General Info:
The Onslow County Department of Social Services provides public assistance programs to assist low income families in our community to become self-sufficient by providing basic financial, nutritional, and health care assistance on a temporary basis. These programs include: Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance, Work First Employment Services, Energy Programs, Program Integrity, Adult Medicaid and Family & Childrens Medicaid, and Day Care Services. Additionally, the Department receives reports and investigates child maltreatment. The goal of Child Protective Services (CPS) Assessments is to protect children from further maltreatment and to support and improve parental/caregiver abilities to assure a safe and nurturing home for each child. CPS Assessments determine if child(ren) are abused, neglected, and/or dependent, or if the family is in need of services, and what level of intervention is necessary to assure safety of the children. CPS In-Home Services are provided to support families to safely maintain their child(ren) in their own home by eliminating identified safety and risk concerns and reducing risk of future child maltreatment. This is achieved through engagement of the family, their support system, and other service providers. These services are legally mandated, non-voluntary services for families that encompass services for maltreated children (abused, neglected, and/or dependent) and those who are at imminent risk of harm due to the actions of, or lack of protection by, the childs parent or caregiver. Permanency Planning Services consists of an array of mandated placement services to children and families in the agencys custody. When children cannot be safely maintained in their own home, the first priority is to find relatives or kinship placements for the child(ren). When relatives or kinship providers are not readily available, children are placed in licensed foster homes. The agency is charged with ensuring children in our custody are placed in safe, nurturing environments, on a temporary basis, until their permanent plan is achieved. Social workers are charged with working plans of reunification, relative placement, legal custody with a relative or kinship provider, or adoption with the goal of permanence within 12 months. The Department also licenses foster homes in Onslow County to provide temporary, safe, placements for children. Adult Services offers a range of mandated and voluntary supportive services which intervenes and advocates on behalf of emancipated minors, disabled adults at risk of mistreatment, in need of independent living supportive services, and services to enhance their quality of life. Protective Services for Adults is based on an awareness of the vulnerability of disabled adults to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Protective Services for Adults assists adults who have disabilities which have incapacitated them so that they are unable to take care of themselves and who have no one able or willing to assist them with the care they need. These adults may be abused or neglected by a caretaker, they may be neglecting themselves, or they may be exploited. The Department serves adults in private homes, residential care facilities, state institutions or other types of living arrangements. Services to adults including outreach and guardianship.