SHARON RADTKE



Delaware County Employee of the Month
December 2013

Sharon Radtke first joined the Delaware County Department of Social Services on February 13, 1990 as a Social Welfare Examiner.  She was trained on the Public Assistance and Emergency programs and the Food Stamp program.  On January 1, 1999, she was promoted to Social Services Program Specialist and also learned the Medicaid Program.  In 2001, Sharon relocated out of state. In 2004, Sharon contacted the Department about returning to our workforce as she was interested in returning to Delaware County.  On October 4, 2004 Sharon rejoined DSS and was reinstated to her title of Social Services Program Specialist.  In 2007, Sharon requested to be assigned to work exclusively on chronic care Medicaid – the program’s most complicated subject area which covers nursing home care and related long term care programming.  On May 28, 2012, Sharon was promoted to Senior Social Services Program Specialist and placed in charge of the Department’s chronic care Medicaid eligibility program.

Sharon directs the Department’s eligibility functions for all chronic care and long term care cases.  She supervises two staff and regularly coordinates her eligibility functions with the County’s long term care program (Social Services, Public Health & Office for the Aging).  She also coordinates functions with the Adult Protective Unit which has many community cases receiving special community care.  In addition to her regular duties, Sharon is an active member of our Delaware County CSEA Unit and is currently secretary for the unit. She also began a term as President of the Delaware County Local this past summer which has nine units under its jurisdiction.  Sharon also serves as a part-time Exam Monitor for the Delaware County Personnel Office. 

Sharon is a naturally helping person and feels most at ease reading, studying and analyzing the problems and challenges of others as presented to her in her role as head of chronic care eligibility.  She sees many families and individuals that have now entered a time in their life where health obstacles appear to be bigger than the solutions and are looking for eligibility to the chronic care Medicaid program.  Sharon feels like this work is a mission she was commissioned to undertake.

Sharon is married with three stepdaughters.  She has two sisters, her mom and stepdad.  She also has a great family resource in her Aunt Helen who assisted in caring for her during her formative and growing up years.

Sharon loves to read.  She tries to do Zumba several times each week.  Her newest passion is running 5K races.  She also now wants to do the Rock Hill half marathon on an annual basis because of its celebration of life affiliation. 

Sharon is a model for all her colleagues.  She is devoted to her job and all that accompanies it.  She has compassion for her clients and always finds a nice way to be honest with them all!  She loves her colleagues and in turn is adored by them irrespective of what position they hold.  To sum it all up:  Sharon looks for the positive in all those she meets and associates with.  She catches praises easily and negative feedback about her is never heard or given.

Congratulations Sharon and thank you for a job well done.