Shenandoah County Department of Social Services - Woodstock, Virginia

Michael N.

Beth who is the director of Shenandoah county social services is the one who made the decision to have my wife rights terminated voluntarily as they stated if she did that it was the right thing to do and was for the best interest of her son. even though my wife did everything they asked in which included but not limited to
1. Psychological Evacuation
2. Parenting Classes
3. Psycho Therapy
4. Psychiatry
5. self esteem classes
6. attention/development classes
in all my wife did all this and Beth still stated it wasn't good enough progress for my wife son to come home and clamed that my wife mental health was also a danger to her child in time yet there are a lot of parents whom suffer with mental disorders and they take very great care of their children and in fact it states that people whom suffer from mental disorder and have children are more protective than people whom have children whom doesn't suffer from mental health.

Pluto T.

HORRIBLE EXPERIECE. The case Worker by the name of Taylor Johnson should be Terminated. SHE IS ABSURDLY RUDE I have had food stamps for 15 years and she is the worse I’ve seen by far. They have young non chalant employees that don’t care about anything but a paycheck and the weekend near by. I’m so dissapointed in The Staunton area. Embarassing at its finest.

Genie P.

I actually went to the wrong county to get information, after two lovely women helped me gather information and gave advice in person (I had made an appointment), they referred me to the Shenandoah office due to the need to apply for services within the county of the residence for the elderly person I’m trying to help. The person who answered the phone at the Shenandoah office cut me off in the middle of my asking for an appointment and stated, “You need to apply over the phone and they do it all the time.” I again tried to tell this woman that the Rockingham County staff told me it would be best if I talked with them in person. The person who answered in the Shenandoah office again interrupted me, asked for my address, after I gave it she said, “I’ll mail the application to you” and hung up on me! I have an application, never got the number to apply, didn’t have an opportunity to tell this woman, sadly this was very poor service. I hope by posting this the office will realize they provide a service to those in need and please be patient.

TJ P.

Multiple visits at different times for multiple reasons for different families/clients: never able to get answers for anyone. Phone numbers given out are no longer in service or lead to dead ends or wrong departments all together. Much of the information is inaccurate or invalid. Upon letting personal on premesis aware of issues that need to be addressed, needs are met with shrugs of apathy. I feel very sorry indeed for families that need emergency services. In my case anyone I tried to help was led in circles.

trina W.

I would say minus zero. Staff has NO CLUE about Community Resources. Wow..I kept getting the same Pat/ State,Employee answer when I asked a question in plain English.

You are employees at the behest of the State. If you cannot perform your duties in a calm and professional manner.

You can be replaced by Me.I'd be glad to have your position.

And, yes I'm over qualified. Open your Ears and listen Miss Heating and Cooling Richmond is just a quick phone call away.

Your over all reviews are under par way under par. Perform your duties as assigned or step aside.

No wiggle room..Read me..

Global A.

It’s baffling, unprecedented and concerning! That any man or woman can walk into a county building paid for by the tax payers of said county.

Fill out an application to request “help” financial assistance. Be granted said financial assistance.

For a child or children.

Then after the fact pursue legal action from the latter spouse. Without ANY research, clarification and/or validation from said latter spouse!

Completely work off one individuals “word”. When in fact does it EVER occur to the social services case worker that said requester is providing false information? Nope!

Case worker pre determines requester as custodial parent without any prior investigation/validation is obsured! And lazy!

The case worker is more or less assisting with a criminal act. With falsifying documents/information.

Making the actual custodial parent pay the specific dollar amount granted! Extremely disturbing is an understatement!

When a requester “can” work but decides not to. (Heck why would they when tax payers are funding their lives)

Can simply walk into a tax payers building and retrieve financial assistance for a child or children they do not provide for.

And ask the individual who is “doing their part” financially, to pay back the money granted!

If that’s not a broken system. I don’t know what is!

Penalize the care giver and provider but reward laziness and criminal behavior? Something or someone needs to do something about it.

At a bare minimum, how about “vetting” requesters better and actually ensure the information being provided is accurate and true? Or can be substantiated?

Question is, how many other hard working, honest, men and woman get taken advantage of and have to jump through hoops to prove their part? I would assume most would just deal with it and move on. Not worth the time proving their hard work.

Because when a judge is biased and will not hear nor listen to substantiated claims. Then the entire system in itself is a scam.

These case workers know it’s not right, but do it anyway. Sad.

I never leave reviews. But felt it was necessary under these special circumstances, as I’m sure someone else may have experienced what I have experienced these last few months. That was purely random and uncalled for.

Case workers! Really look at who’s requesting assistance! And don’t take away from the actual care providers. Because at the end of the day. You’re taking away from that child or children.

As I’m sure 80% of the time most inquiries are some what accurate. But that 20% at hundreds of thousands. Adds up!

#change

Dorothy-Jean C.

The Shenandoah County Health Dept folks efficiently managed covid vaccinations for my husband and me, among a throng of other people. The cue moved quickly, chairs provided, friendly staff, and observation post vax.

Jorge G.

I have lived in Shenandoah county just about all my life and have never had anything good to say about the Department of Social services. From the countless SNAP denials, and them closing cases without acknowledgement... I find that to be very unsettling. People that are supposed to "help"