The Kent County Department of Social Services recently celebrated youth, foster parents, community partners, and staff for their many accomplishments throughout the past year. This event marked their sixth annual Community Excellence Awards, which recognized the organization’s partnership with Kent County Health Department’s Get Healthy Kent initiative.
The Get Healthy Kent initiative addresses the needs of Kent County businesses by offering staff to provide technical assistance and other services that promote employee health. The Kent County Department of Social Services joined this initiative in February 2012.
The awards presented are as follows:
Dr. Shawn and Tiffany Ramsey were honored as Foster Parents of the Year to celebrate their tremendous work in serving Kent County families and children. Whether it’s creating a family-away-from-home for sibling groups, repairing sibling relationships to last a lifetime regardless of distance, keeping families together, or training future foster parents, the Ramseys have demonstrated their commitment and understanding in meeting the needs of Kent County’s children.
T’Keyah Jones was honored as Youth of the Year. T’Keyah’s spirit radiates happiness through her ever-present smile and brightens anyone’s day. T’Keyah is an energetic and joyful young lady who loves spending time with her friends and family, camping at Camp Fairlee and participatng in programs at the Kent Center. She enjoys KART therapeutic horseback riding and was recently engaged in the Unified Sports Program with Kent County High School, which included Bocce Ball and Unified Tennis.
Antoninette Campbell of Kent County Parks and Recreation was given the title of Community Partner of the Year. Ms. Campbell has partnered with the Department of Social Services by welcoming the agency’s job club to the Kent County Community Center. She has arranged for monthly meetings, coordinated speakers and has been instrumental in accepting several of this program’s participants as interns.
Sue Park, LCSW was awarded Employee of the Year. Sue was recognized for being one of the most caring individuals and someone who has been an asset to Kent County Department of Social Services from the day she started. Sue embodies the qualities at the core of the social work profession: empathy, insight and the ability to propose creative solutions. She consistently utilizes a strength-based approach in working with her families, treating her customers with respect. Sue consistently demonstrates her commitment and dedication to our staff, agency and to our profession.
Nikki Strong, LCSW-C was awarded Employee of the Year. As the Out of Home, Adult and In-Home Aide Services Supervisor, Nikki sets an excellent example of commitment to the Kent County Department of Social Services and her team. She brings a positive attitude to everything she does and sets a tone for collaboration and teamwork. Nikki values the importance of achieving safety, permanency and well-being for the children in our care and she is the “pinnacle” towards which all of her staff works so very hard to reach.
Each award was coupled with an official citation provided by Maryland State Delegate Michael D. Smigiel, Jr.
