Spark family-centered treatment and foster care costs
Burke County
Summary
Spark's first year: 46 referrals, 107 residents served, 12 families completed, and 85% of random drug screens negative. Medicaid coverage is being pursued, which would free grant funds for uninsured families.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
Potential Medicaid coverage could shift costs off grant funding and expand access.
Families dealing with substance use, especially those referred through DJJ, DSS, and schools.
Children without placements — some sleeping in DSS offices — bear the cost of the shortage.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Opioid Advisory Committee - Sep 15, 2026
Spark's first year: 46 referrals, 107 residents served, 12 families completed, and 85% of random drug screens negative. Medicaid coverage is being pursued, which would free grant funds for uninsured families.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - Aug 6, 2026
Burke has 215 kids in foster care — far above similar counties — with kids staying an average of 1,238 days. A new contract with Black Mountain Home aims to recruit local foster homes and bring Anuvia clinical services to the county to speed reunification.
Opioid Advisory Committee - Jul 21, 2026
Commissioner Randy Burns questioned whether Spark's $636,500 program is reducing foster care numbers and county costs, since the service isn't Medicaid-billable and depends entirely on opioid funds.
Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting - Mar 2, 2026
DSS reported eight emergency child removal petitions in a single week — the most the director has ever seen — all tied to substance use. Kids ended up staying in the office while placements were found, and staff are stretched thin.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - Jan 20, 2026
Judge Mullinax reported 192 kids in foster care but only 43 licensed foster homes in the county — 16 of them licensed by DSS. Some children have slept in DSS offices for lack of placements. Commissioner Stroud asked that training materials be shared with churches to recruit more foster families.
Opioid Advisory Committee - Jan 20, 2026
192 kids are in foster care but the county has only 43 licensed foster homes, and some children have slept in DSS offices. Judge Molenac explained why permanency takes years and asked for continued support on mental health and substance abuse — the root causes of most cases.
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