(Posted 2025 February)

Meet Catherine!

I've worked in Fairfax County for 12 years and have been in my current position in the Aging, Disabilities, and Caregiver Resources (ADCR) unit for 6 years.

Our team is the first point of contact when people call the ADCR line seeking information for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. It's a fast-paced call center environment. I also answer the county's Adult Protective Services (APS) hotline calls. I handle the initial intake, provide crisis intervention if needed, and give information and referrals. I do in-office consultations for walk-ins, answer questions submitted via the website and manage the Virginia state APS hotline reports. Additionally, I train new staff about ADCR and APS intake functions.

When someone calls and says they don’t know where to start or what they need, I listen carefully. I know which questions to ask so I can direct them to the right programs. I want to educate them and provide guidance so they have the resources they need. Knowing I have helped to keep someone safe in their home is very rewarding.

I earned my master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. I have worked in many different settings as a social worker, including an inpatient psychiatric unit, hospitals, the school system, and group homes for people with intellectual disabilities.

I chose to work for the Department of Family Services (DFS) because it's a great place to use my social work skills to help vulnerable adults. The support we get from colleagues and supervisors at DFS is huge.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I like trying to make dishes based on online videos and am adventurous enough to try foods from different cultures.

A fun fact about me: I can diagnose car problems based on the sounds and descriptions of what's going on. My husband is a car enthusiast, and he has helped me develop this skill.