FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilson County DSS earns national achievement award for 
Virtual Customer Engagement during COVID

September 16, 2021--WILSON—Wilson County Department of Social Services (DSS) has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. 

NACo recognized Wilson County DSS in the Human Services Category for the implementation of the agency’s virtual customer service response during the COVID-19 pandemic.    

“We are grateful for this recognition from NACo,” said Glenn Osborne, Wilson County DSS director. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a challenge unlike any human services agencies have previously experienced. The creativity and commitment to our customers, shown by our professional family throughout this crisis has been tremendous. 

“Our customers have always been at the forefront of every action taken or decision made throughout the pandemic, and our commitment to customer service remained a top priority as well as our concern for the health and safety of our customers and our professional family.” 

The shift to virtual customer engagement required the agency to keep staff and customers safe while not compromising on both statutorily mandated services and other engagement activities viewed as important.   

A Virtual Customer Engagement Plan allowed for customer service through our human services delivery to residents, children and our aging population, conducive to sustaining engagement with vulnerable populations while maintaining safety for everyone.   

A Back to the Future Team oversaw the agency’s COVID-19 policies. The Virtual Customer Engagement Plan encompassed all program areas, including home visit procedures in Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services and the use and expansion of technology options to maintain quality customer service. 

Included in the Virtual Customer Engagement Plan was the agency’s intentionality in addressing diversity, equity and inclusion. An Equity and Social Justice Team was charged with assessing agency operations and making recommendations about service delivery. Some of the recommendations included racial/social justice training for all staff, gender-neutral signage for restrooms, and examining personnel policies and data for bias.

The agency created new opportunities to honor families and community partners that now may become traditions. Some of these activities included: 

• A Foster Parent Appreciation drive-thru event welcomed the agency’s foster parents. Each family received a prepared meal and a care package filled with games and toys. Staff members held signs and wore t-shirts and costumes to make the event fun.
   
• A drive-in Adoption Awareness Event featured a promotional film created by the agency. The event took place in the employee parking lot after nightfall. Each participating family received a prepared meal and a family fun night care package.
   
• A drive-thru parade for the Strengthening Families Program graduation recognized the work of the program’s participants. The traditionally in-person class transitioned to a virtual environment, and activities were adjusted to fit a virtual delivery platform. Families typically enjoy a meal together and earn incentives along the way for participation during the in-person classes. Our parenting coordinator delivered a weekly meal and incentives to the home of each family. 
   
• During the early months of the pandemic in 2020, the agency saw a dramatic increase in Food and Nutrition Assistance applications. Staff was able to meet this demand timely. Comparing program data from 2019 and 2020 showed a 63% increase in applications in April 2020. Staff had to transition to working from home, troubleshooting possible computer issues with the help of the Information Technology team while meeting deadlines with an increased number of applications and reviews.

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program recognizes county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. 

NACo awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more. 

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Walston, Communications Manager
252-206-4164

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilson County DSS earns national achievement award for Eat Smart Move More wellness program

August 2, 2021--WILSON—Wilson County Department of Social Services (DSS) has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

NACo recognized Wilson County DSS in the Personnel Management, Employment and Training Category for the implementation of the county’s Eat Smart Move More (ESMM) initiative, which helps to bring wellness information and behavior change to the community.  

“We appreciate this recognition from NACo,” said Glenn Osborne, Wilson County DSS director. “Eat Smart Move More has been a wonderful addition to our agency. From our customers to our employees, we have experienced healthy benefits across the board. 

“This past year was especially beneficial as our professional family learned stress reduction techniques to help them manage the physical and emotional toll of the pandemic.” 

Made possible through funding from the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson, and in partnership with the Wilson County Health Department and Wilson Family YMCA, ESMM is plan that promotes opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity. 

ESMM is implemented through addressing core behaviors that can improve health outcomes, such as drinking more water or increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Wilson County’s program included external focus on the health of the community and an internal focus on Wilson County employees’ wellness. 

Employees participated in several weight-loss challenges and educational events during the year to learn about better nutrition, self-care, meditation and exercise. Participants reported successful outcomes in both weight loss and increased exercise as well as improved self-care behaviors and stress reduction.   

“Eat Smart Move More is a great example of our agency’s partnerships in Wilson County,” said Candice Rountree, Grants and Community Engagement Program Manager. “We have been able to bring many healthy opportunities to the public and to county employees through combining the resources of our grant partners and focusing on the needs in our community.”

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. 

NACo awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Walston, Communications Manager
252-206-4164

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 25, 2021 - Wilson, NC – Even though summer is still officially a few weeks away, after spending 2020 socially distancing, wearing masks and staying home, everyone is ready for some summertime fun. That’s why Wilson County officials are sharing child safety reminders as Memorial Day weekend approaches. 

“We know everyone is ready to get out of the house and have some fun this summer,” said Wilson County DSS Director Glenn Osborne. “We encourage families to spend quality time together but also remind parents to be vigilant about keeping their children safe this season. Warmer weather means families will gather around pools and near the water, and this increases the risks of drowning. Higher temperatures also increase the risk of children being left in hot cars.” 

