HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-17-2026; 4-b - Department of Social Services Protective Services Overview Presentation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 17, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Department of Social Services Protective Services Overview Presentation
DEPARTMENT: Social Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Presentation Crystal Wiese, 919-245-2767
Adult Protective Services Overview Lindsey Shewmaker, 919-245-2817
Adult Guardianship Overview
PURPOSE: To receive an overview presentation on protective services, specifically Child
Protective Services and Adult Protective Services, from Orange County Department of Social
Services' staff.
BACKGROUND: Protective services in North Carolina includes Child Protective Services and
Adult Protective Services and are managed by local county Departments of Social Services with
support and supervision provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services. Child Protective Services investigates abuse, neglect, and dependency of children
under age 18, while Adult Protective Services protects disabled adults, age 18 and above, from
abuse, neglect, and exploitation. These are mandated services under North Carolina General
Statute (NCGS) 7B for Child Protective Services, and NCGS 108A, Article 6 for Adult Protective
Services, and are governed by a combination of State and federal law and policy.
In fiscal year 2024-25, the Orange County Department of Social Services investigated 526 reports
of suspected child maltreatment. During the same time, the Department also evaluated 156
reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults.
The Department of Social Services works with community partners and stakeholders to assess
and investigate reports and intervenes when appropriate to provide services and safety plans.
The attached presentation provides a basic overview of the processes involved with Child
Protective Services and Adult Protective Services as well as NCGS references and links for more
detailed information.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This informational presentation has no financial impact.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 3. Provide social safety net programming and the resources needed for our
most vulnerable community members (e.g., veterans, unhoused people, foster children,
older adults, etc.).
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the information on
protective services offered by the Department of Social Services and provide any comments and
questions.
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Protective Services for Children and Adults:
An Overview
Orange County Department of Social Services
Board of County Commissioners Meeting: March 17, 2026
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ORAhT�F COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
OCUL SERVICES
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Protective Services for Children
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Statutory Authority
• Child Protective Services in North Carolina is governed by Chapter 7B of the
General Statutes, the Juvenile Code , which mandates that county
Departments of Social Services protect juveniles from abuse, neglect, and
dependency.
• North Carolina General Statute 7B-301 indicates that any person who has
"cause to suspect" a child has been abused, neglected, or is dependent is
required to report this to the Department of Social Services.
• North Carolina General Statute 7B-302(a) states when a report of abuse,
neglect, or dependency is received, the director of the department of social
services shall make a prompt and thorough assessment. The Social Services
Director delegates that authority to staff in the Department of Social
Services. 9 * 0
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Reports
• All reports must meet certain statutory criteria to be screened in for CPS
Assessment:
• Juvenile (age 0-17)
• Alleged perpetrator must be a parent/caretaker (as defined in statute). The only
exception is in cases of Human Trafficking.
• Allegations must meet the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect, or dependency as
defined in G.S. 713-101
• If the report is screened out, there is no further action.
• If the report is screened in, there is a response time and response track
assigned based upon the reported allegations.
• Neglect/Dependency Reports — generally 72-hour response time; some may warrant an
immediate or 24-hour response depending on the nature of the allegations and/or ages
of the children. (Family Assessment)
• Abuse Reports — Immediate or 24-hour response time (Investigative Assessment)
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Investigations
FAMILY ASSESSMENTS INVESTIGATIVE
Scheduled initial contact ASSESSMENTS
ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
Family-centered approach Unannounced initial contact
Case decision is whether the All family members interviewed
family needs Ongoing CPS separately
Services to address identified ALL ASSESSMENTS Case decision is to substantiate
concerns Initial&ongoing assessment of child safety or unsubstantiate maltreatment
(safety plans)
Assessment of risk for future maltreatment
Global assessment of family strengths and
needs
Possible need for Child Medical Exams/ In-depth
Evaluations
Contact with providers working with the families
Contact with collaterals (family/friends) provided
by family
Referrals for services to address identified needs
Review of CPS history, criminal history, 911 calls
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Child Protective Services in North Carolina: In-Home Services
• Children remain with their parents when possible and services are provided
to ensure child safety.
• Temporary Safety Providers might be identified to step in and help the family.
This is a voluntary plan and requires the parent or caregiver to agree.
• Processes include:
• Child & Family Team Meetings
• Development of Family Services Agreement
• Referrals for services
• Regular contact with family and service providers
• Goal: mitigate safety concerns, reduce risk factors, and increase family
capacity to prevent further maltreatment (and future CPS involvement)
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Out of Home
Placement (Permanency Planning) and Court Processes
• The primary goal of Child Protective Services is to ensure children are safe
within their own homes. When in home safety cannot be assured, Social
Services takes legal steps to assume child custody.
• A juvenile petition is filed, and a Judge will determine if the agency has legal
grounds to remove the child(ren) from the home.
• This initiates the Juvenile Court process and requires a hearing within 7 days.
The family has legal representation and regular court hearings.
