A NEWSLETTER OF THE HARFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Volume 1 / Issue 1 Summer 2012

On the Horizon
Stakeholder Survey

As a guiding force within our community, we actively pursue opportunities to support families, to empower people in need and to protect vulnerable children and adults. -HCDSS Mission Statement

In July 2011, HCDSS issued its first electronic Stakeholder Survey via the technology of Survey Monkey. Nearly 140 of the agencys community stakeholders received a link to the 20-question survey by email. Approximately half of those recipients (68) responded by the close of the survey period. Some highlights of the results are: Question Quality of Service Professionalism of Staff Program Knowledge of Staff Good to Excellent 71% 74% 75% 74% 77%

"Background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become."

Program Effectiveness Overall Satisfaction with HCDSS

The survey also gave respondents the opportunity to add free form text to each question, which provided the HCDSS leadership team insight into specific areas of the agencys strengths and weaknesses. One specific concern identified by several respondents was the wait time while using the agencys telephone system. As a result, the HCDSS leadership team is working to address this concern to improve customer service. HCDSS appreciates the feedback of all its stakeholders and plans to issue another survey via Survey Monkey in July 2012.

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2011-2012 HARFORD COUNTY DSS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Mikki Hogue, Chair Cindy Weyant, Vice-Chair Argie Araujo Irmgarde Brown Courtney Cromwell Marlene Lieb Willie Walker Tonya Basnight Susan Brown Joy Hoover Keisha Stevens Tamara Zavislan

Greetings
With great anticipation and hopes for many new and exciting accomplishments over the coming years, this agency developed a revised strategic plan last spring for the period of Fiscal Years 2012-2014. An element of that plan was the creation of a stakeholder newsletter to be distributed on a semi-annual basis. However, as stated in Robert Burns poem of 1785, the best laid schemes of mice and men go often awry. And so it has been with the creation and distribution of this agencys first ever newsletter directed to you our stakeholders. We are a bit tardy and beg your indulgence! It is my belief, however, that the old adage of better late than never applies and that you will find the articles and information contained herein of merit and interest. We are a key organization within our community and have often been characterized as the mother ship by other agencies. We are an economic driver with an annual disbursement of over 65 million dollars within our community through our multiple programs, funding streams, operating budget, etc. We are an essential element of the safety net for our community through our social service delivery systems. We are in many ways a pocket of excellence in our overall service to our Harford county community as well as the state of Maryland. We are an agency proud of our heritage and humbled to be of service to those in need as we strive to assure safety, permanence and well-being for all! So, I hope you enjoy and find the contents of our newsletter meaningful and I look forward to our continued work together over the coming months.

Dion Guthrie, County Ex-Officio Board Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month (SeptemberJune) at 6:30 p.m. in the Bel Air DSS conference room.

*********************************** Harford County Department of Social Services 2 South Bond Street, Suite 300 Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-836-4700 Fax: 410-836-4945 *********************************** Child Support Office 101 South Main Street, Suite 200 Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-420-6400 Fax: 410-638-8990 *********************************** W.A.G.E. Connection 975 Beards Hill Rd, Aberdeen, MD 21001 Phone: 410-297-9243 Fax: 410-297-6134 *********************************** Child Advocacy Center 23 North Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-638-3294 Fax: 410-638-3296 ***********************************

Martin OMalley, Governor Anthony Brown, Lt. Governor Theodore Dallas, Secretary

Jerome M. Reyerson, LCSW-C Director

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Who Are We?

The Harford County Department of Social Services (HCDSS) is one of twenty-four State agencies overseen by the Maryland State Department of Human Resources (MD-DHR). The department receives federal, state and local funding to provide a broad variety of human services to the citizens of Harford County including Child Welfare and Adult Services, Child Support Enforcement and Family Investment economic support services. HCDSS is further overseen by a 13-member Advisory Board, including representation from the Harford County Council. HCDSS has four office locations including the Bel Air headquarters, Child Support, WAGE Connection and Child Advocacy Center. The agency employs approximately 179 staff led by Director Jerome M. Reyerson, LCSW-C, a social worker with over 30 years experience in Child Welfare.

