Due to a water line break in a Newton line that serves the Government Center, the facility will be without water today, February 13, and the Radio Station Rd. entrance will be blocked.  As a result, the Government Center will be closed to the public, and employees are being asked not to work in the facility. This does not impact the Justice Center or Animal Shelter.

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  3. Social Services
  4. Family Builders
  5. About Family Builders

Contact Information

  • Karen Harrington, Director
  • (828) 695-5600
  • Main Location:3030 11th Ave Dr SE Hickory, NC 28602

About Family Builders

Family Builders of Catawba Valley, part of Catawba County Social Services, has a mission to create, build, strengthen and sustain all families through foster, adoption, and kinship services. We affirm the philosophy that every child has the right to a safe, loving and permanent home.

The majority of children we serve have entered Social Services’ custody due to abuse, neglect or dependency. Our first goal is to reunify those children with their birth families. Foster families are needed who can “foster for reunification” and help children return to their birth family when safe and appropriate. Loving families are also needed to adopt children who cannot be returned to their families of origin and for whom the court has ordered a plan of adoption.

Family Builders of Catawba Valley is constantly searching for resource families (foster and adoptive families). Resource families may foster, adopt, or provide kinship or respite care/visiting services for waiting children.

Upcoming Events

Foster/Adoption Information Meeting

Family Builders Informational Meeting for prospective Foster/Adoptive Families
who want to learn about the Family Builders program and how they can get involved!

When? 2nd Tuesday of each Month, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Where? Family Service Center; 3050 11th Ave Dr SE Hickory, 28602

Email or call to get registered:

Cbrittain@catawbacountync.gov / 828-695-6500

Like and follow our page on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to see information about fostering and adoption and help us spread the word about the need for foster and adoptive families in our community!