employees of the Quarter for the second quarter of the year 2013 — Tanner Lang, Uniformed, CSI; Miranda Schmidt, Non-Uniformed, Administrative Assistant; RuthAnn Snodgrass, Contract, LMSW-MHP.

Tanner Lang
CSI Detail Supervisor
Tanner Lang, Uniformed Employee of the Quarter, began his career with the state in 2006. He started as a COI on the 10-6 shift before moving to the 2-10 shift in February 2011. In June of 2011, Lang was promoted to COII then to CSI in November 2011. He began his current CSI Detail post in May 2012.
Lang’s nomination reads, “Tanner has an easy-going manner and is willing to assist wherever needed. He has been very helpful with our recent COI interview boards. His years of corrections experience has added insight to the process, and been instrumental in helping us find qualified candidates to hire.
Lang is from Wakeeney and earned his criminal justice degree from Barton County Community College.  Tanner resides in Larned with his wife and children.  
Lang’s hobbies and interests include hunting, fishing, hanging out with family and watching KU basketball games. His favorite foods are Mexican and barbecue.
His favorite quote is, “It doesn’t matter if I am very smart and know the business. If I do not have a team with the same vision, I will fail,” by Eddie Fooshang.

Miranda Schmidt
Administrative Assistant
Miranda Schmidt, Non-uniformed Employee of the Quarter, began her career with the state of Kansas in December 1996 as a Corrections Officer I then to her current position as the Administrative Assistant for Admin South in August 2009.
Schmidt’s nomination reads, “Mandy wears a lot of hats and wears them well. Her primary duties are clerical assistant for policy and information and the disciplinary administrator. Those duties keep her busy.  She also answers the facility phones during her work hours. She assists in the mailroom when asked and helps cover times when Brandi just needs a bit of help to meet time deadlines.  She is a member of the CRT Team and is often called to negotiate with an inmate.  She schedules times for the South Conference Room, and is always positive.  She helps whenever asked.  She is a delight to work with.”
Schmidt was born in Oklahoma and attended school and college in Cheyenne, Wyo.  Miranda moved to Kansas in 1995 to be near family. Miranda and her husband, Kent, are parents to two children, Kaitlynn, 16, and Colton, 13.
Schmidt’s hobbies include reading, scrapbooking and working on restoring their new home.  
Her favorite song is “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys and her favorite food is popcorn.  SDchmidt enjoys attending her children’s softball, baseball, football and basketball games.  
Her favorite quote is, “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.”

RuthAnn Snodgrass
LMSW-Mental Health
Professional
RuthAnn Snodgrass, Contract Employee of the Quarter, began her career with Correct Care Solutions at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility in June of 2012 as a Mental Health Professional.
Prior to coming to LCMHF, she was a Clinical Therapist for six years at the Larned State Hospital, primarily on the Security Behavior Unit.
“It’s an honor to be nominated. I’ve really enjoyed working at LCMHF and appreciate all those who have welcomed me,” she said.
Snodgrass’ nomination reads, “RuthAnn has proved to be a great asset to the facility at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility since June 2012. She was assigned to work on F1 during a period of transition from going to a segregation unit to a general population unit. During this process she developed excellent rapport with KDOC staff and worked together with the rest of the F1 to really make the philosophy of the unit work.  
“The vision of the unit would have been realized without such a dedicated employee working to build relationships.  She continues to adapt well in learning a new system, worked hard to earn the trust of those she works with, and provides services that are targeted to those on her assigned unit. The  inmates on this unit can be some of the more challenging in the facility, as they are often struggling with mental health symptoms addition to trying to transition to being around others in population.  
“Even when dealing with her difficult caseload, she finds time to pitch in to help others that may be out or in need of assistance. She strives to complete additional paperwork when needed in a timely manner that is in addition to her daily duties as a mental health professional.  
“RuthAnn has done an admirable job in making herself an integral part of the mental health department, bringing an attitude of joy and merriment to meetings and the day to day grind to make the facility a better place to work for her co-workers.”
Snodgrass was born and raised in Larned and graduated from Larned High. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University (2006), her master’s of social work degree from Wichita State University (2007) and her clinical license in 2009.   
RuthAnn and her husband, Dusty, are parents to two children — Addison, 3, and Madelyn, 2.
Snodgrass enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters as well as her extended family and friends.  
She enjoys Pinterest and provides clinical supervision. She has run a few 5Ks and plans to do so again this summer.  
Her favorite song is her girls’ rendition of “Super Bass” and barbecue is her favorite food.
Her favorite quote is, “Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of the mind than on outward circumstances,” by Benjamin Franklin.