As we celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I want to thank all DHR employees for the extraordinary dedication and commitment they have shown in helping make this a record-breaking year at DHR. Through their individual contributions, we have met and surpassed many of our agency goals, and I am especially grateful for their support and service in these efforts.
DHR Constituent Services employees Shirley and Lorraine prepare to donate toys collected by employees to Toys For Tots.
During these challenging economic times, we’ve seen unprecedented demand for the benefits and services we administer. Yet not only have we been able to meet the challenge of doing more with less, we have exceeded expectations at every turn, setting many performance records in the process:
- We’ve worked harder than ever to place a record 12,000 unemployed individuals who wanted to work in jobs.
- Child support collections were up a record $25 million this year compared to 2011.
- And more than 2,000 children were adopted or reunified with their families. In fact, there are fewer children in our care today than at any time since at least 1986 when electronic record keeping started.
None of this would have been possible without our employees’ willingness to come to work each day ready to provide quality customer service. Thanks to them, DHR is recognized as one of the highest performing agencies in the state, and more Maryland families have received the help they need.
I wish you all a safe, joyous and happy Holiday season and a prosperous and happy New Year.
