The Ash County Board of Commissioners adopted two proclamations April 20 recognizing foster-care families and Guardian ad Litem volunteers and received an update from the county Department of Social Services on ongoing disaster case management and temporary housing efforts.

What the board proclaimed
The board adopted a proclamation naming May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month and May 31, 2025 as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day in Ash County. The proclamation cited state estimates that about 10,094 children in North Carolina are in foster care and noted Ash County’s local caseload numbers stated by staff.

The board also adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Month, commending volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children.

DSS disaster case-management update
Tracy, identified in the meeting as the county Department of Social Services director, briefed commissioners on disaster case management and temporary housing after the major storm event (Hurricane Helene). Tracy said more than 80 donated campers had been brought into the county through volunteer and inter-county assistance; FEMA had delivered one camper. She said a FEMA deadline had passed in April but that FEMA allows a 60-day grace period for victims with qualifying circumstances and that appeals for FEMA decisions remain possible.

Tracy described the “mark” (a small recovery/assistance center at Family Central) where FEMA and state case managers are available to help residents apply for assistance. She said volunteers, donations and three campers secured through Allegheny County had been important to the county’s immediate response and that staff are transitioning from temporary shelter to more permanent housing and rebuilding support.

The director also recounted a case in which a man living in a tent was located and placed in a donated camper; the director said law-enforcement follow-up was being handled for cases where disaster funds were stolen from applicants.

Why it matters
The proclamations formally recognize the county’s foster-care and Guardian ad Litem volunteers and professionals. The DSS update provides practical, near-term information for storm survivors about available temporary housing, the FEMA grace period and where to get case-management help in Jefferson.

Follow-up and contacts
DSS staff offered to answer questions and to provide updated information on disaster-recovery services and camper availability. The meeting record notes that FEMA, state case managers and county staff remain available at the Family Central assistance center for the next 60 days under the grace-period guidance described by DSS staff.