Dickinson County Friend of the Court staff includes, from left, Natalie Lindeman, administrative assistant; Kimberly Ketcham, investigator; Celeste Calo, investigator; and Heidi Van Slooten, Friend of the Court. The office ranked first in the Upper Peninsula and fourth in the state for cost effectiveness in 2018, according to a Michigan Office of Child Support report.

IRON MOUNTAIN – The Dickinson County Friend of the Court has again ranked first in the Upper Peninsula as the most cost effective Friend of the Court’s office in 2018, according to a state report.

The Dickinson office has held this position for several years in the Upper Peninsula, said Friend of the Court Heidi VanSlooten. Additionally, the Michigan Office of Child Support report ranked the office fourth out of 83 counties in the state for cost effectiveness.

The office assists Circuit Court and Family Court in areas such as enforcing and collecting child support and/or spousal support, medical support, and makes recommendations on custody, parenting time, and other domestic issues.

Van Slooten said she is extremely pleased with the office’s job performance in 2018, which reflects how hard she and her staff work.

“It is a blessing to work with such a dedicated staff,” she said. “They provide exemplary service to Dickinson County daily.”

Last year the office achieved a cost effectiveness of $11.26 — bringing in that amount for each dollar spent. This year the office increased its dollar amount to $11.91.

This is the second year in a row that Dickinson County has been ranked fourth in the state. “To accomplish this position in the state again this year is exciting for my staff and I,” Van Slooten said.

In November 2017, Van Slooten was also appointed Friend of the Court for Iron County. In 2018, the first full year as Friend of the Court for both counties, Van Slooten and her Iron County staff increased their earned incentives by 39% as compared to the previous year. This was a record setting increase for the Iron office. Financial success was seen in both offices in 2018.

Van Slooten’s Dickinson County staff — Kimberly Ketcham, Celeste Calo and Natalie Lindeman — received special recognition for their work. Van Slooten’s Iron County staff — Shelby Foley and Leah Antilla — were recognized earlier this year.

The Dickinson County office works under the direction of Judge Mary B. Barglind, Judge Christopher S. Ninomiya and Judge Thomas D. Slagle. In Iron County the office works under the direction of Judge Donald S. Powell.

The top five counties in Michigan for cost effectiveness for 2018 were as follows: Montcalm $14.24; Eaton $13.36; Livingston $11.96; Dickinson $11.91; and Macomb $10.68.

The top five counties in the Upper Peninsula for cost effectiveness in 2018 were as follows: Dickinson $11.91; Delta $7.25; Marquette $6.54; Chippewa $5.77; and Menominee $5.69.