New Legal Representation

On April 1, 2012, the firm of Love, Fleming & Bearsch, LLC, began representing HCDSS before the Harford County courts in matters of child welfare and adult services. Love, Fleming & Bearsch, LLC, was awarded a three-year contract with an additional two option years by the Maryland Board of Public Works, following a formal procurement process completed by HCDSS in early 2012. Lead attorney Laura Bearsch is optimistic about her firms work with HCDSS: "We are looking forward to our work with the Department and to furthering the goal of reunifying Laura Bearsch and Jeff Burger families, when possible, and to protecting the interests of our most vulnerable citizens, the children and vulnerable adult members of our community." The previous contract for this service had been awarded to the law firm of Bolton & Kearney, P.A.

New Leadership at the WAGE Connection

In January 2012, Rosalyn Taylor was hired as the Office Manager of HCDSS one-stop welfare-towork center, the WAGE Connection, in Aberdeen. Ms. Taylor can be reached at 410-297-6250 or rtaylor@dhr.state.md.us. In April 2012, Jonita Shoaff joined the partner staff at the WAGE Connection as Harford Community Colleges Program Coordinator. Ms Shoaff can be reached at 410-297-6220 or jshoaff@harford.edu.

Child Care Ending at the WAGE Connection

Since the WAGE Connection opened in 1998, the Y of Central Maryland has provided on-site child care services to customers conducting business at the office. This service ceased in June 2012 due to a change in the Ys business plan. For the duration of this partnership, Kaye McMillan has overseen these services on-site. HCDSS thanks Ms. McMillan and the Y of Central Maryland for the wonderful services offered to its customers and their children over these many years.
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Performance-Based Contracts Initiated for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013

To ensure that the State of Marylands contracts increase vendor accountability and reward the achievement of positive outcomes, the Department of Human Resources is now requiring that contracts for SFY 2013 include performance-based components. In response, HCDSS worked with its partners to develop performance measures pertinent to each projects scope of work as new contracts were being prepared. Depending upon the type of services being offered, a portion of vendors payment will be based upon the achievement of stated performance measures.

New Technology Promises Efficiency

This spring, technology is blossoming at HCDSS in the way of two new projects that offer to speed processes in Child Welfare, Child Support and Family Investment. Dragon Naturally Speaking, a speech recognition software developed by Nuance, is being implemented to assist Child Welfare staff in completing case notes in an expeditious manner. As the worker dictates a narrative, the software transcribes it directly into a Word file. The more the software is used by a worker, the more adept it becomes in recognizing the individuals voice. A second project called Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) will be implemented in the Child Support and Family Investment divisions in May. This system will introduce scanning to the agency, allowing workers to scan customer documentation to a secure server, reducing reliance on paper and improving access to customer data.

HCDSS & Partners Prepare for Third Annual Foster Care Summer Youth Employment Program
HCDSS, in partnership with the Susquehanna Workforce Network (SWN) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will provide a summer employment experience for as many as 18 youth placed in Foster Care in Harford County. The program is a part of the established DNR Maryland Conservation Job Corp (CJC). The Harford County CJC is a six-week program offering job and life skills training while engaging youth in conservation service projects in the Susquehanna State Park in Harford County. The program uses the power of nature and outdoor experiential activities to enrich the lives of youth and foster an environmental stewardship ethic in the participants. The youth will spend their work days employed in various conservation service projects at the park. Examples of conservation projects include: building a fishing pier, cleaning and widening hiking and walking trails, building and repairing picnic tables, trash removal, building park benches and generally cleaning and maintaining the park area. Full uniforms, breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided to the youth. Fridays are spent in enrichment activities designed to foster a sense of appreciation of the value of parks and environmental stewardship ethic in the participants. A onenight camping trip to a state park is also a part of the program, providing many of the youth their first experience with the many rewards of camping.
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Transportation services for the youth participants are being donated by Mountain Christian Church, without which the program would have been impossible to operate. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony on August 3rd to recognize and honor the achievement of the participants from across the state. In past years, the ceremony attracted over 500 guests and included an address from a representative of Governor Martin OMalleys administration who expressed gratitude to the participants for their service and inspiration for how the experience may impact their future.

