County announces resignation of Social Services Director DeAnna Cheatham

County Administrator Douglas P. Stanley today announced that the Department of Socials Services (DSS) Director DeAnna Cheatham has tendered her resignation effective July 8, 2020.  Ms. Cheatham has been employed as the County’s DSS Director since July 1, 2017 following DSS Director H. Elizabeth “Beth” Reavis’ retirement.  Ms. Cheatham is leaving to take the DSS Director position with the City of Williamsburg.

Ms. Cheatham holds Master’s Degrees from Liberty University in Human Services Counseling and Business Administration and has more than 14 years of experience with the Virginia DSS.  She began her DSS career in 2006 with the City of Franklin as an Employment Service Worker.  During her career in Franklin, Ms. Cheatham also served as Social Worker, Senior Social Worker, Volunteer Domestic Violence Prevention Trainer, and Family Services Specialist Supervisor and in Warren County as the Warren County Assistant DSS Director.

Departing WCDSS Director DeAnna Cheatham, right, with Michelle Smeltzer, at an April County Emergency Management Team briefing on her department and private sector efforts to assist in the pandemic response regarding homeless accommodations and food distribution. Royal Examiner Photo/Roger Bianchini

County Administrator Douglas P. Stanley said, “We are extremely sad to see DeAnna leave our Department and our community.  I have been pleased by her growth over the past four years as Assistant Director and Director.  She has worked hard to stabilize staffing within the Department during her tenure.  During the past several months she has also worked diligently to help the community through the pandemic by working to support C-CAP and their food distribution as well as the Thermal Shelter with their support of the homeless in our community.  We wish DeAnna the best as she continues with the next step in her career.”

Mr. Stanley noted that the Department will immediately begin looking for someone to replace DeAnna.  We hope to find someone with strong interpersonal skills and a strong background in working with state, local, and community agencies; we had that in DeAnna and more.  Her passion for social services and the clients we serve was clearly evident.”

Social Services Advisory Board Chair Richard Swanson said, “DeAnna has been a wonderful relief since the retirement of Beth Reavis; she has seemed to take the bull by the horns and solve all the problems that occurred.  She will be sorely missed.  I will be very happy to see us gain another Director as capable as DeAnna has been.”

Ms. Cheatham said, “I have enjoyed working in Warren County and have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding people that are passionate and dedicated to serving families and the community.  I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.  The lessons that I have learned and the relationships that I have developed will be with me a lifetime.  Thank you for allowing me to be of service to the County and its residents.”

The Warren County DSS is located at 465 W. 15th Street, Suite 100, telephone (540) 635-3967.  Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(From a Warren County press release)