Child Protective Services is a term used to describe a set of government and private services designed to protect children and encourage family stability. The main aim of these services is to safeguard children from abuse and neglect. Child protective agencies will typically investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, supervise foster care and arrange adoptions. They also offer services aimed to support families so that they can stay intact and raise children successfully. CPS can be contacted by the public 24 hours a day. These agencies ensure the safety of children who, for a variety of reasons, may not be safe in their homes. Although circumstances can vary greatly, most families first become involved with the child welfare system due to a report of suspected child abuse or neglect.
- Child Protective Services typically:
- Receive and investigate reports of possible child abuse and neglect
- Provide services to families who need assistance in the protection and care of their children
- Arrange for children to live with kin, foster families, or licensed group home facilities when they are not safe at home
- arrange permanent adoptive homes for children
- arrange and support independent living services for youth leaving foster care
Links:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Child Protective Services
Director Jihyun Vespoli
City-County Building 490 Broadway Ave, Fox Hollow, NC 478-255-1000