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Burke County DSS presents 2025 annual report, cites rise in foster care and $21 million in food benefits
Summary
The Burke County Department of Social Services presented its 2025 annual report April 6, reporting roughly 199 full‑time positions, about 28,000 Medicaid recipients and approximately $21 million in food‑nutrition benefits; the board voted 4–0 to accept the report.
The Burke County Department of Social Services presented its 2025 annual report to commissioners on April 6, detailing staffing levels, program activity and service volumes for the prior calendar year. The board accepted the report by a 4–0 vote.
Corey Fisher Wellman, DSS director, said the agency now has 199 full‑time positions and described operational changes tied to statewide program transitions. "We moved into the statewide foster care plan with Healthy Blue," Fisher Wellman said, noting staff implemented a new statewide data system and legislative changes connected to recent state bills.
The report highlighted service volumes: about 28,000 Burke County residents received Medicaid at the end of 2025; food‑nutrition services (SNAP/EBT) distributed just over $21 million in benefits during the year; the county processed roughly 400 Medicaid applications monthly and handled about 2,000 re‑certifications. DSS staff also reported 8,567 Medicaid transportation trips and 5,300 SNAP cases covering more than 10,000 participants.
On child welfare, the department reported 308 children experienced foster care during calendar year 2025; 126 children entered custody and 105 exited. The agency said it completed 37 adoptions in the calendar year and noted a fiscal‑year adoption baseline and incentive program used by the state. For 2024–25 the state baseline was 15 and the agency completed 43; for the 2025–26 baseline is 34 and the agency had completed 29 at the time of the presentation.
DSS staff described other program activity: the work‑first (TANF) caseload was small (about 53 active cases), energy assistance programs processed roughly 1,994 crisis intervention applications and 1,450 LIHEAP applications, and special assistance and community alternatives programs served several hundred residents. The adult services unit reported increased guardianship caseloads and continuing oversight of adult care homes.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions during the presentation. Afterward, a commissioner moved to accept the report; the board approved the motion 4–0.
The department said it will continue reporting program performance to the board in future meetings and will provide more detail on specific funding and service‑level trends as requested.
