Bladen County approves short-term funding to cover foster care payments after caseload surge; requested amount under review

The Bladen County Department of Social Services requested additional funding at the Jan. 6 board meeting after a reported surge in foster-care caseloads.

Director Jill Sampson told commissioners the agency's caseload rose sharply from the projected 36 children used in the FY2024 budget to as many as 75 in December; by the meeting the agency reported 65 children in care. Sampson asked the board to increase the foster-care funding by $300,424 to pay room and board through the fiscal year period July 1, 2024'June 30, 2025. She said the packet provided a federal, state and county breakdown and that three children were in respite care.

Commissioners questioned the specific numbers and asked staff to reconfirm line-item totals; county staff acknowledged earlier materials had shown $154,000 for a specific line item and said they would revisit spreadsheets to reconcile the figures. After discussion about making December board payments and avoiding interruptions to provider payments, a commissioner made a motion to fund the county's foster-care obligations through the end of 2024 and revisit the FY2025 request on Jan. 25; another commissioner seconded. The board voted in favor (voice vote) and directed staff to verify the detailed totals and return with reconciled figures.

Sampson said if the board did not approve additional funds immediately, the agency would have difficulty making December payments. The board's vote authorized short-term funding to ensure payments are made; county staff will provide reconciled financial spreadsheets and a final requested amount for board review at the next meeting.