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Residents, advocates press Harnett County on institutional placements and alleged DSS delays in high‑profile case
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment urged changes to how Harnett County Department of Social Services handles long‑term congregate care, cited federal and state law, and urged a confidential cross‑stakeholder review and legislative attention.
Tiffany Newman, a Fayetteville resident and public commenter, and several family‑integrity advocates urged Harnett County commissioners on Jan. 6 to reduce the use of congregate institutional placements for children and to scrutinize Department of Social Services (DSS) practices in a case several speakers described as an extended, contested custody matter.
Newman said she has tried to reunite her 16‑year‑old goddaughter with family and that judges have ordered DSS staff to facilitate therapy and meetings to effect the child’s return. “They are trying to enforce an 18 to 21 rule where she signs over her life from the age of 18 to 21,” Newman said, and she alleged local DSS workers impeded the child’s return despite court direction. Newman said the child has been in custody since age 4 and that a court date was scheduled Jan. 22.
Sarah Lee, who described herself as a family‑integrity advocate with federal and state experience implementing the Families First Prevention Services Act, told the board that federal guidance and state law discourage extended stays in congregate care and that counties must reduce lengths of institutional placements. “Local governments can no longer keep children in congregate care over a year,” Lee said, referring to Families First implementation in North Carolina.
Several other public commenters — including Baby Andre (Andre), Elizabeth Longman, Alan Longman and Rebecca Brock — echoed concerns about long stays in congregate facilities, alleged poor treatment in some placements, and the need for better oversight, more in‑home services, and improved social‑worker training and pay.
Why it matters: Advocates cited precedent and litigation that have shaped child welfare practices in North Carolina, including Jamieson v. Cooper (referenced by speakers as ongoing class litigation) and court orders they said had been issued in the individual case described from Harnett County. Speakers warned that prolonged congregate placement can cause developmental harm and urged county action to align with Families First and to avoid litigation outcomes other counties have faced.
Board response and next steps: Commissioners thanked speakers, requested staff follow‑up and asked for additional information. At least one commissioner asked staff to contact Paul Polinski (a county official mentioned in the meeting) and provide a report to the board. No formal board action on DSS policy or the specific case was taken during the meeting; speakers requested confidential stakeholder review and legislative attention.
