Happy Holidays

 

Reaching Out

 

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services


December   2011 
In This Issue
Men's Shelter
An Unsung Hero Singing a Different Song
Project SHIP
My Sister's House
DSS Community Support Liaisons
Lobby Improvements at the Kuralt Centre
DSS Paperless
Care Ring Provides Medical Care for the Uninsured
Florence Crittenton
Journey Place
Social Security Disability Approval
Urban League, Strata Solar and DSS
JOB BOOST II
Community Social Work
Work First
Adoption Fall Festival
Advanced Analytics
Focus on Trauma Training

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
 
Community locations where you can find our staff periodically during the month.
Ada Jenkins Center
Access Center
Asian American Library
Crisis Assistance Ministry
C.W.Williams
Dilworth Soup Kitchen
Goodwill
Jacobs Ladder
Jail North and Jail Central
Latin American Coalition
Hindu Center
Hope Haven Service Center
Matthews Help Center
McCreesh Place
My Sista's House
Salvation Army Center of Hope
Uptown Men's Shelter
YWCA

Message from the Director

Dear Partner,

Mary Wilson

 

SUCCESS! That's the focus of our last issue for 2011.  Please join me in celebrating the success of our staff, our community partner agencies, the faith community and the people we serve who work so hard to overcome challenging situations.  These success stories represent the department's work outside of our buildings through innovative and collaborative efforts to serve.  We no longer look at mandated programs as the maximum...they are the minimum and we look at how we can partner to do more to fill the gaps not addressed by mandated programs.  By partnering with you we are able to provide a holistic approach to families and help them succeed!


I want to share just a few stats with you so you can see who we serve:  

  • 49% of our clients are children
  • 13% are disabled
  • 30% of all FNS (food stamp) customers work
  • 1 out of every 4 residents of Mecklenburg County are touched by DSS

Thank you for helping us celebrate SUCCESS!  We could not do it without you!  Happy Holidays to you and yours!  

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

 

 

Mary E. Wilson

Director 

301 Billingsley Rd. 

Charlotte, NC 28210

[email protected]

Success at Men's Shelter
  

 mens shelter

Sent to DSS: 

 

On November 8th, Men's Shelter of Charlotte received the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award. This is a very prestigious award given to non-profit organizations making a positive impact on their community. Hundreds of organizations apply every year and I feel privileged to lead an agency worthy of this award. Along with the recognition, we'll receive a 2 year $200,000 grant and entrance into a well-respected leadership training program.

 

With Bank of America's financial support, MSC will accelerate the implementation of a Rapid Re-housing model we have been working toward for the past year. Rapid Re-housing is a nationally recognized best practice which moves men out of the shelter and into housing quickly by providing short-term assistance, such as a security deposit and first month's rent or paying off a past debt to clear a credit history, to men who have the ability to sustain their housing long term.

 

Your support of our mission to end homelessness for each man we serve made this award possible. Bank of America chose MSC because we have the community support to make a difference. Thank you for being a significant part of our work!

 

Best Regards!

 

Carson Dean                                               

Executive Director

Men's Shelter of Charlotte

30 years of helping homeless men

Phone: 704-334-3187 x 107

Cell: 704-975-5640

Fax: 704-334-1545

1210 N. Tryon Street

3410 Statesville Ave

PO Box 36471

Charlotte, NC 28236 

 

Visit our website at:  Mens Shelter of Charlotte

Mary E.  Wilson, An Unsung Hero Singing a Different Song

  

Picture of Mary Wilson

Three years ago, when Mary Wilson decided to answer the call of DSS, she disclosed she never thought she would experience the personal and professional growth that has come her way. Now, a full three years later, she is willing to admit making a positive difference in the lives of others is the paramount course of her life's journey.


But long sleepless nights and stressful days are often overlooked when making a difference is your mantra. While others are enjoying life, family and friends, people in the world who decide to truly make a difference forgo vacations, personal pleasures, family and leisure time to ensure others have food to eat, opportunities to earn income, mental and physical health support, and an overall improvement of their quality of life. These are the unsung heroes of our time. These are the individuals who are often overworked and overlooked. These are the people whose accomplishments are often understated and underestimated.


