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DSS reports staffing gaps, foster‑care placement shortages and quick use of disaster funds
Summary
Corey Fisher Wellman of Burke County Department of Social Services reported 29 open positions (12 with candidates in process), roughly $200,000 of disaster funds spent so far, and ongoing shortages in higher‑level foster placements; commissioners accepted the monthly operations report unanimously.
Corey Fisher Wellman, representing Burke County Department of Social Services, told commissioners the department continues to operate under staffing pressure and a persistent shortage of higher‑level foster placements while also spending temporary disaster relief funds after recent storms.
Wellman said DSS had 29 open positions at the time of the report, with 12 of those candidates in the hiring process; removing those in process left approximately 17 positions with no candidates. She reported nine voluntary resignations in December and six hires during that month. "We have 29 open positions. Of those 29, 7 or 12 either have are in somewhere in the hiring process," Wellman said.
Operational caseloads included about 75 children in foster care and roughly 290 open Child Protective Services investigations, which averages about 18 cases per CPS worker, according to the presentation. Wellman said higher‑level, treatment‑based placements are scarce — a shortage that often forces temporary placements in county facilities because regional psychiatric and treatment providers are limited.
On emergency funding, commissioners heard that disaster relief funds approved by the county and state have been moved rapidly into service. Wellman and economic services staff said roughly $200,000 of disaster funds have been spent so far and that the county has distributed more than $50,000 in LIHEAP/energy assistance payments in December through more than 57 applications. County staff cautioned the funds are largely short‑term and could be reallocated by the state if not spent quickly.
Wellman said the Department of Health and Human Services’ MOU performance measures are again being enforced statewide; Burke County meets its MOU outcomes monthly but counties affected by the hurricane received a short enforcement delay. Commissioners voted to accept the monthly DSS operations report as presented.
