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Johnston County Department of Social Services outlines operations, Path/SEA rollout and new Isaiah House plans
Summary
DSS presented an annual overview to the board on Aug. 18 highlighting organizational restructuring, the upcoming Path/SEA technology rollout, staffing and service volumes and plans for a consolidated DSS building and the ‘Isaiah House’ visit/visitation facility.
Johnston County Department of Social Services director Christine Dowdell briefed the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 18 with an agency overview that described internal restructuring, program volumes and several service and technology initiatives.
Dowdell said the agency has reorganized to create separate division directors for Medicaid and Economic Services, established a Resource Department that will include visitation supervision and transportation, and expanded in‑house interpretation services to reduce reliance on outside vendors. She highlighted an upcoming facility the county calls “Isaiah House 117,” which staff said will be a child‑centered visitation facility and the first of its kind in North Carolina when it opens.
Operational highlights and figures presented by Dowdell and staff included: - Annual DSS budget: “over $48,000,000.” - Food and Nutrition services timeliness: 98.9% for applications and about 99% for recertifications, with over $50 million in benefits issued countywide. - Childcare subsidy spending: over $12,200,000 to help families maintain employment. - Emergency heating/cooling assistance: about $1,900,000 provided to households. - Child welfare caseload reference: staff said approximately 208 children in care (number described as fluctuating). - Unclaimed bodies: staff reported DSS took responsibility for 25 unclaimed decedents during the past fiscal year.
Dowdell said the agency is implementing Path and SEA, a statewide technology platform used by all 100 North Carolina counties, with a planned go‑live date of Sept. 8; staff are training now. DSS also launched a call center in October 2024 to handle increased demand and routine transactions, which staff said reduces transfers to caseworkers.
Board members praised staff for improved customer service and the agency’s focus on family‑centered practice. Commissioners and others said the consolidated DSS building approved in the budget should improve client experience and staff collaboration by replacing multiple scattered offices.
Ending: Dowdell thanked staff and outside partners, and commissioners recognized the agency’s ongoing work as the county moves toward the new building and the Path/SEA technology implementation.
