THE DHS Connection

Farewell to Carol A. Priora

Carol A. Priora, Secretary in the Administrative/Personnel Office in Shelby County, retired on December 29, 2011 from the Tennessee Department of Human Services after 10 years of dedicated and committed service.  Carol was the Editor of the DHS Family Assistance Newsletter and contributes to the design and layout of the Shelby County Volunteer Committee’s Newsletter.  Carol is the epitome of total customer service:  the kind voice that everyone looks forward to hearing and the dedicated one who constantly demonstrates her willingness to go the extra mile to ensure the customer’s needs are met. 

DHS, family and friends celebrated this memorable event on December 16, 2011. She was presented proclamations from Governor Bill Haslam, City Mayor A.C. Wharton, and Congressman Steve Cohen.  She was also presented a memorable plaque from the Shelby County DHS Communications Team. 

Carol will truly be missed by all.  She looks forward to traveling and enjoying her retirement with her family.

It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to Carol A. Priora, who is being recognized and honored for her unwaverly commitment to the citizens of Shelby County.     

Submitted by Lisa L. Myers, ASA-2, Shelby County

TN DDS Disability Hearings Unit Took on the Challenge!

Ms. Cheap (of Tennessean newspaper) issued the challenge and the TN DDS Disability Hearings Unit took it on!  The members of the unit collected pennies for the 2011 Ms. Cheap Penny Drive for Second Harvest.  The unit along with other co-workers in Disability Determination Services collected 10,548 pennies for the penny drive.  A special “Thank You” goes to Joyce Coleman, Herschel Kirk, Gloria Taylor and Jackie’s Mom for their generous donations.  We are truly appreciative to all who supported the cause.

(Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth Dale, Veralyn Williams, Richard King, Kay Patterson, Sharon Summers, Deardra Bryant-Hollie (seated), Jacqueline Graves, Cassandra Thompson, Frances Anne Hale, and Victor Foreman)

Submitted by Deardra Bryant-Hollie, Supervisor of Disability Hearings Unit, Disability Determination Services, Nashville

Information Systems Christmas Santa Project

 For the 8th consecutive year, Information Systems sponsored a Christmas Santa Project by adopting needy children from Glenview Elementary School.  This year, donations made it possible to deliver gifts to three classrooms, a total of 64 children.  Santa’s elves were Paul Spurlock, Michèle Israel, Helen Settles, and Debbie Levy from Systems, and Hearing Officers Jacqulyn Wilson and Doricia Crawford from Appeals & Hearings.

Each child received a warm outfit, hat and gloves, socks, coloring book and crayons, pencil box with school supplies to use at home, and a toy. 

 

Watch the video below for highlights!

 

Submitted by Michele Israel, Information Systems, Nashville

 

Happy Birthday, Myra!

 

Myra Monks (FS-1 in Lincoln County) had a birthday on Friday, December 16. Several co-workers joined her at a local Mexican restaurant to celebrate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Robert Hope, EC II

DDS Employee of the Month

Matt Rutherford, Disability Claims Examiner 3, was chosen as Tennessee’s DDS Employee of the Month for October. 

In his nomination, it was pointed out that “Matt’s exceptional skills as an examiner 3 lead to his being asked to participate as an examiner representative on the Business Process Committee. In this capacity, he has helped management ‘translate’ many procedures into language that is easily understood by the examiner staff, and stripped down to the ‘bottom line.’  This helps management send out instructions that can be implemented without a great deal of confusion and delay. Many of the recommendations brought to the committee by Matt have been incorporated into DDS Business Processes.  After the promotion of a case consultant, Matt helped the supervisor with many of the case consultant duties. Because of his stellar performance, he was asked to become a ‘temporary Case Consultant’, working out of class. His processing skills and professional manner are assets to the agency. He is very deserving of this honor.”

Matt received a certificate, gift certificate for lunch, and a cash prize.

Submitted by Tamra Smith, DDS Director

 

Rutherford County Service Awards

Robert Priddy, FS1, presents services awards to four Rutherford county office employees for their years of dedicated service to the State of Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Parris – 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gayle Lawyer, 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Gentry, 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Crumely, 10 years

 

Submitted by Jana Murray, Secretary

Warm Hands and Warm Hearts

 

The Lincoln County DHS office staff decorated their

 Christmas tree with children’s gloves this year.  Children

 that come into the office will get to pick a pair of gloves

 off the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Jana Murray, Secretary

Child Support Offices Recognized for Performance

Assistant Commissioner David A Sanchez recognized high performing child support offices at the last administrator’s meeting held on December 9.  The following offices were recognized:

• Highest Percentage of Cases under Order:  7^th JD Child Support Office (90.33%)
• Highest Percentage of Paternity Cases Established:  3^rd JD Child Support Office (137.32%)
• Highest Percentage of Current Support Collected:  3^rd JD Child Support Office (62.34%)
• Highest Percentage of Collections on Arrears:  3^rd JD Child Support Office (66.30%)
• Highest Increase in Collections:  26^th JD Child Support Office (10.22%)

 

 

Robert Starr, Administrator of the 26^th JD Child Support Office, receives award from Assistant Commissioner Sanchez with Director of Field Operations Charles Bryson.

