The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR), The Alleghany-Covington Department of Social Services (DSS) held its monthly meeting on March 27, delivering a thorough report on agency performance, community engagement, and upcoming initiatives that highlight the critical work of the department’s child welfare professionals.
Agency Director Tammy Wilson presented detailed statistics revealing the department’s consistent success in meeting state-mandated benchmarks for child protective services and foster care management. The report showed the agency currently oversees 34 children in foster care, with five children working towards potential home reunification and three adoptions in various stages of completion.
“Our numbers demonstrate our commitment to child welfare,” Wilson told board members, emphasizing that the agency’s caseload represents approximately half the county’s population receiving services. In a detailed presentation, Family Services Manager Megan Plott broke down the agency’s performance metrics. The agency achieved a 90.8% compliance rate for in-home case contacts, exceeding the state’s 90% goal. Foster care visit compliance remained consistently high, with 100% of required contacts completed.
The meeting also addressed ongoing challenges, particularly the reliability of the public performance dashboard. Board members expressed concern about discrepancies between reported numbers and actual agency performance. Wilson acknowledged the issue, noting that dashboard data often fails to accurately reflect the agency’s work.
“Sometimes a worker might be out sick or delayed by weather, which can impact reporting,” Wilson explained. “This doesn’t mean the work isn’t being done, just that the system might not immediately reflect it.”
A significant highlight of the meeting was the upcoming Child Abuse Prevention event scheduled for April 5 at Mountain Gateway Community College. The free family-friendly event will feature multiple attractions, including pony rides, a petting zoo, and demonstrations by local police and fire departments. Proceeds from the event will support the agency’s scholarship program and community pantries. Wilson emphasized the agency’s commitment to community engagement, noting recent participation in events like teaching first-year resident assistants about mandated reporting and participating in community programs.
Board members praised the agency’s staff. Jason Helmintoller noted the often “thankless” nature of social services’ work. The meeting underscored the agency’s multifaceted role, managing not just case numbers, but supporting entire households. The agency’s February statistics revealed nuanced insights into their work. Of the cases closed in February, two were resolved within 45 days, and 20 were closed within 90 days. Adult Protective Services handled 33 reports, with 21 determined to be invalid.
A new security measure was also highlighted. Wilson announced a mandatory check-in system for all building visitors. The iPad-based system ensures real-time tracking of individuals in the building, addressing potential safety concerns.
The meeting concluded with a motion to enter a closed session, permitted under Virginia state code, to discuss personnel matters and protect the privacy of foster children and agency employees. As the local DSS continues to navigate complex social service challenges, this meeting demonstrated the agency’s commitment to transparency, performance, and community support.
The next DSS board meeting is scheduled for April 28th at 1:00, with directors expected to continue discussions about performance tracking and community engagement strategies.
