Burke County approves contract to bring Black Mountain Children's Home services to local foster system

Burke County commissioners voted Aug. 6 to approve an agreement with Black Mountain Children's Home to help vertically integrate local child welfare services, a move county leaders said is intended to increase licensed foster homes, shorten assessment and service timelines, and improve reunification outcomes.

County Manager (Speaker 12) said the contract will rely on Black Mountain for licensing, recruitment, training and foster‑home support, and on a clinical partner (Anubia) to provide services not currently available in Burke County. He summarized local data showing a higher-than-average rate of foster‑care entries and longer lengths of stay, saying the county saw "about 215" children in care at the point in time cited and framed poverty and substance use as underlying drivers. He told the board the program's goals include measurable improvements in reunification and fewer out‑of‑county congregate placements.

DSS Director Corey Fisher Wellman detailed operational needs, including staffing and casework implications, and confirmed PathNC — the state's child-welfare data system — will go live for child‑welfare programs on Sept. 8, which requires rebuilding legacy cases. Commissioners thanked staff and moved to approve the agreement subject to final legal review; the motion passed 4-0 and the county manager was authorized to execute the contract after attorney review.

Officials said they expect the partnership to reduce the number of children sent to distant placements and to provide more local clinical referrals and supports, but they stressed measurements and timelines will be established in the contract and reports back to the board.