Date: Fri 15-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Karen-Hoyt-human-services

Full Text:

Human Services Director Moves On

(with photo)

BY JAN HOWARD

Director of Human Services Karen Hoyt spent her last day on the job Monday.

She, her husband, Richard, and their son, Michael, will be moving from Bethel

to South Carolina in February.

Mrs Hoyt has been an employee in the town's Human Services Department for ten

years, where she served as municipal agent for the elderly and the disabled

before taking over as assistant director and then-acting director when former

director Sheila Knox left. She was appointed director of the department in

July of 1997.

Mrs Hoyt was the head of a department that includes the senior center director

and a municipal agent for the elderly. The department also provides social

case work for individuals and families and acts as a liaison to local and

state social service agencies. Up to last July when the state took over the

responsibility, the department also handled general assistance.

"There are a lot of diverse things this office does," Mrs Hoyt said Monday,

including the fuel bank, Salvation Army food pantry, Medicare counseling, food

baskets, and referrals and information. The office also contracts with the

Family Counseling Center to provide for counseling needs of its clients.

"There are a million little things we do," Mrs Hoyt said. "You have to know

the resources and contacts in the community."

Mrs Hoyt said she hopes to work part-time in South Carolina so she can play

golf more often. Her husband is retired.

In McCormick, S.C., near Lake Thurmond, where the Hoyts are moving, "There are

a million things to do," she said, including a large activities center, with a

swimming pool.

"I want to go back to swimming laps," she said.

She said the family also wants to get a boat at some time in the future.

While the couple is building their "dream house," they will be renting in the

area.

She and her husband are also planning a trip to Alaska next summer that

includes a cruise. She said, smiling, "It's something I've always wanted to

do."