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DSS update: 192 children in care as county seeks more foster homes
Summary
Wilkes County Department of Social Services reported 192 children in foster care and 19 licensed foster homes, with recruitment activities and a recent class expected to raise licensed homes to 27; the department stressed some children require higher-level placements due to specialized needs.
Sheri Boles, Licensing and Foster Care Supervisor, told the board the goal of foster care is “insuring safety, strengthening families, promoting reunification, and finding safe permanent homes for children.” She said recruitment work has been active and recent efforts should increase local licensing.
Boles reported that “as of the end of April, DSS currently has 192 children in foster care” and that the department currently has 19 foster homes, many at capacity. She described outreach including church visits, civic meetings, radio and WXII advertising, a foster parent class completed by six families, and a waiting list of eight families for the next class. Boles said when pending licenses return from Black Mountain they expect to increase licensed homes to 27, “which is an increase of 42%.”
Boles cautioned that despite licensing increases, some children cannot be placed in local foster homes because of “intense and specialized needs” that require higher levels of medical or psychological care. The board thanked Hal Wilson and Ms. Boles for the update and for work during National Foster Care Month.
The presentation contained specific counts and program actions; no formal board action was taken at the meeting.
