Social Services

The Division of Social Services (DSS) provides guidance and technical assistance to agencies that provide direct services that address issues of poverty, family violence and exploitation. DSS promotes self-reliance and self-sufficiency and works to prevent abuse, neglect, dependency and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, children and their families. DSS works to accomplish this through the following Family Centered Principles of Partnership:

• Everyone desires respect.
• Everyone needs to be heard.
• Everyone has strengths.
• Judgments can wait.
• Partners share power.
• Partnership is a process.

In North Carolina, the single administrative agency is the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This umbrella agency includes separate divisions. Some of the other DHHS divisions with the greatest impact on local offices include:
Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid)
Division of Child Development and Early Education
Division of Health Services Regulation
Division of Aging and Adult Services

Child Protective Services: If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact your local county Department of Social Services.
Leadership: Assistant Secretary for County Operations: Susan Osborne

COVID-19 Additional Information and Resources

The Department of Health and Human Services has released the Specialized Foster Care Plan Policy Paper which describes key design features related to foster care eligibility and enrollment, benefits, care management and quality, among other areas.