Durham County Child Placement and Supportive Services Program Manager Jovetta Whitfield has been named Interim Social Services Director by the Durham County Board of Social Services.  She succeeds DSS Director Sammy R. Haithcock, who is retiring on June 30.

Ms. Whitfield will manage the department’s operations until a permanent replacement is hired by the Board of Social Services.  In making the appointment, Chairman Gladys Dunston said, “We are grateful to Jovetta Whitfield for taking on this role while the Board works tirelessly to make the best possible decision for appointing our next DSS director.  We are encouraged by the professionalism and high standards of all of the DSS staff who also work tirelessly to assure the continued success of our agency.”

Ms. Whitfield has more than 13 years in social services and holds a Master’s in Social Work from the UNC School of Social Work.  She serves on the Field Placement Advisory Board at the UNC School of Social Work and on the Durham System of Care Council.

She joined Durham County in 1996 and has served as Child Placement and Supportive Services Program Manager since 1999.  Ms. Whitfield worked in Child Protective Services from 1996-1999.

Ms. Whitfield will assume her new duties on July 1, 2009.