DSS reports rising foster-care caseloads and SNAP uncertainty as federal funding shifts loom
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Summary
DSS reported a point-in-time foster-care population of 194 children, recent increases in out-of-county placements for therapeutic or adoption reasons, and flagged possible SNAP reductions if federal contingency funding is used; commissioners discussed travel costs and recruitment incentives for foster parents.
Burke County Department of Social Services presented monthly operational metrics on Nov. 3 and told commissioners that foster-care caseloads and SNAP uncertainty remain pressing concerns.
Personnel and caseloads: DSS reported about a 6–8% vacancy rate (roughly 16 open positions), recent hiring progress and the rollout of a sign‑on bonus strategy aimed at recruiting experienced social workers. The department said it had about 234 open CPS cases at the end of September (down from a February peak of 306) and reported 17 children entered foster care in September while six exited, giving a point-in-time count of about 194 children in foster care.
Out-of-county placements and travel costs: Commissioners noted increasing out-of-county placements driven by therapeutic need or identified adoptive family connections; DSS said such placements sometimes require social‑worker travel as far as Detroit and New Hampshire and that initial travel costs are a county expense with some reimbursement mechanisms available later. DSS staff said they are exploring process improvements and visitation-coordinator roles to reduce staff time spent driving.
SNAP and Medicaid impacts: DSS presented data showing roughly 11,000 SNAP recipients (about 5,600 cases). Staff warned that federal contingency funding being discussed at the national level could temporarily reduce November benefits to roughly 50% if used, and that continued federal funding gaps would risk deeper disruptions. DSS also raised concern that Medicaid rate cuts (noted to include roughly a 10% reduction for some residential treatment facilities) could reduce availability of PRTF placements for high-acuity children.
Community supports: DSS described an active Christmas sponsorship program covering about 190 children in foster care and 19 young adults; county employees and local businesses had contributed hundreds of sponsor tags so far.
Board action: The board accepted the DSS report as presented by motion and a 5-0 vote. Commissioners asked DSS to provide follow-up data on the number of out-of-county placements for the upcoming regular meeting and to continue evaluating recruitment and placement-cost strategies.