But all that changed on the evening of Thursday, November 17, 2011 when Dr. Patrick Graham, the Board of Directors, staff and students of The Urban League of the Central Carolinas, along with a host of community leaders, business colleagues and friends, chose to honor Mary E. Wilson, the Director of the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services with their prestigious "Unsung Hero" Award.


"I am truly humbled by this award. This represents the hard work and efforts of everyone at DSS and our endless dedication to serving those in need." said Mary E. Wilson, Director of Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services.


Whether we admit or not, our lives are a testimony to unsung heroes. Many of us know individuals who did not receive the credit or honor clearly deserved for assisting us to achieve our dreams, our goals, our aspirations, and to help us live better lives. Like Mary E. Wilson, they sing songs of teamwork, success, determination, patience and perseverance. But, often their songs are never recorded. Often their melodious, life-changing chords are muted and their songs of help and hope are muffled.


"Mary truly deserves her recognition by the Urban League because she has taken an interest in the growth of our community's most disadvantaged populations.  Just as important, she provides a leadership style that supports collaboration across agencies and disciplines." said Dr. Patrick Graham, President and CEO of the Urban League.


We, at DSS, want to thank Dr. Patrick Graham, The Urban League of the Central Carolinas, and the community at large, for ensuring the unsung symphony of intentional leadership and innovation, composed by Mary E. Wilson was finally played. Congratulations to an unsung hero having an opportunity to be acknowledged, honored and above all, heard.  

 

SUCCESS:  Project SHIP
Hampton Creste

The Hampton Creste Transitional Housing Initiative is an unprecedented collaboration among The Salvation Army, Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA), and Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS), and other community agencies and local churches. The overall goal of SHIP is to address homelessness through education.

 

This new initiative is a significant model for how local nonprofits can partner with the city's public housing authority and the faith community to increase affordable housing units in a mixed-income community. This innovative collaboration between public and private entities sets a precedent for collaboration across well established agency silos and, once proven successful, can serve as a model to be replicated in Charlotte as well as in other communities nationwide. The current collaborative partners are as follows:

  • CHA is providing 60 public housing units, along with property management
  • The Salvation Army provides support services on-site for families residing in the 60 units.
  • DSS provides some additional social work as well as childcare subsidies and access to job training and education.
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) assist the children in transitioning to their new schools and serve as a resource for any child needing tutoring. CMS also host its Parent University course on-site.
  • A Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Center, Marion Diehl Center, is located directly beside Hampton Creste.
  • The YWCA operates a preschool program on-site and has agreed to reserve slots for children from the Hampton Creste Initiative.
  • St. Gabriel and St. Matthew Catholic churches have furnished each apartment for all 60 families as well as to provide volunteers and financial resources.
  • Numerous agencies will be included in the partnership to provide child services, employment, and employment skills training as well as life skills programs.  

This initiative promotes systemic change by offering  community based transitional housing within a continuum of services; therefore, formerly homeless families have a chance to stabilize in a community setting, while receiving the supportive services they need to maintain in permanent housing for the long term. 

 

In its first year the program is already off to a great start. One of the many success stories centers around a client who has worked very hard to overcome her personal obstacles to get to where she is today. She grew up in the foster care system and went off to Job Corp as a teen. She did not complete Job Corp, but this was one of a few hurdles that she proved she could conquer. The client remained in and out off friends and family homes until coming to Charlotte to stay at the Center of Hope with her infant son. She had not worked in several years before landing a employment with the Job Boost Program. She is now working full time at TJ Maxx as a cashier, merchandise puller and fitting room attendant. She has hopes to pursue her GED in the future once she has mastered her hectic new schedule!

 
SUCCESS:  My Sister's House

 

My Sister's House Image

It started as a vision more than two years ago: The Rev. Clifford A. Jones Sr. told members of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church that he wanted them involved in helping the homeless in Charlotte. Out of that vision, My Sister's house was created.  My Sister's house is located at 3301 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, NC  28216.  The building was formerly known as the Friendship Enrichment Center. The first Residents moved into the house on March 8th, 2010.  The director of My Sisters House is Iris Hubbard.  It offers a Transitional Living Center.  The goals are: (1) To acknowledge and address the lack of social and supportive services that led to homelessness, (2) To stabilize housing and promote a sense of community and (3) To provide opportunities for education and job training in preparation for employment.  Transitional Living Center provides case management services that will focus on teaching life-skills support and on coordination of supportive services to remove barriers that led to homelessness.  If you would like more information on My Sisters House,

http://www.friendshipcdc.org/mysistershouse.htm

 

In our collaborative partnership, DSS social workers visit My Sister's House monthly to assist in staffing cases, assist in the development of case plans and share information about resources.

