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News from Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

October   2011 
In This Issue
Project SHIP
Relief from the Heat
Educational Summit
Coffee House
JCSU Groundbreaking
Adoption Fall Festival
Florence Crittenton
SEEK
DSS Success Story
DSS DASHboard

Our Mission

To provide economic and social services to sustain and/or improve the quality of life for Mecklenburg County citizens.

Our Vision

To be an involved and recognized leader in human services, valued by our stakeholders because of our needs-based customer focus in the delivery of services.  We will help create a resilient community by proactively investing in our employees, operations and services, and by developing impactful relationships for the benefit of our customers.

Hours and Locations

Contact Us
704-336-3000
  
Hours
Mon.-Thur. 8am-6pm
Fri. 8am-5pm
  
Locations
Kuralt Centre
301 Billingsley Road
  
Valerie C. Woodard Center
3205 Freedom Drive
County Seal large

Message from the Director

Mary WilsonDear Partner,

  

WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU!  As many of you know my staff and I have been transforming our Department of Social Services to focus on serving those who are in our lobbies but also focusing on those in need who visit the many community based organizations. In this edition we will highlight a few services and partnerships that we believe are having a positive impact in our community.

 

These community based services and partnerships are important for a number of reasons. First, the need is so great one agency cannot do it by themselves. Second, assisting families and individuals with issues that began generations ago is extremely complex. More importantly, while we do not believe that it should take families generations to resolve their issues, it surely will take consistent and repetitive services to allow the family to progress towards self sufficiency.

 

One of these unique partnership is with our guest columnist Deronda Metz, MSW, LCSW - Director of Social Services, Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter.  Please read the following article featuring Project SHIP.

  

Regards,


Mary E. Wilson

Director 

301 Billingsley Rd. 

Charlotte, NC 28210

[email protected]

Project SHIP
  

Thirty-one residents are currently enrolled in the SHIP program, including 61 children. Five more families moved into the SHIP community on Friday, October 7. The furniture move-in day was Wednesday, Oct 5. Our hope is to continue our momentum and move five families per month until we hit our goal of 60 families. All partners are welcome to assist the women in moving in and share in the joy of their new home. Wells Fargo and Fifth Third banks are now providing free financial literacy courses for SHIP residents on such topics as credit counseling, couponing, and effective budgeting. Dress for Success Charlotte also has partnered with us, and is now providing professional attire for SHIP residents to increase their chances of gaining and maintaining employment. We have added two MSW interns from UNC-Charlotte and Winthrop University who will be working with us to develop an effective children's program. An additional MSW-Social Worker joined our team mid-October. She came to us from The Salvation Army and is knowledgeable about our population and we are pleased she is aboard!  To view our most recent newsletter, click here: Project SHIP Newsletter

Pi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Relieved the Heat

Ken's Good Grace 

Pictured above Ms. Florence Stinson and DSS Social Worker Ken Khaalid

As we were on our seemingly 123rd day of 90* plus heat, the DSS received a call. The Pi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity stated that they had done a charity drive and in one day collected enough money to purchase nearly 60 fans. They asked if we had clients with a need. With a resounding "yes" we accepted and started calling our clients. Within 2 days, Deputy Chief Kerr Putney along with fellow officers and members of the Omega Fraternity pulled up in trucks and the fans had arrived. The fans were distributed by the Social Workers in Community Social Work and Adult Protective Services to the elderly and disabled clients who do not have a/c, have a broken unit but the inability to pay for repairs, or have very limited income to pay their electric bill.

 

One of these ladies is Ms. Florence Stinson. She is 60 year old and lives alone. Ms. Stinson has a myriad of health problems that makes ambulation difficult for her; she is also a breast cancer survivor. Ms. Stinson has limited financial resources and no transportation of her own so a meaningful portion of her income has gone to others for assistance in getting around the local community for grocery shopping, appointments, or even visiting family members. CSW has assisted her in accessing community resources such as local food pantries, picking up medications, and most recently a fan to help her stay cool in her home. Ms. Stinson was very very pleased to receive the fan and she actively uses it in her bedroom to help keep that living space a comfortable and safe temperature. She stated that she has breathing problems that include allergies so the fan is a valuable tool for her comfort and peace of mind. Seventeen fans were also given to the Seniors who attend our Derita Senior Congregate Nutrition Sites. One recipient said, "It really is a blessing and all recipients from the Derita Senior Citizen Nutrition Site are grateful and extend their thanks." 

