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Tammy K. Fields, Youth Services Department Director and Special Needs Shelter (SPNS) Manager, coordinated efforts at the South Florida Fairgrounds in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Nicole in November. Youth Services, Facilities, Information System Services, Palm Tran, and Community Services Department staff assisted with set-up, registrations, checking in clients, serving food, making arrangements for clients to get to the shelter and go home, and executing breakdown. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office made sure everyone stayed safe.

Youth Services Department mental health team provided crisis intervention and counseling services. Staff collaborated with Palm Beach County Health Department doctors and nurses, with the goal of providing a safe shelter environment for geriatric, adult, and youth occupants. “Thank you to everyone who activated last week.  SPNS was a smooth operation, and I appreciate the work everyone did to serve those with special needs.  You helped provide a safe space, and you are valued," said Tammy K. Fields in an email to staff after the hurricane.

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