SUCCESS: DSS Community Support Liaisons

Pictured is Tracey Wallace,
Community Support Liaison

 

The Community Resource Division and Economic Services Division collaboratively have taken DSS into many areas of Mecklenburg County. Community Support Liaisons not only carry their economic service expertise into the community, they also provide quality customer service and locate resources or connect individuals with DSS Social Workers for additional services when needed. Currently the Liaisons are serving 14 Community Agencies throughout Mecklenburg County...traveling as far as Davidson and Matthews, NC to take DSS into the community.

 

To understand their importance to DSS it is important to note their impact to the customers that are in need. FY11, the Community Support Liaisons serviced 4368 customers out in the community, which included completing and processing 1326 FNS applications; completing 612 FNS reviews; and assisting 63customers with Medicaid. The greatest significance is the number of customers that did not have to ride 2 buses to reach a DSS site for services.                                               

 

Mary Wilson and many of our partnering agencies understand that the "Great Recession" has taken us to new levels of service demand, changing customer demographics and the constant budget concerns have forced us to "do less with less". DSS has answered the call to think differently which has allowed us to look at how we as an agency deliver services, which includes bringing social services to customers in the community.

 

John Yaeger, Former Executive Director of RHA-Access provided recent feedback on services being provided at his location by the Community Support Liaisons...

 

"Our homeless population has very limited mobility; it is very helpful for them to have a place to get help   applying for benefits that doesn't involve having to figure out how to get across town. It also seems many of the people using homeless services have a very low sense of self-efficacy. As a result, they are more likely to just give up when faced with even minor challenges like how to travel several miles to ask for help. Having that person (CSL) here has also been helpful when we needed help figuring out what was going on with someone's benefits. The consumer is often confused and we often get conflicting information as a result. It is really helpful to have someone who can access information straight from the source."                  

  

Community Support Liaisons....Helping change the face of DSS!

SUCCESS:  Lobby Improvements at the Kuralt Centre

 

Throughout 2011, we've refined both our look and processes to improve service delivery to our customers.  At both our Kuralt and Chapin locations, we've combined our previous Reception and Applications areas into one area, thus streamlining provision of services to our customers.  Through retooling and retraining of existing staff, 80% of customers visiting DSS can complete their transaction simply by visiting our Front Desk staff without the need to speak with an additional staff person, thus reducing overall customer time spent in the agency.  The average time spent by these customers is 30 minutes.

 

We've introduced new signage to enhance customer flow, created a new Information Center to provide community-wide referral information, implemented the use of a pager-system to ensure customer confidentiality, and enhanced our overall environment through the installation of soothing music into the lobby experience at our Kuralt location.  We have received numerous comments from our customers regarding these enhancements and continue to look for ways to better serve our customers.

 

Coming Soon!!

We invite you to continue the journey with us, as in the next few months we will introduce self-service kiosks in both our Kuralt and Chapin lobby areas, as well as opening a Workforce Development SNAP site at our Kuralt location.

  
SUCCESS:  DSS Paperless

DSS Leadership is continually looking to improve the quality, experience, and efficiency of services provided to our customers.  We are in the process of implementing technology solutions which will eliminate many paper documents, reduce response time, and enable DSS Case Managers and Call Center Operators to provide better service and information.

 

Due to current economic conditions, the volume of people in need of services has increased.  It is our commitment to meet these needs, while continually improving service, quality, and cost.  The sheer volume of paper generated today impedes the best efforts of Case Managers, as they are regularly bogged down searching for documents, delaying processing, and eroding customer service and quality.

 

During the next few months, customer will see the following changes at the Kuralt facility. Documents which customers bring with them will be imaged into a document management system as they wait. We will be working to remove the document drop box in the lobby area, and substituting a scanning station where these documents will be processed into the system real-time.  This will add to customer confidence, reduce the time it takes for Case Managers to receive documents, and enable the call center to have immediate visibility in order to respond to customer questions.  As we make these changes, it will allow additional adjustments to the lobby in order to improve the customer experience.

