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Durham DSS highlights program-integrity work, supervisor Sheila Dorsett to retire
Summary
Durham County Department of Social Services marked Program Integrity Awareness Month, reporting $1.6 million returned to federal and state budgets in the fiscal year and recognizing Program Integrity Unit supervisor Sheila Dorsett, who announced her retirement.
Durham County Department of Social Services staff and county commissioners recognized the department's Program Integrity Unit during the Board of Commissioners meeting, highlighting recent recoveries and the upcoming retirement of the unit's supervisor, Sheila Dorsett.
Director Maggie Platt introduced the unit and said its work ensures eligible residents receive correct benefits while preventing fraud, waste and abuse. Kelly Inman said the small unit completed 1,294 investigations in the fiscal year ending June 30, established 573 claims, and "collected and returned $1,600,000 to federal and state budgets this fiscal year," with Durham County retaining about $392,000 of those funds.
Platt and other commissioners stressed that most improper payments nationwide stem from providers rather than clients. "The majority of that is providers, not staff, and not clients that receive these critical benefits," Platt said. Commissioners congratulated Dorsett for more than 30 years of state service and 14 years in Durham, praising her leadership and training contributions at local, state and national levels.
Dorsett, who said she had not expected her retirement to be recognized at the meeting, told the board she plans to remain active in professional organizations and training work. "I will remain on the board as long as I can," she said, referring to the National United Council on Welfare Fraud.
Why it matters: Program-integrity work affects federal and state funds distributed through county social-services programs and shapes public trust in benefit administration. The unit's recoveries and casework were presented as safeguarding public resources while maintaining benefit accuracy.
What the board did: The commissioners observed the recognition and thanked staff; the meeting record shows no policy action or staffing authorization tied to the recognition.
Background: County staff noted the unit has collected more than $1 million in the three years before the pandemic and in the two years after, reflecting sustained enforcement activity.
