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January 5, 2021
Dispatcher Begins Journey to Becoming a Habitat Homeowner
Asia Snipes' daughters, Amari (left) and Alana (right), hold their family's certificate of acceptance into the Habitat Homeownership Program.
Since 2015, The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties to welcome first-time homeowners into the neighborhoods we serve. The sheriff's office also helps with their annual Girl Powerhouse, where women volunteer to build homes for other women and their families.

Habitat for Humanity believes that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home, and it relies on donations and volunteers to help provide homes for individuals who need assistance. Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need and be willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Once approved, applicants go through an in-depth process that requires hard work, time, and dedication. 

Over the coming months, the sheriff's office will follow public safety telecommunicator, Asia Snipes, as she begins her journey to homeownership with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties. She recently started the process and shared her thoughts on what receiving a new home means to her.

What is your role at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), and what do you enjoy most about it?
I am a public safety telecommunicator in the Communications Division. I dispatch our deputies from the 9-11 calls the county receives from the community. I started working at the sheriff's office because I wanted to give back to my community in some way like my dad, who served at the PCSO for 35 years and retired as an esteemed sergeant. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. Even though I don't wear a badge as he did, I still get to play an important role in keeping people safe! 

The most rewarding thing about my job is being everyone's invisible advocate. I am a part of a small group of individuals who play one of the largest roles in keeping our county and agency running. Some days I leave the office feeling beat, but most days I feel like a superhero.  

How did the process of becoming a Habitat homeowner start for you?
For me, the process started when I saw the homes that were being built off of Wilcox Road in Largo. I had seen them before, checked online, and saw that they were out of my budget. But, something told me one day to stop while I was driving by. That's when I saw the Habitat for Humanity sign, and I called them that very day. I spoke with Senior Vice President of Programs Jack Shanks, and he directed me to the website to fill out an application. 

Asia Snipes (left) and her daughters are excited to begin their journey toward homeownership. 
Why do you want to own a home?
I decided to buy a home after my divorce. After having to uproot my girls and start over, I wanted to make sure they don't have to experience that sense of unsettledness again. I also want to own a home to set a positive example for my girls and teach them that hard work pays off. 

What steps have you taken so far to owning your first home?
The first step I took was cleaning up my credit and paying off most of my debt. This was not a requirement to apply, but it helped me in expediting the process. I qualified based on the income and house-size scale that is accessible on the website. Once I put in my application, there was a lot of paperwork that had to be submitted, like tax returns, check stubs, and a detailed list of my expenses. The most challenging part for me was writing a letter explaining why I should be chosen to become a Habitat homeowner because I am so thankful for what I have, and I didn't want to sound ungrateful. The staff members have been absolutely amazing throughout the process. Jack was there to answer all my questions while I filled out paperwork.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I'm looking forward to taking all of the classes that Habitat has to offer. My first class is in January. I think it's cool that they ensure you're educated on all of the ins and outs of being a homeowner! When going through the normal process to purchase a home, there's no one there to make sure you really know what you're getting into. Since I'm being educated on these things, I can pass that knowledge down to my girls.

How did you feel when you found out your application was accepted?
I felt overwhelmed with joy and relief. My hope is to create a peaceful space so that I and my two daughters can flourish. Having my own home means that my girls and I will have our own space without restrictions and more financial freedom.

For more details about how to become a Habitat homeowner, volunteer, or donate, visit: https://habitatpwp.org/
Deputy Starts Snack Drive for Hungry Students
Deputy Mack McFadden Jr. is a School Resource Deputy at Bayside High School.
School resource deputies have the important responsibility of keeping kids safe in schools throughout Pinellas County, but they also develop mentoring relationships with the students. Since they interact with students daily, they get to know them on a personal level and learn about their needs, goals, and sometimes their home lives.

