Protocols put in place by the Graham County Department of Social Services are ensuring that the entity can still serve the community’s needs.
The department’s board met via teleconference April 14. Director Cris Weatherford extolled the virtues of the hard work and adaptation his staff has established amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re all going through this, dealing with it and we’re still working. I’m really thankful for that,” Weatherford said. “I’m really proud of everyone for what they’re doing.”
He added that all of the department’s services are still being offered, albeit with some understandable modifications:
* The state has distributed blanket recertifications for everyone working in social services.
* Child support cases are beginning to back up, due to a lack of court sessions.
* Both Adult & Child Protective Service workers are still paying home visits but practicing social distancing, wearing personal protective equipment and only entering residences if necessary. Supplies have been provided by both Graham County Emergency Management Services and Industrial Opportunities Inc. in Andrews.
* Custody visitations have been taking place over video chat, rather than face to face – with one exception of over the phone due to a lack of Internet.
* Adult Protective Services has been helping deliver Meals on Wheels.
* Medicaid is only being terminated at the moment by request, if the applicant lives out-of-state, or is deceased.
* The front door of the DSS building is open, with applications and instructions for the community.