Educational Summit

 

DSS is continuing our vision of "One Team, Many Services". We are excited about the many services and resources DSS offers to our families.  We continue to strive for the highest level of service delivery to the children and families in our care, as well as all families involved throughout the agency. 

 

On Saturday, September 10, 2011, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services in collaboration with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools/Parent University and ForeSight Leadership,Inc. hosted  a Foster Parents, Kinship and Caregivers Educational Summit and Resource Expo. This year's theme was Celebrate Education, "Responsibility and Accountability for the Children". 

 

The purpose of the Summit and Resource Expo were to provide a framework which allows DSS involve caregivers/families to be more active and knowledgeable in the education process for their children. DSS is committed to making every effort to assist a child in being successful throughout their educational experience.

 

The event consisted of giving away door prizes, a Play Station, Wii and Nintendo Lite to students who attended. Special guest presenters were be on hand sharing educational sessions such as; Becoming Your Child's Best and Most Effective Advocate, Homework without Headache, How You Say It Matters, Mad Science, Hip Hop Literary and a youth motivational speaker, Coffee Talk, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder and more. The Resource Expo consisted of numerous exhibits which were sponsored by community partners and agencies.

 

The event was an unique opportunity for DSS to work with caregivers in our community to partner together while working on the educational success and progress of our children. The achievement of positive outcomes for children in our community requires that we all work together.  DSS look forward to continue working with each of you meeting the challenge together!

Take a look at the event highlights at: 

http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/Pages/VideoArchives.aspx

After opening the site, please scroll down to view the video.

MCFPA Hosts "Coffee House"

coffee

MCFAPA hosted a "Coffee Talk" session at the Educational Summit. For those of you that have not had the opportunity to attend a session, Coffee Talk is a confidential support group that meets quarterly, in conjunction with our regularly quarterly meetings, and offers foster parents a conduit to be able to openly share concerns and experiences about being a foster parent.  For more information, click on this site:  MCFPA Hosts "Coffee Talk"

Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) Breaks Ground

   JCSU Ground breaking photo

 

JCSU held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, October 13, 2011, to kick off the renovation of the George E. Davis House, 301 Campus Street. 

  

This renovated facility will serve as headquarters for the Foster Village Network Center.  
The historical landmark, located a block from the main campus, will undergo a complete renovation to serve as the headquarters for the Foster Village Network Center, an initiative designed specifically to support the unique needs and challenges of emancipated foster care youth who desire higher education.  The Foster Village Network Center is the vision of JCSU President Ronald L. Carter. The holistic program provides guidance and support to help teens who have aged out of foster care navigate through the educational system and into college. 

Adoption Fall Festival "An Adoption Matching Event

Fall Festival 

On Saturday, October 8, 2011, a Fall Festival was held at Davidson Day School from 11:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. for children cleared for adoption needing an adoptive family. This fun filled event provided an opportunity for licensed foster parents and/or individuals with an approved pre-placement assessment to interact with the children in a non-threatening environment. The families and children participated in Arts and Crafts, Relays, and Kick Ball. The Moon Bounce and Slide were also a hit for children of all ages. All attendees, including staff and volunteers, raved about how much they enjoyed the activities. As a result of the event, all of the children received at least 1 inquiry. It is our hope that some of the inquiries will resort in loving, unconditional and committed families for our children.

 

We would like to give special thanks to Davidson United Methodist Church, a Congregations for Kids partner, for sponsoring this event, the administration at Davidson Day School, for allowing us to utilize their facility and the wonderful volunteers from Davidson United Methodist Church, Davidson Day School and Cannon School. We would also be remiss if we failed to thank Susan Goode and Kelly Baker, Davidson United Methodist Church's Congregations for Kids liaisons, for assisting Mackenzie Brailsford and the Adoptions Specialists/Recruitment Team with the coordination and implementation of the Fall Festival.

 Florence Crittenton 2


News and Information from a DSS Partner.... Florence Crittenton

 

Legacy Hall (P.A.L.S.) is a residential program at Florence Crittenton in Charlotte, NC that caters to at-risk adolescent females, ages 16-21, in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services. These clients receive vocational, life, and social skills development in order to facilitate positive future outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity for children who may need to be in DSS custody past their 18th birthday. Our department is supportive of entering into CARS agreements for the children placed in this program.

