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Mississippi Department of Human Services
August 2020
Tune in to learn how we're continuing with Operation Restore Trust.
Harold Broome
State Office

Harold exhibits kindness, stability, an excellent work ethic, and responsibility.

He is a star employee who is being recognized for his attitude, willingness to get the job done in a timely manner, and positivity. Mr. Broome is as close as an individual can get to being the perfect employee.
Jessica Washington
Field Office

Jessica lives and breathes the MDHS mission and motto.

She is best known for her bright attitude and empowering motivation. She is excellent at meeting customers needs while motivating them to reach higher. Jessica will go above and beyond for Mississippians.
We Are Accepting Nominations for September!
To submit your nomination:

  • Visit www.mdhs.ms.gov. 
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Employee Login.” 
  • Once you have selected, please enter your MDHS username and password.
  • All information is located under "Employee Awards Program" at the top right of the page. 
  • Nomination forms must be attached to your webform submission to be considered for the award. 

How to attach to the Webform:

  1. Select Nomination Form
  2. Complete Form
  3. Save as Employee's Name to your Desktop
  4. Select Employee Awards Submission Webform
  5. Complete Webform and click browse files
  6. Select the saved form from your desktop and then submit 

Should you have any questions about the guidelines or how to submit a nominee, please email the Division of Human Resources at DHR.Supportservices@mdhs.ms.gov. 
EAE visits Mississippi Food Network
The Division of Economic Assistance Eligibility is partnering with the Mississippi Food Network in assisting Mississippians when the need arises for food from the food bank. Arnell Wilson has created and nurtured this partnership.

On September 10th, EAE is scheduled to pack Commodities Supplemental Food Program boxes.
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Welcome the Newest Members
of our LTC Ombudsmen Family!
Emma Powell and Lisa M. Smith
Lisa M. Smith, Mary Shearrill, KenYada Blake-Washington, Treonna Readus, Emma Powell
TreOnna Readus and Lisa M. Smith
The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), together with the office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (SLTCO) is proud to welcome the newest members of our LTC Ombudsmen family. Both representing CMPDD Area Agency on Aging, Emma Powell and TreOnna Readus have been trained and have hit the ground running as District Ombudsmen for Hinds and Yazoo counties.

Please welcome them onboard and reach out to them with any concerns regarding residents in long term care facilities within their area. Please feel free to use our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Helpline to reach ombudsmen in other areas of our state. We are the voice of our LTC residents and look forward to defending residents' rights and educating others on those rights.
Congratulations to Mrs. Mary Sharp!
Mrs. Sharp retired with 14 yrs and 11 months of service at the Leake County DHS office on July 31st.

Mary began working with the office under the Institute for Indian Development senior citizen program serving in the capacity of a part-time clerk. Her hard work and dedication lead to her being employed with the Leake County DHS office as a Client Service Representative in August of 2006. She will be best remembered for her classy jewelry and work attire. She was committed in serving the citizens of Leake County with the upmost respect and outstanding customer service.

The Leake CO DHS family will truly miss her and we wish her the best with her retirement.

Thank you Mary Sharp for being a valuable member of our team!
MDHS Working to Combat Decline in Child Care
Digital First: MDHS working to combat decline in child care

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) - The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has dedicated more than $50 million to assist child care providers and families in need of child care in a safe, healthy environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ...

Read more
www.wjtv.com
Celebrating Gail Smith!

Gail has been battling cancer for approximately 6 years. She has endured 3 surgeries and 3 rounds of chemotherapy.

This August, Gail and her co-workers celebrated the end of her last and hardest round of chemo treatments. Gail stated "I am so blessed to work with generous caring people."
Wishing You All the Best, Danelle Gibbs!
Danelle Gibbs began her employment at MDHS as a TANF worker in 2016, under the leadership of Mr. Frederick Ward. Since then she has worked in Child Support, EA, DECCD, and lastly in Program Integrity.

Danelle left this month to begin a new career for the Natural Resource Conservation Service as a Soil Conservationists in New Albany, MS.

MDHS is grateful for the incomparable work performance and attitude Danelle displayed while here.

We wish her all the best now and into the future!
You Will Be Missed, Kristi McHale!

The Division of Early Childhood Care and Development (DECCD) held a reception to say farewell to Division Director Kristi McHale, as she moves out of state with her family. The division gave her two plaques that were presented by Andrea Sanders and Chad Allgood to honor and acknowledge her dedication and success within the agency.

In the short two years with the agency, together with her team, Kristi made significant strides in the two programs she directed, the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) and Healthy Families Mississippi (HFM), impacting the people of Mississippi in a profoundly positive manner. Her contributions include redesigning program structure, implementing new procedures, developing quality reports, and working with IT to streamline processes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristi led the collaborative effort to create the Childcare Crisis Assistance in Isolation Response (CCAIR) Plan and the emergency policies to address immediate child care needs to support providers and families throughout Mississippi.

Although Kristi will be greatly missed, her achievements will live on and the division will continue moving forward under the direction of Chad Allgood, Ph.D., who joins MDHS from the MS Department of Health. MDHS wishes Kristi McHale the BEST and continued success in her future endeavors.
Chuntel Williams receives 20 year longevity certificate and pin.

Chuntel started with MDHS in August of 2000 as a clerk, and was promoted to case manager in 2012. Chuntel says she loves her job because it satisfies her passion and purpose of helping people.
In her off-time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her two daughters: Conacee and Caleigh Covington.

Chuntel Williams receives 20 year longevity certificate and pin from county director Nancy Butler.
Mark Williamson is Still Going Strong!

Director of Economic Assistance Eligibility, Mark Williamson, is at it again. He has visited several more counties this month. Keep up the great work team!

To see if he completes his adventure, follow him on our social media.