Structure and Organization

North Carolina has a system of county administered, state supervised departments of social services responsible for the provision of public assistance and social services programs for citizens of North Carolina. Generally these county departments act as agents of the State under the supervisor of the NC Division of Social Services and the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Social Services is, however, a part of the local government and its employees are county employees.

Each county, except Mecklenburg and Wake, has a county board of social services responsible for establishing county policies, in conformity with the state rules and regulations. The Dare County Board of Social Services has five members, two chosen by the NC Social Services Commission, two chosen by the Dare County Board of Commissioners and a fifth chosen by these four members. Usually a member of the Dare County Board of Commissioners fills one of the commissioner’s slots in order to enhance communication between the two boards. The Dare County Board of Social Services meets monthly to conduct necessary business.

One of the most important rules of the Social Services Board is the selection of the director of social services. The director, both directly and through staff, administers the programs of the agency. NCGS 108A-14 specifies fourteen duties and responsibilities of the director, including the hiring of staff.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners also plays an important role in relation to Social Services. Their primary responsibility is to provide necessary county funds and approval of the Dare County Department of Social Services budget.

Fiscal Information

Social Services is financed by a complex, activity/program-specific blend of federal, state, and county funding. Available federal and state funding for programs ranges from 100% funded to no financial participation.

The total budget for Social Services for FY 11-12 is about 35.9 million dollars. Not all of the programs that the department is responsible for, such as Medicaid, flow through the county budget. The federal government provides approximately 76% of the necessary funding. State government provides approximately 7% and the county government provides approximately 17% of the necessary funding.