Resources › North Carolina

http://www.ncgov.org/

NC Department of Health and Human Services

The NC Department of Health and Human Services protects the public health, fosters self-reliance and helps the vulnerable. They work in local offices, schools and hospitals, building a stronger North Carolina by strengthening North Carolinians in all 100 counties.

Division of Aging and Adult Services

The mission of the Division of Aging and Adult Services is to promote independence and enhance the dignity of North Carolina's older and disabled persons and their families through a community- based system of opportunities, services, benefits, and protections; to ready younger generations to enjoy their later years; and to help society and government plan and prepare for the changing demographics.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Long Term Care Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and adult care homes (rest homes/assisted living) throughout North Carolina. Ombudsmen receive and investigate complaints made by or on behalf of long term care residents and work for their resolution. The Ombudsman Program is an advocacy program, not a regulatory agency.

• Who are they? Long Term Care Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and adult care homes (rest homes/assisted living) throughout North Carolina.
• What do they do? Ombudsmen receive and investigate complaints made by or on behalf of long term care residents and work for their resolution. The Ombudsman Program is an advocacy program, not a regulatory agency.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Project and Elder Abuse

What do LTC Ombudsmen do about Elder Abuse?  The North Carolina Long Term Care Ombudsman does not investigate allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation. However, the Ombudsman Program will refer any necessary information pertaining to an allegation of abuse or neglect to the local county Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services Unit.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are offices established through the Older Americans Act that serve to facilitate and support the development of programs to address the needs of older adults in a defined geographic region and support investment in their talents and interests.

• Where are they located?
  In North Carolina, AAAs are located within regional Councils of Government.
• What do they do? 
  These AAAs have functions in five basic areas:
  1. advocacy
  2. planning
  3. program and resource development
  4. information brokerage, and
  5. funds administration and quality assurance.

Division of Social Services

The Division of Social Services works in cooperation with the Social Services Commission, the 100 local Department of Social Services and other public and private entities to protect children, strengthen families, and help all North Carolinians to achieve maximum self- sufficiency.

http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/

The NC Division of Social Services is responsible for various programs and services. The following website has a list of many of these programs. To get more information on a program please select the program that you are interested in and you will be taken to that page.

http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/programs/index.htm

Division of Facility Services

The Division of Facility Services (DFS) regulates medical, mental health and group care facilities, emergency medical services, and local jails. They ensure that people are safe, and that the care in these facilities is adequate. They make certain that medical facilities are built only when there is a need for them.

County Adult Protective Services

Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local Department of Social Services Office. This link allows you to select the county that you would like to view phone numbers, physical addresses, and mailing addresses. When possible they also included email addresses and agency web site addresses. For each county you can identify the supervisor for Adult Protective Services and contact information.

Orange County Department of Social Services

UNC Healthcare Hospitals are in Orange County, North Carolina.  The contact information for Orange County Department of Social Services is:

300 West Tryon Street

Hillsborough, NC  27278

919-732-8181

fax 919-644-3005

Adult Services Supervisor:
Renee Bynum - 919-245-2881 bynum@co.orange.nc.us

What information does county Department of Social Services need?

• The name and address of the person who you believe has been mistreated
• The person's age or date of birth
• Caregiver's name (if there is a caregiver)
• An explanation of the situation and why the caller believes the person needs protection
• The mental and/or physical condition of the person who you believe has been mistreated
• The names of others who may help provide information regarding the situation