Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) created an internal division called the Department of Family Opportunities (DFO). It was developed to meet all HCHRA’s desired case management outputs and outcomes. In addition to providing access to our internal services, HCHRA plans to maintain current partnerships and linkages with other community service providers and, whenever possible, identify and solidify additional opportunities to leverage more support for the families we serve.
HCHRA is engaged in extensive planning, training, engagement, and customization process requiring regular attendance, consensus building, and model development. The elements of the standard operating procedure include:
- Standardized policies for service delivery, including common language and definitions.
- Data models are organized by domains identifying services and outcomes and how they are associated for purposes of service delivery, reporting, and evaluation.
- Assessment scales for measuring client progress and documenting achievement of outcomes.
- A standardized case management process.
- Service delivery map or flowchart.
MEET OUR DFO LEADERSHIP TEAM
De’arbreya Lee-Tidwell
De’Arbreya Tidwell joined HCHRA in 2022 as the Assistant Vice President for the Department of Family Opportunities (DFO).
She has over 20 years of experience in social services as a case manager, family and child advocate, follow-up coordinator, case manager, data tracker, and multidisciplinary team leader.
Before this appointment, she worked as a Health Program Specialist for the Department of Health’s Early Intervention Program. She has also held several other service positions, such as a Victim Advocate at the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center and a Program Administrator for the Salvation Army.
She received a bachelor’s in English from Mississippi College with a minor in legal studies and an associate’s in paralegal studies from Hinds Community College. She is also a credentialed childcare director through the Mississippi Forum on Children and Families.
Her experience in coordinating training on childcare program regulations and policies/procedures for licensing is a valuable asset in ensuring the quality of our Head Start program. Because of her desire to serve her community with care and compassion while building a network of supportive services to aid families in navigating community resources, she will be a great asset to DFO. I look forward to what she will bring to the position.
Janice M. Foster
Janice M. Foster joined Hinds County Human Resource Agency in 2022 as the Transportation Director. She earned her Associate of Arts Degree in Office Systems Technology from Hinds Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Jackson State University, a Master of Science in Hazardous Materials Management, and a Master of Science in Education Technology from Jackson State University.
Janice brings over 15 years of professional experience with a comprehensive understanding of the transportation industry. She holds a Class A CDL License with Double, Triple, Hazmat, and Tanker endorsements, and is an experienced Commercial Drivers Classroom Instructor. She is also certified as a Third Party Examiner for the State of Mississippi.
Jameria Demerritt
Jameria Demerritt joined HCHRA in 2023 as the Family Opportunities Supervisor-Coordinator for the Department of Family Opportunities.
She has over 16 years of experience managing fiscal operations, designing, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures, streamlining effective processes with solid business acumen, and supporting organizational efforts.
Jameria is a Jackson, Miss native who graduated from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor’s in Political Science.
Before joining the team, she was a Fiscal Operations Associate and Human Resource Associate at Belk. She has years of banking experience in positions such as Uniform Commercial Code Specialist, Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) Lead, Teller Supervisor, and Customer Experience Specialist.
Because of her managerial experience, she will significantly help the Agency. I look forward to how she will utilize her skills to help streamline processes within DFO and enhance customer satisfaction.