Commissioners Notebook: November 2023

Published on November 21, 2023

Cabarrus County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is increasing its foster care and adoption assistance rates, following a change in North Carolina’s Child Welfare Legislation.   

DHS Social Work Program Administrator Anneka Roundtree presented details on the increased rates to commissioners at the November 6 Work Session. 

In Cabarrus County, 192 children are in the foster care system, Roundtree said at the meeting. The increased rates will help those caring for foster children meet daily needs and help “keep kids in our community,” she said.  

For children 5 and under, the rates will increase from $514 to $702; for children ages 6-12 years old rates will increase from $654 to $742; children ages 13-17 and 18-21 years of age will have a rate increase from $698 to $810.10. 

Also at the meeting, Roundtree described a new policy called Kinship Care relative placements, which was recently approved by state lawmakers. The policy allows relatives (related by blood, marriage or adoption) providing foster care to receive half the reimbursement rate of a licensed family foster home. 

Monthly rates for an unlicensed relative placement are $351 (ages 0-5); $371 (ages 6-12); and $405 (ages 13-17). The State and County will share 50% of the nonfederal share of the cost. 

A budget amendment is required for DHS to cover proper funding for residents providing foster care.  

Commissioners will vote on the budget amendment at the Regular Meeting on Monday, November 20. 

For additional information about DHS Foster Care and Adoption services, visit cabarruscounty.us/foster or call 704-920-1400. 

Also, during the November Work Session, commissioners: 

• Heard from Roundtree on funding for the Elevate Program. The program seeks to advance health equity for adolescents, their families and communities in Cabarrus and Rowan counties. The department was awarded $15,000 from the Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) to help operations. CHA and various partners will offer programs in schools, foster care and community-based organizations. 

• Heard from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Jimmy Lentz and Deputy Chief Jonathan Maulden on a new lease agreement for stretchers and power loads. The current lease expires June 30, 2024. The EMS department is looking to enter a 10-year lease with Stryker, a medical technology company. As part of the lease agreement, EMS will get updated equipment after five years. Commissioners will vote to approve the new lease agreement at the Regular Meeting.  

To watch the full November 6, 2023 Work Session, visit youtube.com/cabarruscounty. 

The Regular Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on Monday (November 20) at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord.  

Residents can watch commissioner meetings on the Cabarrus County livestream at cabarruscounty.us, on YouTube (@CabarrusCounty) and on CabCo TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 22). 

Stay updated on these and all County programs and projects by visiting cabarruscounty.us and following Cabarrus County at facebook.com/cabarruscounty and on Twitter and Instagram @CabarrusCounty.