Union County View October 2015

Jerry Simpson Achieves Recognition from NCACC for Dedication to

Professional Development

Union County Commissioner Jerry Simpson was recognized by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners for meeting the requirements for the Practitioner level in the Local Elected Leaders Academy. A Practitioner has completed a minimum of 48 credits (18 orientation credits + 18 focused in-depth credits + 12 elective credits).

The Local Elected Leaders Academy, a partnership with the UNC School of Government, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners and the N.C. League of Municipalities, offers local elected officials the knowledge and skills needed to lead and govern their communities.

County commissioners are recognized for their participation in both educational programs and service to the Association. The starting place for earning credits is the orientation program, the Essentials of County Government. As commissioners increase education and service, they earn credits toward recognition at three levels: Practitioner, Master and Mentor. The NCACC tracks credits and recognizes participation every year at the Annual Conference.

“LELA recognizes county commissioners who have dedicated themselves to becoming effective local leaders for their communities,” said NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard. “The roles and responsibilities of county commissioners are constantly changing, and the LELA program helps them keep up with the latest information.”

Bill Whitley, division director for Union County Parks and Recreation, successfully completed the requirements for certification as a Park and Recreation Executive on Sept. 10.

The certification is administered through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative and executive parks and recreation professionals. This mastery-level credential focuses on the practical knowledge and current real-world skills necessary in today’s changing park and Union County Parks and Recreation Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the community.

Jeff Caton Named Executive Director of Community Services

Union County Manager Cindy Coto is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Caton as Executive Director of Community Services. Caton oversees Parks and Recreation, the Public Library system, Cooperative Extension, and Soil and Water Conservation.

Caton comes to Union County from Columbia, S.C. where he served as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Columbia. He also worked for Spartanburg County, S.C. for 15 years, and prior to that, was employed by the Department of the Navy as the Recreation Director at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, S.C.

Caton is a native of Spartanburg and graduated from Paul M. Dorman High School. He attended Clemson University where he received his undergraduate degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

Caton is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional through the National Recreation and Parks Association. He received the 2003 Professional of the Year by the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association. He and his wife Teresa have three children and one grandchild.

Union County Parks and Recreation Earns National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation

Mark of distinction recognizes commitment to highest level of service to the community

Union County Parks and Recreation joins the ranks of elite parks and recreation agencies and departments across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2015 NRPA Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for parks and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.

As part of the accreditation process, Union County Parks and Recreation demonstrated compliance with 151 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.

“The accreditation process has served as the scorecard by which we have graded ourselves on how we serve the residents of Union County with quality recreational services and parks,” said Bill Whitley, division director for Union County Parks and Recreation. “We are honored to have received the accreditation but this is just the ‘end of the beginning’ as we continue to track how we strive to improve as an agency over the years to come against these same national standards. I would like to personally thank the local municipalities that have been vital in creating a closer total team effort in providing our residents with improved recreational needs during the past two years.”

The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years.

The Commission is comprised of representatives from NRPA, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Management Association, the Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed Forces Recreation Network and the Council of State Executive Directors.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.

Maria Clara Laury Wins Child Health Recognition AwardMaria Clara Laury, About Breast Cancer Project Coordinator and Bilingual Health Educator for the Union County Division of Public Health, recently received a Child Health Recognition Award from North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. Child Health Recognition Awards “celebrate passionate advocates, individuals, public health staff professionals and North Carolina Health Departments.”

Maria works tirelessly and diligently to serve families with all aspects of health care, and her enthusiasm is infectious. She works in dental health programs, teaches parenting classes and Scrub Club hand washing classes, coordinates the After Lunch Tooth Brushing program in pre- kindergarten child care centers across the county and recently began work in the Healthy Homes program.

Maria’s knowledge and positive attitude make her a resource and trusted advocate for families and colleagues in her department and beyond.

Christmas Bureau Opens on October 5

The Union County Christmas Bureau will open Monday, Oct. 5 to begin accepting applications from families that request assistance for the Christmas season at the Union County Division of Social Services at 1212 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe. Applications will be taken until Nov. 21.

