Children and Family Services

Child Protective Services | Adoption Services | Foster Care Services

Child Protective Services
.	Protective Services for Children are based upon a legal mandate that the county is responsible for assuring that children are properly protected and cared for. When a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is received, a social worker investigates by visiting in the home and interviewing the involved parties. The department also offers services to dependent children who have no one able to care for them. A social worker is always available even after regular working hours to intervene and assure that children at risk are protected and provided with appropriate care. If you suspect that a child is being neglected or abused, contact the Department of Social Services at (919) 705-1774
Adoption Services
	Adoption services are provided by the Wayne County Department of Social Services to enable children to have legal permanence in homes. There are several types of adoptions: Agency placements - The Juvenile Court may place a child in the custody of the Wayne County Department of Social Services and, after a period of time, if reunification efforts fail, the agency may proceed with a termination of parental rights petition. If it is granted, the child is legally cleared for adoption. Independent placements - These placements are made when birth parents identify a family that wishes to adopt their child. Relative adoptions (including close relatives and step-parent adoptions) – These  adoptions must also have the parents' consent or termination of parental rights. Other adoption services include counseling with birth parents who are considering releasing their child for adoption, post-adoption counseling, and counseling with adoptees and birth parents who are searching for relatives. Persons wishing to adopt must attend foster/adoptive parent training which consists of a 10-week course (30 hours), which helps them to better understand the needs of adoptive children. If interested in adopting a child, contact Rebecca Rouse at (919) 731-1100.
Foster Care Services
	Foster care is temporary care for children who cannot stay in their own home because of abuse, neglect, or dependency. Children are placed in homes that are licensed by the state. Most foster children have been placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services by the court. However, a parent may voluntarily place his child in foster care if the family is in a crisis and the child is at risk. While the child is in foster care, the social worker and biological family are working towards reuniting the child with his family. Visitation is arranged between the child and his family. In order to be a foster parent, a person must meet the state's licensure requirements. Foster parents must be at least 21. Each parent must attend thirty hours of training before the licensing process can begin. Several additional guidelines must be met. If you are interested in being a foster parent, contact Rebecca Rouse at (919) 731-1100.