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1. What happens after I make a report?

After receiving the report, the Adult Protective Services (APS) intake worker will review the report with the supervisor to determine if the disabled adult is in need of a protective services evaluation. If so, the APS social worker will visit the adult. The timing of the visit will be determined based on the urgency of the situation. Some visits are immediate, but all visits are made within 72 hours of the report.

If the report is accepted for an evaluation, the investigation will include home visits by the APS social worker and consultation with others who have knowledge of the facts of the particular case. An interview with the disabled adult may be conducted with no other persons present. The Department of Social Services (DSS) works in collaboration with other agencies in the community such as the Health Department, Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Rowan Regional Medical Center, Sheriff’s Department, other law enforcement agencies, Hospice, home health agencies, and others to gather information during the investigation and to arrange for services if a need is found.

The investigation shall be completed within 30 days for allegations of abuse or neglect, and shall be completed within 45 days for allegations of exploitation. If the report does not meet the criteria to support an APS investigation, but if issues are identified that should be addressed, the report may be accepted for Preventive Outreach services.

2. What are Preventive Outreach Services?

Preventive Outreach Services include a home visit by the APS social worker to address needs of the person. The person may be offered referrals to other community organizations that may be able to assist him or her with services and assistance to meet needs. The goal of Preventive Outreach Services is to provide services so that the person will not become a victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in the future.

3. What action may I take if my report does not get the results I expected?

If you disagree with the Department of Social Services (DSS) actions regarding the report you made, you may contact, in this order, the following persons to request a higher level review of the report: 

• the Adult Protective Services (APS) Supervisor
• the APS Program Administrator
• the DSS Director

You may wish to make another report if you have additional information about the situation. There is no limit on the number of reports that can be made. However, further reports should have additional or new information that was not presented earlier. All reports that do not rise to the level of an investigation are always reviewed a second time at regularly scheduled APS Screening Committee meetings. Committee members reviewing these reports include the APS Supervisor, the APS Program Administrator, and the Adult Services Attorney. The purpose of these reviews is to assure that no report was improperly screened out.

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1. What is child protective services?

Child Protective Services is a unit within the Department of Social Services (DSS) that investigates child abuse, neglect, and dependency of children from birth to 18 years of age.  The purpose of the investigation is to determine:

• the extent of any abuse or neglect
• the risk of harm to the child
• whether the child and family need assistance or intervention services by DSS to insure child safety in the home
• what services would be most helpful
• whether a petition should be filed to take the matter to juvenile court

2. What is child abuse?

General Statue 7B-101(1) defines an abused child as any juvenile less than 18 years of age whose parent, guardian, custodian or caretaker inflicts, or allows to be inflicted, serious physical injury by other than accidental means; creates or allows to be created substantial risk of serious injury; uses, or allows to be used, cruel or grossly inappropriate procedures or devices to modify behavior; commits, permits, or encourages sexual abuse of the juvenile; and creates or allows to be created serious emotional damage to the juvenile. Learn more specifics by viewing the informational Child Abuse page.

3. What is child neglect?

General Statute 7B-101(15) defines a neglected child as any juvenile who does not receive proper care, supervision, or discipline from the juvenile's parent, guardian or caretaker; or who is abandoned, or not provided necessary medical care, or who lives in an environment injurious to the juvenile's welfare, or who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law. Discover the various types of neglect on the Child Neglect page.

4. What is dependency?

General Statute 7B-101 (9) defines a dependent child as any juvenile needing assistance or placement because the child has no parent, guardian, or custodian responsible for his or her care or supervision, or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is not able to provide for the child's care or supervision due to physical or mental incapacity and the absence of an appropriate alternative child-care arrangement.

5. How do I make a report?

A report may be made in person, by telephone, or in writing to the Department of Social Services in your county. The county phone number for making reports is 704-216-8499. Reports may also be made to the state Child Protective Services Division by calling 800-354-KIDS.

6. Do I have to give my name when I make a report?

No. Reports may be made anonymously. However, you will not receive a letter advising whether the report was accepted for investigation nor notification of the case decision. For concerns, inquiries or to make a report, please use our Feedback Form.

7. Who must report child abuse and neglect?

The law requires everyone to report suspected child abuse or neglect, “Any person or institution who has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused or neglected or dependent, as defined by General Statute (G.S.) 7B-101, or has died as the result of maltreatment shall report the case of that juvenile to the director of the Department of Social Services, or his/her designee, in the county where the juvenile resides or is found,” (G.S. 7B-310). This reporting requirement applies to professionals such as physicians, psychologist, other health and mental health workers, day care workers, and school personnel. But it applies equally to friends, neighbors, relatives. and anyone else who suspects that a child is abused or neglected.

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1. What are the Medicaid eligibility requirements?