The Christmas Bureau requests that donations be made before Friday, Dec. 4, if possible. Groups or individuals may also assist by sponsoring families, gift trees or filling stockings for children. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Christmas Bureau at P. O. Box 489, Monroe, NC 28110. All donations are tax deductible.

Volunteers are also needed for various tasks during October through December. If you are able to help, contact the Christmas Bureau at 704-296

4312 or by sign up at unioncountydss.volunteerconnect.com.

Public Health Recognized for Breastfeeding ProgramThe Union County Division of Public Health received a Certificate of Achievement Award at the N.C. WIC Conference last month for attaining the highest percentage rank in breastfeeding initiation among women in the WIC program in North Carolina from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health.

Seventy percent of the program’s postpartum women initiated breastfeeding. According to the CDC’s 2014 Breastfeeding Report Card, the nationwide percentage of women who ever breastfed was 79.2 percent, with North Carolina at 77.2 percent. (http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2014breastfeedingreportcard.pdf).

“We are proud to support our client’s with breastfeeding initiation and ongoing support through our breastfeeding peer counselor program, as well as having an International Board Certified Lactation Counselor on staff,” said Leigh Ellen Dudley, Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Interim WIC Director for the Union County Division of Public Health.

Early Voting for Monroe Municipal Election Begins Thursday

One-Stop/Early Voting for the Monroe Municipal Election began on Thursday, Sept. 24 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 3 in the Griffin Room of the Union County Public Library at 316-A East Windsor Street in Monroe.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

For more information, call the Union County Board of Elections at 704-283-3809 or email union.boe@ncsbe.gov.

Child Support Enforcement Recognized by Child Support CounselUnion County Child Support Enforcement was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the North Carolina Child Support Counsel for meeting or exceeding goals in all incentive and self-assessment areas for SFY 2015.

Child Support Enforcement exceeded its SFY 2014 collections by 3.04 percent with total collections of $10,401,640, which is $307,143 more than last year’s collections. Collections on current support increased by 0.72 percent to 62.73 percent, and collections toward arrears increased by 0.87 percent to 65.73 percent. Child Support Enforcement ended the year with a paternity establishment rate at 100.26 percent, and was also recognized for passing all self-assessment categories.

Since SFY 2011, Child Support Enforcement’s total collections have increased from $9,284,717 to $10,401,640. Its current support collection rate has increased from 56.41 percent to 62.73 percent. Its collection on arrears rate has increased from 57.80 percent to 65.73 percent, and its cases under order rate has increased from 85.20 percent to 89.60 percent.

“It was a privilege to be recognized by the North Carolina Child Support Counsel for our accomplishments,” said Tanya John-son, Project Manager for Union County Child Support Enforcement. “We remain dedicated to improving our performance to better serve the needs of the children of Union County.”

Union County Public Library to Host Rediscover Your Library Event

The Union County Public Library will host its first Rediscover Your Library event on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Library in Monroe. The free event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

During the event, visitors are invited to meet with Library administration and staff, experience our 3-D printers, learn about homework help resources, find out about upcoming programs, sign up for personalized reading recom-mendations, discover NC LIVE, and register for free library cards. Library staff members will be available to demon-strate new resources and answer questions about the collection, programs and services.

“We are excited to be able to showcase all of the innovative resources, services, and programs we have to offer,” said Library Director Nina Meadows. “We are so much more than books on shelves. We have programs for all ages, electronic resources for just about anything you would like to learn, and our services cover the gamut from job search assistance to homebound delivery. We are especially excited to demonstrate our databases that greatly benefit students of all ages. We have resources covering all of the major areas of study including Language Learn-ing and Test Prep. Learning about these resources is a great way to start the school year off right.”

Anyone who visits all of the Library’s informational booths will be eligible to win a prize. Light refreshments will also be served.

For more information, contact Nina Meadows at 704-283-8184 or nmeadows@union.lib.nc.us.

