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MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />DATE: <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />John Day, County Manager <br />Jim Cook, Social Services Director <br />9-12-03 <br />Request for a Social Worker Position <br /> <br /> I am writing to request that the Board of Commissioners establish an additional <br />Social Worker III position at DSS for work in the Child Foster Care Services Program. <br />The cost of the position for the remainder of the year, $35,961, will be reimbursed 100% <br />by federal TANF (Work First Block Grant) funds. <br /> <br /> We have struggled for a number of months to staff our increasing child foster care <br />caseload. While we have not had a significant increase in Child Protective Services <br />reports, we have seen increasing severity of situations found in investigations. The Court <br />is placing proportionally more of these children in our care. Much as we focus on <br />making permanent arrangements for children, they are simply not leaving care as rapidly <br />as they are entering. We have used temporary assignments of workers fi.om other <br />program areas, extended services of temps initially assigned to cover vacant positions, <br />and at times, supervisors have carried partial caseloads. As the enclosed memo from <br />Program Manager Jane Cauthen reflects, the caseload of children in care rose to 197 as of <br />9-11-03. During August, essentially an entire caseload of children came into care, raising <br />the average caseload to 19.3 children. The recommended standard is 15 children. I have <br />no alternative at this point but to request the addition of a Social Worker III position as <br />quickly as this can be authorized. <br /> <br /> Fortunately, there is substantially more federal TANF funding allocated to <br />Cabarrus County than we have drawn. As we continue to meet maintenance of effort <br />requirements, this funding is available to support eligible activities. The costs for the <br />requested Social Worker III are eligible for reimbursement fi.om this funding. <br /> <br /> I regret the need for this position was not apparent in time to make a request for <br />the regular September meeting of the Board. However, in view of the need, I would <br />greatly appreciate you arranging for the Board to consider this request at its earliest <br />convenience. <br /> <br />Thank you. <br /> <br />cc: DSS Board <br /> <br /> Department of Social Services <br />1303 South Cannon Blvd Kannapohs, NC 28083 (704)920-1400 <br /> <br /> <br />