Social Work Services
Permanency, Support And Protection
 Permanency Unit
The Permanency Unit is responsible for adoption, foster care services. This division is responsible for the following programs and services:
Adoption Services: Numerous services are necessary for children to become permanent members of a substitute family. Registries of families studied and approved for adoption and children available for adoption are maintained, while staff work to bring these families and children together and assure the legal requirements are met.
Court Ordered Services/Interstate Request: Frequently, local or neighboring courts will order home studies, supervised visitation, or case monitoring. There are also requests from other states for these services.
Family Preservation and Support/Prevention Services: Supportive services are offered to families at-risk of abuse/neglect. They can be direct services, referral, or purchased services.
Foster Care Services: Temporary substitute care is arranged for children who cannot be in their homes. The goal of foster care is a permanent home for each child. Returning the child to its home is the first choice, followed by relative care, adoption, or permanent foster care.
Family Support and Protection Unit
The Family Support and Protection Unit is responsible for adult services, child and adult protective services, and child day care. This division is responsible for the following programs and services:
The 24-hour, 7 days a week child/adult abuse and neglect hotline number is 1-800-552-7096.
Adult Protective Services: Protective services to adults include the receipt and investigation of reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults, as well as reports that adults are at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Protective services also include assessing service needs, determining whether the subject of the report is in need of protective services, documenting the need for protective services, specifying what services are needed, and providing or arranging for service delivery. Services to adults whose situations do not allege abuse, neglect, or exploitation, or the risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, are provided under Adult Services.
Child Protective Services: Protective services to children are a specialized continuum of casework services to abused, neglected or exploited children. The focus of the services is identification, assessment and service provision in an effort to protect children, preserve families, whenever possible, and prevent further maltreatment. Child protective services is non-punitive in its approach and is directed toward enabling families to provide adequate care and nurture for their children. Services are also developed to prevent and alleviate family dysfunction.
Child Care Fee-System Program: Fee childcare and subsidy and services are made available to children in eligible low income families to the extent of available funding, if the family meets the non-financial requirements. Childcare may be provided on a sliding scale for both former TANF recipients and income eligible families. This includes children participating in the Head Start program and substitute care for children requiring protection. |