Monroe Library Hosts First College DayThe Union County Public Library in Monroe is hosting the first College Day on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Representatives from universities in North and South Carolina will provide admissions information and answer questions. Informative seminars and panel discussions will be offered throughout the day for students and parents. Seminars include Acing the College Interview and Student Athletes: Balancing Class Work with Sports. A College Foundation representative will discuss financial aid and paying for college. Library staff members will showcase test preparation databases available through NC Live and Universal Class.

“We are very excited to host our first College Day,” organizer Gypsy Houston said. “We want to make sure that the idea of college or post-secondary education is in the front of Union County students’ minds.”

All Union County High School students, teachers and parents are encouraged to attend this free event. For more information please contact Gypsy Houston at 704-283-8184 ext. 232 or ghouston@union.lib.nc.us.

Union County Service Award Recipients October 2015

5 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREADana White LibraryKrista Cahoon Sheriff’s OfficeJody Rutledge Sheriff’s OfficeMichael White Human Services

10 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREAChristopher Byrum Sheriff’s OfficeTracia Benard Human ServicesSuzann Mills Tax Administration

15 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREAMelissa Meador Human ServicesNeal Gaston Public Works

20 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREAJulie Moore Human ServicesJohn Gore Sheriff’s OfficeKevin James Sheriff’s OfficeChristopher Medlin Sheriff’s Office

25 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREAWarren Stephens Sheriff’s Office

Promotions

Barbara MedlinSocial Worker IISocial Services

Michelle McCarverAdministrative Assistant

Operations CenterPublic Works

Sandra HarknessSocial Worker IIISocial Services

Kathryn EttersSocial Work Program

ManagerSocial Services

New Employees

Joseph SproulDriver

Transportation

Jerry BarbeeDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Kenneth BartlettPT Utility Site Attendant

Public Works

Tamika BobbittSocial Worker - IAT

Social Services

Joshua BolickDetention Officer I

Sheriff’s Office

Bryan CarpenterPT Construction

InspectorPublic Works

Ginger BurgessProcessing Assistant III

Social Services

Steven BromirPT Reader’s Services

AssistantLibrary

Cara BrandenburgTelecommunicatior I

Communications

Darius ChisholmHealth and Safety Pro-

gram ManagerPublic Works

Hayes ClemonsPT Driver

Transportation

Jeffrey EllisonTelecommunicator I

Communications

Kathrine EnsleyTelecommunicator I

Communications

Dwan HaileyPT Community Social

Services Asst.Social Services

Marie GonzalezProcurement Specialist

Procurement

Patsy GilmoreSocial Worker IIISocial Services

Kendra FosterPT Community Social

Services Asst.Social Services

Ashley HelmsPT Library Assistant II

Library

Jessica HodgePT Telecommunicator I

Communications

Corey HowardDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Tex HuffmanDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Michelle OrrPT Telecommunicator I

Communications

Traci MoorePatient Relations Rep. IV

Human Services

Carlos LebronDispatcher/Transportation

Transportation

Michael LambertDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Amisha WoodsPT Community Social

Services Asst.Social Services

Brookes VersaggiCommunity Relations

ManagerPublic Works

Tesla RushPT Library Assistant II

Library

Samantha PeaksPT Telecommunicator I

Communications

Dwight Barrett of Public Works passed his water distribution exam and received a certification in C Distribution.

A large stockpile of firewood is available for Union County residents at Cane Creek Park.

The hardwood and pine which is firewood size but not split is available for pickup on Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Call Jared Steele at 704-320-4890 to schedule a pickup time.

Please join us on Halloween Eve as we have our third annual live and virtual costume contest in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers at 11:30 a.m. There will be trophies for the following categories: Most Original, Funniest, Scariest, Best Overall and Best Group.

For those that cannot make it to the Government Center for the live costume contest, please submit your photos to Dorothy Rollins: drollins@unioncountync.gov no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.

Also this year, we will have an Office Door Decorating Contest which will be judged by your fellow employees. Please submit those photos to Dorothy Rollins no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 29.

Transportation & Nutrition Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Thursday, September 24