Weyants Six-Year Advisory Board Term Honored

Following two, three-year terms of devoted service on the HCDSS Advisory Board, Cindy Weyant will leave the Board in June. Cindys dedication to serving children and families has been life-long. A native of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Cindy received a Bachelors degree in Sociology and Psychology from Lee University and began her career working for the Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families in West Chester. From Pennsylvania, the Weyant family moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area where Cindy taught at a private school for five years. Thereafter, the Weyants relocated to Harford County, where Cindy continued her career with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, progressing from Program Coordinator to Director of Business Development. During her time on the Board, Cindy participated in the development of the Harford Family Assistance Fund, the fundraising vehicle used to support families with services not provided by federal or state funding streams. Based on her Board experience, Cindy says, There are two important things I would like the public to know about HCDSS: The first is that our strong community partnerships are vital and essential to the agency meeting its mission. Secondly, the agency is an economic driver for Harford County. As published in HCDSS 2011 Annual Report, the agency generated $65M back into the local economy. Cindy resides in Bel Air with her husband, Jeff. The couple has a daughter, Melanie, 22, a graduate of Elizabethtown College, who is currently serving a term in Americorps.

Services Personnel Changes

Christel Patton is the new Administrator for Adult Services. Ms. Patton spent ten years as a supervisor for Out of Home programs at HCDSS. Ms. Patton can be reached at 410-836-4739 or cpatton@dhr.state.md.us. Deborah DiEdoardo is the new supervisor of the Out of Home Services Unit that includes Adoptions, Independent Living (Teenage Youth) and the Child Resource Unit (Foster Home Approvals). Ms. DiEdoardo previously worked as an Adoptions Social Worker at HCDSS for over a dozen years. Ms. DiEdoardo can be reached at 410-836-4744 or ddiedoar@dhr.state.md.us.
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Shelter from the Storm

During the late summer of 2011, Mother Nature created the opportunity for HCDSS and its Emergency Operations partners to be tested by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. On Saturday, August 27th, a shelter was opened by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Patterson Mill High School. From that morning until the morning of Monday, August 29th, twenty-one HCDSS volunteers worked shifts as long as twelve hours at the EOC and/or the shelter. Approximately 22 citizens took refuge in the shelter while open. Flooding was not the hallmark of this storm; however, high winds created major power outages impacting the Bel Air area particularly hard, leaving the Bel Air office without power into August 29th. In the wake of this weather event, HCDSS Family Investment staff processed Emergency Food Stamps in the amount of $416,939 to 2,005 households to replace food lost due to power outages. On the heels of Hurricane Irene came Tropical Storm Lee on September 8th. Anticipating significant flooding impacting Havre de Grace, a shelter was opened at Aberdeen High School. Fortunately, the flooding was limited and the shelter was shut down by mid-afternoon on September 9th. Thirty-two HCDSS volunteers supported operations at the Tropical Storm Lee shelter. Approximately 16 citizens were served.

Family Investment Staff Do Their Part for Storm Victims

It was a busy fall in Family Investment. As a result of Hurricane Irene, Family Investment was presented the task of issuing Replacement Food Supplement benefits to customers that suffered a loss of food due to the storm. In a period of one week, staff issued $416,939 in Replacement Benefits to 2,005 families.

Legislative Briefing Held

On November 3, 2011, HCDSS hosted a Legislative Briefing for federal, state and local legislators at the WAGE Connection in Aberdeen. Following a greeting by Director Jerry Reyerson, the attendees observed a presentation on HCDSS services and economic impact to the community by the Administrative Team. Nine legislators or their representatives attended including: Cynthia Lince, Pamela Meister, Richard Slutzky, Delegate Kathy Szeliga, Tammy Larkin, Jessica Facini, Delegate Susan McComas, Dion Guthrie and Justin Hayes. Several HCDSS Advisory Board Members were also in attendance. Attendees were invited to ask questions about the challenges faced by HCDSS and to tour the WAGE Connections one-stop facility.

