Once again: While we discuss the failure of various people at all levels at DSS to ensure the timely and legal administration of programs like HEAP and SNAP as they have been entrusted (and paid) to do, I want to add a positive or two: I posted a statement today, asking people having trouble getting their benefits to PM me. As a result, I was contacted by, or on behalf of, 34 different people, spanning some 25 HEAP cases, 10 SNAP cases, and 4 TANF cases. The stories I heard were hair-raising: People with terminal cancer, the elderly, small children - all waiting for weeks and even months for responses from their caseworkers, or to even be told whether they HAD a case. Some were told that they should ask the Red Cross for help, rather than continue to try to get action on an ACTIVE case. Many had given up until they saw my post. There is NO ACCEPTABLE REASON that I - who have no connection whatsoever to DSS or the County except that I live here and these are my neighbors - had to spend an entire day being an advocate, directing them to people who would actually get something accomplished on their behalf, in order for these people to get help. Where are the people whose actual job this is? I dont mind - in fact, I am delighted to do it - but it is ludicrous that some random county resident had to do the work of the DFS today. And ludicrous that to do so, I had to interrupt the actual work of higher-ups ALL DAY. Now the positive news is, I referred most of these people to the women who work in the County Managers office. These three ladies - the ones I basically commandeered for my own nefarious HEAP purposes today - are tireless, thorough, and the embodiment of compassion - not to mention professionalism. They get the job done, period. No excuses. They have gone above and beyond every single time I called them - which is probably 30 times, myself or via referral. And I know that Aileen Gunthers office, when not busy resolving issues directly (again, causing her to stop her actual work to do this) trust these 3 women to handle things, as well. They are powerhouses, and this county should be grateful we have them! Thank you, ladies. Im sure Ill speak to you again tomorrow!
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:35:15 +0000
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