Union County DSS Director Ashley Lance urges residents to foster children

The Union County Department of Social Services held a meeting on May 23, 2025, to address the pressing need for foster care support in the region. The meeting was led by Ashley Lance, the Director of the Department of Social Services, who emphasized the importance of community involvement in fostering children.

Lance announced a challenge initiated by Pamlico County DSS, encouraging Union County to "put our boots on the ground" in support of foster youth. She extended this challenge to neighboring counties, specifically Gaston and Cabarrus, urging them to join in the effort to increase the number of foster parents.

The primary focus of the meeting was to rally the residents of Union County to consider becoming foster parents. Lance appealed to the community to "open your hearts and your homes" to foster children, highlighting the critical need for more families willing to provide care and support.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for all attendees to engage in fostering, reinforcing the message that community support is vital in addressing the needs of foster youth in Union County. The Department of Social Services plans to follow up with additional outreach efforts to encourage participation and raise awareness about the importance of foster care.