Gloria Neely, Administrator of the 3^rd JD Child Support Office, receives one of three awards from Assistant Commissioner Sanchez with Director of Field Operations Charles Bryson.

 

Gaye Kelly, Administrator of the 7^th JD Child Support Office, receives award from Assistant Commissioner Sanchez with Director of Field Operations Charles Bryson.

 

Submitted by Charles Bryson, Director of Field Operations

Larry Safko Wins Multiple Photography Awards

Larry Safko won the Professional Division in the Riverfest 2011 Fine Arts Exhibit with his image "Frozen Glory" and received an honorable mention for "Winter Design.”

Frozen Glory

 

Winter Design

 

Submitted by Larry Safko, EC2, Montgomery County 

  

  

Adult Protective Services Holds “Bold & Beautiful Fashion Extravaganza” Fundraiser

The Tennessee Department of Human Services Shelby County Volunteer Support Committee recently held its 14^th Annual Bold & Beautiful Fashion Extravaganza at the Goodwill Homes Senior Center to raise funds for the Adult Protective Services program.  The Adult Protective Services fund is allotted specifically for adults and/or seniors who come into the APS caseload.  Special thanks were given to the Bold & Beautiful models, coordinated by VSC Chairperson Toya Mason.  Goodwill Homes Senior Center and various other corporate agencies included:  The Aging Commission, Alliance for the Homeless, Black Business Directory, Case Management, Inc., Cummins Powercare, Germantown Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Lifeblood, Memphis Rideshare Program, MLGW, U.T. Relative Caregivers Program, SEEDCO, United Way of the Mid-South, VOLVO, Jita Enterprise-Soft-Sheen Carsons, Holloway Furs, and The RunWay Shop.  Fashions were provided by department stores and/or specialty shops or came from the models' personal collections. 

Entertainment was provided as well as door prizes and lunch, and APS informational packets were distributed to give participants a detailed overview of the APS program.  Two special tributes were made on behalf of Mildred McCrary, a former model who passed away in February 2011.   More than 250 participants attended and over $2,400 was raised.

Submitted by Lisa L. Myers, Administrative Services Assistant 2, Shelby County

 

Helping out in the Community

Maury County Family Assistance staff working on a Habitat for Humanity house located in Columbia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Dawn Taylor, Performance Management Director, Organizational and Performance Management

Walking to fight ALS

Daschunna Mallory and her team “Making Moves for Maxean” recently participated in the Memphis ALS Walk in memory of Daschunna’s mother.  The team raised $1,263. Amyotropic lateral sclerosis, ALS, is often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Pictured left to right are FS1 Tracy Lucas, EC II Tiffany Reed, FS1 Lisa Harris, and EC II Daschunna Mallory.

Submitted by Daschunna Mallory, EC II, Memphis Family Assistance Service Center

 

Thursday's Child: Jaleia Bene’

Say hello to Jaleia Bene’, the beautiful granddaughter of Cynthia Lanier, Administrative Secretary in Adult & Family Services Contracts!

 

Pretty in Pink

A “Prettiest Person in Pink” contest, coordinated by Brenda Cox in the Rehabilitative Office, was held to stress the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Several staff members have family members who have breast cancer and/or are breast cancer survivors.  Staff entering the contest paid a $6 registration fee.  Contestants were judged on originality, style, creativity, and design.

The winners were Earlean Dean (1st place) and William Hess (2^nd place).    A total of $200 was raised from the registration fees and donations.  Monies will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer For the Cure.

Pictured are Ann Smith, Jellory Stokes, Earlean Dean, Angelique Kendle and Brenda Cox. 
Click here for more photos!

Submitted by Lisa Myers, ASA2, Shelby County DHS office

Rick Brown Retires

Rick Brown, Fiscal Services director, retires after 30+ years of distinguished service with the State of Tennessee.

Submitted by Jerry Barlar, Budget Analyst Coordinator, State Office