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DSS reports staffing pressures, PathNC rollout and 217 children in care
Summary
DSS Director Corey Fisher Wellman told the commissioners the department has a roughly 7% vacancy rate, 217 children in foster care at the point in time reported, ongoing PathNC implementation set for Sept. 8, and other operational pressures tied to federal/state program changes; the board accepted the report.
Corey Fisher Wellman, director of Burke County Department of Social Services, updated commissioners on staffing and caseloads Aug. 6, reporting roughly 14 open positions (about a 7% vacancy rate), seven separations and six hires in June, and continued pressure in economic-services positions tied to changing federal and state rules.
Wellman said the department is meeting MOU outcomes for economic services but noted that new rules under HR1 will shift administrative costs and error‑rate responsibilities. He also reported point-in-time foster-care counts of 217 children and emphasized the strain created when children remain in office custody or are placed far from county services; he described one recent placement found in Utah. Wellman said PathNC, the statewide child-welfare data system, will be rolled out for all child-welfare programs on Sept. 8 and warned staff and leadership that the transition will require rebuilding legacy cases.
Commissioners asked for clarification of programs (SAN home vs. CAP) and expressed support for partnerships and proposed reforms. The board voted 4-0 to accept the June DSS report. Wellman and the board emphasized the need to staff up and to confirm contractual details for the Black Mountain partnership before implementation.
