Social Services

DSS Attorney and DSS Paralegal Listservs

These listservs were created to give social services attorneys and paralegals across the state better access to each other. DSS attorneys can connect with specialized child welfare attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office, and to School of Government faculty. Paralegals will be able to exchange knowledge among their peers. People ask questions, answer questions, share opinions and experiences, provide sample forms, and share other information of interest to the group. 

The listservs are closed, but they are not private. That means that only people approved for membership on a listserv (social services attorneys or paralegals) automatically receive list messages and only they can post messages to the listservs. The archives of list messages are open to anyone.

Social services attorneys who want to join the DSS Attorneys' Listserv should send a request to the list administrator at mason@sog.unc.edu. Include: 

• your name,
• the county social services department you represent, and
• the email address through which you want to participate.

If you are not already listed in the directory of social services attorneys, also include your mailing address and telephone and fax numbers.

Paralegals who want to join the DSSparalegal Listserv should send a request to the list administrator at sullivan@sog.unc.edu. Include: 

• your name,
• the county social services department you work for, and
• the email address through which you want to participate.

If you are not already on our mailing list for social services paralegals and legal assistants, also include your mailing address and telephone and fax numbers.

A listserv member can send a message to the list two different ways: 

1. address the message to dssattorneylist@listserv.unc.edu or dssparalegal@listserv.unc.edu, or
2. send a “reply” to any Listserv message you receive.

Both members and nonmembers can access archives of messages that have appeared on the DSS Attorneys' Listserv and the DSS Paralegals' Listserv. To visit the archives or learn about other listserves administered by the School of Government, go to http://www.sog.unc.edu/listservs.htm.

• Do not use the “reply” function unless you want your reply to go to everyone on the listserv. If you want to communicate with just one person or a few people, type those specific email addresses in the “To” space.
• Do share information and announcements that you think will be beneficial to all or most list members.
• Do not assume that a question is too basic to ask. It probably isn’t, and a main purpose of the listserv is to help people get good information efficiently. 
• Do not use the Listserv to communicate with just one person or agency. If you want to contact the DSS attorney in a specific county, check the DSS Attorney Directory (found on “About the Association”), or email or call Jessica O'Sullivan at sullivan@sog.unc.edu, 919/843-8981, or the list administrator at mason@sog.unc.edu, 919/966-4246.
  
  If you want to contact the DSS paralegal or legal assistant in a specific county, and you do not have contact information for that person, email or call Callie Barber at barber@sog.unc.edu, 919/843-8981
  
  
• Do not say anything in a message that you are not willing to have “broadcast.” But don’t broadcast other people’s messages unless you have their permission or it is clear that they would not object. 
• If you prefer to post a message anonymously to the DSS Attorney List, send it to the list administrator at mason@sog.unc.edu and ask her to post it for you.
  
  If you prefer to post a message anonymously to the DSS Paralegal List, send it to the list administrator at sullivan@sog.unc.edu and ask her to post it for you.
  
• Do not send chain letters, jokes, or other material unrelated to legal and social services matters.