Basic Eligibility Requirements;

Medicaid or Health Choice may be available to people who are:

• Age 65 or older
• Blind or disabled
• Infants and children under the age of 21
• Low-income individuals and families
• In need of long-term care
• Receiving Medicare

You also must:

• Be a US citizen or provide proof of eligible immigration status (individuals only applying for emergency services are not required to provide documentation of immigration status)
• Live in North Carolina, and provide proof of residency
• Have a Social Security number or have applied for one

2. How do I apply for Medicaid?

There are three ways to apply (one application works for Medicaid and Health Choice).

1. Apply online at ePass.
2. Apply in person at Rowan County Department of Social Services (DSS) located at 1813 E Innes Street Salisbury, NC 28146, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
3. Fill out a paper application and mail, drop off, or fax to Rowan County DSS at 704-216-7941

Call Rowan County DSS at 704-216-8330 if other accommodations are required.

3. How do I obtain a mail-in application for Medicaid?

Requesting an Application

You may contact the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 704-216-8330 to request an application to be mailed to you, or you may go to the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance website. You may select from the Adult Medicaid Mail-in, form number DMA-5000, or you may choose the form DMA-5063 for Medicaid for families and children. 

Application Process

DSS cannot accept applications received by fax or email. Your eligibility will be determined by the date of your application. The date of the application is the date a completed, signed, and dated application is received in the DSS in the county where you reside. Once you have completed the application, you may mail the application or bring it in person to:

Rowan County Department of Social Services 
1813 E Innes Street 
Salisbury, NC 28146 
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

4. Is Medicaid transportation available?

If you receive Medicaid, Medicaid will pay for transportation to and from a medical appointment if the recipient receives a Medicaid covered service that is provided by a qualified Medicaid provider (enrolled as a North Carolina Medicaid provider). Medicaid only pays for the least expensive means suitable to the recipient’s needs. The county will arrange for or provide transportation for Medicaid covered services if the Medicaid recipient is unable to arrange and/or pay for transportation. Persons receiving Medicaid under the Medicaid for Qualified Beneficiaries coverage group and/or children receiving North Carolina Health Choice are not eligible to receive Medicaid Transportation assistance. To request Medicaid Transportation, contact 704-216-8896.

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1. How do I apply for Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps)

1. You may apply in person at the local Department of Social Services (DSS) in the state/county where you reside. You may go to the FNS website and complete the application online (PDF) and submit to DSS by mail or by fax. You may fax the application to any of these numbers:
   • 704-216-8433
   • 704-216-7937

2. If you are a Rowan County resident, you may mail the application to:
   Department of Social Services
   1813 E Innes Street
   Salisbury, NC 28146

   The date of the application is the date the completed, signed, and dated application is received in the DSS agency in the county where you reside. If eligible, benefits cannot begin prior to the application date. You may be required to come into the agency to complete the interview. If you have circumstances that prevent you from coming into the agency, contact DSS at 704-216-8330.

2. How do I apply for Medicaid?

There are three ways to apply (one application works for Medicaid and Health Choice).

1. Apply online at ePass.
2. Apply in person at Rowan County Department of Social Services (DSS) 1813 E. Innes Street Salisbury, NC 28146 Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
3. Fill out a paper application and mail to or drop it off at Rowan County DSS or Fax to 704-216-7941.

Call Rowan County DSS at 704-216-8330 if one of these methods will not work for you.

3. How do I report Child Abuse?

A report may be made in person, by telephone, or in writing to the Department of Social Services in your county. The county phone number for making reports is 704-216-8499. Reports may also be made to the state Child Protective Services Division by calling 800-354-KIDS. The Rowan County address is:
1813 E Innes Street
Salisbury, NC 28146

4. How to become foster parents?

Becoming a foster parent starts with an informational meeting and an application packet. Call us at 704-216-8440 to begin your journey!

5. How to apply for Work First Family Assistance (WFFA)?

To apply for Work First family Assistance, please come into agency to the application window. You must complete an application in person and meet with a caseworker to sign the application

6. How do I apply for Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)?

To apply for the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), you can apply in person at the Rowan County Department of Social Services 1813 E Innes Street, Salisbury NC 28146 or a phone interview can be completed at 704-216-8330 and the application mailed to you for your signature.  

7. How do I apply for Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)?

Energy assistance programs are available as long as funds are available. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households to pay their heating bills. Applications are available annually from January 1 to March 31 or until funds are exhausted. Certain households containing an elderly person age 60 and above or a disabled person who receives services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) can apply for LIEAP earlier during December of each year.

To apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), you can apply in person at the Rowan County Department of Social Services 1813 E Innes Street, Salisbury NC 28146 or a phone interview can be completed at 704-216-8330 and the application mailed to you for your signature.