According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, in 2019, 31 children died from drowning in NC. Of those deaths, 10 drownings occurred in a pool, two in a bathtub, nine in a lake, two in the ocean, two in ponds, and six in other, non-standard locations. 

“Drownings happen quickly and quietly,” said Michael Cobb, Wilson County Emergency Medical Services Director. “Children should always be actively supervised in and around water. Among preventable injuries, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1–4 years old.” 

A great resource to help parents with concerns about water safety is swimming lessons. According to the Children’s Safety Network, formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning in 1- to 4-year-old children by 88%. 

Along with water safety, officials noted the dangerous temperatures forecast for this week can also have devastating impacts on children.

Osborne shared, “With the summerlike weather we are experiencing this week, we want to reinforce the message that if residents see a child left in a hot vehicle, they should call 911 immediately.” 

“We are always concerned for the possibility of a child being left in a vehicle,” said Teresa Ellen, Health Director. “Internal vehicle temperatures rise dangerously fast. Take that extra few seconds and check your backseat when exiting. It’s also a good time to remember to limit your outdoor time, drink plenty of fluids and check on the elderly. No matter how accustomed you are to North Carolina’s summer heat, we all have to take extra steps to keep our bodies cool when exposed to the elements.”

Heatstroke, also known as hyperthermia, is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. It occurs when the body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough and the body temperaturerises to dangerous levels. Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies’ heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.

 "A car can heat up 19 degrees in 10 minutes – and cracking a window doesn’t help,” said Ashley Spencer, Safe Kids Wilson County. “Heatstroke can happen anytime, anywhere. We don’t want to see this happen to any family. That’s why Safe Kids is asking everyone to help protect kids from this very preventable tragedy by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute.”

According to research done by the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San Jose State University, one child has died in a hot car in the United States thus far in 2021. Since 1998, 882 children have died from heatstroke-related deaths from being left in hot cars in the US; 33 of those children died in North Carolina.

To report child abuse or neglect you can call 252-206-4000 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and after 5:00 p.m. dial 911. 

For more information on water safety, go to www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/drowning or www.safekids.org/research-report/keeping-kids-safe-and-around-water-exploring-misconceptions-lead-drowning

For more information on extreme heat go to www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/warning.html or www.noheatstroke.org.  Parents looking for additional heat safety tips can visit www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/emails/parents.html or www.safekids.org/heatstroke.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Walston, Communications Manager
252-206-4164

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2020

WILSON, N.C. -- Local  agencies gathered on the front lawn of the Wilson County Public Library today to tie scarves, gloves, hats and other winter items to trees for those in need.

Wilson County Department of Social Services, Hope Station, Wesley Shelter, United Way of Wilson and the City of Wilson led the effort to share warm winter items in the community for the fifth annual Operation Wrap-Up, held to observe Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 15-22.

“Operation Wrap Up is a simple act of kindness that allows those in need in our community a way to secure items to help them stay warm this winter,” said Candice Rountree of Wilson County DSS. “You can simply come by and get a scarf, hat or gloves.”

The winter items include a card with a message that lets the recipient know they are welcome to take the item if needed.

“Our community continually shows generosity through donations like these,” said Judi Thurston, United Way Executive Director. “This year has been difficult for many in our community but it is wonderful to see how our community continues to come together to help those in need in a personal but very tangible way.”

“We are grateful to the North Carolina Whirligig Festival for joining in as a partner in 2020 as a way to give back to the community,” Thurston continued. Donations for Operation Wrap-Up were accepted during the 2020 Whirligig Virtual Festival events.

Thurston also noted that BB&T, now Truist, chose Operation Wrap-Up as one of its annual Lighthouse Projects for 2020. “The planning committee is grateful to the employees who donated hats, scarves and gloves for this year’s drive and for their continued commitment to this outreach effort,” she said.

“We also want to thank Microbac Laboratories, Inc., for their support of this year’s efforts,” said Thurston.

Many of the collected items were on display on the library lawn at the event and available to the public to take, as needed. Additional items will be shared with partner agencies and will be available for those in need to collect items, as long as supplies last.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual week of action where local volunteers come together to draw attention to issues related to poverty, including food insecurity and housing. 

“Hunger and homelessness continue to be real issues that affect children and families living right here in our community,” said Lynne White, Wesley Shelter Executive Director. “These problems have only been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of adequate food and housing are problems many families often face on a daily basis.”

“Persons experiencing hunger and homelessness have been invisible to many in our community,” said Rev. Linda Walling, Hope Station Executive Director.  “But the pandemic has opened their eyes and, for some, impacted their lives personally.  We want to bring hope to all those who are struggling with securing food and shelter.  We want you to know that you are not invisible, we see you.  Hopefully, by working together, we can make a real difference for all of our neighbors in need.”

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is co-sponsored nationally by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness. The event originated at Villanova University in 1975, and now takes place in nearly 700 communities across the country.

For information about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, visit http://hhweek.org.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Walston, Communications Manager
252-206-4164