Karen Blackwell:  

o participate in a working group with the founders of the balanced scorecard process and was always intrigued by their insight. I love the work I am doing now supporting Adult Services and previously the Office of Newcommer Services. Adult Services provides Protective Services and necessary support services to adults within the state, I am responsible for the program that manages all these cases. The office of newecommer services manages placement of refugees and asylees from other countries. It was amazing to hear some of the stories and successes of these people that come to the country without english and minimal skills (sometimes being in camps for over 30 years) and are able to quickly pick up our language and become productive citizens within our communities. I am not sure how many of us could be dropped in another country and be able to learn new skills and a language and be able to support ourselves and our families.