 

Behind the scenes, this reduction in paper will free up a great deal of space, and enable DSS to improve work flow, and accommodate additional staff required to respond to the increasing number of cases under management.  The large central file room located in Kuralt will be removed, creating room for more productive uses.

 

This is just the beginning.  In the months to follow we will be adding electronic forms which eliminate the need to create paper, electronic routing of documents through required processing steps, and numerous other enhancements. 

 

We look forward to keeping you informed as we improve how we deliver services to the community

 
Care Ring Provides Medical Care for the Uninsured
   CARE Ing

Care Ring is a non-profit agency that has been in Charlotte since 1955, formerly as Community Health Services. Care Ring provides preventive health services for the uninsured, underinsured or those otherwise lacking access to affordable, high-quality preventive health care. The organization annually serves more than 7,000 people in Mecklenburg County and is a leader in a collaborative effort to improve community health.

 

Care Ring offers three programs that help people who need access to quality, affordable health care: the Care Ring Low-Cost Clinic, Physicians Reach Out, and Nurse-Family Partnership. For more information about accessing Care Ring's services, please call 704-375-0172 or visit www.careringnc.org

 

Care Ring Low-Cost Clinic

Care Ring offers a Low-Cost Clinic at 601 E. Fifth Street, Charlotte, at the corner of East 5th and North Davidson in the Children & Family Service Center uptown. Many clinic patients work but don't have health insurance. The clinic fills a niche for people who make too much money to qualify for the community free clinics but still cannot afford to see a private practice physician. Patients can be seen for check-ups and sick visits for just $50. We also offer adult and kindergarten physicals, chronic disease management, TB tests, low-cost lab work (often less than $10) and other services. There are no eligibility requirements and the clinic does not accept insurance. Call 704.375.0172 for an appointment; we can accommodate most walk-ins. Clinic hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, closed 12-1.

 

Physicians Reach Out 

Physicians Reach Out provides a medical home and access to specialty medical care and dental care to eligible low-income, uninsured residents of Mecklenburg County. Medical care is provided through a network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians and allied health professionals who see Physicians Reach Out patients in their own offices. Physicians Reach Out is a way for physicians to provide pro bono care in a structured, managed way. While office visits with PRO physicians are free, other services such as diagnostic testing, labs, and hospitalization are provided at a low cost. Most prescription needs are met through collaboration with NC MedAssist. You cannot participate in PRO if you are pregnant, eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or veteran's health benefits, or being treated under worker's compensation benefits. For more information about eligibility and for an enrollment application, please visit www.careringnc.org.

 

Nurse-Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a national program that pairs a first-time, low-income mother with a home visiting registered nurse from the mother's first trimester through the child's second birthday. NFP is an evidenced-based, voluntary, free program that has demonstrated outcomes for improved healthy pregnancy indicators such as prenatal care and full-term births, improved child's health and development, and improved economic self-sufficiency for the family. 

 

 Florence Crittenton 2


Update Information from a DSS Partner.... Florence Crittenton

 

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

SUCCESS:  Journey Place

 

Mecklenburg County DSS-Youth and Family Services Division launched a new program called Journey Place offered by Alexander Youth Network and The Relatives. Journey Place is a transitional living center designed to assist young adult males between the ages of 18-21 in making the successful transition to adulthood. Each young adult will work one on one with an On Ramp Transition Specialist who will provide the case management and skill building services necessary to help young adults function independently in society.

 

Journey Place was designed to serve young adult males ages 18 -21, who are in legal custody of the Department of Social Services. This program is unique in the ages it serves. Journey Place is willing to serve young males with a myriad of issues that can include a diagnosed Mental Health Need and the need for additional housing options that support the development of appropriate independent living skills. Journey place can also help young adults with complete educations needs and assist the with career development.

 

Journey Place has five core focus areas: 

  • Education
  • Employment
  • Health and safety
  • Community Life Functioning
  • Safe and stable living situation/housing

 

SUCCESS:  Social Security Disability Approval

Pictured is 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!"

 

Division director, Rodney Adams, 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!"

SUCCESS:  Urban League, Strata Solar, and DSS/Job Boost II Turn Partnership into Triumph for Youth

 

Michael Reese
Pictured Michael Reese, a participant
in the Strata Solar project

Collaboration, teamwork, partnership and workforce development...each of these terms are truly synonymous with success. So when Robert Robinson, Director of Programming for the National Youth Chamber of Commerce came to The Urban League of the Central Carolinas, Strata Solar, LLC and The Department of Social Services Community Resources Division Job Boost II Program and Partnership Services, collaboration, teamwork, partnership, workforce development and success were certain.


