TITLE
Title
HHS-DSS NC ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL SERVICES 2025 INNOVATION AWARD RECOGNITION
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
County Manager Victor Isler
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BACKGROUND
Background
The North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS) Innovation Awards recognize innovative, successful, and unique work within county social services agencies and share these initiatives with other counties and key partners. The NCACDSS invited counties to submit entries for the 22nd Annual NCACDSS Innovations Awards. A panel of judges evaluated the nominations, and it is with great pleasure that we announce Guilford County as the winner in the External and/or Non-Traditional Partnerships category for large-sized counties. This category is defined by working to enhance the well-being and helping meet the basic needs of adults, families, and children, especially those who are vulnerable, in crisis, and living in poverty, by bringing together organizations beyond solely the local DSS Agency. Examples include collaborative initiatives with the courts, hospitals, schools, philanthropic support, joint county ventures, and other non-traditional agencies.
Guilford HHS-DSS was awarded based upon the Youth Awaiting Placement (YAP) initiative. YAP was created in response to the urgent need for safe, supervised housing options for children who could not be immediately placed in foster care due to new juvenile petitions or placement disruptions. The goal was to ensure no child would go without care, even temporarily. To meet this need, we launched two placement alternatives: a dedicated space within an HHS building and a donated home called Anchor Hope. Anchor Hope, supported by Christ United Methodist Church provides a nurturing, home-like environment where children can rest, play, and begin adjusting to foster care. The church maintains the home, furnishing it fully, stocking food and household items, and ensuring the space remains child-friendly and clean. The HHS location is staffed 24/7 by social workers with security provided by county personnel. Meals are delivered daily through a partnership with the Juvenile Detention Center. We had no dedicated budget, relying instead on existing staff, community partnerships, and donated resources. Objectives were identified through real-time placement data, staff input, and a growing trend of emergency care gaps. Additional partnerships with Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Alexander Youth Network provided crisis support for children with acute behavioral health needs. Through interagency collaboration, creative resource use, and rotating staffing schedules, YAP was implemented with urgency and has since evolved into a sustainable, flexible solution for youth in transition.
The YAP program has proven to be an impactful and innovative solution to a long-standing systemic challenge. Since its launch, YAP has provided safe and consistent care to dozens of children who otherwise would have been left in inappropriate or unstable situations. The expected impact was to stabilize children during their transition and reduce emergency placements, and we have successfully met this goal. The impact has been both immediate and wide-reaching. Children have benefited from safe, structured environments and individualized support during one of the most stressful moments in their lives. Anchor Hope offers children the comfort of a real home, while the HHS site ensures high-level supervision and coordination. These environments have allowed children to maintain routines, receive timely meals, and engage with familiar staff while awaiting a longer-term placement. The initiative also strengthened our partnerships with the Juvenile Detention Center, County Security, Behavioral Health Urgent Care, and Alexander Youth Network. These collaborations have enabled wraparound care that includes meals, behavioral health interventions, and crisis stabilization support. Additionally, our relationships with the Greensboro Police Department and Guilford County Sheriff’s Office have enhanced communication and ensured safety at the HHS site for both youth and staff. Challenges included staffing coverage and meeting individual needs with no formal funding. These were overcome through creative scheduling, interdepartmental support, and community generosity. YAP not only met but exceeded its objectives by filling a critical gap in care, improving cross-system communication, and providing a replicable model for emergency youth housing with dignity and safety.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Recognize HHS-DSS as recipient of the 22nd Annual NC Association of County Directors of Social Services Innovation Award for External and/or Non-Traditional Partnerships for the Youth Awaiting Placement initiative.
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