DSS seeks approval to contract six home‑health agencies to address waiting list for in‑home aid

Terray Stafford, social work program manager for Forsyth County Department of Social Services (Adult Services), briefed the board on March 19 on a recommendation to contract with six licensed home‑health agencies to provide in‑home aid services for elderly and disabled clients during fiscal year 2025–26 using Home and Community Block Grant funding.

Stafford said the six agencies were evaluated by a scoring panel and met the RFP requirements. Agencies confirmed minimum client capacities and, based on those capacity commitments, Stafford said the unit-of-service rates should allow the program to operate within the current budget. She said the six-agency panel is intended to ensure capacity if an agency terminates a contract or reaches capacity; staff experienced such a termination during the current fiscal year and had to move clients among vendors.

Stafford also said the existing waiting list for in‑home aid services exceeds 650 clients. Commissioners asked about the range in unit rates across vendors (about 50% difference between lowest and highest); Stafford said the agencies provide the same contractual scope of services but differ in staffing and wages. "One of the things that has been challenging industry wide is attracting and retaining staff and so... they do have to make their wages competitive," Stafford said. Staff explained the county manages vendor selection to try to contain unit costs while preserving capacity.

Why it matters: The contracts would expand the county’s ability to deliver home‑based aides to elderly and disabled residents and reduce a substantial waiting list; rates and vendor capacity affect how quickly clients are served.

Next steps: Staff requested that commissioners approve contracts with the six recommended agencies; the briefing did not record a formal vote but staff indicated award recommendations would be on the agenda for approval.