DSS receives 2026 Innovation Award for collaborative child welfare partnership

By Staff Report, posted Sep 9, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Photographed from left to right: NCACDSS Second Vice President Korey Fisher-Wellman, Cumberland County Department of Social Services Director Brenda Reid Jackson, Social Services Employees Nakia Gause, Denise Wilson and Crystal Autry.

Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS) received the 2026 Innovation Award in the large‑county category for its partnership and collaboration with the Professional Advisory Council (PAC) and the Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration (MTC).

The NC Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS) selected Cumberland County’s initiative from more than 25 nominations statewide. The Association recognized the PAC‑MT Council as a model of effective collaboration, bringing together a broad network of professionals to improve outcomes for children and families involved in child abuse investigations in Cumberland County.

The PAC‑MT Council operates under the Child Advocacy Center and includes representatives from a wide range of partner agencies:

Cumberland County DSS Children’s Services Division leadership team
Cumberland County Public Health Department
Local law enforcement agencies
District Attorney’s Office
Guardian ad Litem Program
Cumberland County Schools
Cape Fear Valley Hospital
Local child medical exam provider
Southern Regional Area Health Education Center
Fort Bragg
Family Advocacy Program

Cumberland County DSS is a founding member of the Child Advocacy Center and continues to serve as a key partner.

The PAC‑MT Council is chaired by Cumberland County DSS Assistant Director of Social Work Services Brandy Briza. Under Briza’s leadership, the Council has strengthened communication among partner agencies, streamlined case coordination, reduced duplication of services and minimized trauma for child victims. The Council’s work promotes transparency, teamwork and continual improvement across the child welfare system.

In addition, Cumberland County DSS Director Brenda Reid Jackson participated as a panelist during a Social Services Institute workshop focused on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Payment Error Rate reduction initiative. Led by the NC Department of Health and Human Services and Human Services Group (HSG), the session highlighted the discovery, design and implementation process used to improve payment accuracy statewide.

Cumberland County DSS was one of eight counties selected to share best practices, lessons learned and business solutions aimed at reducing North Carolina’s SNAP payment error rate below the 6% federal threshold to avoid financial penalties established under HR‑1: One Big Beautiful Bill.

Cumberland County DSS maintained a SNAP Payment Error Rate of 2.5% in 2025 and has continued to perform below the 6% threshold throughout 2026.

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