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Forsyth County social services to accept $50,000 contract amendment from Partners Health Management for internal youth housing reimbursement
Summary
Partners Health Management will increase reimbursement to Forsyth County Department of Social Services for nonclinical costs tied to youth housed temporarily in the DSS building. Staff reported 20 unique children were housed for a combined 332 nights in FY25; the amended agreement sets reimbursement not to exceed $58,850 for FY26.
Forsyth County social services staff told commissioners on Aug. 25 that Partners Health Management will amend its agreement to increase reimbursement for nonclinical support of youth temporarily housed in the Department of Social Services building.
Cindy Firkin, representing Social Services, said the amendment increases the contract reimbursement by $50,000 for fiscal year 2026, bringing the reimbursement cap to $58,850 for the period beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The original agreement had a lower cap; staff described the amendment as intended to offset staff overtime, food and other costs when youth must be housed internally while awaiting placements.
Firkin reported partner billing during fiscal year 2025 totaled $156,373.78 for internal housing costs. Firkin also said the total number of child bed nights during fiscal year 2025 was 285, while noting that 20 different children were housed internally for a combined 332 nights — a figure staff said reflects that multiple children could be present on the same night and that some children were housed intermittently over months.
Commissioners asked about Phoenix House, a recently opened facility intended to accept youth placements. Firkin said Phoenix House took its first youth admission the prior Friday and that the new facility should “significantly reduce the number of youth in our DSS lobby.” Commissioners also discussed staffing: county budget included additional positions for after-hours child-protective-services coverage; social services confirmed positions are posted and recruiting is ongoing, with several vacancies remaining.
Firkin said the amended $50,000 does not fund Phoenix House operations; it only reimburses nonclinical costs for children temporarily held in the DSS building until placements are available.
