Woodbury's Dan Papin Wins 2012 Human Services Award

Daniel Papin, Washington County director of Community Services, is the recipient of the 2012 Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA) Human Services Award.

Papin received the award at the Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting June 26, from John Dinsmore, Otter Tail County Community Services Division/Human Services Division and current president of the association.

Criteria for the award includes demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment to serving people in need, and exemplifying professional standards.

Papin served as MACSSA president in 1991, and continues to chair the policy committee. The result has been several policy papers looking toward the future of county human services, and the ability to influence legislation regarding that future. He has especially been a champion of administrative simplification, and works to apply "best practices" processes within resource restraints. He was also the president of the Minnesota Social Service Association in 2003.

Papin's nomination also noted his ability to work successfully with elected officials and policy makers representing a wide range of political philosophies and prioritize his county’s work and that of MACSSA. It noted that he is well respected in his county for his ability to relate well with a wide variety of staff and to support them, particularly in tough times, and is especially skilled in communicating with his staff. The nomination noted Papin's willingness to try something different, and is comfortable with change, and uncomfortable with the status quo when outcomes are not being achieved.

The award information noted, "Dan's a social worker at heart. He cares about all of the people his county serves. It doesn’t matter what program they are in, he wants to assure that they get the best possible service the county can offer."

Papin, a Woodbury resident, is a native of Hibbing, and holds a bachelor of arts from University of California and a master’s in public affairs from the University of Minnesota. Previous to working for Washington County, Papin worked as a group counselor at Orange County California Probation, a child shelter supervisor at St. Joseph's Home for Children, and a Chippewa County social service supervisor, before becoming the director in Chippewa County in 1984. He also served as the social services director in McLeod County from 1987 to 1994, before becoming the Washington County Director of Community Services in 1994.

He is also a member of the National Association of County Human Service Administrations Board of Directors.

MACSSA's mission is to promote and integrate a proactive, adequately funded, cost-effective, and community based human service system that improves the health and well-being of families, children and adults. It has 137 members, representing all 87 of Minnesota's counties.