Vice Chairman Houston Barrett said the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners approved more than $13,000 in state funds to help stabilize children in foster care with mental health needs and announced an information session for prospective foster families on Thursday, Nov. 13, at Audible Baptist Church at 6 p.m.

The funding was approved on the board's consent agenda and, according to Barrett, is intended to help “stabilize children in our foster care system with mental health needs.” He added, “We are in dire straits right now and in desperate need of foster families.”

Barrett provided the date, time and location for an outreach session aimed at recruiting foster families. He said the session will be Thursday, Nov. 13, at Audible Baptist Church and encouraged residents who may be interested or know someone who might help to attend for more information.

The transcript does not specify the precise state program name, the exact grant mechanism, or whether the funds are a one-time allocation or part of ongoing assistance. The amount given in the meeting was described as “over $13,000.”

The commission also announced logistical details for future meetings; Barrett invited residents to the next commissioners meeting on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m., and said the meeting can be watched on the county website.