BALTIMORE, MD (November 1, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) Secretary Ted Dallas and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today announced the appointment of Karen S. Butler as Director of the Howard County Department of Social Services.
Ms. Butler has a strong background in the human service arena and is currently the Director of Social Services in Charles County, Maryland. Prior to that appointment, she was Deputy Director of Youth and Family Services at the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services in North Carolina.
“Karen has a demonstrated commitment to helping families in crisis,” DHR Secretary Ted Dallas said. “She has initiated and nurtured a strong relationship with the community and has utilized that relationship to help strengthen the network of supportive services provided to vulnerable children and families in Charles County. I know that she will bring that same energy and commitment to our Howard County DSS.”
“My administration prides itself on making local government more responsive to the needs of our community and ensuring that available services are delivered in an efficient manner,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “Ms. Butler has a proven track record of putting systems in place that support those goals and we are excited to have her working on behalf of families in Howard County.”
The Howard County Department of Social Services is a field office of the Maryland Department of Human Resources – the state’s social services provider. In Fiscal Year 2012, this office disbursed $16,151,137 in child support payments – an increase of 7.45 percent over fiscal year 2011. Additionally, approximately 500 households were aided through Temporary Cash Assistance and over 7,000 households received help to buy healthy food through the Food Supplement Program. “I look forward to joining the Howard County team and working with them to continue to produce positive results for Howard County residents,” said Butler.
In addition to a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University, Ms. Butler also earned a Master’s Certificate in Strategic Organizational Leadership from Villanova University. She begins in her new role on Dec. 17.
Secretary Dallas also announced that Donna Harley, assistant director for Child Support, will serve as Interim Director of the Charles County Department of Social Services while the search for a permanent director is underway.
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The Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) is the state’s primary social service provider serving over one million people annually. DHR, through its 24 local departments of social services, aggressively pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 24 counties.
