North Carolina law protects disabled adults of all ages from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Chatham County Department of Social Services (DSS) is dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, ensuring thorough evaluations of all reports that meet statutory criteria.

What Constitutes Adult Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation?

• Abuse: Willful infliction of physical pain, injury, mental anguish, unreasonable confinement, or deprivation of necessary services.
• Neglect: A disabled adult living alone and unable to care for themselves or not receiving necessary services to maintain mental or physical health.
• Exploitation: The illegal or improper use of a disabled adult or their resources for someone else’s profit or advantage.

Who Must Report?

North Carolina law mandates that anyone who suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult must report their concerns to their local DSS. Those reporting in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability.

How to Report
APS is available 24/7. You can contact the Adult Services team in the following ways:

• By Phone: Call APS intake at (919) 642-6988, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.
• In Person: Visit the Chatham County DSS office at 102 Camp Drive, Pittsboro, NC 27312, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.
• After Hours/Weekends/Holidays: Contact the 911 Emergency Communications Center at (919) 542-2911 to be connected with an after-hours social worker.

Information to Provide
When reporting, have the following information ready:

• The name, address, and age of the adult.
• The name and address of the adult’s caregiver, if applicable.
• The adult’s physical and/or mental condition, including any injuries or extent of maltreatment.

What Happens After a Report is Made?
Reports are reviewed to determine if they meet the statutory criteria for abuse, neglect, or exploitation. If substantiated, an APS worker will assess the adult’s needs, ensure their safety, and connect them to appropriate services and resources.

If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation, please take action. Your report can make a critical difference in the life of a disabled adult.

Here's a quick guide in understanding Adult Protective Services from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

The Adult Services unit also provides compliance and certification monitoring and complaint investigation services for the county’s Adult Day Health Center(s) (ADHCs).  ADHCs provide structured and comprehensive programs for adults who need supervision and assistance during the day, so that they retain the option of staying home rather than going to a facility. Participants attend on a scheduled basis, receive health care and engage in activities based on individualized service plans.

For more information, visit North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Adult Day Services.

The Adult Home Specialist (AHS) in the Adult Services unit plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and compliance of licensed adult care and assisted living facilities in Chatham County. Through unannounced visits, the AHS monitors facilities to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations set forth by the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) and the state of North Carolina.

In addition to overseeing compliance, the AHS is responsible for investigating complaints, providing technical assistance to facility staff, and collaborating with DHSR during annual surveys. The AHS also serves as a local resource for individuals interested in establishing adult care facilities, guiding them through the licensing process and regulatory requirements.

For more information about adult care licensure, facility inspections, star ratings, and penalties in North Carolina, please visit the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation's official website. This resource provides comprehensive details on the licensing process for adult care facilities, the standards for inspections, and the criteria for star ratings, as well as information on penalties for non-compliance.

Explore the site here: North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation

This service supports aging or disabled adults and their families in finding suitable substitute homes or residential healthcare facilities when remaining in their current living situations is no longer viable. Key activities include:

• Conducting initial screenings and assessments.
• Assisting with necessary financial applications and medical evaluations.
• Helping locate and secure appropriate placements based on individual needs and care levels.
• Supporting the transition to new settings.
• Offering counseling and additional services to facilitate adjustment and ensure successful placement.

Adult Guardianship services are outlined under Chapter 35A of the North Carolina General Statutes. This program serves adults who have been legally declared incompetent by the Clerk of Superior Court and require assistance in decision-making. A guardian is appointed to manage the well-being and sometimes the property of the individual. Guardianship ends when the adult either passes away or regains competency.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is considered the "guardian of last resort." According to G.S. 35A-1214, the court must first consider a person named in a will or other legal document. If no such individual is available, the court will next evaluate a family member or another responsible person willing and able to serve. If no qualified person can be found, the court may appoint a corporation, and, if no other options exist, the DSS Director may be appointed as the guardian. In all cases, the court’s decision is based on the best interests of the individual in need of guardianship.

The agency provides support and information to family members or friends interested in becoming a guardian. To learn more, visit Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.

 Our In Home Aide (IHA) Services offer vital support for adults who need assistance with home management tasks, enabling them to maintain their independence and remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Designed for individuals without other available help, our services include light housekeeping (dishwashing, laundry, sweeping, mopping, and dusting), small meal preparation, transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and running essential errands.

This IHA program is a supplemental service, not intended to be the primary source of care, and does not include personal care. Our team provides 2–3-hour visits twice a month through a Community Home Assistant. Additionally, ongoing case management from an assigned social worker is provided, which includes a minimum of quarterly home visit assessments and annual reviews.

Individual Family Adjustment (IFA) services offer valuable support to individuals and families facing destabilizing changes in health, finances, or functional abilities. The program connects disabled adults and their families with appropriate resources and services. An assigned social worker provides case management, working collaboratively with clients to identify needs and develop a personalized plan. The social worker also assists in connecting individuals with necessary and available resources.

Through IFA services, recipients receive problem-solving support aimed at fostering greater resourcefulness and self-reliance, while learning to utilize their natural support systems to enhance their independence and well-being

Special Assistance-In Home (SA-IH) provides support to aging adults and adults with disabilities who have been medically determined to require a “rest home or domiciliary” level of care but choose to remain in their own residence or private living arrangement. This program offers an alternative to institutional or facility placement, allowing individuals who receive Medicaid and qualify for facility care to continue living independently in the community.

Case management is a key component of the program, coordinating and monitoring services to ensure that Medicaid funds are used appropriately for necessary purchases that support the client’s ability to live safely at home. Through SA-IH, clients can remain in their homes while receiving the assistance they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.