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Community Caf
On October 26, 2011, HCDSS sponsored a Community Caf for its stakeholders at the HEAT Center in Aberdeen. Thirty-six stakeholders from 26 organizations joined the HCDSS Leadership Team and members of the HCDSS Advisory Board for the morning session. After a greeting by HCDSS Director Jerry Reyerson, facilitators from the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Audrey McClendon and Maria Tillman, led the group through the session which is based on the World Caf Process as described in The World Caf: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter, by Juanita Brown with David Isaacs. Participants traveled from table to table, discussing their responses to the following questions: 1. How do you see HCDSS meeting the needs of the citizens of our county in terms of programs and services? 2. Based on your experiences and what you have heard, what is important to you about our agency and why? Some examples you may want to talk about include: How accessible are we? and How responsive and respectful? 3. What issue, if addressed, could create the greatest change for good in our community? What led you to identify this issue? 4. Based on the issues identified, describe whom you see as the key players in drafting a solution to the issues. 5. How can we support each other in taking the next steps? What unique contribution can we each make? Final Question: What seed might we plant together today that could make the most difference to the future of our community? A final report of the event, including all responses to the questions, was provided to all participants thereafter. HCDSS plans to hold Community Caf annually in October.

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Harford Family Assistance Fund

The HCDSS Advisory Board, in partnership with the Maryland Association of Social Service Boards (MASSB), established the Harford Family Assistance Fund in 2010. The fund is an IRSrecognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is used to raise funds to support families in Harford County. Donations and gifts made to the Harford Family Assistance Fund support programs and activities not funded through traditional sources such as the agencys operating budget. The Board Finance Committee has established the Funds for Program Enhancement Project to financially assist agency employees in helping support customers via various projects. The Board specifies that the Funds for Program Enhancement will be used for programs that: 1) Protect Children 2) Preserve Families 3) Support Vulnerable Children & Adults The Funds for Program Enhancement Project allows the Advisory Board to accept proposals from agency employees for projects serving customers. During the last program year, two projects were funded: Books and Bubbles for Babies, managed by two staff members, Libre Lelliott and Kaye McMillen; and Food Assistance for Adults, managed by staff member Joanne Cushing. The next round of funding was issued by the Advisory Board in March 2012 to the Food Assistance for Adults.

Maryland Charity Campaign 2011

During November and December, HCDSS participated in the 2011 Maryland Charity Campaign entitled We Are All Connected. Local special events included a Chili & Chip Kick-Off on October 28th and a Book Sale on November 29th and 30th. HCDSS campaign collected $6,531 in donations from staff members. In addition to our donors, thanks go to the following staff members for their support: Tammy Brinkman, Book Sale Coordinator Patricia Brittain, Chili & Chip Supporter Cindy Chenworth, Child Support MCC Coordinator Kaye McMillan, WAGE Connection MCC Coordinator Jill Svrjcek, Chili & Chip Supporter

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National Social Work Month

March was National Social Work month and the national them for this year is Social Work Matters. Nowhere is this slogan more evident than at Harford County Department of Social Services. The social workers, caseworkers, supervisors and case associates have dedicated their careers to assuring the safety , permanency and well-being of vulnerable children and adults and every day take action that matters to countless children, individuals, and families. Social Work month provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work of all of our staff, and especially one individual who is honored each year as the Agencys Social Worker of the Year. The Department of Human Resources honors recipients of this distinction from jurisdictions across the state. This year the Social Worker of the Year in Harford County is Brian Raker, LSWA. Brian has been a social worker with the Harford County Department of Social Services since 1991. He worked in out of home care services for ten years and for the past years ten and a half years has been an Adult Protective Services worker in the Adult Services unit. Brian is a very seasoned investigator and is looked upon by his peers and administration as a leader in the Adult Services Unit. He has been exceptional in the past year, as the unit survived without a supervisor from January to August 2011. During that time, Brian shared responsibility for the assigning of APS investigations with another worker and provided tremendous guidance and support to the unit and administration. Following the hiring of a new supervisor, Brian has continued to provide policy and practice experience and expertise. In addition to his duties with the Adult Services Unit, Brian is a Mass Care Shelter volunteer with the Agency and is always willing to lend a hand to a fellow worker who needs assistance with a case or task. Brians years of experience in Adult Services, his passion for serving this population, and his spirit of optimism and teamwork have benefited the unit and the entire Agency. Congratulations Brian. Brian was asked by DHR to respond to the question Why I Became a Social Worker. Brians response is below.

