DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Employees with the Division of Family and Children Services in DeKalb County are being warned to change how they treat each other and those with which they come in contact.
On Monday, 11Alive News obtained a copy of a letter allegedly sent to employees expressing concern for declining customer service, lack of mutual respect and professional behavior. In the email, regional director LaMarva Ivory said, "Just as families have issues and dysfunctions they must work to resolve, it has become painfully aware to me that our family here is not functioning at our best."
The email went to all Dekalb DFCS employees, from staff handling child abuse investigations to food stamp applications, and warns that "unprofessionalism, rudeness, disrespect, bullying, and retaliation" would not be accepted. Ivory wrote that the reports of such behavior have been demonstrated by front line staff as well as those in leadership roles.
Ivory goes on to say, "This type of rude and disrespectful behavior is totally unacceptable and in no ways will it be tolerated. If observed and reported, there will be serious consequences for such unprofessional behavior. Appropriate disciplinary actions up to and including termination will result."
Four days after the letter was sent, County Director Laurence Nelson allegedly announced he would be moving into a new position at the state office. DFCS has not yet confirmed the emails or said whether the move, if true, is related in any way to the issues addressed in Ivory's letter.
But in the email sent by Nelson he says, "My goal when I came to DeKalb was to hope that I would leave the agency in a better place than it was when I arrived. Whether or not I accomplished that goal is for you to decide."
A statement from Ashley Fielding with the department was sent to 11Alive News Monday evening, which said:
To further implement the robust workforce development and constituent engagement initiatives in the Division of Family and Children Services Blueprint for Change, Director Bobby Cagle has acted in DeKalb County to ensure the agency has the right personnel in the right positions and is responsive to feedback from agency stakeholders.
The regional Director for Fulton and DeKalb counties, LaMarva Ivory, will serve as DeKalb's interim director while the Division conducts a thorough search to identify a candidate to take on one of the Division's most challenging leadership roles.
It is against Division policy to discuss personnel actions, but Mr. Nelson is regarded as a talented and respected employee. He will assume a new role with the state office on Sept. 16.
