Chatham County, NC
Home MenuAdult Services Information
Chatham County Department of Social Services - Adult Services assist the aging and disabled population to remain in their homes for as long as possible or to reside safely in a facility. Eligibility for services include the following:
- Must reside in Chatham County
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must consent to all services, with the exception of Adult Protective Services.
ADULT SERVICES
Adult Care Home Monitoring
Adult Care Home Screening and Case Management (ACHCM)
Adult Day Care Monitoring
Adult Placement Services
Adult Protective Services
Guardianship of Incompetent Adults
In-Home Services/At-Risk Case Management
In-Home Aide Services
Individual & Family Adjustment Services
Representative Payee
Special Assistance Demonstration Project
Transportation Services
Adult Care Home Monitoring
Adult Care Home Specialist monitor the overall operations of Adult and Family Care Homes to insure that the minimum standards for state licensure are met. This includes the evaluation of and technical assistance in the following areas: personnel, physical environment, fire safety, health and food services, activities, management of resident funds and management of medications. The Adult Care Home Specialist works with other community agencies to coordinate oversight and training in these facilities. The homes are licensed by the State Division of Facility Services, which oversees local monitoring, performs any required follow-up inspection and conducts annual surveys of adult care homes.
Adult Care Home Screening and Case Management (ACHCM)
Case Management includes monthly assessment and verification of the need for Enhanced Personal Care for toileting, feeding, and/or ambulating with residents receiving Medicaid Special Assistance. The ACHCM coordinates with the facility, family and area service providers to address the overall health care needs of the resident receiving Enhanced Personal Care services.
Adult Day Care Monitoring
Adult Day Care enables physically and/or mentally disabled adults who would otherwise need full-time care away from their own residences to continue living at home as long as possible and to enjoy as much independence as possible. Adult day care provides the group care and supervision in a location other than their residence on a less than 24-hr basis. Day care services is an organized program of services during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting adults’ personal independence and promoting their social, physical and emotional well-being.
The NC Department of Human Resources annually inspects and certifies all adult day care programs. The county department of social services monitors adult day care monthly to insure compliance with state standards and completes the annual re-certification. The goal of the standards is not merely to identify shortcomings, but to evaluate and establish policies and procedures contributing to quality programming and improvement of services. The evaluation includes oversight in the following areas: personnel, equipment/furnishings, activities, health/personal care services, and client and program records.
This service assists the aging or disabled adults and their families or representatives in finding substitute homes or residential health care facilities suitable to their needs when they are unable to remain in their current living situations. Activities include completing an initial screening and assessment while providing counseling to help the individual and his/her family or representative to determine the need for initial or continued placement; assisting in the process for completing necessary financial application and medical evaluations; helping to locate and secure placement in a suitable setting and level of care; supporting an individual’s transition from one location to another and providing counseling and other services to help the individual adjust to the new setting and maintain the placement. This service also includes assisting individuals, when requested, to return to more independent settings in the community or relocate in more appropriate settings when new levels of care are needed.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
North Carolina law protects disabled adults of all ages from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Chatham County DSS is committed to protecting disabled adults in the county, and will complete a thorough evaluation of all reports meeting statutory criteria.
All reports are reviewed to determine if they meet the three criteria required per NC Statute (G.S. 108a). Reports meeting criteria are assigned to an Adult Protective Services (APS) Worker for evaluation. An Adult Protective Services Worker will make a determination whether or not an adult is disabled; has been abused, neglected or exploited; and in need of protective services. An assessment is made to determine capacity to consent and what services are needed to prevent further mistreatment. If the allegation of abuse, neglect or exploitation is substantiated, the APS Worker will assist individuals and their families or caretakers in utilizing appropriate services and community resources.
Please review our Adult Protective Services page for more information.
Guardianship of Incompetent Adults in NC
Guardianship is legal relationship in which the guardian is authorized by the clerk of superior court to be a substitute decision-maker for an incompetent adult (the ward). Incompetence is decided in a court proceeding which determines that an individual is unable to manage his/her own affairs, or make important decisions.
Anyone who has knowledge of the individual may file a petition with the clerk of superior court alleging that the individual (respondent) should be declared incompetent and have a guardian appointed. The required forms may be obtained from the clerk’s office, where the petition must be filed. A filing fee is required. The clerk sets a date and time for the hearing, upon filing of the petition. Copies of the petition and notice of the hearing are served by the sheriff’s department on the respondent and on his/her attorney or other representative. The petitioner must mail copies to the respondent’s spouse or other relatives. The petitioner may not need legal representation at the hearing, but it is advisable to at least consult with attorney before starting a proceeding to have someone declared incompetent. The petitioner is responsible for paying his/her attorney’s fees.
Once the adult has been determined to be incompetent and a guardian is appointed, the guardian will receive a written order of appointment from the clerk explaining the guardian's powers and duties.
The specific powers and duties a guardian are found in North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 35A. The state of North Carolina recognizes three types of Guardianships: 1) Guardian of Person, 2) Guardian of the Estate and 3) General Guardian.
The clerk of superior court may release the guardian from his/her powers and duties when the ward dies, the guardian resigns or the ward's competence is restored.
In-Home Services/At-Risk Case Management
In-Home Services includes an assessment, identification, coordination and monitoring of services to meet the needs of older /disabled adults who are able to remain safely at home with assistance from service providers, including medical, transportation, financial, personal care, housing and home management; At-Risk Case Management is provided to Medicaid recipients in need of In-Home Services to continue to live safely in their own or a relative’s home.
In-Home Aide Services
This is a service which assists adults and their families with essential home management tasks to enable these adults and families to remain and function effectively in their own homes as long as possible.
Individual and Family Adjustment Services (IFA)
IFA Service includes the provision of information, referrals to appropriate service providers, and counseling with individuals/families experiencing destabilizing changes in health, finances, functional abilities and family relationships.
Representative Payee
This is a service offered to individuals for whom the Department of Social Services has been appointed the representative payee to assure the appropriate use of income for the client’s needs and to strengthen the client’s basic skills in money management.
Special Assistance Demonstration (SA Demo) Project
SA Demo Project provides assessment of the need for Special Assistance Medicaid funds to be awarded to authorized older/disabled adults who have been medically determined to be at a "rest home" or "domiciliary" level of care and who choose to remain in a private living arrangement. Case management is provided to coordinate and monitor services, obtain medical equipment and supplies, guide the client in the purchase of needed services and to verify that Special Assistance Medicaid funds are being used for purchases enabling the client to live safely at home.
Transportation Services
This is an extended service to adult services clients for whom transportation is not otherwise available, offering access to medical and health resources, shopping facilities, education, training opportunities and other community agencies.