Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Supervisors tell Rutherford County DSS board caseloads have tripled recommended levels; some staff resigning
Summary
Multiple supervisors and a Guardian ad Litem speaker told the board that child-protection caseloads in Rutherford County have ballooned—assessors carrying 30–35 cases versus a 10-case guideline and foster workers carrying about 30 children compared with a 15-child guideline—while turnover and hiring delays are making it harder to protect children.
Several frontline supervisors and a Guardian ad Litem representative told the Rutherford County Department of Social Services board in November that staffing shortages are severe and pose risks to children and staff.
Ashley Earl, a child-protective-services supervisor, said staff "are struggling right now" and that "social workers are carrying them 2 to 3 times what the state is recommending that they carry." Shannon Kennedy, a seven-year CPS supervisor, said turnover has accelerated during the past two years and announced she had submitted notice, warning that missed work because of shortages raises liability and safety concerns.
Dana Davis, a new…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
