Prince William County Announces New Social Services Director

Prince William County is pleased to announce the appointment of Phyllis Jennings-Holt as the new director of the Department of Social Services, following an extensive national recruitment process. The appointment is effective immediately.  

Jennings-Holt has served Prince William County residents in various roles in the Department of Social Services, or DSS, since September 1992. She was a social worker, case manager and assistant director of protective services. Most recently she served as the deputy director until becoming the acting director in June 2024.  

DSS provides safety-net services for children and adults in the county facing abuse, neglect, family instability, homelessness, financial insecurity, underemployment and/or health crises with no insurance. DSS works to provide proactive services that prevent family instability, housing loss and impending crisis. Last year, the department served more than 200,000 residents. As the DSS Director, Jennings-Holt will oversee a team of more than 420 employees and several programs, to include adult protective services, child protective services, foster care, homeless services, public assistance eligibility and the Child Advocacy Center.  

Jennings-Holt was selected after a thorough recruitment process that included input from the Social Services Advisory Board and listening sessions with DSS staff. 

"I am delighted that Ms. Jennings-Holt will be the county’s next Social Services Director. She has dedicated her career to serving the people of Prince William County," said County Executive Chris Shorter. "She has extensive knowledge of the community and tremendous experience in leadership and the human services sector. I am confident that she will continue the work we are doing to provide human-centered and customer-centric service to all of those we serve." 

"I am grateful for the opportunity and the confidence of the Board of County Supervisors and Executive Management," said Jennings-Holt. "I have spent the large majority of my career in Prince William County and have had the opportunity to work with the amazing staff in DSS. I am excited and honored to lead the department in creating the future and enhancing the services we provide to our community." 

Jennings-Holt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hampton University, as well as a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University.