By Pam Dudding Contributing writer
Change in administration always brings unknown anticipation in staff. However, it seems the new director of the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Craig has a new light in its corner.
There are many issues that can bring a person to the need of assistance with professionals at the DSS.
The new director, Pat Franklin, understands personal heartache and needs of families, understanding that for some, they just need that boost of assistance to help them during a downfall in personal events of life.
“It’s been ten years since I started working with the Department of Social Services here in Craig County and it has been a real pleasure,” Franklin said. “It’s such a great community.”
She shared that when she first came to Craig, she often heard the expression, “Craig County takes care of its own” and has been seeing it first-hand.
“I heard that phrase from the beginning from Millie, Harrison and Bernie Tripp and many others. It has certainly proven to be true,” she said. “The number of people in the county who have stepped up to be foster parents, the donations we get from all over, and people who pitch in whenever we need, has been such a real joy.”
She added, “I worked in Roanoke City before I came here and I am certain that per capita, Craig County DSS has received more in the way of financial and other donations than Roanoke City did. That has been a real blessing and this staff has been great to work with.”
Franklin currently lives in Roanoke County.
“I have been married for 30 years and my husband and I have two grown children, two dogs and three cats,” she shared. “I love spending time with my family. My husband and I like to take short weekend trips in and around Virginia to take in plays, museums and spend time together.”
Prior to that, she was a homemaker for nine years. When her daughter started kindergarten, she went to Hollins University and earned her bachelor’s degree.
Pat worked 18 years at Roanoke County DSS as a self-sufficiency specialist and worked up to becoming supervisor to both Benefit and Service programs.
Her own experience had been exclusively in services, foster care and child protective services.
Jim Weber, the previous director, explained, “She is very well respected and over the years employees, both former and current, have called Pat for advice on how to do certain things and I have always heard back that she was so friendly, nice and helpful. I know that Angie Huffman from the Board was very pleased with the interview and blown away by Ms. Franklin and we are in good hands and are fortunate to have someone of her caliber.”
“A couple of years ago, I heard that Jim was thinking about retiring and that is when I started looking at Craig County as a career goal. Craig is only a 35-minute commute down 311 with its beautiful scenic views,” Franklin shared. “Craig County Social Service is just the right size, and it is still within my social capital footprint. Meaning I have 18 years of cultivating community partnerships that I bring with me to this job. Being a small agency allows me to continue doing what I love best, and that is working with community.”
When Franklin was asked what she felt like her top priorities in CC-DSS would be, she responded, “I would like to improve the reputation of DSS in Craig. Since I started on February 1, I have been out in the community talking to people and to be quite honest, the DSS reputation seems to be less than pleasing and for that I apologize. DSS should be a place the people of Craig can feel comfortable coming to when they need a helping hand.”
The good news is that DSS plans to open its doors to the public on March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“DSS is here to help the citizens of Craig. Our phone lines are up and running correctly so you will be able to reach your worker or leave a message,” she added.
It seems there was a glitch in their system which was not directing the calls efficiently.
Her goal is that she and all staff will return phone calls no later than 5 p.m. the next business day during the normal workweek.
“If you have a CPS or APS complaint, I want you call us,” she said. “We will take the complaint. If you need SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Energy or Child Care assistance you can apply in person or online at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov.”
DSS has a Facebook page (Craig County VA DSS) and their office number is (540)-864-5117.
Franklin wishes for anyone who is questionable about receiving any services to please contact their office and just ask.
Her goal is for Craig County residents to know that their DSS is there for them, and they wish to take care of their needs if possible, keeping the Craig County motto of “we take care of our own,” shooting for the stars of making sure everyone possible is enlightened by the system that was initially set up to help community citizens.
“Sometimes we can help and other times the persons may not qualify but we want them to ask. Most of the time we can,” she shared. “We want everyone to know we are here for them.”
Franklin also added, that if anyone is in need of food to please visit the office, “We will be glad to put a bag of food together for you take home from our food pantry.”
