State child‑welfare officials ask Davidson County to add a full‑time DSS attorney; commissioners approve
Loading...
Summary
State child‑welfare officials told the board that Davidson County DSS has a growing backlog—about 70 petitions filed July 2025–Jan 2026 and legal responsibility for roughly 237 children—and the commissioners approved adding one full‑time attorney to reduce caseloads and speed permanency for children.
Felisa Farrell, acting child welfare director with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, told the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on March 23 that the county’s social‑services legal team is overwhelmed and needs another full‑time attorney to manage court work and move children to permanency.
“From fiscal year 26, from July 2025 through January 2026, we filed, nearly 70 petitions in that department,” Farrell said, adding that “Davidson County DSS is legally responsible now for 237 children.” She said contract attorneys are at capacity and that current staff cannot keep up with hearings, petitions and required court orders.
Her presentation cited federal and state guidance: the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (which prioritizes expedited permanent placements) and North Carolina statutes that require adjudications within 60 days. Farrell said the American Bar Association and the UNC School of Government recommend more conservative caseloads for attorneys, and that adding a third full‑time attorney would reduce the county’s child‑welfare attorney caseload to roughly 80 cases per attorney.
Commissioners questioned whether to add one or two positions and whether contract attorneys could be a cheaper near‑term fix. Farrell and county staff said contracts are not keeping pace with local needs and that recruiting attorneys with DSS experience is difficult. Sherry (a county attorney referenced by staff) said the legal work also covers adult protective services, child support and civil subpoenas, which further stretches the team.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to add the requested full‑time attorney position for Social Services. The board approved the motion by voice vote.
The vote directs county administration to proceed with adding the position; the record does not specify exact funding or an implementation timeline. County staff said they will return with budget details and next steps.
The action follows several months of higher filings and a backlog commissioners said they want resolved so children can move to stable, permanent placements.
