The Brunswick County Department of Social Services

1. The Brunswick County Department of Social Services 60 Government Center Dr. P.O. Box 219 Bolivia, N.C. 28422

2. Adult Services Unit Contact Information: Patricia Connelly, Director… Evelyn S. Johnson Adult Services Supervisor… (910) 253-2077

3. History • The welfare system began in 1935 during the depression. • The Department of Social Services developed out of the enactment of the Social Security Act in 1935 to assist and address the needs of the poor. • The first office opened in Southport, NC. It had two locations. When the sites were out grown the offices moved to a more central location with in the county. In 1978 it moved to Bolivia NC where it is currently housed.

4. Mission Statement and population served • To promote independence and enhance the dignity of Brunswick County’s older adults, persons with disabilities and families through a community based system of opportunities, services, benefits, and protection.

5. collaboration • To effectively achieve the mission of the department, the Brunswick County Department of Social Services Adult Services Unit actively collaborates with the state, local, private and community agencies to do the best job possible for the residents in the county.

6. Services offered • Adult Care Home Case Management • Medical Transportation Services • Adult Day Care/Day Health Recruitment • Foster Care Services for Adults • Adult Protective Services • Adult Placement Services • At Risk Case Management • Community Alternatives Programs (CAP) • Crisis Intervention Program • Low Income Energy Assistance Program • Guardianship Services • In-Home Aid Services • Medical Eye Care Program • Independent Living Program

7. My Experiences • I met with workers in each of the programs. I shadowed them. I observed and participated as much as possible from the opening of a case to ongoing management or closure of a case. This was an important learning experience for me. It really allowed me see first hand what the positions were all about from beginning to end and gave me the advantage of seeing if this is what I’d like to do in my professional career.

8. My Experiences Continued… • I attended meetings and interacted with other agencies on Elder Abuse Prevention. • I went on visits to the homes, nursing facilities, independent living facilities, mental facilities and the hospitals. • I attended a court hearing for guardianship. • Sat in on crisis intervention program • Reviewed history of individuals (charts) • Administered a agency assessment tool. • Saw first hand how the elderly are assessed and given aid in the home. • Witnessed facility monitoring • Transportation eligibility and scheduling

9. Recommendation • I would recommend this site, it offers a lot to the people in Brunswick County. Not only would one get to hear and see via office and phone, but also get first hand knowledge, going to where the people are to help them meet their needs whether independently or with assistance. • Although you can set your own hours and have as much flexibility as you need I encourage anyone seeking this site to set their schedule if at all possible to a minimum of 4-5 hours at a time or a whole day (keeping in mind that you are limited to 10 hours a week). • All of the staff have been great people to work with. There was a lot of diversity in how the people were served, but the commonality among the workers was the passion each one had for what they did. I will take this valuable experience with me no matter where my professional road leads me. • If you want to access resources, implement ideas, empower people, offer services, manage cases and work with adults and the elderly, then this is a place for you.