Johnston County DSS Director Announces Retirement

SMITHFIELD – Scott Sabatino, the director of the Johnston County Department of Social Services, has announced his retirement. Mr. Sabatino joined the agency in 2018. Previously, he had been the Program Administrator of Child Welfare Services for the Halifax County Department of Social Services.

He informed the 340 employees at Johnston County DSS by email Thursday of his retirement plans. The email said, “After 30 years working with the Department of Social Services it is now time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life. I will be retiring September 1, 2023. I want to thank all of you for all the amazing work you have done for me and the citizens of Johnston County during my 5 years as Director.”

Mr. Sabatino told The Johnston County Report, “For the past 5 years it has been a privilege to serve my community as the Johnston County DSS Director. I have dedicated myself to assuring the Citizens of Johnston County have been served in a meaningful way. The citizens have received the benefits they are eligible for in regards to Food Stamps, Medicaid, Daycare and Crisis Services.”

“I am proud of the fact that no children have died within DSS care and the agency has not been on the news for any Child Welfare issues during my time as director. Additionally, we have protected Adults and have been assigned as Guardians for the Elderly by the clerk of court because the agency does a quality job serving the elderly community.”

“I take pride that all eligible Johnston County Citizens have been served even throughout the unprecedented times of the pandemic. The agency has passed the many audits that have been conducted throughout my time as director and there has not been any substantial paybacks or funding reductions in any program,” he said.

Mr. Sabatino received his Social Work Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent his career working for County Department of Social Services agencies in Johnston, Harnett, Wake, and Halifax counties.

Even after his September retirement, Mr. Sabatino still plans to remain active in social work. “I will take a little time off and then continue to work in the Child Welfare field in some capacity.”