Jackson to retire as Cumberland County social services director, Skeens to lead department

Cumberland County Social Services Director Brenda Jackson will retire on Jan. 1 and be replaced by Guilford County’s director of health and human services.

Jackson told the Cumberland County Social Services Board and County Manager Amy Cannon in December that she intended to retire at the end of 2021, according to a statement released by county officials.

The board consulted with Cannon and the Board of County Commissioners before hiring Heather L. Skeens as the new social services director, the statement said. Skeens, who previously served as assistant director of children’s services and deputy director for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, will become its director Dec. 6, it said.

Jackson, who was named the 2018 Director of the Year by the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services, has served as Cumberland County social service director for 13 years. She has more than 35 years of experience in human services across North Carolina, according to the statement.

“I plan to complete this calendar year, and I have assured the Social Services Board that I will continue to offer my assistance in any way needed, to make the transition as smooth as possible,” Jackson said in the statement.

Cannon said Jackson worked tirelessly for the county’s most vulnerable citizens.

William Duke, chairman of the Social Services Board, said Jackson’s impact will be felt for several years to come.

“We are thankful for all she has done for the agency and the citizens of Cumberland County; especially her tireless efforts in reducing the number of children in foster care, increasing staff that serve disabled adults and elderly residents, creative service delivery operations in economic services, and efficient operations of disaster shelters,” he said.

Skeens has worked in the human services field for 30 years, according to the statement. She worked for the state Department of Health and Human Services and for the Department of Social Services in Onslow County.

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Local news editor Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County NC social services director Brenda Jackson retiring