The Kent County Department of Social Services provided more than $7 million in direct benefits to county residents and supported a wide range of services and programs in fiscal year 2024, according to its newly released annual report. The Kent County News reports Director Shelly Neal-Edwards said the department made “meaningful progress” in meeting the complex needs of the community over the past year. Key priorities included strengthening collaboration, promoting equity in service delivery, supporting capacity building in partner agencies and encouraging innovation.