Sidney Frye II accepts leadership position for Olmsted County’s Diversity, Equity, and Community Outreach Team
On August 16, 2021, Sidney Frye II will officially assume the role of program manager for Olmsted County’s Diversity, Equity, and Community Outreach (DECO) Team. In this position, Frye will oversee the following groups:
- Olmsted County Pretrial Services Team
- Community outreach workers on the Law Enforcement Liaison Team
Frye will fill the role previously held by Nikki Niles who was recently named director of Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections.
The DECO team has been in existence for approximately one year. This team is tasked with helping to build a vibrant, inclusive, and opportunity-rich environment for everyone in Olmsted County. This work is being done through the development of diversity and equity strategies to help eliminate disparities for publicly delivered Community Corrections services. The work of the DECO team is a tangible example of the county’s work to address diversity and inclusion through its “One Olmsted” initiative.
The DECO team is an important element of Community Corrections work as part of Olmsted County’s Health, Housing, and Human Services division.
“I am excited to have Sidney in this DECO leadership role. He will be an asset to Olmsted County, working toward his passion of creating a more diverse and equitable community,” said Niles. “I am confident Sidney will do an excellent job guiding the continuous expansion of the community outreach specialist team and look forward to his leadership on other important corrections services such as our Pretrial Release Program.”
Niles continued by saying Frye brings a “plethora of experience” to the program manager position.
“Sidney has experience developing and enhancing programs that address disparity, disproportionality, and equity. He is dedicated to ensuring Olmsted County is providing the highest level of service to the community we serve.”
“Right now there is a lot of synergistic energy around this work,” noted Frye. “I’m excited for the opportunity to help lead this team and look forward to serving our community and supporting continuing efforts toward building an equitable system that works for all.”
Frye has worked in human services for over 12 years as a juvenile corrections officer, a Parents and Children Excel (PACE) social worker, and most recently as a child welfare program supervisor for Family Service Rochester. In this role, Frye led the work of PACE, FATHER Project, and the contracted Family Support Team with Olmsted County.
Frye has a master’s degree in divinity from Bethel University as well as graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy. He also has postgraduate clinical experience in group work and in-home family therapy.