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Wayne County honors foster families, expands Children & Youth contracts and fiscal staffing
Summary
The Wayne County Commissioners adopted a Foster Care Month proclamation, honored long‑time foster parents who have cared for 110 children since 2008, and approved a larger consultancy contract for Children & Youth and a three‑year fiscal staffing agreement to support services.
The Wayne County Commissioners adopted a Foster Care Month proclamation May 21 and recognized foster parents Bonnie and Rich for more than a decade of service to children in the county.
Children and Youth Director Jeannine Latsch introduced Bonnie and Rich as the department’s longest‑serving foster parents, saying they began fostering in 2008; Latsch said the couple has cared for 110 children and adopted eight. The board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation.
Commissioner Brian W. Smith, who presided over the meeting, said the county’s goal is “to see people reintegrate back into society, and that Ms. Sheldon is playing a role in making sure that happens,” referring to Adult Probation Officer Emily Sheldon, who was also recognized for her one‑year service. Rich, one of the foster parents, said, “it is both rewarding and challenging” but expressed a desire to continue providing stable homes for children.
Alongside the proclamation, the board approved two contractual moves aimed at strengthening Children & Youth operations. Commissioners unanimously amended the Professional Consultancy Services Statement of Work with Computer Aid, Inc., increasing Program Consultancy Services hours from 1,100 to 2,600 and raising the maximum contract amount to $325,000 to support Children & Youth work. The board also approved a three‑year agreement with Service Access Management, Inc. to provide fiscal‑related staffing for Wayne County Children & Youth Services and Wayne County Behavioral and Developmental Programs from June 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 at an annual rate of $276,000.
The measures were presented without extended debate; motions to amend the Computer Aid agreement and to enter the Service Access Management contract passed unanimously.
The county’s actions reflect a combination of recognition for volunteer foster parents and investments in staffing and external contract capacity for child welfare operations. The board also noted a personnel change involving Children & Youth staff: Elizabeth Ennis submitted a formal resignation as a Children & Youth caseworker effective May 22, 2026 but was reported to be taking a later position in Behavioral Health.
