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Caldwell County social workers tell commissioners they routinely do emergency work, drive 301,481 miles for home visits
Summary
At the March 23 meeting, child- and adult-protective social workers described field conditions, overnight emergency placements and medical-guardianship decisions, saying Caldwell County staff drove 301,481 miles in 2025 to reach clients; commissioners were asked to learn more about the work.
Crystal Henderson, a child-protective services social worker, and Britney Coffee, an adult-protective services worker, told the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners on March 23, 2026, that county social workers routinely do emergency fieldwork, extensive home visits and life-altering decision making for vulnerable residents.
"We don't want to remove children from families," Henderson said, summarizing the agency's preferred approach and the tension staff face when safety concerns force removals. Henderson and Coffee told the board that social workers drove 301,481 miles in 2025 to conduct home visits and reach clients across the county.
The presentation described frequent overnight calls and emergency placements, workers carrying children up icy driveways, and staff helping with basic needs such as arranging transport, securing birth certificates and procuring immediate clothing and supplies for children. Coffee described the work as "quiet acts of kindness," saying social workers are often the unseen responders who help arrange medical care, placement and daily supports.
Henderson and Coffee outlined examples of adult-protective duties that can involve major medical decisions: consulting on do-not-resuscitate orders, arranging hospice care, and giving consent related to medical treatment when a person lacks capacity. They said staff sometimes provide direct hands-on help — delivering food, assisting with bathing, installing door alarms to prevent wandering, and helping clients apply for benefits or complete job applications.
A commissioner asked how many adults the county currently has under guardianship; Henderson replied, "55." Commissioners praised the social workers and were urged to educate themselves on the scope of the department's responsibilities so they can better evaluate resources and policy needs.
The presentation did not include a formal request for a specific program or budget change at the meeting; it primarily sought to inform the board about operational demands and the human impact of the department's work. The board did not take further action at the March 23 session.
