(Washington, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Department of Human Services Director (DHS) David Berns, Department of General Services (DGS) Deputy Director for Construction Services June Locker, DHS staff, volunteers and customers celebrated the opening of the newly renovated DHS facility today at its Southeast location.
“Many of our residents will embark on a new journey in their own personal lives starting right here, so it’s only fitting that the journey begins in a new, inviting, modernized space,” said Mayor Gray. “Today’s ribbon cutting signifies that we are continuing to work with the best interests of all of our residents in mind.”
DGS completed renovations to DHS spaces at its 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE facility to better serve customers in the agency’s Family Resource Center, Food Stamp Employment and Training Office, DHS Call Center, and DC Health Link Contact Center.
“What better way to serve residents of this great city than to provide newly modernized facilities at social-service agencies like DHS that provide crucial programs for our citizens,” said Locker.
The Family Resource Center is the centralized location for work readiness assessments for recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). It also provides counseling and case coordination for customers who have severe barriers to work.
“The Family Resource Center is the place where these families are getting help and support with self-sufficiency plans and other services to assist with the transition off of TANF,” said Berns.
The Food Stamp Employment and Training Office offers career guidance to customers receiving food assistance, but is gearing up to offer the work-readiness assessment as well. The DC Health Link Call Center has been modernized for trained staffers to assist customers, via telephone, with eligibility and enrollment in health-care coverage through the District’s health-benefit exchange. And the DHS Call Center provides information to callers regarding their eligibility for public benefits.
For more information on the Department of Human Services, please visit www.dhs.dc.gov.