Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br /> Slide #3 <br /> Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Statutory Authority <br /> • Child Protective Services in North Carolina is governed by Chapter 7B of the <br /> General Statutes,the Juvenile Code ,which mandates that county <br /> Departments of Social Services protect juveniles from abuse, neglect, and <br /> dependency. <br /> • North Carolina General Statute 713-301 indicates that any person who has <br /> "cause to suspect"a child has been abused, neglected, or is dependent is <br /> required to report this to the Department of Social Services. <br /> • North Carolina General Statute 76-302(a) states when a report of abuse, <br /> neglect, or dependency is received, the director of the department of social <br /> services shall make a prompt and thorough assessment.The Social Services <br /> Director delegates that authority to staff in the Department of Social <br /> Services. <br /> Slide #4 <br /> Child Protective Services in North Carolina: Reports <br /> • All reports must meet certain statutory criteria to be screened in for CPS <br /> Assessment: <br /> • Juvenile(age 0-17) <br /> • Alleged perpetrator must be a parent/caretaker(as defined in statute).The only <br /> exception is in cases of Human Trafficking. <br /> • Allegations must meet the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect,or dependency as <br /> defined in G.S.713-101 <br /> • If the report is screened out, there is no further action. <br /> • If the report is screened in, there is a response time and response track <br /> assigned based upon the reported allegations. <br /> • Neglect/Dependency Reports—generally 72-hour response time;some may warrant an <br /> immediate or 24-hour response depending on the nature of the allegations and/or ages <br /> of the children.(Family Assessment) <br /> • Abuse Reports—Immediate or 24-hour response time(Investigative Assessment) <br />