 

Florence Crittenton's Legacy Hall program provides:  24-Hour Supervised Residential Care Needs Assessment Individualized Service Planning Case Management Services Counseling: Individual, Group & Family and Significant Other, if appropriate Educational Opportunities Vocational/Career Training Life Skills/Independent Living Classes Recreation Medical/Dental Care Spiritual Enrichment Mentoring/Tutoring Follow-up Services Transportation.  If you would like to learn more about Legacy Hall please contact: Ashley Beatty | Legacy Hall Program Manager 704-372-4663 or via email at [email protected]

 

Florence Crittenton offers a variety of other services. If you would like to read more about them "Click Here" 

Subsidized Early Education for Kids!

 

SEEK logo

Coming very soon to child care in North Carolina is the SEEK program! Subsidized Early Education for Kids (SEEK) is the new attendance reporting and payment delivery system for the Subsidized Child Care Program. SEEK is currently scheduled to begin in Mecklenburg County on November 1, 2011.

 

A foster parent who has been determined eligible for subsidized child care services will receive a secure magnetic stripe card that contains child specific information. The card will look like a debit or credit card with the SEEK logo on it. A point of system (POS) machine will be located in child care program. This card will be swiped by the parent each time the child is checked in and out of the child care program so that attendance is automatically recorded. The child's social worker at Mecklenburg County DSS will arrange to get the child's SEEK card to the foster families and to provide the family with the child's pin number.

 

CCRI and DSS are working together with the N.C. Division of Child Care Development and Early Education to make the transition to this new system but there are still many details that cannot be resolved until SEEK system actually begins. As partners, CCRI and DSS are committed to making this transition as easy as possible for foster parents. If you would like to read additional information about SEEK  "Click Here"

DSS Success Story by Marya Long, Community Support Liaison

A goal of the Men's Shelter of Charlotte is to shorten the length of time men are staying at the Shelter. With our involvement at their site, we have helped homeless men seek disability income, Medical insurance and Food and Nutrition Services. This has enabled them to sustain a more self sufficient life style and move from the Shelter. One homeless man in particular was Kevin Crockett. I helped Mr. Crockett complete his application for Medicaid for Disabled Adults on 5/20/11. At this meeting, I informed Mr. Crockett to apply for Social Security Disability benefits and if he was deemed disabled, he may receive income from the Government.  When he received documents from Social Security and Department of Social Services that he had questions with, he would bring them to me for explanation on our Friday visits at the Shelter. In our meetings, I stressed the importance of keeping his appointments, returning all necessary forms and follow through on mail received requesting some type of action on his part.  When his Medicaid worker requested additional verifications or had Mr. Crockett complete additional forms, I was able to explain to him what these forms meant and route his completed documents to his Medicaid worker.  By 8/26/11, Mr. Crockett was approved for Medicaid for Disabled Adults and given medical coverage back to February of 2011. Mr. Crockett was also approved for Social Security Disability of $1,290 monthly effective October 2011 and was now completing his Food and Nutrition Services Recertification's timely ensuring no interruption of benefits.

 

Mr. Crockett came to see me on 8/26/11, where he reported he was moving out of the Shelter and into his own place in the very near future. He also stated, he would not have know what to do and what to apply for, when he came in to see me in May and he was very thankful for my help with Social Security, Medicaid and Food Stamps. I asked him if I could tell his story and he said a resounding "Yes!"

 

My division director acknowledged our efforts and stated "This is outstanding!  I am so proud of the work you are all doing to make such an impact in the lives of our customers.  Thank you all for  being a shining light in such a dark and dim situation!

Department of Social Services DASHboard 

In the current environment at DSS, this has turned out to be a very true projection of the current demand for these types of services, such as case management. You will see this evidenced by clicking on  DSS Dashboard Oct 2011 to view the figures.
 

In sum, the ongoing work of managing caseloads is still significantly high as compared to previous fiscal years.

Submit stories and events to [email protected]

 
REMEMBER, 

We rely on you to help provide us with content, ideas, and feedback as we work together to serve those who depend upon us for services. If you have a story to share about the good work you do for the community please submit to [email protected].

 

Please submit your story by the 1st Wednesday of the month.