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Gaston County officials: foster home shortage leaves many children placed outside home communities
Summary
County social services officials told commissioners that Gaston County has more than 351 children in foster care but only 92 licensed homes locally, driving placements away from home communities; staff urged churches and residents to help recruit foster families and shared QR-linked outreach materials.
Kanika Drakeford, foster care licensing supervisor for Gaston County, told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 13 that the county is facing a significant shortage of local foster homes.
"As of April 2024, there are 10,846 children in foster care across North Carolina," Drakeford said, adding that statewide there are roughly 6,057 licensed foster homes. "There are over 351 children in foster care here in Gaston County. However, we only have 92 homes that have the capacity to accommodate a 182 kids." She and a county quality-assurance specialist described the result as frequent placements outside children’s home communities, which increases trauma for children and disruptions to school and relationships.
The presenters said neglect is the leading cause of removal statewide, followed by parental substance use and housing instability. County staff reported that, locally, about 133 children entered foster care since June 2023; in the same period 48 reunified with families, 58 were adopted and 19 obtained permanency through guardianship. Staff also said the average time a child currently in custody has spent in foster care is just over 26 months.
Commissioners pressed staff on recruitment, training and outreach. Drakeford said the department is running multiple training classes each year and is trying to meet families' schedules by offering evening and daytime options. To widen outreach, Chairman Chad Brown asked staff to display a recruitment QR code during the meeting and requested that the county prepare a simple flyer for churches and local businesses to share.
"So this is where we need your help," Drakeford said, urging faith communities and residents to consider fostering. "Gaston County has over 700 churches in the county. Therefore, if we had one family from each church, we could have more of kids in their home communities, and we could cut down on some of the trauma."
Commissioner Tom Kiger asked whether the county counts placements managed by private agencies; staff said the placement map shown included children placed through private agencies as well as county-managed homes. Commissioners suggested the county post class schedules and recruitment events on the county website and its television channel to increase visibility.
Several commissioners praised staff work and encouraged additional supports for foster parents. At one point a commissioner asked whether any homes were operating over state-recommended capacity; staff said three homes currently had seven children despite a cited state capacity of five. Commissioners asked staff to explore ways the county can recognize and support foster families.
Board members did not take any formal action at the meeting; staff asked the board for continued support of recruitment initiatives and said they would provide outreach materials and follow-up information to commissioners.
The presentation and follow-up questions took place during the Aug. 13 work session; staff left a QR code up after the presentation for members of the public interested in learning more.
