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marlob@herald-mail.com Arnold Eby said it was only after they were married that his wife, Donna, told him she had long wanted to run an orphanage. Instead the Hagerstown couple - Washington County Department of Social Services Foster Family of the Year - called the agency 2 1/2 years ago and signed up. "We got our first placement in March 2002 - five siblings ranging in age from 2 to 7," Arnold Eby said. The children stayed with them for 13 months, he said.

laurae@herald-mail.com Recent computer problems required some new applicants for welfare, food stamps and medical assistance to wait a few days longer for benefits, said Washington County Department of Social Services Director David Engle. The computer system is back on track and Engle doesn't anticipate future delays. The North Potomac Street agency uses a computer system linked to a statewide network to process applications for welfare, food stamps and medical assistance, he said.

Before a 3-year-old Hagerstown girl died from injuries sustained in a beating, local authorities had initiated four separate investigations into possible child abuse. Should the first three probes have been a warning sign to workers of the Washington County Department of Social Services that worse things were about to happen? It's difficult to say, because the Maryland Department of Human Resources, the parent agency of DSS, is not providing all the details of the case, citing state regulations.

About 70 Department of Social Services employees fanned out through downtown Hagerstown on Wednesday for the Great Hager Chase, a scavenger-hunt-type challenge. Eric Valentine, the adventures director of Cedar Ridge Adventures in Williamsport, which organized the event, said DSS wanted its employees to learn more about local social service agencies, such as Potomac Case Management Services and Community Action Council. The team-building challenge also included several downtown businesses.

Between now and Saturday, Aug. 13, Maryland residents who are behind in their child support payments will get a two-week amnesty to work things out. We urge noncustodial parents to take advantage of this opportunity and not just because it might help them avoid arrest or the loss of driving privileges. A study posted on the Web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families found that children whose parents worked out cooperative support payments did better in terms of cognitive development and behavior.

WASHINGTON COUNTY Her journey from Baltimore to Hagerstown included a 30-day stay at a drug addiction treatment center, followed by a trip to the Department of Social Services. There, she was told that a requirement to receive welfare in the form of temporary cash assistance was that she search for a job. Her search didn't take her too far. Marcella Shell, 49, now works in the administration and finance department at the very building where, she said, she was able to turn her life around for her and her two children.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back -- through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others -- at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Ann Julie Grasham, who died Oct. 19 at the age of 73. Her obituary was published in the Oct. 21 edition of The Herald-Mail. Ann Grasham came to Washington County in the early 1970s -- a wife and mother of five children.

Woman feels Social Help Center her calling By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer After years of volunteering at area help agencies, Betty Willson feels right at home as head of the Washington County Council of Churches Social Help Center. "One thing leads to another," said Willson, 53, of Hagerstown. "This is the next logical thing for me to be doing. " In July 1999, Willson re-launched the faith-based Social Help Center at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown.

One of Washington County's more glowing success stories is the Hunters Green Business Center on Hopewell Road. Companies there employ 2,000 workers and have a need for at least 500 more. A substantial number of these vacancies could be filled by people in downtown Hagerstown who are now on the government dole, under a program known as Temporary Cash Assistance. Big distribution companies, including FedEx Ground, Home Depot Direct, PetSmart and Staples all say the same thing: Prospective employees have told them that transportation to work is a problem.

WASHINGTON COUNTY Just don't call them deadbeat dads. Not only are some people who are not paying child support mothers rather than fathers, but referring to such people as "deadbeats" does little or nothing to help those innocently involved - children. "We never use it here," Barbara Moyer, assistant director of Washington County's child support program, which is operated through the Department of Social Services (DSS), said of the phrase deadbeat dad. "I think all that does is develop an attitude with the noncustodial parent.

Recently, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley launched the Maryland Stronger Together Campaign to encourage state residents to give back by volunteering in their communities during November and December.   Washington County Department of Social Services staff learned of a shortage of food and other supplies at the local CASA, or Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused, shelter.   To respond to the need, a food drive was organized from Dec. 16 to 22.   To increase participation in the fundraiser, staff members were able to "purchase" a casual day with a donation of three or more nonperishable food items.

National Child Support Awareness Month has been observed in August. The State of Maryland Child Support Enforcement Administration's slogan this year is "Tender Shoots Grow Best with the Support of All Their Roots. " The slogan represents the importance of having both parties' involvement in their child's life. Every parent wants what is best for their child. This year, the State of Maryland wants the public to know the importance of establishing paternity of any child born out of wedlock.

About 70 Department of Social Services employees fanned out through downtown Hagerstown on Wednesday for the Great Hager Chase, a scavenger-hunt-type challenge. Eric Valentine, the adventures director of Cedar Ridge Adventures in Williamsport, which organized the event, said DSS wanted its employees to learn more about local social service agencies, such as Potomac Case Management Services and Community Action Council. The team-building challenge also included several downtown businesses.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back -- through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others -- at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Ann Julie Grasham, who died Oct. 19 at the age of 73. Her obituary was published in the Oct. 21 edition of The Herald-Mail. Ann Grasham came to Washington County in the early 1970s -- a wife and mother of five children.

On Oct. 6, Gov. Martin O'Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald honored the Washington County Department of Social Services for the progress it has made in reforming Maryland's child welfare system. Washington County DSS was one of nine jurisdictions recognized. Two and half years ago, DHR launched "Place Matters" to reform child welfare in Maryland by finding permanent families for foster children. Place Matters, an initiative of Donald, emphasizes the importance of decreasing the number of children in foster care home and group homes.

The Washington County Department of Social Services participated in several holiday activities in December. The Washington County Family Center held two Dad's Connection parties with parent-child activities and holiday meals. The center also held a holiday party and literacy event for all participants enrolled in the center's education programs. All children who attended received a gift and a book from Santa. Project Home (Certified Adult Residential Environment) sponsored its annual Christmas party for residents and CARE providers at Next Dimensions Restaurant.

The Washington County Department of Social Services (WCDSS) recently received charter membership to Toastmasters International. District Governor Ann Larrow presented certificates to charter members at the Oct. 20 meeting of WCDSS Wordsmiths, the agency Toastmasters chapter. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization that helps people strengthen their public speaking, leadership and organization skills.

At the December Toastmasters meeting at Washington County Department of Social Services, Nicole Prentice was presented a certificate as Toastmaster of the Year by David A. Engle, director, for her service to the local chapter, Washington County Department of Social Services Wordsmiths. A Child Support Specialist, Prentice has been employed with Washington County Department of Social Services for eight years. As the vice president of education, Prentice has provided the agenda/schedule of speakers and participants for each meeting.

The Washington County Department of Social Services recognized the efforts of the Maryland Correctional Institution's (MCI) Veterans Group, staff and the inmates who participated in an AIDS Walk held on Oct. 14, 2006, that raised $3,015 to assist persons with HIV/AIDS in Washington County. On March 7, John Kenney, program manager of WCDSS Adult Services and Hector Gomez, HIV/AIDS case manager presented a plaque to the veterans group and distributed certificates to all participants.

One of Washington County's more glowing success stories is the Hunters Green Business Center on Hopewell Road. Companies there employ 2,000 workers and have a need for at least 500 more. A substantial number of these vacancies could be filled by people in downtown Hagerstown who are now on the government dole, under a program known as Temporary Cash Assistance. Big distribution companies, including FedEx Ground, Home Depot Direct, PetSmart and Staples all say the same thing: Prospective employees have told them that transportation to work is a problem.