For approximately 15 weeks, these organizations, their leadership and staff operated as a unique team assisting individuals achieve their goal of a viable job experience. As a result, 12-15 young people, trained in Broadband & Fiber Optics through The Urban League, experienced gainful employment with Strata Solar, LLC. Strata Solar, whose primary offices are located in Chapel Hill, NC, is an organization committed to the concept of fostering sustainable energy and being environmentally responsible. The company provides complete solar energy systems and installations for both commercial and residential buildings. 


Leveraging their resources, from federal, state, county and private capital, these agencies recognized the necessity of providing practical tools to assist others in achieving success. From training to applications and interviews, to providing transportation to and from work, there was no stone left unturned to ensure the positive achievement of these hardworking young people. As a result of this collective collaboration, these individuals can begin to establish themselves as conscientious citizens ready to take on the responsibility of gainful employment, financial stability and the enrichment of their quality of life.  


"The Department of Social Services' role in providing transportation for the Broadband and Fiber Optic graduates of the Urban League to make it daily to job sites should not be overlooked.  They provided a service that overcomes one of the major barriers to finding employment, transportation." stated Dr. Patrick Graham, President and CEO of the Urban League.


Along with Dr. Graham and Robert Robinson, John E. P. Morrison of Solar Strata, LLC; Mary E. Wilson, Director of the Department of Social Services; Rodney Adams, DSS Division Director of Economic Services; Darrell Cunningham, DSS Division Director of Community Resources; Gwendolyn H. Cohen, DSS Program Manager of Job Boost II; Dr. Tyandle Sims, DSS Manager of Partnership Services; Kim Moore, DSS Program Coordinator/Supervisor; and, Kisha Jones of the Urban League were also instrumental in the successful facilitation of this collaboration.


Dr. Graham asserts, "It will truly take partnerships in our community to overcome the effects of our economy.  The recent partnership between Capstone, Strata Solar, Mecklenburg Department of Social Services, and the Urban League of Central Carolinas to get young people jobs with the solar project in Kings Mountain, NC is truly a testament to the types of collaboration needed for our current and future generations to succeed."  

 

 

SUCCESS:   JOB BOOST II

Application Fairs

 

The Job Boost II program began in July 2011 with the goal of placing individuals who receive Work First or TANF services in temporary to permanent positions for a span of twenty weeks with the goal of permanent employment.  We recently had the opportunity to talk with a few of our program participants.
These individuals shared their experience and accomplishments.  Their insight reflects how determination and a little boost can set an individual on path to reach their goals. 


This is evident in the success that Ms. Dale has experienced.  A three time participant in subsidized employment programs; The Opportunity Project (TOP), Job Boost I, and Job Boost II, Ms. Dale recently gained permanent employment with The Men's Shelter.  She shared that being in the Job Boost II program helped her get off of "The check", take care of her children, and pay her bills. In addition, she expressed the assistance in setting-up interviews and the preparation she received in her job readiness classes prepared her for and made her more comfortable in her interviews. While Ms. Dale asserts Job Boost helped her to find employment, she states, "If you are not helping yourself it won't work for you."


Other participants Ms. Randolph and Ms. Pontoon both in placements at The Center for Community Transitions (CCT) share similar outlooks about their participation in the program. Ms. Pontoon is now taking classes towards an Associate Degree in Human Services. "I am glad that the program existed.  It helped me find out what I wanted to do."  She shared being placed at CCT helped her realize even more what she wanted to pursue as a career as well as being more comfortable in talking with others and sharing information about her life experiences.  Not only has Ms. Pontoon acquired skills that will help in her career development, Ms. Randolph has gained skills in assisting individuals in need. "It has given me more hope and something to look towards; more experience."  She gives much thanks to the program for placing her in a position that allows her to care of her financial responsibilities.   

SUCCESS:  Community Social Work

  

Ken's Good Grace
Pictured is Ms. Florence Stinson and DSS Social Worker Ken Khaalid

As we were on our seemingly 123rd day of 90 degree plus heat, DSS received a call. The Pi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity stated that they had conducted a charity drive and in one day collected enough money to purchase nearly 60 fans. They asked if we had clients with a need for fans. 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 air conditioning, 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 and 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." 

