Foster Care
Child Placement Services (Foster Care)
Foster care placement is temporary substitute care provided to a child who must be separated from his or her own parents or caretakers when the parents or caretakers are unable or unwilling to provide adequate protection and care. Before a child is removed from his/her home or before a petition is filed to seek legal custody and placement responsibility by DSS efforts are made to maintain the family together and/or prevent a court petition. These efforts include voluntary, temporary plans with family/friends made by the parents or caretakers. In some situations, however, safety cannot be guaranteed and the child must be placed in care. State laws and policies charge the Department of Social Services with the task of ensuring that children are in foster care placement for the shortest time possible.
- Strengthen, preserve and/or reunite families after children have come into agency custody or placement responsibility by helping families improve the conditions in the home that caused agency intervention;
- Ensure a single, stable, safe, nurturing, and appropriate temporary living arrangement for children removed from their homes;
- Achieve an alternative safe, permanent home for all children in agency custody or placement responsibility who cannot return home.
Foster Parent Application
Adoption Application
Financial Worksheet
For further information about Foster Care Placement contact Warren Sparrow, Social Work Program Manager at (828) 287-6272 or Warren.Sparrow@rutherfordcountync.gov.
Foster Care Placement Supervisors
- Shynese Williams (828) 287-6331 shynese.williams@rutherfordcountync.gov
- Anitra Mckinney (828) 287-1218 anitra.mckinney@rutherfordcountync.gov