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By Annie Dance | Cops & Congress | News & Commentary
RUTHERFORDTON — Frontline workers delivered a stark warning to the Rutherford County Department of Social Services Board on Nov. 19, describing conditions inside the agency as a “critical” threat to child safety amid severe staffing shortages, overwhelming caseloads, and a surge in security incidents during the 43-day federal government shutdown.
The meeting, which the county livestreamed but did not archive, marked one of the most urgent public discussions in years about the strain facing the child-welfare system.
A critical fact:
Documents were shared before the meeting on an agenda that I was able to download locally (the county adds that burdensome step), but the PUBLIC RECORDS are not currently available from the government, making this news article and the documents available on my DocumentCloud as the only known place to find the information as of this writing.
Board Chair Leon Godlock presided over the session, with members David Herndon, Sydney Pellegrini, Suzanne Porter, and Georgia Steele in attendance. Bryan King, County Commissioners Chairman, who previously held a board seat, stepped down earlier this year.
Staff Say Children Are at Risk
Child protective services workers and supervisors told the board they are carrying double or triple the caseloads recommended by state guidelines. Assessment workers reported 30 to 35 cases each, far above the standard of 10, while foster care workers said they manage up to 30 children at a time, double the typical benchmark. DSS Director Dee Hunt later said it’s a problem statewide.
Several staff members warned that children placed hours away require extensive travel for mandatory monthly visits, often pushing workdays late into the night. One supervisor said the situation has escalated to a “critical concern for safety,” while another warned that without intervention, a tragedy is inevitable.
Turnover has intensified the crisis. Supervisors said they are responsible for their own caseloads on top of overseeing their units because so many positions remain vacant. The October 2025 personnel report shows 23 vacant positions.
Security Threats Surged During Federal Shutdown
Apex Security, the private firm under contract with DSS, reported 13 calls for service, four security concerns and one trespass incident during October, along with 164 patrol rounds. A sheriff’s deputy assigned to DSS through a memorandum of understanding also responded to several safety-related situations.
The MOU was recently revised, but the updated document was not included in the public agenda security report.
October’s incidents included:
• Threats against staff:
A client threatened to kill a DSS employee during an EBT dispute, prompting a police report and mandatory security escort. In a separate case, a caller threatened staff over the phone and was told he “would be arrested” if he approached the building.
• Search for a possibly armed person:
Security and deputies searched multiple buildings for a man believed to be carrying a handgun. He was located unarmed and left without incident.
• Juvenile damage at the Lighthouse:
Youth caused property damage at the Lighthouse at Building D, a Dogwood Health Trust–funded facility opened earlier this year to give foster children a safe place to sleep instead of remaining overnight in DSS offices.
• Building vulnerabilities:
Security officers reported an unlocked office door and a bent section of fence at the Lighthouse campus.
No Security Cameras — And No Budget for Them
DSS buildings remain without security cameras, even as security incidents escalate. County Manager Steve Garrison has not budgeted for cameras in recent years, despite repeated discussion at public meetings and concern expressed by DSS staff and board members. He has been the county manager since March 2015, according to my previous reporting.
The absence of surveillance cameras has become a recurring point of frustration for employees who face volatile encounters with clients and must rely solely on security officers to monitor facilities. County employees, outside of law enforcement, who are legal gun owners, are not allowed to carry weapons while working, according to sources.
Budget Strain and Hiring Delays
DSS Director Dee Hunt told the board that travel costs are rising sharply due to long-distance foster placements and expanded pre-service training requirements for new workers. Nearly half of the agency’s mileage budget is already spent.
New statewide fingerprinting rules that took effect Oct. 1 have slowed hiring, delaying onboarding by several weeks. Five new employees are scheduled to begin in early December.
Possible Structural Overhaul
Hunt confirmed the county is studying whether to merge DSS with the Public Health Department, Foothills Health District, to form a consolidated Health and Human Services agency. If approved, the change would dissolve the DSS Board and shift oversight directly to the county manager and commissioners. Recently, the county-owned animal shelter was moved out from Foothills Health District control to a nonprofit through a contract, according to my previous reporting.
Shutdown Added Pressure to Food Assistance
Economic Services staff reported confusion among residents after temporary federal recalculations reduced Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown. Benefits were restored after Congress reached a budget agreement.
New federal work requirements for certain adults take effect Dec. 1. “We have not seen the communications about that, so it’s possibly (sic) that might be extended out to January 1st before the illegal immigrants is (sic) affected,” Program Administrator for Economic Services, Susan Epley, said.
Board Updates Its Rules
Citing statewide legal uncertainty over remote-governance laws, the board adopted new procedures requiring a physical quorum for official votes. (Very weird to me, it’s 2025.)
Director: Safety Must Come First
Hunt closed the meeting by emphasizing that she will continue pressing for improvements that protect both clients and staff. Workers urged county leadership — including Garrison — to act swiftly on pay, staffing, safety infrastructure, and security needs before conditions deteriorate further. Garrison was not seen on the livestream; it’s unclear if he was at the meeting.
Reporter’s (nerd) note: When you see (sic) written after what seems like a mistake, it means the words were used intentionally. (Sic) is used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly as said or written to be factual.
