Through an objective and proven process we:

• Receive and screen reports of alleged abuse, neglect or dependency from individuals in the community.
• Assign accepted reports of suspected child maltreatment for assessment.
• Assess reports of child maltreatment and provide services to reduce risk of child maltreatment and ensure child safety.
• Provide foster care services, when necessary, to ensure child safety.
• Recruit, train and license foster and adoptive parents.

The foundational philosophy of the NC System of Care (SOC) is a family-centered practice.

The six SOC principles are:

• Inter-agency collaboration
• Individualized strengths-based care
• Cultural competence
• Child and family involvement
• Community-based services
• Accountability

Multiple Response System is family-centered Child Protective Services based on the following foundation principles:

• Everyone desires respect
• Everyone needs to be heard
• Everyone has strengths
• Judgment can wait
• Partners share power
• partnership is a process
• Safety of the child is top priority 
• Children have the right to their family
• Family is the most important resource for nurturing their children
• Families are respected for their individuality, and children can flourish in different types of families
• Family members are experts on their family
• Crisis is an opportunity for change

CPS Investigations cases referred to Aftercare and Prevention are defined as cases where there is no imminent risk at the time of case closure; however, the family could benefit from continued support from the Agency. 

There are two components of the After Care and Prevention Program.

After Care cases are defined as closed In Home Services and Foster Care cases, and Court referrals for families that have had previous DSS involvement that are in need of ongoing supervision. 

Prevention cases are defined as denied CPS Intake reports that do not meet the statutory definition of abuse, neglect and dependency for an assessment. The family may in the future become involved in Child Protective Services and may benefit from prevention services. Prevention services are voluntary. The family must agree to participate in the program.

To help prepare youth for independent living, the LINKS program provides services to youth that are or have been in foster care between the ages of 13 through 21.

The program utilizes the youth development approach and Multiple Response System Principles to assist adolescents to achieve self-sufficiency.