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County hears presentation from 1 More 1 Less on church-focused foster care recruitment
Summary
A nonprofit called 1 More 1 Less spoke to the commission about recruiting and supporting foster families through local churches; staff said about 181–188 children are currently in Department of Social Services care locally.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on June 16 from Jeff Marburger of 1 More 1 Less, a nonprofit that works to recruit, support and pair local churches with foster families to help children in county custody. County Manager Brian Eppley introduced the group and said staff would invite local partners to future meetings for further discussion.
Marburger described his organization’s church-based model, said the group seeks two “champion” churches per county to build local networks, and recounted results from Cleveland County where his group has partnered with local agencies and the Guardian ad Litem program. He said the organization focuses on recruitment, reunification supports and transitional housing for youth aging out of foster care.
Marburger told commissioners that, according to an April report he referenced, there were about 188 children in Department of Social Services custody in Burke County; another speaker during the discussion referenced “181 kids here” in a county comment. The presentation emphasized church volunteers and local parsonages as potential resources for emergency or transitional housing and described programs to prepare youth aging out of care for independent living.
Why it matters: commissioners and staff said recruitment and retention of licensed foster families is a county priority because children placed outside the county or far from home can face additional disruption. The county manager said the board has struggled to recruit and retain licensed foster parents and is working to launch a local campaign.
Board response: commissioners thanked the presenters and expressed support for further engagement with churches and local agencies; no formal action or funding was taken at the meeting.
Ending: County staff said they will continue inviting local partners to brief the board as the county coordinates foster-care recruitment and support efforts.
