TO THE EDITOR:

In light of all the events that have transpired regarding the ìMSWî program at Chisago, I feel I should mention a couple of points. In a Sept. 27, 2006 article Tepoorten wrote that I did not care, intimating a lack of regard for human services within Chisago County. This could not be further from the truth. I spent the last eight years working with families, developing cost-effective programs and forming partnerships to ensure that at-risk families had the supports they needed.

Tepoorten wrote that neither John Moosey nor Mary Sheehan knew where I was working (In my MSW contract, I agreed to work for a child welfare agency within Chisago County). For the record, I called John Moosey in June 2006 and told him where I was working and immediately after speaking with Tepoorten last week, I called Sheehan, told her about my employment with a child welfare serving agency within Chisago County, and invited her to call with any questions. She did not respond.

In the spring when I tendered my resignation to work at a community-based child welfare agency, I spoke with John Moosey regarding the fulfillment of my MSW contract. Moosey said that I should not worry about it along as I worked within Chisago County. Moosey also said he would send me a letter to this effect. To date, he has not fulfilled his promise.

In the 9/27/06 Tepoorten article, Moosey referenced the MSW contract was ìdeemed unacceptable by the state.î Here is some history on that. The template for contract came from the ìstateî particularly the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Before anyone began their MSW program their contract was reviewed by the county attorney, sent to the county board of commissioners, reviewed, approved and signed by the board and then sent to and signed by the ìstate.î There were many opportunities to catch any ìunacceptableî language within the contract.

I have sat back and tried to remain detached from this entire MSW conversation. However, I cannot allow fabrications to continue without response. I am fulfilling my contract, I care deeply about the citizens of Chisago County, especially those in need of social support, and I am honored to have been part of the Human Services team.

Brad Foss
St. Croix Falls, Wisc.