Deputy Mack McFadden Jr. has been serving at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office since 2017 and is currently assigned to the School Resource Deputy Unit. While working at Bayside High School in Clearwater, he noticed many of the students would ask him for snacks during the day because they were hungry. Due to the current public health crisis, some families were struggling to provide enough food for their children. Desiring to give back to the community, Deputy McFadden Jr. mentioned the need for snacks in school to his friends in his car club, No Klub, which donates to charitable organizations throughout the year.

"Since my students come to school early in the morning, and I kept hearing they were not eating until lunchtime, I had to react," Deputy McFadden Jr. said. "So I asked each member of the car club to provide snacks and drinks to the school. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, I'm the only one who brings the purchased items to the school. I give the snacks to Assistant Principal Darrell Kretz, and he distributes them to students during snack time. We provide chips, juice boxes, candy bars, cookies, granola bars, and other items. To date, we have donated just over $865 worth of food."

The No Klub car club brought their cars to Bayside High School to show support for the snack drive. 

As a kind gesture, No Klub also brought their cars to Bayside High School one afternoon so the students could see them. Many students had shown interest in the cars after seeing pictures of them hanging in Deputy McFadden Jr.'s office. 

"When we come together as a community, we can accomplish great things," Deputy McFadden Jr. said. "We plan to continue this snack drive and help in any way we can for these kids." 

2021 PCSO Calendars
COVID-19 Safety

Pinellas County is still under a Face Covering Ordinance requiring residents to wear a face covering in most indoor places and maintain social distancing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Per Pinellas County Ordinance 20-14, businesses must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Restaurants and bars must space tables six feet apart, require employees to wear masks inside and outside, prohibit crowding around bars, and enforce patrons to wear masks while not seated. Refusal to follow the ordinance may result in fines to the business. 

"This bi-weekly newsletter is another step in my effort to give interested residents the most up-to-date information about services and programs here, at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

 

I value your feedback and look forward to continuing our dialogue about public safety."

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Find PCSO!
Sheriff's Administration Building
10750 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33778

North District Station
2496 Bayshore Boulevard
Dunedin, FL 34698

For Non-Emergencies
(727) 582-6200
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing, RN Clinical Supervisor, and Registered Nurse, this position evaluates inmates within the scope of their license and provides necessary and appropriate nursing care while observing all security requirements. 

Qualifications

--High school graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or licensed as a degree-granting institution by the Commission for Independent
 Education.
--Graduation from an accredited licensed practical nursing program.
--Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Florida.
--Maintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdiction.
--Satisfactory completion of 30 + hour IV Certification.
--CPR - BLS or ACLS Certification.
--Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
--Consideration for this position requires a credit check.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

--Carries out designated nursing procedures, including administration of medications, assisting in the planning and formulation of nursing care plans; observes records and reports symptoms, reactions and changes in the conditions of all inmates; provides care based upon inmate needs or conditions.
--Assists with activities of daily living with special attention to therapeutic significance; triage inmates for sick call; refer inmates to an RN or upper level provider; render care
and treatment according to protocol.
--Attends staff meetings; attends educational classes as required by the license as well as
accreditation standards; assists with the orientation of new members.
--Assists the MD/DO/PA/NP with sick call and minor surgical procedures when necessary; responsible for implementation of physician's orders as directed.
--Utilizes problem- oriented medical record (SOAP format) to document all inmate contacts; maintains confidentiality of all inmate health care interactions.
--Maintains logs and prepares accurate statistics and other reports as directed; assists with the reordering and stocking of supplies; maintains a clean work area.
--Responds to emergencies with all necessary equipment.
--Participates in Sheriff's Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

--Knowledge of organizational procedures, policies, practices, rules, and regulations governing activities of the administrative functions and their interpretations.
--Ability to work independently on complex and confidential tasks.
--Ability to interact effectively and courteously with all, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, other agencies, and the public.
--Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

For more information about the Licensed Practical Nurse, click here.

To apply or view other PCSO job openings and internships, visit our 
page on our website.