Melissa Bliss, who was most recently a deputy clerk for St. Joseph County and Three Rivers’ city clerk before that, was hired as the county’s director of community corrections in December, officially beginning work on January 1.
“I have really enjoyed my time at the county and I’m excited for this new opportunity,” Bliss told Watershed Voice. “With my experience and skillset, I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to help support and grow the rehabilitation opportunities in St. Joseph County. I’m eager to learn more about our criminal justice system and work with our local Community Correction Advisory Board to reduce its prison commitment rate through OCC funded services.”
Bliss succeeds Ryan Smith, who left on December 31, 2021 to become the court administrator for Van Buren County District Court. Smith was previously a probation agent for Van Buren County before becoming the director of community corrections in St. Joseph County.
Bliss has served as executive director of the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation for a number of years, and is the vice president of Three Rivers Community Schools’ Board of Education. Bliss said while she will no longer serve in the capacity of deputy clerk, she has offered County Clerk Lindsay Oswald “assistance in cross training and/or elections, if needed.”
County Administrator Teresa Doehring said the county had “10 to 15 individuals” apply for the director position but only Bliss was interviewed. Doehring cited “a tough climate to recruit in” in addition to the directorship itself being a “challenging position to fill” as to why Bliss was the lone candidate to interview.
“We felt very fortunate to have an internal applicant with Melissa’s qualities, skills, and experience, therefore, we moved rather quickly in transitioning her over to her new role within the county,” Doehring said. “She was certainly excelling in the clerk’s office and enjoyed that position, so it was hard to lose her there but we all felt like this was an exciting next move for her.”
Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman, who also serves as chairperson of the county’s Community Corrections Advisory Board, said Bliss’ experience allowed her to hit the ground running.
“Melissa was able to get right up to speed and this is critical as we are coming up on the grant application process,” Stutesman said. “She is a great choice and we were lucky to have her fill this position. The Community Corrections Advisory Board looks forward to working with her to develop our application for the Community Corrections grant in order to meet the needs of the citizens of St. Joseph County.”
Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor of Watershed Voice.
Disclaimer: Alek Haak-Frost is a member of the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board.
