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Scotland County DSS reports childcare wait list, Reentry growth and opioid outreach plans
Summary
At the Jan. 16 meeting the Scotland County Department of Social Services reported it serves 580 children in childcare programs with a 92-family waiting list, Reentry has 17 active participants and a Jan. 22 donation drive, the Opioid Outreach Program has two referrals, and Family Treatment Court plans to begin sessions in February 2025; the board approved routine agenda, minutes and the administrative report.
Scotland County Department of Social Services staff briefed the Social Services Board on program operations and outreach at the Jan. 16 meeting, reporting a mixture of service successes and capacity challenges.
Child care: Director Kimberly McRae said the Daycare unit serves 580 children across 19 in‑county and 34 out‑of‑county daycares. Because ARPA funds were exhausted, a waiting list began Sept. 1, 2024; 92 families remain on that list. The daycare unit's combined spending coefficient for FY25 is listed as 102%.
Reentry and partnerships: The DPS Reentry Program had 17 active participants and seven new referrals in December. Staff plan a community donation drive on Jan. 22, 2025 to gather essentials for participants, and are negotiating memoranda of agreement with B.E.S.T. Motivational and Coaching Services and Golden Life Solutions for housing partnerships.
Opioid Outreach Program: The new Opioid Outreach Program reported two referrals in December but no active participants. Staff have met with EMS and health department officials to refine referral processes and plan outreach tables in the DSS lobby and health department; staff also did a WLNC radio spotlight in December.
Family Treatment Court and other services: The Family Treatment Court program now has a coordinator and anticipates beginning sessions in February 2025. SCATS reported a decline in trips during Nov.–Dec. due to holidays, driver shortages and a parts issue; one SCATS bus was ordered, and staff are analyzing cost-per-trip and available ROAP funding.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the meeting agenda, approved the Dec. 19, 2024 minutes and voted to accept the administrative report before adjourning at 9:00 a.m.
Next steps: Staff will continue outreach for Reentry and OOP referrals, begin FTC sessions in February, and monitor daycare caseloads while county leaders consider budget and staffing requests.
