Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Foster Care Recruitment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Caldwell County DSS says foster-parent outreach appears to be increasing inquiries
Summary
Superviser Jennifer Snipes told the board the department's foster parent recruitment push (radio spots, bench ads, faith-based outreach, library displays and partnership events) produced a reported increase in inquiries (roughly 3—5 extra per month since late April 2026) and highlighted community events and partnerships to sustain recruitment.
Jennifer Snipes, a supervisor with Caldwell County Department of Social Services, briefed the board on foster parent recruitment and Foster Parent Appreciation activities tied to National Foster Care Awareness Month.
"May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. It's a month that we take the opportunity to honor the foster children in our custody as well as their placement providers and our social workers," Snipes said as she introduced her team and their outreach plan.
The department reported that its Celebration of Life and other outreach helped raise awareness; staff said the department hosted a county celebration attended by 263 people with 23 vendors and that it was the program's 50th year. Recruitment tactics now include contracted radio testimonials with Foothills Radio Group, bench advertising in local businesses, library book displays developed with the Caldwell Public Library and targeted faith-based outreach with partners such as Big House Ministries and Fostering Hope Catawba.
Snipes described several upcoming events to reach potential foster families: a Screenings and recruitment event tied to the film "Sound of Hope" in Maiden, a Neon Night Ride presence, a Touch-a-Truck at the Lenoir Library and an information session at Thrive (the former Caldwell Senior Center). She said the department is pursuing partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, Caldwell County Schools and local churches to expand outreach.
Staff reported that the recruitment push—launched in late April 2026—has coincided with an estimated increase of "3 to 5" inquiries per month; Snipes described efforts to track referral sources so the department can adjust outreach where it is yielding the most interest.
Board members encouraged connecting with neighborhood churches and noted the potential multiplied effect if one family per congregation were to consider fostering. The department emphasized that foster families must be licensed and that local faith and civic groups can provide important support networks.
The presentation was informational; no board action was taken but the chair encouraged staff to post contact information and links on the meeting screen for interested residents.
