DSS reports surge in non-secure petitions; director warns staff strain

The Burke County Department of Social Services told commissioners that an abrupt surge in child-welfare petitions has placed significant strain on staff and court scheduling.

DSS Director Cory Fisher presented the departmental update for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026. He said the department had 14 open positions (about a 7% vacancy rate), eight separations and five hires in January, and continues to meet timeliness measures for benefit programs. Fisher told the board the department was serving 197 children in foster care at the time the report was created, with nine new entries and four exits in the month.

Fisher described an unusually busy week two weeks before the report when staff filed eight non-secure petitions in a single week. “Eight petitions in one week is definitely the most that I’ve ever experienced in my time here,” Fisher said, and he said substance use was a factor in those cases. He explained that filing multiple non-secure petitions requires considerable paperwork and court scheduling, and that workers who file non-secure petitions are typically taken off rotation for days to catch up — an approach that does not scale when multiple petitions occur in a short span.

Commissioners discussed DSS’s capacity and facility improvements for accommodating children who must remain temporarily in county offices while placements are located. Fisher said the county has added amenities (shower, laundry, visitation space) to make temporary stays more humane but acknowledged the arrangement is not a substitute for formal placements.

The board unanimously moved to accept the DSS report as presented (vote recorded 5–0).

Next steps: DSS will continue recruitment and rely on temporary supports while pursuing staff retention and placement solutions. Fisher and commissioners signaled a continuing focus on workforce pipelines and interagency coordination.