Department of Social Services

Need to contact a County Medicaid Caseworker or make an application?  Email us at Medicaid@wcchs.org

DSS Director Clifton Hardison cliftonh@wcchs.org	Human Services Deputy Director Lynn Swett lynns@wcchs.org	Adult Services Supervisor Yolanda White yolandaw@wcchs.org
Riverlight Transit Supervisor Kimberly Blevins kimb@wcchs.org	Child Care & Income Maintenance Supervisor Caroline Gurganus carolineg@wcchs.org	Medicaid Services Supervisor Tammy Mixon tammym@wcchs.org
Children Services Supervisor Demaine T. Hill demaineh@wcchs.org	Children Services Supervisor Anne Hathaway anneh@wcchs.org	Child Support Supervisor

DSS Board Meetings 

Mission Statement
The mission of the Washington County Department of Social Services is to create and sustain a public agency which is valued by the community, respects the dignity and worth of every person, and is accountable for the efficient and effective management of the public’s funds. To that end the center will:

• Protect children and adults with services that ensure their safety and well-being;
• Provide job-related services that lead to employment;
• Make available social and economic support services that provide short-term or temporary support for families until opportunities arise for self-sufficiency;
• Provide access to health-related services for at-risk children and adults; and
• Maintain information concerning persons who receive services from the center in a professional and confidential manner.

Department of Social Services
The Washington County Department of Social Services is a county-administered public agency that provides a wide variety of social work services and administers health access and economic support programs that are required through state and federal laws. The agency provides the citizens of Washington County with resources and services to maximize their well being. A primary focus of the agency is to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and adults. Additional information about the programs and services offered through the department of social services can be found at the links provided below.

The Washington County Board of Social Services is composed of five members. The Washington County Board of Commissioners appoints two members and the NC Social Services Commission appoints two members. Those four members elect the fifth member. Board members must be county residents and are appointed from different areas of the county. They also must be motivated by a sincere and demonstrated concern for the well-being of the citizens of the county. Members of the board of social services may serve two consecutive three-year terms of appointment. A county commissioner may serve on the board of social services and may serve continuously as long as he or she continues to serve as a county commissioner. The duties and responsibilities of the board of social services are specified in state law and described in NC General Statute 108A, Article One.

Members of the Washington County Board of Social Services are:

• Julius Walker, Jr., Chairman
• Harry White
• Ann Keyes
• Wendy Furlough
• Rona Norman

For additional information about the agency and the programs and services that are provided, please use the contact information above.

Child Support Services

In North Carolina, Child Support Services are available to anyone who wants or needs help in collecting child support. The program offers assistance in the following areas:

• Location of non-custodial parents – Child Support searches to find where the non-custodial parent lives and/or works.
• Paternity establishment for children born outside of marriage – Child Support establishes the legal father of the child.
• Establishment of support obligations – Child Support establishes a court order for the non-custodial parent to provide support for his/her child(ren).
• Collection and distribution of support – Child Support keeps records of court-ordered child support payments processed by the NC Child Support Centralized Collections operation and tracks the distribution and disbursement of those payments.
• Enforcement of support obligations – Child Support uses as many enforcement remedies as necessary to ensure the non-custodial parent’s compliance with the court-ordered support.

Individuals who receive services through the Work First Program, Medicaid, or the Foster Care Services for Children Program are eligible and they are automatically referred for Child Support Services free of charge. Persons who do not participate in those programs may inquire about Child Support Services by telephone and receive an application and supplemental data sheet to complete. A twenty-five dollar ($25) non-refundable application fee may be required.

Child Support Services is not authorized to help with some issues that might seem similar to child support such as custody, visitation, or property settlements. Private attorneys and county Clerks of Superior Court also offer certain support services. To learn more about what assistance is available, you may contact these offices individually.

Child Support Services are provided to residents of Washington and Tyrrell Counties through the Washington County Department of Social Services. For additional information about the program, contact Lynn Swett, ACTING Regional Child Support Supervisor, at (252) 793-4041, extension 208 or by email at lynns@wcchs.orgLinks

• Trillium Health Resources
• NC ePASS
• NC Division of Social Services
• N C Division of Medical Assistance
• NC Division of Child Development
• NC Division of Adult and Aging Services
• NC Division of Health Services Regulation
• NC Department of Commerce – JobLink Career Centers
• NC Department of Transportation – Public Transportation Division