SUCCESS:  Dawn Smyre, Work First
 

The following is a letter from Deborah, a former Work First client, in reference to Dawn Smyre, her Work First social worker.

 

"I would like to express my appreciation to you and the Department of Social Services for helping me while being unemployed. The Department of Social Services approved me for the Work First Program and assigned you as my employment social worker. You so diligently completed a MRA Plan of Action for me to start my journey to success.

 

You enrolled me in the Arbor Education and Training Program that assisted me in acquiring job search skills to help me become gainfully employed. The staff was very professional and treated me with dignity and respect. While attending the program, I learned how to succeed in an interview, network, manage time and stress, and how to market myself.   The Arbor Program also provided Job Fairs and connected me with Dress for Success of Charlotte, which helped me with my professional image.   As part of the Program, I was assigned to work in the Network Center as an Intern which allowed me to share my experience and demonstrate my skills. It also gave me an opportunity to strengthen my public speaking and customer service skills.

 

I appreciate you making sure that I had child care coverage and a bus pass while I was searching for a job. This allowed me to see that DSS had my family in the best of interest. I can honestly say that the Work First Program will help you get a job if you utilize the tools that it provides, because I am now employed with a career job. Thank you and DSS for helping me and my family in a time of need.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Deborah

 

-----

 

Mecklenburg County's Work First and Subsidized Employment programs have been successful.

  • In Fiscal Year 2011
    • Work First placed 1,308 clients in jobs
    • Job Boost placed 148 clients in subsidized jobs.
  • So far in Fiscal Year 2012
    • Work First has placed 500 clients in jobs
    • Job Boost placed 300 clients in subsidized jobs.

 

SUCCESS:   Adoption 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.

 

In the 2011 calendar year Mecklenburg County DSS and the local Court system helped 121 youth find a permanent home through adoption. 

 

SUCCESS:  Advanced Analytics 

Charles BradleyIn early December 2011, I attended a five day course, Advanced Analytics for Child Welfare Administration in Charleston, South Carolina.  This course was offered by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago in partnership with Casey Family Programs. "Chapin Hall is an independent policy research center whose mission is to build knowledge that improves policies and programs for children and youth, families and their communities."  Over five days alongside child welfare professionals from across the country, I gained a greater understanding on how longitudinal data and information technology can be used together to improve outcomes for children in foster care.

 

The course highlighted how advanced data analysis can help child welfare professionals to more effectively evaluate programs, develop strategies for improved outcomes and how to measure if the desired results are being achieved by these strategies.

 

Since completing the course, I have begun to share what I've learned with the Youth and Families Operations Leadership Team and the DSS Business Affairs Division to explore ways in which we can work collaboratively to "raise the bar" on how we use, analyze and understand child welfare data. By "raising the bar" on data analysis, DSS-Youth and Families can continue to improve the outcomes and lives of the children and families we serve in our community.

 

Charles Bradley, MSW

Senior Social Service Manager - Youth and Family Services Division

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

 
SUCCESS:  Focus on Trauma Training

On Friday, September 23, 2011, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Area Mental Health/MECKCARES and the Child Traumatic Stress Network brought to Mecklenburg County the initial stages of becoming a trauma- informed county. Over four hundred community partners attended this trauma-informed event. There were Judges, parents, Youth and Family Services social workers, Department of Juvenile Justice court counselors, and other stakeholders present. The presence of so many interested participants showed that this community is ready to become trauma-informed.

 

What is child traumatic stress? Child traumatic stress is the physical and emotional responses of a child or adolescent to events that threaten the life or physical integrity of the child or of someone critically important to the child, such as a sibling or parent. Often times, such events overwhelm a child's/adolescents capacity to cope and elicit intense physical and emotional reactions that can be as threatening to the child's/adolescent's sense of physical and psychological safety as the traumatic event itself. The reactions can include the following: (1) an overwhelming sense of terror, helplessness, and horror, (2) physical sensations such as rapid heart rate, trembling, dizziness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

 

The Department of Social Services is working on Phase Two  of Trauma Training to bring training to our foster parents and community partners so that we are all more knowledgeable about this issue and are responding appropriately by asking "What happened to you and how can I help" instead of "What's wrong with you?"

 
 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.