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Carroll County proclaims May Foster Care Month; social services report says 43 youths served in latest fiscal year
Summary
The Board of Commissioners proclaimed May as National Foster Care Month and heard a report from Carroll County Department of Social Services’ out‑of‑home unit on caseload and permanency outcomes.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners proclaimed May as National Foster Care Month during its May 1 meeting and received a data update from the county Department of Social Services out‑of‑home unit.
At the podium, county officials read a proclamation that recognized the role of resource parents, kinship caregivers, volunteers and child‑welfare staff in supporting children in out‑of‑home care. The proclamation noted the bureau’s emphasis on trauma‑informed, evidence‑based practices and prevention strategies.
A representative from the Carroll County Department of Social Services out‑of‑home unit reported that, in fiscal year 2024, the unit provided services to 43 youth in out‑of‑home care and that, at the time of the presentation, 30 youth were in placement. The speaker said, "Of those 43 youth we did have 25 kids achieve permanency within that fiscal year," and gave a breakdown: 12 children reunified with parents, 6 closed to custody or guardianship (including relatives or resource parents), 5 were adopted, and 2 youth exited care at age 21.
The unit described program developments focused on substance‑use impacts: the county expanded a START‑style (Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team) model to serve children ages 0–18 and added peer mentors to continue support when youth enter out‑of‑home care. Staff also described an inaugural family‑to‑family holiday event that brought youth, birth families and resource families together, noting 24 youth attended and community members bought gifts via an online wish list.
Commissioners praised the out‑of‑home staff and resource families; several elected officials emphasized the time‑intensive nature of licensing and supporting resource homes. A member of the board asked how the county defines "permanency," and staff replied it means lifelong connections with a trusted adult through reunification, custody/guardianship, adoption or durable adult supports for older youth (18–21).
Ending: Commissioners presented the proclamation and invited staff and resource‑family representatives to a group photograph. No board vote beyond the proclamation was required.
