Family Services employee shows 'care and concern' from the heart

Kindra Beiseman
Kindra Beiseman

The actions taken by a Family Services Division information specialist led to her being Missouri's State Employee of the Month for June.

Kindra Beiseman, who works at the Family Services office on Four Seasons Drive in Jefferson City, was speaking with a customer Feb. 21 to assist him with some questions. The customer was a neighbor to an older man who often called Beiseman for assistance - in fact, that man had given Beiseman's number to his neighbor, according to the nomination form submitted by Beiseman's supervisor, Anna Beckett.

While on the phone with the caller, Beiseman asked how his neighbor was doing, as she hadn't heard from him in a while. The caller shared his neighbor wasn't doing well, as he was having problems with his grandson. Not long after the discussion, Beiseman received a call from the original caller's neighbor.

The elderly man said he had just gotten into a physical altercation with his grandson and thought he might need to go to the hospital. Beiseman encouraged this and asked the caller to check in with her after doing so. After the call, Beiseman contacted the elderly abuse hotline to report the situation.

Later in the day, the man called back and told Beiseman he had two broken ribs. She was concerned and asked if he had spoken with a hospital worker regarding what happened. The man said he had told the hospital he fell because he didn't want his grandson to get into trouble.

After the call, Beiseman followed up with the hotline to share the additional information.

"Kindra showed outstanding customer service originally by asking the original caller about his neighbor. She did not have to do this at all, but she felt that something was wrong, as this elderly man often reached out to her for guidance and she had not heard from him in some time," Beckett said. "This was not expected in Kindra's job duties, but she did so out of her heart, showing care and concern for those she helps. This was a very difficult decision for Kindra, but she did the right thing.

"While we won't necessarily know the end of this story, we do know that Kindra truly made a difference for someone by going above and beyond, and her heart, caring demeanor, and actions this day made it easier for all of us to be able to go home and relax that night."