JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 4, 2022 - Katy Waldrop, a human relations officer with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Administrative Support, has been selected as the department’s December 2021 Team Member of the Month. Waldrop was selected for her dedication to the Human Resources Program and her efforts to secure grant funding for improvements to lactation areas.
Earlier this year, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began a statewide initiative, offering mini grants to help increase the number of employers who provide breastfeeding support to their team members. If approved, grantees receive $500 for improvements like door locks, privacy partitions, refrigeration units and comfortable seating for lactation areas at their worksites. Waldrop took the initiative to reach out to programs within the department to assess their needs and organized the grant requests submitted to DHSS.
“Katy is pleasant to work with and provided clear direction for the application process for this project,” said Irene Crawford, the regional director of the department’s Northeast Regional Office. “It would have been difficult to complete the process without her assistance.”
Due to her efforts, the department was awarded seven separate grants, totaling $3,500, for improvements to lactation areas at six department worksites. In addition, she completed these grant requests while also managing extra duties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This grant has finally provided a clean, secure area at the Southeast Regional Office for those who need to provide nourishment for their babies,” said Katlynn Steers, an administrative support assistant. “Receiving this grant will benefit the Southeast Regional Office for many years to come and is greatly appreciated.”
“Katy’s leadership was an integral part in receiving these grants,” said Misty Hill, a human resources manager, who nominated Waldrop for the award. “Thank you, Katy, for all of your hard work!”
Waldrop joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in December 2018 and resides in Jefferson City.