Moffat County hires new social services director
A wave of change could be in store for Moffat County Social Services under its new director Dollie Rose who took helm of the department last week.
“I’m from this community, so I have a passion for helping the community thrive and helping people become self sufficient,” Rose said.
Rose replaces Kerri Klein who resigned from the position after a series of executive sessions with Moffat County Commissioners. Child Welfare Supervisor Matt Harris also left. It’s unknown why Klein and Harris are no longer with the department, as their departures were categorized as personnel matters.
The county oversees social services, and Moffat County Commissioner Frank Moe is the county liaison with the department.
“We’re looking forward to the new changes,” Moe said.
To land the job, Rose prepared a 90-day plan that she presented to the commissioners and county officials.
One of her top priorities is to change the culture within the department, emphasizing positivity and constructive collaboration.
“I know there are some questions out there on what is being done,” Rose said. “I want to look at those things to see how we can move things along. To change a company culture, it takes time”
Moffat County Commissioners really examined Rose’s ability to make favorable changes.
“That was one of our biggest concerns,” Moe said. “We knew people were looking for the direction she’d be willing to offer.”
Rose left her job at Sandrock Ridge Care & Rehab to work for social services. However, this isn’t the first time she’s worked for the department.
She worked for social services from May 2005 to September 2008, so she understands the inner workings of her new job.
“My background is social service work,” Rose said.
Many changes have happened at social services in the last two years, including the former director’s request to have “quiet time” between 8 and 9 a.m. each day so that employees can focus on their work without interruption.
Rose is examining the best practices for the department, and for now, she will keep the quiet time rule in place, hoping that it will allow the company to get caught up on backlogged applications for assistance.
“I understand the need for that hour,” Rose said.
Additionally, the department stopped answering phones more than a year ago, letting calls go to voicemail. After the message is screened, it’s passed along to the proper person.
Time will tell how things will change at social services, and Rose is up for the challenge to make things better.
“I plan on reviewing our plans with managers and seeing about being more efficient,” she said. “I’m just excited to bring a positive culture to the department. I’m passionate about people. Some of them are very dependent on us. It’s very important that we get them their benefits timely.”
Reach Noelle Leavitt Riley at 970-875-1790 or nriley@CraigDailyPress.com.
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