Burke County DSS outlines hurricane relief spending and operations; board approves emergency funding

Burke County’s Department of Social Services outlined staffing challenges, program performance and a state hurricane relief allocation the department said totals roughly $900,000 for county use.

DSS Director Corey (S10) told the Board that the state allocated funds to affected counties and that Burke County’s allotment is just over $900,000, to be distributed across three pots: essential services for child welfare ($263,000) and adult services ($131,000); rental assistance ($73,000); and energy assistance (roughly $441,000). Corey said the money is to offset day‑to‑day costs resulting from the hurricane, such as housing, medical needs and loss of personal property, and that the funds are monitored and reallocated by the state if counties do not use their full allotments.

Corey also reviewed departmental caseloads and staffing: he reported about 182 children in foster care, roughly 287 open CPS cases for the January–November period and 1,526 CPS reports received during that timeframe. He said hiring efforts are ongoing, with conditional offers extended and interviews scheduled for multiple child‑welfare positions.

After discussion, the board voted by uplifted hand to approve emergency funding related to Hurricane Helene; the chairman then moved the budget amendment forward for consideration at the regular meeting. A motion to accept the DSS report passed 5‑0.

"The total allotment for Burke County is a little over $900,000, and that's broken down into 3 different pots," Corey said. "The first is essential services fund...the second lot is rental assistance...and then lastly is energy assistance funds..."

Next steps: the board will consider Budget Amendment Number 8 at the regular meeting to formally allocate the funds and incorporate the spending into county accounts.