provides a broad array of economic and social services aimed at promoting and strengthening family stability and integrity; enhancing the protection and care of children and dependent adults; and assisting all citizens in achieving their highest level of independence.

Social Services is a county administered- state supervised organization that administers federal, state and county programs. The department is committed to providing quality services to Dare County citizens. Staff are dedicated, conscientious, believe in the agency mission and work hard to ensure that it is met and that services are provided in a caring and respectful way.

Social Services is best known for the federal public assistance programs they operate such as Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services. The department has many other facets, however. We are responsible for everything from adoption, day care, child abuse investigations and foster care to working with disabled adults, helping the elderly or disabled remain in their own homes, or assisting in necessary nursing home placement.

In Dare County, Social Services provides many services to the "working poor" who work hard to live in Dare County. Our high cost-of-living, coupled with seasonal and services/retail employment make it hard for people to "make it" here in Dare County. Social Services often fills the gaps. Many people the agency serves are not the stereotypical welfare recipient you might think of but are more apt to be your neighbor or the person who checks you out of the grocery store.

Social Services is governed by a five person board that selects the director, establishes any local policy and advises the department. Two are appointed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners, two by the NC Social Services Commission, and the fifth member by these four. The department also works closely with the Dare County Board of Commissioners, who set the budget for the department, the county manager and other county departments. The department also works closely with a number of private nonprofit and religious-based organizations in addressing community needs.