Orange County NC Website
8 <br /> Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Out of Home <br /> Placement (Permanency Planning) and Court Processes <br /> • The primary goal of Child Protective Services is to ensure children are safe <br /> within their own homes. When in home safety cannot be assured, Social <br /> Services takes legal steps to assume child custody. <br /> • A juvenile petition is filed, and a Judge will determine if the agency has legal <br /> grounds to remove the child(ren) from the home. <br /> • This initiates the Juvenile Court process and requires a hearing within 7 days. <br /> The family has legal representation and regular court hearings. <br /> • The primary goal is almost always to reunify the family and social workers <br /> continue to work with the parents on steps toward reunification. <br /> 000 <br /> OMNGE COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF <br /> SOCIAL SERVICES <br />