Why Did I Become a Social Worker?

(alternatively titled: Why, Oh Why, Did I Become a Social Worker?) I grew up a preachers kid in a family where service to others was valued. Despite this I went off to college intent on pursuing a business degree; the heck with others, I was going to make some money! I quickly learned the business courses did not hold my interest as did my social science courses studying human behavior. But what to do with such a degree? I didnt feel led to follow my father into ministry, or to sit in an office every day listening to other peoples problems, though I considered it. I did feel drawn to social work;
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helping others in a more tangible, hands-on way appealed to me. So, I transferred from Frostburg State College to University of Maryland Baltimore County, and obtained my degrees in social work and sociology. Over time I field studied in a methadone maintenance program, worked in various capacities with the developmentally disabled, spent 10 years working continuing foster care at DSS, and have spent the last 10+ years working with vulnerable adults. There really are very few occupations where you get to help people for a livelihood, and even fewer where helping doesnt mean trying to sell people something they may or may not need or want. As a DSS social worker, you get to do much of your work in the persons home, right where they live. You can learn a lot about people by seeing them in their own home, and it is an honor that so many will invite you, or at least allow you, into their home. I enjoy working with the older population, and I believe many of them can sense this and are willing to talk to me because of it. It is rewarding to help people improve their situation, and I do feel as though I have found the field, and the population within that field, into which I have been called to work. Brian W. Raker, LSWA 2012

A Night to Remember 2011

On December 3, about 300 foster/adoptive family members, relative caregivers, foster/adoptive children, and staff gathered at the Fairmeadows Gymnasium to celebrate the Christmas holiday. The Harford Community Church sponsored the event for the 9th year in a row, coordinating all of the details for the party. Brenda Sponsky of the HCDSS Child Resource Unit worked closely with the church staff and volunteers to plan the event. Special lights lit the way to the party and the magic of the Christmas season thrilled adults and children alike. Families enjoyed talking and visiting with each other and staff. Children enjoyed visiting with siblings placed in other homes. A few brave souls participated in Karaoke Christmas Caroling. At the end of the evening, each child received a gift card to Target or Walmart and wrote a note to place in welcome bags for children coming into foster care. The Child Resource Unit would like to publicly thank the Harford Community Church for their labor of love. This party would not be possible without a lot of hard work from a lot of people. Thank you to all of the church and community members who made this event memorable for all of our foster/adoptive families.

On the Horizon
A PUBLICATION OF THE HARFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES JEROME M. REYERSON, DIRECTOR SALLY THOMPSON, EDITOR WEB ADDRESS: WWW.DHR.STATE.MD.US/HARFORD.HTM

It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men

Frederick Douglass (1817? 1895)

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Harford County Celebrates National Adoption Month

In recognition of adoption and all of the foster/adoptive families in Harford County, the Harford County Department of Social Services joined with Governor Martin OMalley and Department of Human Resources Secretary Theodore Dallas and the State of Maryland in celebrating National Adoption Month during the month of November. National Adoption Month celebrates the hard work and sacrifice it takes to be a foster/adoptive parent and celebrates adoptions. Two special events took place in Harford County to celebrate adoptions and to honor Harford County adoptive families. On November 14, 2011, the Harford County Circuit Court and the Harford County Department of Social Services celebrated National Adoption Day in Harford County with morning adoption ceremonies. Judge Baldwin presided over five adoption ceremonies involving 10 children, giving them permanent, loving families. On November 15, 2011, a special party was held at the Richlin Ballroom to honor all adoptive families who finalized adoptions during the past year. The open house highlighted adoption in Harford County and helped families celebrate their adoptions. There was food, fun, dancing, games, and prizes. Each family received a family fun gift bag. A good time was had by all.

Board Members Cindy Weyant, Marlene Lieb and Tami Zavislan attend the agencys all staff meeting. Director Jerry Reyerson shows everyone how we jump through hoops at Harford County DSS.

Have a fun, safe summer!

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