• The primary goal is almost always to reunify the family and social workers
continue to work with the parents on steps toward reunification.
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Protective Services for Adults
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Adult Protective Services in North Carolina: Statutory Authority
• Adult Protective Services is mandated by North Carolina General Statute
108A, Article 6, Protection of the Abused, Neglected or Exploited Disabled
Adult Act and Article 6A, Protection of Disabled and Older Adults From
Financial Exploitation.
• North Carolina General Statute 108A-102(a) requires that "any person having
reasonable cause to believe that a disabled adult is in need of protective
services shall report such information to the director."
• Any director receiving a report that a disabled adult is in need of protective
services shall make a prompt and thorough evaluation to determine whether
the disabled adult is in need of protective services and what services are
needed. (G.S. 108A-103(a))
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Adult Protective Services in North Carolina: Screening Reports
For an Adult Protective Services report to be accepted or "screened in", it must
meet all the following requirements by statute:
1 . Is the adult alleged to be disabled?
2. Is the adult alleged to be abused, neglected, or exploited?
3. Is the adult alleged to be in need of protection?
If a report is screened in, the evaluation shall be initiated:
• Immediately if danger of death is alleged.
• Within 24 hours if danger of irreparable harm is alleged.
• Within 72 hours if the complaint does not allege danger of death or irreparable harm.
Following an evaluation, a determination must be made whether the report is
substantiated, meaning all three conditions are met: An adult with a disability
has been abused, neglected, or exploited and is need of protective services. e e o
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OMNGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
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Adult Protective Services in North Carolina: Definitions
Disability
•The adult is physically or mentally incapacitated due to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism;
organic brain damage caused by advanced age or other physical degeneration in connection therewith; or conditions
incurred at any age which are the result of accident, organic brain damage, mental or physical illness, or continued
consumption or absorption of substances.
Abuse, e ' Exploitation
•Abuse is the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or mental anguish, unreasonable confinement, or the willful
deprivation by a caretaker of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health.
•Self-Neglect: living alone and not able to provide for themselves the services necessary to maintain their mental or
physical health
•Caretaker Neglect: not receiving services from their caretaker.
• Exploitation is the illegal or improper use of a disabled adult or their resources for another's profit or advantage. Only
prong not limited to self or caretaker. Includes but not limited to financial exploitation.
Need for Protection
•The adult due to his physical or mental incapacity, is unable to perform or obtain for themselves essential services
and the person is without able, responsible, and willing persons to perform or obtain for his essential services.
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Adult Protective Services in North Carolina: Services Needed
• If the need for protection is substantiated, the adult's capacity is then
determined for service provision.
• If the adult understands their need for protection, they must consent to
receive protective services. The adult may also choose to refuse protective
services.
• If it is determined that an adult does not have capacity to understand their
need for protection, further actions (such as petitioning the court for an Adult
Protective Services order or Guardianship) is required.
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ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL.SERVICES
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PROTECTIVECHILD VS ADULT PROTECTIVE
Duty to Report Duty to Report
Any person who has cause to suspect a child has been abused, ` Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a disabled adult is in
neglected,or is dependent is required to report this to the Department need of protective services shall report such information to the director.
of Social Services.G.S.7B-301 ` G.S. 108A-102(a).
Statutory Criteria for Accepted Reports Statutory Criteria for Accepted Reports
• Juvenile(0-17) • Disabled adult(18+)
• Alleged perpetrator must be a parent/caretaker(as defined in • Must be"in need of protective services"
statute),only exception is Human Trafficking 1qWW NEW • Alleged perpetrator must be a caretaker(as defined in statute),only
• Allegations must meet the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect, exception is exploitation
or dependency as defined in G.S.7B-101 • Allegations must meet the statutory definitions of abuse. neglect, or
exploitation as defined in G.S. 108A-101(m)
Primary Objective Primary Objective
The primary goal is to protect children from abuse, neglect, and The primary goal is to protect disabled adults(aged 18 or older with
dependency while preserving the family unit whenever safely possible. mental or physical incapacities)from abuse, neglect,or exploitation.APS
CPS prioritizes the prevention of unnecessary or inappropriate prioritizes the need for protective services rather than the evaluation of
separation of children and parents, protects the constitutional rights incidents, maximizes self-determination,works with family and support
of parents and children, and seeks safety and permanency within systems,seeks the least least restrictive alternative, and protects
reasonable time periods. confidentiality.
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Questions?
Additional Resources
Abuse, Neglect, dependency, and Termination of Parental Rights
https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/abuse-neglect-dependency-and-termination-
parental-rights/chapter-1-overview-north-carolina-child-welfare-system
Adult Protective Services Manual
https://poLicies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/Adult-Protective-Services-
Manual_September-2025.pdf
Introducing a New Flow Chart for Adult Protective Services Court Proceedings
https://canons.sog.unc.edu/bLog/2025/06/12/introducing-a-new-flow-chart-for-adult- • • •
protective-services-court-proceedings/ om
ORANGE COUNTY
14 DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL.SERVICES