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Cherokee County DSS notes In-Home Aide program termination, reviews incidents and explores NEMT modernization
Summary
Director Amanda T. McGee informed the board the In-Home Aide Program has been terminated and that affected clients are being transitioned to community resources; staff reviewed eight incidents from July 2025–Feb 2026 and discussed NEMT modernization with the Transit Director.
The Cherokee County Department of Social Services board was informed on March 17 that the agency’s In-Home Aide Program has been formally terminated following prior discussion at the February meeting. Director Amanda T. McGee said notice was provided to the Region A Council on Aging and that alternative arrangements for affected clients are being worked through appropriate community resources.
The board reviewed an Accident Summary Report covering July 2025 through February 2026. The report recorded eight incidents during the reporting period, all eight involving staff injuries; there were no visitor or client injuries or property damage reported. Corrective actions described in the report include refresher gun-safety protocol reviews, animal awareness training and engagement of an exterminator. The minutes list individual incident entries (for example, field slip/fall injuries, a client firing a handgun while an employee was present, and a dog bite) and note the Administrative Officer’s role in promoting safety training.
Director McGee also reported that the Transit Director is receptive to exploring modernization of the county’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) trip-ticketing system as well as expanded hours and pickup locations; the Transit Director will research options with county staff and report back.
The board heard additional performance and staffing information related to turnover, with a turnover rate of 14.5% for the January 1–February 28, 2026 period (net turnover 7.3% after hires were tallied). McGee and staff identified pay compression and higher pay opportunities outside the agency as primary drivers of separations and asked the board to advocate for pay-plan improvements.
